DIY Calligraphy Vow Books with Free Download

This morning we featured what I know will be my favorite wedding of 2019. Sure, I may be biased as the Bride is my dear friend Jacquelyn, but I think you’ll agree it’s ridiculously beautiful and not to mention, filled with an abundance of steal-worthy details. One of those deets are these pretty little vow books, graced with art and calligraphy by Jess Blazejewski and Becca Joas, respectively. If you’re planning to make your vows your own, these beauties are equally one of a kind and won’t take up all of your precious wedding planning hours.

Supplies

“Our Vows” free template from Becca Joas Calligraphy

5×7″ Handmade paper for book cover

5×7″ Gray paper for book interior pages

1/4″ Silk Ribbon (we cut down this silk chiffon ribbon to that width)

Scissors

Ruler

Pencil

Bone Folder tool

Needle

White embroidery thread

Instructions

  1. Download the “Our Vows” template from Becca Joas Calligraphy. Print out onto handmade paper. Be sure to set your printer to the size of the handmade paper and the thickest paper setting. It may take a few tries to get your printer to cleanly pick up the paper.
  2. Use a ruler to mark 0.25″ on all four sides of the gray interior paper pieces. I used 3 pieces of paper but you can use as few or as many as you like.
  3. Place the ruler firmly on the pencil line and gently rip the edge off the paper on all four sides, giving a lovely hand-torn edge to the paper and ensuring the interior page is smaller than the book cover. Repeat for the remaining interior pages.
  4. Fold the “Our Vows” cover page in half and use the bone folder to cleanly press the fold. Fold the interior pages in half and cleanly press the folds. Place the interior pages inside the book cover.
  5. Thread the needle with the white thread and knot one end of the thread. Open the paper pages to the center page. Press the needle through the paper pages, starting at the bottom of the fold in the innermost page and go all the way through the outside cover.
  6. Push the needle back through the pages (from the outside cover in) at around halfway up the spine of the book. Turn the needle around and push it back through (from inside to outer cover). Finally at the top of the book spine push the needle through again (from the outside cover in), knot the thread, and trim any excess thread.
  7. Tie 1/4″ thick ribbon around the spine of the book. Knot the ribbon on the outside of the spine and leave two long trailing tails of ribbon. Repeat steps 1-7 for a second book for your spouse-to-be.
  8. Write your vows inside the books and exchange at your wedding ceremony.

Photography: Will Reid Photography | Calligraphy: Becca Joas | Art: Jess Blazejewski | Vow Books: Lark & Linen