What do you do with all those beautiful wedding cards after the big day? If you can’t bear to throw away the handwritten messages from your favorite people, but you don’t want a stack of cards collecting dust in a drawer, there’s a perfect solution: turn your wedding cards into a keepsake book!
You don’t have to make one yourself, either. Companies like Cardkive and MyCardBook can turn your cards into a professionally printed hardcover book. Or, if you’d rather keep the original cards together and create your own collection, a wedding card keeper is another option.
If you’ve been wondering whether anyone has used a company to turn wedding cards into a book, here’s what to know about the services, how they work, and which option might be right for you.
This is a research-based guide, not a firsthand review. I’ve compared the services and their published details so you can decide which approach best fits your wedding memories and budget.
Quick answer: What’s the best way to turn wedding cards into a book?
- Want a professionally printed book without doing the work? Compare Cardkive and MyCardBook.
- Want to keep the original cards and organize them yourself? Try a wedding card keeper from SugarKoatedDesigns on Etsy.
- Want a fully DIY option? Photograph or scan your cards and arrange the images in a photo book.
1. Cardkive: A Professionally Printed Wedding Card Book
Cardkive specializes in turning greeting cards into printed keepsake books. Its wedding card book is designed to preserve the cards and handwritten messages you received from loved ones, including cards from your engagement party, bridal shower, and wedding.
The process is designed to be straightforward, even if you’re not particularly crafty.
How Cardkive works
- Order your box. Cardkive sends a sturdy box with a prepaid shipping label.
- Pack your cards. Gather the cards you’d like to preserve and send them to the company.
- Review your book proof. Your cards are professionally photographed, and a digital proof is created for you to review before printing.
- Receive your book. Once you approve the design, your custom hardcover book is printed and shipped.
Cardkive’s standard wedding box typically holds around 50 to 60 cards, while its larger box accommodates approximately 100 to 120. The company also offers cover customization and the option to include wedding photos.
One detail worth checking before ordering is the policy for returning your original cards. If you’d like to keep both the printed book and the physical cards, confirm the current return options and any applicable fees.
Best for: Couples who want a polished, professionally designed book and prefer a simple mail-in process.
EXPLORE CARDKIVE’s WEDDING CARD BOOKS →
2. MyCardBook: A Custom Hardcover Book for Wedding Cards
MyCardBook offers another way to turn wedding cards into a permanent keepsake. The service photographs your cards and their handwritten messages, arranges them in a custom book, and gives you a digital preview before printing.
How MyCardBook works
- Gather your cards. Collect your wedding cards and any other stationery or keepsakes you’d like to include.
- Ship them to the company. You’ll package the cards yourself and send them to the studio using your preferred carrier.
- Personalize the book. MyCardBook photographs the cards and designs the layout. You can choose a cover featuring a wedding photo or a favorite card.
- Approve the proof. Review the digital mockup and request changes before the book goes to print.
- Receive your keepsake. Your finished hardcover book is shipped to you.
The company offers an 8-by-8-inch hardcover book that can hold up to 200 cards. You can also ask about including other meaningful items, such as wedding stationery and photographs.
Pricing depends on the number of cards you submit. MyCardBook’s published US pricing starts with a base price for the first 30 cards, with additional charges for larger collections. US shipping for the finished book is included, while returning your original cards may incur an extra fee.
The company estimates a turnaround of approximately six weeks after receiving your cards, although timing can vary.
Best for: Couples with a larger collection of cards who want a customizable hardcover book without having to photograph and arrange everything themselves.
EXPLORE MYCARDBOOK’S WEDDING CARD BOOKS →
3. Wedding Card Keeper: The DIY Option
Prefer to keep your original cards rather than have them reproduced in a printed book? A wedding card keeper by SugarKoatedDesigns is a sweet alternative.
This wedding card keeper on Etsy is an option to explore if you’d like a dedicated place for your wedding cards and anniversary messages. Instead of mailing your collection to a company to be photographed and printed, you can organize and preserve the original cards yourself.
Here’s how to make it your own:
- Collect your cards. Gather the wedding cards you want to keep, including meaningful notes from your bridal shower or engagement celebration.
- Organize them. Arrange the cards in chronological order or group them by family, friends, or occasion.
- Add personal details. Include a small note with your wedding date, a favorite memory, or a list of the people who gave you the cards.
- Keep adding to the collection. You can use the keeper to preserve anniversary cards and other special messages as the years go by, provided the format has room for them.
The biggest difference is that this option preserves your physical cards rather than creating a professionally printed reproduction. You get to handle the organization yourself, which also gives you more control over how your collection is arranged.
Before ordering, check the Etsy listing for its current price, dimensions, card capacity, personalization options, and shipping details.
Best for: Couples who want to preserve their original wedding cards, enjoy a hands-on keepsake project, or prefer an alternative to a professionally printed book.
Cardkive vs. MyCardBook vs. Wedding Card Keeper
Not sure which route to take? Here’s a quick comparison of the three options.
| Feature | Cardkive | MyCardBook | Etsy Card Keeper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finished format | Printed hardcover book | Printed hardcover book | Keeper for original cards |
| Who does the work? | Professional service | Professional service | You organize the cards |
| Card capacity | Typically 50–60 standard; larger box available | Up to 200 cards | Check the listing |
| Custom cover | Yes | Yes | Depends on the listing |
| Original cards | Return option available | Return option available | Kept in their original form |
| Best for | Convenience | Larger collections | DIY preservation |
Always verify current product details, prices, card limits, and shipping policies before ordering.
How Much Does It Cost to Turn Wedding Cards Into a Book?
The cost depends on whether you want a professionally printed book or a DIY card keeper.
- Cardkive: The price includes the book-making service, card photography, and shipping under its published US package terms. The total varies by box size and current promotions.
- MyCardBook: Pricing depends on the number of cards. The published US pricing includes delivery of the finished book, but returning your original cards can cost extra.
- Wedding Card Keeper: The price depends on the specific product and seller. Check the listing for the current price, shipping, and any personalization fees.
For the most accurate comparison, count your cards first and calculate the total cost of each option. If you have only a few especially meaningful cards, a DIY keeper may be all you need. If you have a large collection and want a polished book without doing the work, a professional service may be worth the additional cost.
Check Cardkive’s current pricing or view MyCardBook’s pricing before deciding.
Is It Worth Turning Wedding Cards Into a Book?
If you’re sentimental about the people who celebrated your wedding, a card book can be a meaningful way to preserve their words.
Think about the handwritten note from your grandparents, the sweet message from your childhood best friend, or the card from someone who traveled a long way to be there. Those little messages can mean even more as the years go by.
A keepsake book also makes the collection easier to revisit than a stack of cards stored in a box. You can keep it on a bookshelf, bring it out on an anniversary, or share it with your family someday.
That said, you don’t have to turn every card into a book. If you love the look and feel of the originals, a card keeper may be the better choice. And if you prefer to keep things simple, a protective storage box can preserve your cards without requiring a larger project.
Can You Make a Wedding Card Book Yourself?
Absolutely! If you want the look of a book without paying for a professional service, you can create your own.
- Make a photo book. Photograph or scan the front of each card and its handwritten message, then arrange the images in a photo book service.
- Create a scrapbook. Combine your favorite cards with wedding photos, invitation pieces, and other paper keepsakes.
- Use a card keeper. Keep the original cards organized in a dedicated binder or holder.
- Save them in a keepsake box. If you don’t have time to create a book right away, store the cards somewhere dry and away from direct sunlight.
If you’re looking for even more ideas, visit our guide to what to do with bridal shower and wedding cards. You’ll find additional ways to save those special messages without letting them sit forgotten in a drawer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Card Books
Can you turn wedding cards into a book?
Yes. Companies such as Cardkive and MyCardBook photograph your wedding cards and arrange the images in a professionally printed hardcover book. You can also create a DIY photo book or organize the original cards in a wedding card keeper.
Do Cardkive and MyCardBook Return Your Original Wedding Cards?
Yes, both Cardkive and MyCardBook offer an option to have original cards returned. Check the current ordering terms for the exact return policy and any additional charges.
Does MyCardBook include the handwritten messages inside the cards? Does Cardkive do the same?
Both companies photograph the card and its handwritten message, then arrange them together in the finished book so the words are preserved alongside the design.
Can I include bridal shower and engagement cards?
Yes. Cardkive offers a wedding card book suitable for engagement, bridal shower, and wedding cards. MyCardBook also offers options for preserving cards from different occasions. Check each service’s current guidelines if you want to combine several celebrations in one book.
What if I want to keep the original wedding cards?
These services offer original-card returns (extra postage). Double-check their return policies and fees before mailing your cards. Alternatives, you can use a DIY card keeper.
What’s the easiest way to preserve wedding cards?
If you want the least hands-on option, a professional card-book service handles the photography and layout for you. If you’d rather keep the original cards, a wedding card keeper or protective keepsake box is a simple alternative.
A Sweet Way to Preserve Your Wedding Wishes
Your wedding cards are more than pretty paper. They’re little reminders of the people who celebrated your marriage and the kind words they shared with you.
Whether you choose a professionally printed book from Cardkive or MyCardBook, organize the originals in a wedding card keeper, or make your own photo book, the goal is the same: to give those memories a place where you can enjoy them again.
Choose the option that works for your collection, your budget, and how much you’d like to do yourself. One day, you’ll be glad you saved those sweet messages.
Happy Planning!
xo
Emma
