A wedding is one of the most unforgettable and interesting events in the life of two people who love each other. Therefore, I want to leave the best memories and impressions about this day by performing various rituals, one of which is the ritual of hanging a padlock in a special place. This means that the newlyweds seal their marriage by closing the lock, thereby binding each other forever.
If you go to the embankment of any city, you will see hundreds, or even thousands of locks that are different from each other; by their unique appearance, lovers find the one they once hung. Making a wedding castle with your own hands is not difficult; we present to your attention a short master class.
What kind of lock is needed?
Before making a wedding symbol of love, you need to buy a regular padlock. It can be of any shape. But if you can find it in the shape of a heart, then it’s very good. The size of the castle is not important. However, the more, the more impressive. Of course, a large castle will require more materials and time for decoration, but it’s worth it. After all, a wedding is a wonderful event and you want the marriage to be long and strong. And the castle will be, in a way, a talisman that protects the family from quarrels and adversity.
Its appearance does not matter; it will still need to be painted over. Exception: locks are red and white, as their color is ideal for decoration.
Lock selection
First of all, you need to purchase a suitable padlock from the store. It is worth noting that locks are not only ordinary square, but also, for example, heart-shaped. The solution to this issue depends on the cost of the product and the financial capabilities of the couple.
You can look for an antique lock with a hinged shackle, it looks great after the appropriate decoration.
The texture of the surface of the castle is also of great importance. If you intend to apply an inscription to the surface using engraving, then it is better if it is smooth.
If the inscription is made with paint, then there is not much difference between a smooth surface and a rough one.
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The next characteristic you need to pay attention to is the size of the lock. A large castle is more noticeable, but it also costs more. In addition, it will require more decorative elements and time for decoration. Therefore, when choosing the size of the lock, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons.
How to paint a castle
Before painting, the lock must be degreased. This can be any alcohol-containing liquid or a special degreasing solution; it can be bought in paint stores or among consumables for manicure (you can also see decorative elements, broths, rhinestones, stickers, etc.). You need to take a cotton pad, soak it in the liquid and wipe the lock.
The paint for painting the castle should be aerosol. It lays flat without streaks or unevenness. Before applying it, you need to close the keyhole so that paint does not get there and damage the mechanism. To do this, you can use a piece of cloth or tape. It is better to paint in a ventilated area or outdoors, as the paint has a very pungent odor. After applying the layer, you need to wait for it to dry completely. And only then start painting the reverse side. It is advisable to paint in two layers to make the coating look more even.
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DIY wedding castle
You can personalize your accessory with a little effort. Buy a padlock that suits you in size and shape and decorate it according to these instructions:
- Buy beads, fabric flowers and other decorative items at a craft store. You will also need satin ribbon and high-quality glue. Nowadays it is very popular to decorate a wedding in a certain shade. If you decide to do this, then the decorations should match the main tone of the wedding.
- Buy acrylic paints, a thin brush and clear polish (for nails).
- Wash the metal product with soap and water and dry. Thoroughly degrease the surface with cologne or alcohol.
- Using acrylic paint, write the names of the bride and groom and the wedding date on the product. Let the lettering dry thoroughly. If you are good at drawing, you can decorate the product with different colors.
- Cover the surface with the inscription with varnish. Leave until completely dry.
- Carefully glue decorative elements around the lettering.
- Wrap the ribbon around the handle of the product. Secure the edges with glue.
How to decorate a wedding castle
Applying the lettering is the second step after painting. You can use acrylic paint for it. It is worth choosing colors that contrast with the background color. You can make a test inscription on paper and, after practicing, begin engraving the lock.
The third step is the design of the castle. To attach all the parts, use superglue for metal surfaces. Satin ribbons, small bows, rhinestones, beads and much more are used for decoration. Large parts are glued first, followed by small ones.
Decorating a castle is a rather delicate process that requires care and precision. Here is a short video that clearly shows the lock making process.
You can use tweezers to glue small parts, since it is very difficult to install such a small thing as beads in the right place.
The soul of the castle is also being decorated. A thin satin ribbon is used for this. One edge of it is glued to the edge of the darling and carefully wound along the entire length, the tip is also secured with glue. You can take a thin fishing line and string beads onto it. If you wrap it around the darling, following the satin ribbon, the product will acquire extraordinary shine and sophistication.
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Other decoration methods
Next we will consider methods, the implementation of which will require certain skills and dexterity.
Rhinestone inlay
This method will require accuracy and concentration. Using rhinestones, you can apply a pattern in the form of hearts or wedding rings. To get a beautiful wedding castle shimmering in the sun, you need to inlay it over the entire surface. Before gluing rhinestones, it is necessary to thoroughly degrease the surface for better fixation of the decor. It is convenient to use tweezers to grab elements. For precise and accurate application of glue, it is best to use toothpicks; they can also easily remove excess glue.
Master class on inlaying various surfaces with rhinestones:
Artistic painting
Having artistic skills, you can paint a wedding castle according to your own sketch. The result is a truly unique accessory that will stand out from all others.
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Design of a key for a lock
Usually, after securing the lock, the newlyweds throw it into the river or hang it above the door at home. It also needs to be registered, since it is included in the kit and cannot be done without it. A few points that will help in decorating the key:
- The key is decorated in the same style as the lock.
- It is not necessary to paint it, since it may peel during the process of opening and closing.
- The decorative elements used are the same ones that were used to decorate the castle.
- You can buy a cute and romantic keychain to go with it.
- You can weave a string of beads for it, it will look very delicate and beautiful.
Decorating a castle is a painstaking task, but very interesting. Of course, you can buy a ready-made lock in a store. But not a single castle can compare with one made by hand. The more love and soul the master puts into his work, the more happiness the talisman will bring to the family.
The emergence of the tradition of sealing the bonds of love with a wedding lock
Many young people believe that the tradition of hanging a padlock appeared a very long time ago, but in fact, everything is completely different: this tradition entered the world of weddings after the publication of an Italian novel, which described how a guy and a girl, having sworn their love to each other, hung chain on the bridge post and hung a lock on the chain, after which they threw the keys into the water.
Interesting: the pillar that was described in the novel actually exists!
And after the release of the novel, it was simply “surrounded” by loving couples who, at all costs, wanted to perpetuate their sublime feeling in a wedding lock that would hang on “that same” legendary pole.
Over time, the city authorities became very worried, because... Due to the large number of locks, the pillar was rapidly losing stability. By the way, this book is “Three Meters Above the Sky,” which, in the form of a film adaptation, spread this idea of hanging a lock on a bridge.
Why put a padlock on a wedding?
Often, for such purposes, a barn lock is chosen, which is hung in any pre-selected place during a wedding walk around the city after the wedding. In addition, you can buy a chain that is closed just with the chosen lock.
You can close together, holding hands, or you can entrust this to the groom, as his stronger half. The key is thrown into the river or simply somewhere far away, so that no one can open the lock and spoil the indestructible union of two hearts.
Interesting: it is not advisable to leave spare keys for yourself: this way you do not rule out the possibility that the lock will have to be removed and then, most likely, you will be disappointed and dissolve your marriage.
Often this memorable moment when the bride and groom hang up the wedding lock,
the photographer tries to capture, and the videographer films this moment in as much detail as possible, because he will definitely insert this part of the shooting into the wedding film and bring even more beauty and romance.
And although the tradition of hanging a wedding lock was invented by man for the film adaptation and uniqueness of the film, it has not outlived its usefulness and finds great recognition among young people, because this is the first joint action of the bride and groom after registering a marriage, which will unite their hearts forever.
Where and where to hang a wedding lock?
As we know, in the novel, a couple in love closes the lock with a chain on the bridge post, and the key is thrown into the river, which has become the traditional place for this action.
They also believe that the bridge is a symbol of love, because it connects two different banks. Often there is at least one bridge in the city where this ritual can be performed.
Also, wedding locks can be hung on the fences of various monuments where the newlyweds will pass on their wedding walk.
And recently, city authorities began to specially install such bridges in parks and cafes so that lovers and newly-made couples could hang their love locks.
In such cases, the body of water most likely will not be nearby, so just stand and throw your key over your head as far as possible: this way no one will find it or open your lock.
It also happens that young people have their own special place where they like to be together. Then the tradition of hanging wedding locks can be slightly transformed and carried out only by the two of you, because this is your place and no one else’s, right?
Where to buy a castle for a wedding?
Of course, it is logical to think that to get a lock you can go to a regular hardware store and buy what you need. But now there are castles that can be shaped like anything, and most importantly - beautiful and original. These can be bought in the office department, online store or ordered from a specialist.
Then make sure that the appearance must correspond to the theme of the wedding, because it will be absurd if you hang a pink padlock at a pirate wedding (for example).
To make your wedding lock unique, we will give you a couple of tips:
- Make such a lock to order - your symbol of love should look more than worthy!
Custom made lock
- Arrange everything so that your wedding lock is engraved with your names or wedding date; you can choose any other date and even a phrase that will be understandable only to the two of you;
- Make your own lock.
To do it yourself, you should buy the lock itself, then cover it with paper, or paint it with aerosol paint from a can, and paint the keys with the same silver or gold paint.
So, the question of hanging a castle for a wedding is decided only by you! And it doesn’t matter at all whether you support the tradition that has developed over the years or create your own, the main thing is to be happy!
Decorating the castle
The next step is decorating the wedding castle. Here you will need to use your imagination or look for ideas in photos on the Internet. As a decoration, you can use everything that a good housewife has at hand. For example, you can take:
- beads;
- beads;
- rhinestones;
- satin ribbons;
- bows;
- textile flowers;
- shells;
- starfish, etc.
To secure such small parts, you will need a special glue that will hold them on the metal surface. Moreover, they must hold on for more than a single day. Decorate one side of the wedding castle first. Large larger parts are glued first, and then small ones.
After the glue has dried, you can decorate the second side of the lock. To add volume and special shine, you can sprinkle decorative elements with sparkles. At the end of all the work, you can coat the lock with colorless varnish. Firstly, the elements will hold better, and secondly, it will protect the lock from moisture.
The lock shackle can be decorated with satin ribbons of two colors, the same ones that you used to color the locking device and apply the inscription. You need to wrap them around the bow one by one and secure the ends with glue. Similarly, the key is decorated with ribbons; if the key is small, make beautiful loops from the ribbon. Thus, with patience, you can make your own wedding castle.
Let us note once again that such a creative activity is very exciting and uplifting. With a little imagination, you can create exactly what you wanted but couldn’t find in any store. A castle made by yourself will not only be unique and not found anywhere else, it will contain a piece of your soul. You will definitely find your castle among others when you walk along the embankment after a while. And it will remind you of those happy moments of one of the brightest and most joyful days in your life.
Loving couples seal their hearts with love and their relationships with symbolic objects and accessories. A very interesting idea is to decorate a wedding castle. There are many creative ways to do this. Which one to choose and how to decorate a castle for a wedding with your own hands? We'll tell you right now.
Here are lots of ideas for decorating wedding castles.
You can decorate a wedding castle yourself and it’s not difficult. You can simply buy a regular lock at a hardware store and have your names and wedding date engraved.
The newlyweds usually indicate the wedding date and their names on the locks. But you can leave a couple more notes. For example, you can write a catchphrase or “This is just the beginning!” on the lock. or “Love Forever.”
You can even put a photo of the bride and groom on the lock. Print the photo according to the size of the lock - you can even use a regular black and white printer. Glue the photo to the front side and cover with clear varnish. Once the varnish has dried, which will take 2-3 days, the lock can be used. More ideas below.
The lock and keys to it can be decorated with satin ribbons, decorated with paints, and added with rhinestones, sequins and bows. The main thing is not to be afraid to create.
Or buy a heart-shaped lock. They are already sold in red. Glue a wide satin ribbon bow to it and add beads. A beautiful wedding castle is ready.
On the heart-shaped lock, apply inscriptions with the wedding date and the names of the newlyweds using a white pencil - a proofreader. Simple and beautiful.
Don't forget to decorate the key too. A pair of satin ribbon bows will decorate the keys.
If you are good at drawing, then decorating a wedding castle will not be a problem for you. The photographs show examples from the Internet of beautiful hand-made locks for a wedding.
You can decorate a heart of ribbons around the castle.
And if you have textile flowers, satin ribbons and artificial buds, then you can make something like this beauty.
A pair of rhinestones, engraving and a wedding lock looks stylish and unique.
If you are having a themed wedding, then decorate the lock in the same style. Here, for example, is a sea castle.
The custom wrought iron lock below.
Here is a step-by-step master class on how to turn an ordinary castle into a ceremonial one for a wedding.
DIY wedding castle: an original accessory without extra costs.
There are many beautiful wedding traditions and rituals that have been observed by newlyweds since ancient times. A relatively young tradition is locking up love. Making a beautiful and original wedding castle with your own hands is not at all difficult. To do this you will need simple materials and a little imagination.
Video
Making a decoration on an ordinary “barn” lock is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. We offer you another - an original master class on decorating a castle for a wedding with ribbons and flowers. Do everything yourself according to our step-by-step instructions with photos.
When loving people link their destinies, they want to consolidate their relationship not only in the spiritual sphere, but also resort to symbols that help maintain a long-term relationship. One of the wedding symbols, which is very popular among young people getting married, is a castle as a confirmation of the strength and strength of family ties.
