Ring plates are a fun alternative if you’re looking for your ring bearer to carry something other than a pillow. They are also a sweet little item that you can save as a keepsake from your wedding day.
If you’re not planning to use a ring plate for your wedding day, another option to consider is using these little discs as hanging decor at your wedding. Just another way to add customization!
Below is a tutorial for making a very simple ring plate from salt dough. These can be made with regular household ingredients.
For this project you’ll need…
1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup water (maybe)
toothpicks
paint
ribbon
These ingredients should be enough to make 2-3 thin, round plates that are about 4 inches in diameter. This is a good thing. Trust me. When it comes to DIY, having more than you need it always a plus as there is always the possibility of a miscalculation or slip up.
This way, you can make up to three different designs! You can go the old practice makes perfect route, making one at a time. You can make three similar plates and use whatever plate comes out best. Or, if you are so darn fabulous that all three of your designs come out looking great, you have a ring plate and two custom pieces of wedding decor to use as you see fit. If this is the case, you deserve a high five! Now, on with the tutorial…
Step 1 - Pour 1/2 cup of salt, 1/2 cup of flour and up to a half cup of water into a mixing bowl. I recommend starting with 1/4 cup water and adding as you need it.
Step 2 - Using your hands, mix all ingredients together until you have a ball of dough. Knead the dough until it has a nice, smooth texture.
Step 3 – Roll out the dough leaving it thick enough to carve into and cut out your plates. My round cookie cutter was smaller than I wanted so I used a little glass bowl to cut out my circles instead. Here is a tip (since I learned the hard way)… I suggest rolling the dough onto parchment paper and then cutting out the plates. That way you can move the piece of parchment paper to the pan rather than picking up each one. As you can see below, mine lost their crisp, round shape (and maybe acquired a few finger indents) along the way.
Step 4 - Customize each plate! You can use a toothpick, as I did here, to carve in words, initials, wedding date etc. You could also stamp a design onto your plates. Don’t forget to punch a hole! You’ll need a hole or two to string a ribbon through in order to tie on your rings!
Step 5 - Bake on low heat, no higher than 200 degrees, for a few hours to get all of the moisture out of the plates. The exact time may be different depending on how much water you used. You’ll be able to tell when they are completely dried out because the plate will be all one color on both sides – no dark, damp spots left.
Step 6 - Time for final touches! If the edges are a little rough, sand them down with fine sandpaper. Paint your ring plates the color of your choice. I kept it clean and simple in all white. But they would be super cute in your wedding colors too! !
And lastly, add the ribbon. Your plates are now finished and ready for the rings on your wedding day!
Photo Credits: Michelle Cangemi
