60+ Ways to Add Literary Charm to Your Wedding

Jeff Loves Jessica

Bookworm brides, you'll want to see this! We're not ashamed to admit we have a nerdy side, and we think book- and library-inspired details would make any engagement party, bridal shower, or wedding that much more of a page-turner. So if you're a bookworm like us, dive into these ideas for adding literary charm to your big-day celebrations.

01
Chapter by Chapter
First Comes Love Photo

Chapter by Chapter

Have each table be a different chapter with a decorative index showing the seat assignments.

02
Soft Focus
Jason + Anna Photography

Soft Focus

A blend of cotton and book pages make for a dreamy and unusual bouquet alternative.

03
Romantic Reading
Yes Dear Studio

Romantic Reading

Add flowers and candles to a book centerpiece for a romantic setting.

04
Plan of Attack
Yes Dear Studio

Plan of Attack

Use a Penguin book style for your ceremony programs.

05
Archway
Yes Dear Studio

Archway

Books make for an unexpected archway for either the ceremony or reception.

06
Cutting Corners
JEFF+AMBER

Cutting Corners

Enlist an artist's help to carve out letters from old books.

08
Bookmarked
Yes Dear Studio

Bookmarked

Use faux book covers as table numbers named after famous authors.

09
Guest Book
Erin Johnson Photography

Guest Book

Use library cards for guests to write notes.

10
Filed
Yes Dear Studio

Filed

Use vintage library filing cards for your guests' seating assignments.

11
Take a Break
JEFF+AMBER

Take a Break

Give your guests something to read during the downtime between the ceremony and the reception.

12
Well-Read
Yes Dear Studio

Well-Read

Use Penguin books to inspire booklets for your guests with details about the couple.

13
Grand Entrance
Priyanca Rao Photography

Grand Entrance

Have the party in an actual library to really wow your friends and family.

15
Set the Scene
Jesi Haack
100 Layer Cake

Set the Scene

Use vintage crates to hold piles of books as decor for a backyard soiree.

16
A Rose Is a Rose
Yes Dear Studio

A Rose Is a Rose

Incorporate paper flowers made from book pages in the floral centerpieces.

17
Retro Reads
Wedding Photography by Nigel Edgecombe

Retro Reads

Hardcover books with retro lettering make for perfect table signs for a 1920s-themed wedding.

18
Pick a Card
Caroline Frost Photography

Pick a Card

Purchase vintage library cards from Etsy or eBay for seating assignments.

19
Page by Number
Caroline Frost Photography

Page by Number

Stack pretty books as easy centerpieces with the table numbers on top.

20
Sweet Topper
First Comes Love Photo

Sweet Topper

Make fans out of book pages to decorate your dessert table.

22
Sweet Detail
Mon Petit Studio

Sweet Detail

Use book pages for paper roses to decorate your cake.

23
Cone-y
Miranda Laine Photography

Cone-y

Book pages make fun cones to hold candy or other goodies at the party.

24
Flowering Words
First Comes Love Photo

Flowering Words

Have someone crafty make a paper-flower bouquet for the bride-to-be.

25
Dewey Details
Shannen Norman
100 Layer Cake

Dewey Details

A vintage library card filing cabinet is the perfect party decoration.

26
Stacked
Mon Petit Studio

Stacked

Books as centerpieces do double duty — they're pretty and your guests can always read if there's downtime in between the ceremony and the reception.

27
Shelved
Feather Love Photography
100 Layer Cake

Shelved

If the party is small, have it in a bookstore for a sweet book-filled setting.

28
Skip to My Loo
Claudia McDade Photography

Skip to My Loo

Don't forget about the bathrooms at your wedding — add some minimal decor with some personalized books.

29
Take a Bow
Whitney Rae Photography

Take a Bow

Use a cluster of books tied with a ribbon for centerpiece decor.

30
Need a Lift
Jeff Loves Jessica

Need a Lift

Stack books on your dessert table to give your sweet treats some height.

31
Hand Picked
First Comes Love Photo

Hand Picked

Collect used books at a flea market or swap meet for a cheap and personalized favor idea. Give books hand-picked for each guest.

32
It's a Sign
Studio EMP

It's a Sign

Paint a phrase or you and your fiancé's names on hanging used books for a sign that makes a statement.

33
On a Roll
Studio EMP

On a Roll

Wrap book pages around the napkins with the names of the guests.

34
Spined Seating
The Image Is Found

Spined Seating

Write the names of your guests on book spines for clever and decorative seating assignments.

36
Page Turner
Caroline Frost Photography

Page Turner

Scattered book pages make a gorgeous cascading table runner.

37
Color Coded
Adeline and Grace Photography

Color Coded

Group vintage books by color for a fun twist.

38
Get Crafty
Studio EMP

Get Crafty

Book pages can be crafted into all sorts of garlands and decor.

39
Lawbreakers
Amy and Stuart Photography

Lawbreakers

Take a cue from these lawyer lovebirds who decorated the reception with law school textbooks and incorporate books from your own romantic past into your big day.

40
Go Green
ee photography
Green Wedding Shoes

Go Green

These DIY succulent vases are made from old books!

41
Stamp of Approval
First Comes Love Photo

Stamp of Approval

Use a cute book icon on your good like these book-stamped coasters.

43
Type It Up
Erica Ann Photography & Fine Arts

Type It Up

A vintage typewriter makes great decor, but it also can be used as a guestbook.

44
Piece of Cake
Keri Messina Photography
Wedding Chicks

Piece of Cake

Use a book display to show what flavor the cupcakes are.

45
Page by Page
Piteira Photography
100 Layer Cake

Page by Page

Use actual book pages to print your invitations on.

46
By Candlelight
Rachael Grace Photography

By Candlelight

Get in touch with your crafty side by decoupaging book pages onto candles.

47
Wedding's Afoot
Jeff Loves Jessica

Wedding's Afoot

Use the books for visual interest when taking the standard bridal shoe pics.

48
Show Off the Dress
WPIC Inc.

Show Off the Dress

Use books as a backdrop for your gorgeous white dress.

50
Showing the Rings
Riverland Studios

Showing the Rings

Place the rings on books to make them stand out in photos.

51
The Ring Within Pages
TaraLyn Photography

The Ring Within Pages

Placing the ring in the spine of the book leads to some gorgeous photos.

52
By the Books
Simply Love Photography + Design

By the Books

Books make a great backdrop for a photo shoot.

53
Book Backdrop
Jeff Loves Jessica

Book Backdrop

Choose some books with brightly colored spines to create a colorful backdrop as a contrast to the white dress.

54
Library Reception
WPIC Inc.

Library Reception

Libraries can make for a great venue for a wedding reception.

55
Book Love
Two One Photography

Book Love

Book art is very common; you can fold each page of a book a certain way to create 3D shapes.

56
Book of Love
Brandy Angel Photography

Book of Love

Why have basic invitations when you can send your friends a book-themed wedding invitation?

57
Romantic Library Shot
Tatiana Gulenkina Photography

Romantic Library Shot

Libraries can also be a cool location for a wedding photo shoot.

58
Quirky Charm
Kaitie Brainerd Photography

Quirky Charm

While books may not be considered typical wedding decor, they can add a quirky charm to the atmosphere.

59
Childhood Favorites
Lorena Burns Photography

Childhood Favorites

Seamlessly integrate your favorite childhood novels like Harry Potter into your wedding.

60
The Accessories Shot
kelli boyd photography

The Accessories Shot

Highlight your ring and boutonnière by placing them on a book that is resting on a piece of cloth. All the layers add to the gorgeous aesthetic of the photo.

61
The Veil
Figlewicz Photography

The Veil

Hang your veil by a bookshelf.