DIY Wedding Keepsake Box

I've been trying to figure out how or where I'm going to save all the little "mementos" from our wedding, and to be be honest, it's been a much harder task than I'd imagined!  Where do you put all this stuff?!

My dress found a home in the trunk of my car for a good 3 months after our trash the dress photo shoot (yes, it was still wet and sandy) before I finally decided to drop it off at a dry cleaners.  Its now resting peacefully in a box in the comforts of our storage unit.  (Such a sad ending for something so beautiful, don't ya think?!)

My white shoes are neatly put away in their pretty little Kate Spade box...but are taking up some much needed real estate in my closet! 

I also have a big brown box full of all the other little items: our program, ring boxes, shower invites, menus, invitation, bachelorette swag, etc. that is so disorganized its making me cringe!

Luckily, over the summer (when I was in full throttle wedding planning mode) I came across this wedding keepsake box on Etsy...

Etsy shop: TheMemoryKeepers

...and bought the supplies to make my own during one of my frequent trips to Michael's craft store!

Unfortunately, I had forgotten about my brilliant plan until this past weekend.  I was digging deep into my craft drawer when, low and behold, I found the black photo box I purchased full of scrapbooking appliques and paper!  Better late than never, right?

I had even thought ahead and printed out my own "contents" list (piggybacking off the ideas on this one):

Etsy shop: TheMemoryKeepers

my version of the checklist

While I know I'm not fitting everything into this little box, at least I know what does make the cut will be safe...  And, beautiful memories deserve to be stored somewhere pretty, right?

The best part?  The whole thing cost me a whopping $13...pennies compared to the $45 price tag on Etsy!  (Plus, I think mine's cuter anyways!)

Dare I even say it: another great gift idea!