Easy DIY Wedding Programs Tutorial
By Amanda Colyer, Della Stella
For our DIY Wedding
Materials for DIY Wedding Programs:
- A2 sized folded cards (or card stock
- Golf pencils
- Popsicle sticks
- Scissors
- Needle with a large eye
- Corner Rounder Punch
- Thin ribbon
- Double Sided Tape
Note: A2 is a great size because there’s room for content, but they’re not so big that they’re floppy. If you go with a different size, make sure that when folded, the programs will be sturdy enough to write on.
Designing my programs was a snap with Microsoft Word. On the front, I put the basics – names, ceremony details, and bird graphics to match our wedding theme. To jazz up the back, I came up with three wedding related games for our guests to play while they waited for the ceremony to start: a Mad Lib, a fill-in-the-blank, and a word search.
I had tons of ideas for games that I ran out of time to use. How about a crossword puzzle, Sudoku, maze, or connect the dots?
Once you’ve designed your programs (making sure to fit the card dimensions), print the front and back onto the outside of the cards. I used my regular ink jet printer
To start assembling, open up a card and put double stick tape on three sides.
Then put double stick tape on both sides of a popsicle stick, covering about half of the stick. Center on the card and press in place.
Close the card, pressing to seal the edges.
Using the corner rounder punch, carefully round all four corners.
Cut a piece of ribbon that, when halved, is long enough to reach from the end of the popsicle stick to the end of the pencil, while still allowing enough slack to write on the program.
Thread the halved ribbon through the hole in the popsicle stick.
Use a lark’s head knot to secure.
Thread the two cut ends of the ribbon of the ribbon through a golf pencil.
Knot the ends to secure, then trim.
Here’s the back of a finished program. Word search, anyone?
And the finished stack of about 50 wedding programs.
Our guests loved them! I had people coming up to me during the reception to read me their wedding Mad Libs. We got such a kick out of the reactions to these programs — I’m really glad I took the time to do them. They were quick and easy to put together, and total cost ended up being around $25 for 50 programs. The hardest part was drilling holes in the pencils and popsicle sticks. I’m dangerous around power tools, so my husband very nicely did them for me. And isn’t helping each other what marriage is all about?
Amanda Colyer is a 24 year old cubicle-dweller in corporate America. She dreams of one day finding a job that will pay her to knit, quilt, and generally be crafty. You can see her various creative endeavors at dellastella. Read about Amanda and Ben’s Real Wedding.
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April 28th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Oh, these are adorable! So much fun and I love the combo fan/program. Linked to it on my blog…
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:14 am
[...] forward a few hours later. I’m sitting here scrolling through some of my favorite DIY wedding projects and I’m thinking: “Damn these would be fun to make. Damn I wish I was planning a [...]
May 4th, 2009 at 7:03 am
[...] The Most Creative DIY Project of the Week: Intimate Weddings Blog – Easy DIY Wedding Programs [...]
May 4th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
[...] forward a few hours later. I’m sitting here scrolling through some of my favorite DIY wedding projects and I’m thinking: “Damn these would be fun to make. Damn I wish I was planning a [...]
May 6th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
[...] I came across this great DIY wedding program by Amanda Colyer, Della Stella. It was such a fun and smart program! Check it out on Intimate Weddings. [...]
May 7th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
[...] more ideas for DIY wedding programs? Check out this awesome DIY wedding program by DellaStella. Also check out this free fan DIY wedding program [...]
May 10th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
[...] Easy DIY Wedding Programs Tutorial | Intimate Weddings – Small … [...]
May 12th, 2009 at 12:52 am
[...] Easy DIY Wedding Programs Tutorial | Intimate Weddings – Small … [...]
May 13th, 2009 at 12:09 am
[...] Easy DIY Wedding Programs Tutorial | Intimate Weddings – Small … [...]
May 18th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
[...] Easy Do It Yourself Wedding Programs Tutorial [...]
May 23rd, 2009 at 5:43 pm
I came across your DIY program and I loved the idea of it. It’s taking me sometime to put mine together. Can you tell me the font and letter size that you used? I love them but can’t seem to locate it on my computer.
Thank you
May 28th, 2009 at 6:46 am
[...] you are looking for more DIY wedding program ideas, check out Amanda’s wedding program fan tutorial. Also, don’t forget to check out this free program template; ideas for scroll wedding [...]
June 17th, 2009 at 12:05 am
KUDOS!!! These look amazing! You deserve a huge pat on the back for helping other brides like me who aren’t as creative!!
June 17th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Love this idea!! I’m always looking for small ways to entertain my guests. Could you tell which font or template you used in Word to create these? How did you get your bird graphics? Thanks!
June 28th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Might we possibly get a template? I am not nearly as design savvy as I need to be to design this.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:00 am
[...] you don’t see any that catch your fancy, check out this tutorial for DIY wedding fan programs, or this free wedding template for a DIY wedding fan program. There are also scroll programs, [...]
July 6th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Was this 80lb cover stock? I’m concerned they wont be heavy enough to keep my guest cool. Thanks!
July 6th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
This is LOVELY! I will be linking later this month…
July 14th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
This is amazing. It has so many functions. A program, an activity to keep them busy, and a fan to keep them cool. I love it and am definitely going to use it. What is the template on word? I cant find the A2. I might be able to use what card stock I buy and just match the measurments. I am very excited about this! Thanks!
July 18th, 2009 at 9:57 am
i’m going got be making some programs like this for a friend-where did you get the large popsicle sticks?
July 21st, 2009 at 10:10 pm
this is fabulous! i’m planning a relatives wedding and in the process of making programs… where can i get the box of pencils and popsicle sticks? also, can i actually buy a pile of A2 paper? and from where?
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:10 am
oooh, the madlib/fan combo is SUCH a cute idea.
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Here are some answers from Amanda re: the programs:
“I believe it was 80 lb cardstock. The popsicle stick helps to reinforce it and keep it from flopping. Unfortunately, I don’t have a template made up for these. The popsicle sticks and folded cards were both from Jo Ann’s. The pencils were from an online golf store. If you look around, there are a few places like that to get them. The fonts I used were Lainie Day (free for download, just do a Google search), and Verdana, and I’m not sure what sizes I used.”
July 29th, 2009 at 6:52 am
I already have 2 templates made – the Mad Libs and a word search! The fill in the blank is going to be the hardest. I had to make some changes, however. We don’t have too much time, so I am actually skipping the popsicle stick. The cardstock is actually heavy enough on its own, once folded over. And, I am securing the pencil in the knot created when I thread the ribbon through.
Thanks for such a great idea! Our theme is actually brown and green (with a touch of pink), and we are even using birds! Awesome!
July 30th, 2009 at 7:51 am
[...] even for uber creative types. Heaps of time and effort go into choosing the right projects, finding tutorials and hunting down supplies (especially if you are pinching pennies). And that’s before you’ve [...]
August 5th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
This is such an amazing idea and I want to do it for my wedding. Is there a template for this by chance that you can share? If so, please send it to my email… cedmo@catocorp.com.
Thanks so much!!!!!
August 5th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Sorry Candice, there is no template.
August 15th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
I love this! What a great idea for programs on hot day!
August 16th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
[...] One of the few things I’m worried about is how hot it will likely be on our wedding day next year; Mid-August is generally the warmest time of the year in our town. I’m not concerned about the reception venue as it is air conditioned, however our church is not. Therefore I’m thirlled to have found this next idea from Intimate Weddings: Fan Programs! [...]
August 29th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
This is absolutely different and doable! I am the mother of the bride and I’ve helped out to the tune of making 75 beach themed invites, so I may as well finish it out with the programs…great job! I love it!
August 30th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Thanks for your comment Tee Green! Let me know how they turn out!
September 16th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Really loved the idea, but since my wedding is in the winter, really no need for a fan. But I did borrow the idea of a word find in my program. Thank you for the great ideas…..
Viviana
October 4th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
[...] TUTORIAL: wedding program fans [...]
October 26th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
The programs are great! Where did you find the bird graphics? Love them!
November 1st, 2009 at 10:10 pm
I will look into this Veronica.
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:50 pm
[...] IntimateWeddings Blog … Check out this blog and particularly this post. I love this idea!!! I personally believe that these DIY touches add charm and personality to weddings. They are my favorite part [...]
January 5th, 2010 at 9:00 am
I need clarification on the A2 card reference above. In word, my daughter has designed two separate pages. How does that print as A2? My printer has A4, A5, A6, and B5.
Please help!
julia
January 7th, 2010 at 11:07 am
[...] 55. Fan (display) Wedding Programs (downloadable templates) 56. Fan (function) Wedding Programs Destination Wedding Save-the-Dates from [...]
March 7th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
I have looked online and I cannot find the golf pencils online do you have the website you ordered off of?
March 9th, 2010 at 11:35 am
Hi Crystal,
Amazon.com com has them. Go the section in the post where it says Materials for DIY wedding programs and you will see a link to “Golf pencils” which will take you to the amazon listing.
March 20th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
How did you make the mad lib in word? I’m having a hard time fitting the part of speech under the lines and making it look right.
May 9th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
What a creative idea. I love it. It has been years since I have tried a mad lib but remember them fondly. So much fun.
May 9th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
I am also having a hard time figuring out the paper size and printing. Did you purchase the paper already folded as a card and which paper setting on your printer did you use to create the fan? These are a great idea!
May 18th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Hi All,
Just an FYI: We’re doing this for our wedding also, but I’m going to make them a bit bigger than the A2s. Pencils were bought at staples – $7 for 200. The popsicle sticks I found at a hobby store in downtown Boston for $3 for 80. My backup plan was to get the tongue depressers from a medical supply store.
Also – this is where I found a template:
PADDLE FAN TEMPLATE
by Aylee (www.ayleebits.com)
There are a few different shapes to choose from.
Good luck!
May 23rd, 2010 at 6:53 pm
I am getting ready to borrow this idea for our programs. I love it!!
I can’t seem to figure out how to make the puzzles. The only puzzle makers I can find online don’t look dood at all. Please help!!
Thanks
May 25th, 2010 at 11:54 am
I really love this idea! I am curious to know which fonts you used.
May 28th, 2010 at 3:08 am
Anyone have any tips on how to make the madlibs? I can’t figure out how to put the noun, verd, etc. under the blank line.
May 31st, 2010 at 11:39 am
I absolutely love this idea!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing with the rest of us DIY brides!
June 8th, 2010 at 11:47 am
love this idea! only 2 weeks left, though, ’til our wedding! would you be willing to send me the template?
June 10th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
I absolutely LOVE this! I’m working on our programs right now. Actually, we’re doing a bird theme and I *REALLY* want those two images you used! Any chance you can share them or link to where you found them?!
June 16th, 2010 at 11:34 am
Hi Amanda!
What did you use to make the games on the back of the programs? They are so adorable, but I have no idea how to do that!
Thanks!
June 16th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
I echo some of the comments above – how did you put the word forms underneath the blank line? I cannot for the life of me figure out how to do this!
June 18th, 2010 at 1:08 am
This is the cutest thing. I can likely do the fan part, not sure about the crossword puzzle and other games. I’m sure if I searched I could find which template you used. Great ideas though!
June 26th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
OMG! I flippin love this. I’m getting married in October on the beach in Key West & these will be perfect! What size drill bit did your husband use to drill the pencils & were they circle or the hexagon shaped? Also, how did you design the word search & madlibs with noun, adj, etc under the lines?
June 27th, 2010 at 7:07 am
[...] Weddings is amazing, they have got some cool DIY tutorials teaching you how to DIY Wedding Programs (here too) and make your own Cake Stands! Cool stuff! Share and [...]
July 7th, 2010 at 4:26 am
[...] included, it can be a simple, flat card or many pages with a cover. I’ve been working on a “fan” type for one customer and did a tri-fold for [...]
July 21st, 2010 at 5:20 pm
LOVE this! Thanks for the idea! But where in the world can we find Popsicle sticks and pencils with holes? Or are they all hand-drilled?
July 21st, 2010 at 6:01 pm
Lindsey, you need to drill them yourself.
July 21st, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Thanks! A wedding project the Fiance will enjoy!