Creating Colorful Mexican Banners For Your Wedding Day

Papel Picado banners are a staple of Mexican weddings, and it's easy to see why. These fluttering decorations are made from tissue paper with intricate designs chiselled into them and are available in a variety of colours and styles. They can be customised to align with the couple's personality and preferences, and they make for great outdoor decorations, especially when paired with twinkle lights. In this guide, we'll show you how to make your own Papel Picado banners for your wedding, so grab your tissue paper and let's get started!

Choosing the right paper

Papel picado banners are a staple of Mexican weddings. They are considered Mexican folk art and are made using tissue paper with intricate designs chiseled into them. When choosing the right paper for your banners, there are a few things to consider:

Type of Paper

The most common type of paper used for papel picado banners is tissue paper. This is because tissue paper is lightweight and easy to cut, making it perfect for creating the intricate designs that are characteristic of these banners. However, you can also use lightweight plastic table covers or even opaque plastic sheets, especially if you are concerned about durability or if the banners will be used outdoors.

Color

Papel picado banners can come in a variety of colors, and you can choose the colors that best align with your personality and taste. Most colors are available in Mexico, but keep in mind that the colors may not be an exact match to what you see on your computer screen. If you are using tissue paper, you can also choose to include multiple colors in your banner design.

Customization

If you want to include customized details such as the bride and groom's names and the wedding date, make sure to plan ahead. Custom orders typically require a minimum number of banner strings and must be placed 8 to 12 weeks in advance. The cost of customization may vary depending on the length of the names and the complexity of the artwork.

Shipping

When ordering papel picado banners, especially if you are ordering from an international artist, be sure to factor in the cost and lead time for shipping. Shipping costs can vary depending on the weight and volume of your order, and it may take several weeks for your banners to arrive. If you are on a tight deadline, some artists may offer rush orders for an additional fee.

Papel Picado design ideas

Papel Picado is a traditional Mexican craft that features colourful paper sheets with intricate cut-out details. They are often used as decorations at weddings and other celebrations. Here are some design ideas for Papel Picado banners:

Colours

The colours used for Papel Picado can vary depending on the occasion. For a wedding, soft colours such as white, light blue, and pink can be used. For a more festive or celebratory occasion, brighter and bolder colours such as red, green, yellow, and orange can be chosen.

Designs

The designs for Papel Picado can be customised to align with the personality and preferences of the couple. Traditional Mexican motifs such as flowers, birds, hearts, and cacti are often featured. For a wedding, modern designs such as cakes, rings, and doves can also be incorporated.

Shapes

The beauty of Papel Picado lies in the intricate cut-out shapes. These shapes can vary from simple geometric patterns to more complex and detailed designs. When creating Papel Picado, it is important to consider the balance between positive and negative space, ensuring that the shapes are evenly distributed and create an appealing visual effect.

Size and Length

Papel Picado banners can be made in different sizes to suit the space where they will be displayed. For a wedding, longer banners can be created by tying multiple panels together, creating a stunning backdrop for the ceremony or reception area. The rectangular flags that make up the banner can be standard rectangles or have varying widths to create a more dynamic look.

Display Ideas

Papel Picado banners can be displayed in various ways to create a festive atmosphere at a wedding. They can be hung in rows, criss-crossed, or tied together to form a longer garland. They are perfect for outdoor decorations, especially when paired with twinkle lights for an evening setup. The banners can also be used as part of a photo booth backdrop, creating a unique and memorable setting for wedding photos.

Cutting the Papel Picado

Papel picado is a Mexican art form with roots in the country's ancient cultures. The art form traditionally involves cutting intricate designs into tissue paper. The tissue paper is often folded and cut with scissors or a craft knife, creating banners that can be hung as decorations.

• Start with a single sheet of tissue paper. You can cut a store-bought sheet into 4 pieces, each about 8x10 inches.
• Fold the tissue paper in half, edge to edge, not corner to corner. For a more complex design, you can fold it multiple times, but be aware that this will make cutting more difficult.
• Place a template underneath the tissue paper. You can find free templates online or design your own. The template should be slightly smaller than the paper, with about a half-inch trimmed off each side.
• Use a craft knife or sharp scissors to carefully cut out the design. Make sure to cut all the way through the paper, and be careful not to cut off any corners, as you want to maintain the rectangular shape.
• Unfold the paper and remove the template. Be gentle, as the paper may tear if you left any corners uncut.
• Repeat the process with additional sheets of paper, using the same template or improvising your own design.
• Once you have several sheets cut, you can create a banner by folding the top quarter-inch of each sheet over a long piece of string and taping it to form a pocket.
• Add more sheets to create a long decorative streamer.

With these steps, you can create beautiful papel picado banners for your wedding or any other celebration.

Stringing the banner

To string your Mexican wedding banner, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, decide whether you want to use tissue paper or plastic for your banner. Tissue paper is more delicate but is a good option for an indoor wedding. Plastic banners are more durable and better for outdoor weddings, especially in humid or unpredictable climates. You can also choose your colours, with most colours available in Mexico, although they may differ slightly from what you see on your computer screen.

Secondly, you will need to decide on the design of your banner. Papel picado is considered Mexican folk art, so you will want to incorporate intricate designs. You can choose from a range of different colours and designs, and you can even have custom banners made with the bride and groom's names and the wedding date. If you want a custom banner, you will need to place your order 8-12 weeks in advance, with a minimum order of 20 banner strings.

Finally, you can choose how to string your banner. One option is to punch holes in the top corners of each banner and then string them together with a piece of string or twine. You can use a small piece of tape over the holes to prevent the banner from sliding. Another option is to fold the top of the banner over the string and glue it down, which works better with tissue paper.

If you are using multiple banner strings, you can tie them together to make them longer, criss-cross them, or hang them in rows. This will create a beautiful, festive display for your wedding.

Hanging the banner

Firstly, decide where you want to hang your banner. Papel Picado banners are traditionally hung outdoors, but they can also be used to decorate indoor spaces. If you're hanging your banner outside, make sure you choose a spot that's protected from the wind to prevent damage.

One way to hang your banner is to punch holes in the top corners of each panel and string them together. You can use string, twine, or ribbon for this. If you're using tissue paper, you can also fold the top of each panel over the string and glue it down. This method creates a pretty, delicate look. Another option is to use tape to secure the banner; this can be useful if you're hanging the banner against a wall or backdrop and don't want it to move around.

If you want a more secure hold, especially if you're hanging the banner outdoors, you can use clips or clothespins to attach it to a string or rope. This method works well if you're hanging the banner across a large space, such as between two trees or poles.

For a more whimsical look, you can also hang individual panels at different heights, creating a sense of movement and fluidity. This works especially well with longer banners. You can also layer multiple banners or hang them in rows to create a fuller, more textured look.

Don't be afraid to get creative with your hanging method! Papel Picado banners are a fun and colourful addition to any wedding, and you can experiment with different hanging techniques to achieve the look you want.

Frequently asked questions