Crafting Cute Wedding Signs: Creative Tips And Tricks

Wedding signs are a great way to add a personal touch to your special day. They can be used to welcome guests, provide directions, or simply add to the decor. And the best part? You can easily make them yourself! Here are some ideas and techniques to create cute wedding signs that are sure to impress.

One simple method is to use a printed design transfer. Design and print your desired text or graphics onto regular paper, then colour the backside with pencil or chalk. Centre the design on your chosen material, such as wood, glass, or acrylic, and use a pencil to firmly trace the printed design. This transfers the chalk or graphite onto the surface. Finally, trace the design with a chalk ink marker, paint, or gold leaf pen to make it stand out.

If you're feeling more adventurous, try painting over stickers. Paint your sign with the desired background colour, then arrange fun-shaped stickers to form your chosen words or phrases. Paint over the stickers, let it dry, and remove the letters to reveal your unique design.

For a rustic charm, consider using a wooden pallet. These are usually free or low-cost and can be decorated with flower vines and a chisel-tip white marker for a simple yet effective welcome sign.

If you want to get really creative, you can make your own chalkboard sign. Sand a piece of plywood, then paint it with several coats of chalkboard paint, sanding in between each coat for a smooth finish. Once dry, rub chalk over the entire surface and wipe it away to prepare the board for writing.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. With a bit of creativity and some simple materials, you can make cute wedding signs that will wow your guests and add a personal touch to your big day.

Using a chalkboard

Chalkboards are a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding décor. They can be used to add rustic charm to your special day and are a fun, personalised way to communicate with your guests. You can buy or make your own chalkboards, and decorate them with calligraphy, illustrations, or simple stick-on designs.

Making Your Own Chalkboards

If you're feeling crafty, you can make your own chalkboards for your wedding. You can use chalkboard spray paint on a large MDF board, artist's board, or chipboard. Spray three coats of paint, letting each coat dry in between, and then let the whole piece dry for a few hours before adding your chalk designs.

Another option is to repurpose an empty picture frame. Remove the glass panel, and cover it with chalkboard contact paper. You can then place the covered glass back into the frame, and it's ready for your chosen design.

Designing Your Chalkboards

Once you have your chalkboard, you can decorate it with chalk, chalk markers, or chalk pens. If you want to add illustrations or calligraphy but don't trust your freehand skills, you can create your design on your computer and print it out, sizing it to fit your chalkboard. Scribble on the non-printed side of the paper with a pencil, then place your design face-up on the chalkboard and trace over your design. The pencil lead will transfer to the chalkboard, giving you an outline to fill in.

If you're happy with your freehand skills, you can get creative with your designs. Chalkboards can be used for welcome signs, seating charts, menus, photo booth signs, or even funny rules for the dance floor. You can also use them to display your wedding schedule, introduce the wedding party, or ask guests to put away their electronics.

Buying Chalkboards

If you don't want to make your own, you can buy ready-made chalkboards, either blank or with custom printing. You can find simple, modern designs, or rustic, distressed black chalkboards. Chalkboards can be freestanding, or small enough to sit on a table, and you can buy wooden stands separately if needed.

Printing a design

Step 1: Choose Your Material

Start by choosing the material you want to print your design on. Popular options include plywood, acrylic, or chalkboard. You can purchase these materials from home improvement stores or craft stores.

Step 2: Design Creation

Create your design using a word processor or design software. Choose a font and layout that fits your wedding theme and colours. Make sure to use a large font size so that your guests can read the sign easily.

Step 3: Printing

Print out your design on regular paper. If your design is large, you may need to print it in multiple parts. Adjust the layout and sizing as needed to ensure it fits your chosen material.

Step 4: Transferring the Design

Lay your material on a flat surface. Place the printed design on top and use tape to hold it in place. You can also use graphite transfer paper underneath your design to make the transfer sharper.

Step 5: Tracing

Using a sharp pencil, firmly trace the outline of your design. Make sure to press hard enough to transfer the design onto the material. Go over the entire design, including all letters and any decorative elements.

Step 6: Colouring

Remove the paper and use markers, paint, or chalk to colour in your design. You can use colours that match your wedding theme or go with traditional white or black. Outline the letters first and then fill them in.

Step 7: Additional Decorations

Take a step back and admire your work. If you feel your sign needs a little something extra, consider adding decorations by hand. You can paint on flowers, ribbons, or other details to make your sign truly unique.

Step 8: Finishing Touches

Once you're happy with your design, let it dry completely. You can then add any final touches, such as stickers, ribbons, or other embellishments. Your cute wedding sign is now ready to be displayed!

Using a stencil

Step 1: Choose Your Materials

First, you'll need to gather your supplies. For this technique, you'll need a piece of wood for your sign, paint, and adhesive stencils. You can find stencils at your local craft store or online. If you can't find a stencil you like, you can also make your own by designing it on a computer or cutting stencil paper with a craft knife.

Step 2: Prepare Your Wood

Before you start painting, you'll want to prepare your wood. You can cut it to your desired size using a handsaw or circular saw. Then, sand the wood with medium-grit sandpaper followed by fine-grit sandpaper to smooth it out. If you want to add a background colour to your sign, spray paint the wood and let it dry.

Step 3: Position Your Stencils

Once your wood is ready, it's time to position your stencils. Take a step back and make sure they're placed exactly where you want them. Ask a friend to help you confirm that the stencils are straight and easy to read from a distance. Once you're happy with the placement, stick your adhesive stencils to the wood.

Step 4: Paint Your Design

Now comes the fun part – painting! Using a small amount of paint and gentle pressure, dab paint through the stencils. Be careful not to use too much paint or apply too much pressure, as this can cause the paint to bleed under the stencil and ruin your sign. Work slowly and carefully to ensure a clean finish.

Step 5: Remove Stencils and Touch Up

As soon as you've finished painting, remove the stencils and wash them with warm soapy water so they're ready to reuse. Now, take a look at your design. If there are any areas that need touching up, use a small paintbrush to carefully make any necessary adjustments.

Step 6: Embellish Your Sign

Your sign is almost complete! Now, you can add any extra decorations to make it truly unique. Try adding stickers, ribbons, photos, or other embellishments. Use decoupage glue, wood glue, or clear tape to hold everything in place. Get creative and make your sign one-of-a-kind!

Adding natural elements

Flowers and Plants

Flowers and plants are an integral part of wedding ceremonies, and you can design your welcome boards with the same theme. You can use fresh flowers, such as baby's breath and roses, to engulf a clear or wooden slab, making the blooms the focal point. Alternatively, you can use pressed flowers as the base of your sign, creating a colourful display that will last a lifetime. Pampas grass is another option, especially for bohemian-themed weddings, adding an earthy and effortless vibe to your signage.

Leaves and Foliage

If you're having an autumnal wedding, consider decorating your signs with fall foliage. Place dried leaves and fresh flowers in burnt orange and gold tones next to your sign, or use them to frame the outer edges. You can also mix in other flowers, like roses and baby's breath, to create a unique combination of hues, textures, and shapes.

Terrariums and Greenery

For a unique welcome sign, consider a terrarium filled with greenery. This idea is perfect for a botanical-themed wedding, adding a natural and whimsical touch to your décor.

Wood and Acrylic

Wooden signs are a classic choice for weddings, especially if you're going for a rustic aesthetic. You can decorate them with elegant calligraphy and a custom crest, or keep it simple with just the essential information. Acrylic signs, on the other hand, add a touch of contemporary chic to your wedding. You can use clear acrylic and add pressed flowers or leaves for a natural look.

Quotes and Verses

Instead of a traditional welcome sign, consider printing a quote or verse that speaks to your theme. For example, if you love the outdoors, you could choose a quote about nature or a verse that reflects your adventure together.

Monograms and Crests

A custom crest or monogram can be a beautiful way to add a personal touch to your wedding signs. You can include your joint initials, wedding date, and even illustrations that reflect your interests or the natural setting of your wedding.

By incorporating natural elements into your wedding signs, you can create a cohesive and elegant look that will impress your guests and make your special day even more memorable.

Making a pointed sign

Step 1: Cut the Wood

First, you will need to obtain a piece of plywood and cut it to the desired width and length of your finished sign. You can do this yourself using a hand saw, circular saw, or miter saw, or you can ask employees at a home improvement store to cut it for you. Remember to take the necessary safety precautions when handling power tools, such as wearing gloves and protective goggles.

Step 2: Create the Arrow Shape

To form the arrow shape, draw diagonal lines from about 5 inches down the longer ends of the wood to the centre point. Once you're happy with the lines, carefully cut along them. Alternatively, if you don't want to cut the wood, you can simply draw an arrow on the sign.

Step 3: Smooth the Wood

Use sandpaper (120 to 180 fine-grit) to smooth out the entire surface of the wood. If you notice any rough spots, go over them first with medium-grit sandpaper (60 to 80 grit) and then use the fine-grit sandpaper again. This step will ensure your sign has a smooth finish.

Step 4: Stain the Wood

Put on some rubber gloves and stir your chosen wood stain with a brush. Then, apply the stain to the wood using short, even strokes. The stain will give the wood a darker, refined colour that complements the lighter colours often found at weddings. Allow the stain to dry for up to 2 days, following the manufacturer's instructions. If you want an even darker sign, you can apply a second coat of stain and let it dry again.

Step 5: Design and Transfer

Now it's time to add your chosen text or design. You can create your design on a computer using a word processor, choosing a font and size that is easy to read from a distance. Print out your design, ensuring it is the same size as your sign. Tape the paper onto the wood, holding it down with masking tape. Then, using a sharp pencil, trace around the letters, pressing firmly so that the design transfers onto the wood.

Step 6: Colour and Decorate

Remove the paper from the sign and use a chalk marker to trace and fill in the letters. White chalk markers show up well against the stained wood, but you can also experiment with other colours. At this point, you can also add extra decorations to your sign, such as flowers or ribbons, to give it a personal touch.

And there you have it! A cute, pointed wedding sign to guide your guests on your special day.

Frequently asked questions