Creating Diy Wedding Fans: A Step-By-Step Guide

DIY wedding fans are a fun and unique way to present your wedding ceremony details. They are pretty and functional, serving a dual purpose by keeping your guests cool during warm spring and summer weddings. Making these fans is simple and they can be personalised to fit the style of your event. You can print messages or graphics on the paper before making the fans to make your event even more festive!

Choosing paper and handles

When it comes to choosing the paper for your DIY wedding fans, it's important to select a sturdy material that can withstand being folded and glued without tearing. The weight of the paper is an important consideration, and this will depend on whether you are printing single or double-sided fans, and whether you are using a home printer or a professional printing service. For double-sided fans printed on a home inkjet printer, it is recommended to use paper weighing between 65lb and 80lb. For single-sided fans, it is best to use a professional printing service and opt for paper weighing at least 110lb.

If you are making a large number of fans, you may want to opt for a simpler shape to speed up the process. You can choose from a variety of paper types, such as file folder, index card stock, or poster board for a sturdier fan. If you prefer a lighter and more flexible fan, you can use wrapping or scrapbook paper.

When it comes to handles, wooden fan handles are a popular choice and can be found at most craft stores. You can also get creative and use materials like ribbon, twine, or duct tape to attach the fan together and serve as a handle. If you're looking for something more decorative, you can opt for wavy fan handles, which come in a variety of colours to match your wedding theme.

It's important to consider the overall design and colour scheme of your wedding when choosing the paper and handles for your DIY wedding fans. You can opt for plain or coloured paper, and even print messages or graphics on the paper to make your fans more festive and personalised.

Printing the design

If you have a one-page design, it is best to fold and crease your paper before adding the glue. This way, you don't have to worry about the glue sticking or drying before it's lined up. You can use a bone folder to smooth out the crease.

If you are making a two-sided fan, it is recommended to use 65lb-80lb paper, especially if you are printing on a home inkjet printer. If you are only doing a one-sided fan, you should order it from a professional printer and ask for at least 110lb paper.

Once you have the paper ready, lay it on a flat surface and apply a generous amount of glue to one side where the stick goes. Place the stick on the fan and press firmly, making sure it is straight.

Now, apply glue around the edges and fold immediately. Be generous with the glue where the stick will be placed.

Press each edge firmly, ensuring that all edges are sealed. Use clean fingers or a clean bone folder to avoid getting any grease or glue on your beautiful program design.

Folding the paper

Firstly, if you have a one-page design, it is recommended to fold and crease your paper before adding any glue. This ensures that you don't have to worry about the glue drying or sticking before it is lined up correctly. You can use a bone folder to help you get a nice, neat crease, especially when working with thicker paper. Line up the corners of your paper and use the bone folder to smooth out the crease.

For those using a one-page design, you can now proceed to attach the fan handle. Lay your paper on a flat surface, apply glue to one side where the stick will go, and firmly press the stick into place, making sure it is straight.

If you have a two-page design, you will need to fold your paper in half using the centre crop marks. This will give you an exact mark to show you the fold line. Once you have made a nice crease, you can then trim the edges of the paper, if necessary, to create a clean finish.

Now it's time to glue your paper together. Apply glue around the edges of your paper and fold immediately. Be generous with the glue, especially where the stick will be placed. Press each edge firmly to ensure all edges are sealed. It is important to use clean fingers or a clean bone folder to avoid getting any grease or glue on your design.

And there you have it! You have now successfully folded and glued your paper to create your DIY wedding fan. You can now add your finishing touches, such as rounding the corners or adding ribbon to the handle.

Attaching the handles

• Preparing the Fan Base: Before attaching the handles, it is important to prepare the fan base. If you have a one-page design, fold and crease the paper in half before gluing. This ensures that the glue doesn't stick or dry before you have a chance to line up the pieces. If you're working with thicker paper, consider using a bone folder to create a neat crease.
• Gluing the Handle: Lay the fan base on a flat surface. Apply a generous amount of glue to one side of the paper where the stick will go. Place the stick on the glued area and press firmly, making sure it is straight.
• Securing the Handle: Apply glue around the edges of the fan base and fold immediately. Be generous with the glue near the stick to ensure a strong hold. Press each edge firmly to seal all the edges. Use clean fingers or a clean bone folder to avoid leaving marks on your design.
• Alternative Adhesive: Instead of glue, you can use double-sided tape to attach the handle. Apply the tape inside the folded program, then press the sides together.
• Duct Tape for Extra Security: For added security, you can use white duct tape to tape down the handles inside the folded program.
• Ribbon Embellishment: Finish the fans by adding a ribbon around the handle. This adds a decorative touch and can complement your wedding colors. You can use sheer organza ribbon, burlap ribbon, or any other type of ribbon that suits your style.

By following these steps, you can effectively attach the handles to your DIY wedding fans, ensuring they are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Adding finishing touches

Adding the final touches to your DIY wedding fans is a great way to personalise your fans and make them even more special. Here are some ideas for the finishing touches:

Embellishments

Use corner punches, ribbons, twine, or other embellishments to decorate your fans. You can also add stamps to the fan sticks to personalise them. Be creative and add embellishments not just to the stick but also to the fan itself. For example, you can use a small hole punch to cut half-circles and then add twine to your fan.

Colour

Choose a colour scheme that fits the style of your event. You can also opt for fun colours or plain fans. If you're having a lot of children at your wedding, you can leave the fans plain and provide boxes of crayons for the kids to decorate their fans.

Shape

You can cut the paper into different shapes such as circles or flowers. If you're making a large number of fans, it's best to keep the shape simple.

Size

Depending on the size of your fan, you can adjust the length of the ribbon or twine. For example, for a smaller fan, you might need less ribbon than for a larger fan.

Assembly

If you're making a large number of fans, consider having a fan assembly party. Gather your friends or family, and make it a fun event where everyone can help with a step in the assembly process while spending time together.

Testing

Before finalising your design, consider testing it out to ensure the paper weight and type of adhesive work well together. This will help you avoid any last-minute disasters, like stained or ruined fans.

With these finishing touches, your DIY wedding fans will not only be functional but also beautiful and unique to your special day.

Frequently asked questions