Crafting Layered Wedding Programs: A Step-By-Step Guide

Layered wedding programs are a contemporary, stylish, and compact way to share important information with your guests. They are also a simple and cost-effective way to add a personal touch to your wedding. You can make your own layered wedding programs by gathering card stock, text weight paper, a scoring tool, a large paper trimmer, a hole punch, and some satin or chiffon ribbon. Cut the card stock and text weight paper to size, score the card stock, download and customize templates with your wedding details, print the layers, punch holes through the layers, and finally, tie the layers together with ribbon.

Cut card stock backer and text weight sheets to size

To make layered wedding programs, you'll need card stock for the backer and text weight paper for the layers. The card stock provides a sturdy base, while the text weight paper is thinner and easier to fold or layer. You can find these papers at craft stores or online.

For the card stock backer, start with a sheet that is 8 1/2 x 11 inches or larger. This will give you some flexibility in the size of your final program. Using a large paper trimmer, cut the card stock to a size of 5 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches. This will serve as the base for your layered program.

Now, let's move on to the text weight sheets. You will need four sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 inches or larger text weight paper. You will cut these sheets to create the layers of your program. The number of layers you include is up to you, but for this example, we will create four layers: a cover, a wedding party page, a ceremony details page, and a thank-you page.

Using your paper trimmer, cut the text weight sheets to the following sizes:

• 4 1/4 x 11 inches for the cover layer (you can get two of this size from one sheet of text weight paper)
• 4 x 9 1/8 inches for the remaining three layers (wedding party, ceremony details, and thank-you page) (you can also get two of this size from one sheet)

By cutting your card stock backer and text weight sheets to these sizes, you will create a beautifully layered wedding program with a professional look and feel.

Score the card stock backer

To score the card stock backer, you will need a scoring tool. There are several options for tools that you can use to score the card stock:

• A scoring board
• The back of a knife and a ruler
• A dotting tool and a ruler
• A bone folder
• A Cricut cutting machine with a scoring stylus or scoring wheel attachment
• A butter knife and a ruler
• A wooden skewer and a ruler
• A large heavy-duty toothpick
• A knitting needle
• A letter opener

When scoring the card stock, be sure to use a dull object to make the score. You do not want to puncture or break the fibres on the surface of the card stock, simply make an impression. The heavier the paper, the deeper the depression will need to be.

To find the grain of the paper, test it by bending the paper partway, as if to fold it, in each direction. There is less resistance when the fold line runs with the grain. Scoring with the grain will allow you to make a clean fold.

Once you have scored the card stock, you will fold it so that the indentation of the scored line is on the outside of the card. This is because when you score the card stock, you are stretching the fibres of the paper. Folding away from the score line prevents cracking in the paper.

Download and customise templates

Once you have all your program components cut to size, you can start customising your wedding programs.

Begin by downloading the templates for the four program layers. You can find these on sites such as LCI Paper, Adobe Express, and Canva. These sites offer a range of different templates, which you can then edit to your liking.

After downloading the templates, open each one and change the sample wording to your own custom wording. Experiment with various fonts and sizes to find the look you prefer. Be sure to keep your text within the allotted margins. Text placed above the top margin may not be readable, and text placed below the bottom margin may not be hidden by the layer preceding it.

If you want to add any images, photos, or artwork, you can do so on sites like Canva. You can also upload your own images to make your wedding programs even more personalised.

Punch holes through layers

Punching holes through all the layers of your wedding program can be tricky, but it's not impossible. Here are some tips to help you achieve evenly spaced holes:

First, decide how far apart you want your holes to be. For example, on the program in the photo, the holes were punched 1/2 an inch down from the top of the program and 2 inches in from the left and right sides. Mark where you want the holes to be with a pencil so that you know exactly where to punch.

Before punching holes in your printed programs, test out your hole punch on a few layers of scrap paper to get a feel for how it works. This will help you avoid making mistakes on your final product.

When you're ready to punch the holes, line up your program layers and place the hole punch so that the pencil mark is in the center of the hole. This will ensure your holes are evenly spaced and aligned across all the layers.

If you have a large number of wedding programs to make, consider using a paper drill or a modular punch to speed up the process. A paper drill can handle an entire ream of paper at once, while a modular punch can punch 20 or more pages simultaneously. Alternatively, you can save time by punching holes ahead of time or purchasing pre-punched paper.

Remember to take your time and measure carefully to ensure your holes are evenly spaced and in the correct position.

Tie layers together with ribbon

Tying the layers of your wedding program together with ribbon is a great way to add a decorative touch and keep everything neat and secure. Here are some tips and instructions to help you with this process:

Choosing the Right Ribbon

Select a ribbon that complements your wedding theme and colour scheme. Consider the width of the ribbon as well; a thinner ribbon, such as 1/4-inch, will leave the punched holes visible, while a wider option might be too bulky. Satin or chiffon ribbons are popular choices for wedding programs, but you can also explore other materials like twine or flagging tape for a more unique look.

Preparing the Ribbon

Cut the ribbon to the desired length, allowing for enough extra ribbon to tie a decorative knot or bow. You will probably use about a foot of ribbon per program. If you're using flagging tape, which is an inexpensive alternative to ribbon, you can find it in various colours and patterns, including stripes and polka dots.

Tying the Layers Together

Once you have your ribbon ready, it's time to assemble your program. First, align all the layers of your program, making sure they are properly centred and stacked neatly. Then, take your ribbon and carefully thread it through the punched holes. You can tie the ribbon in a variety of ways, such as a simple knot, a bow, or even a more intricate decorative knot of your choice.

Final Touches

After securing the ribbon, adjust the layers of your program to ensure they are all evenly spaced and aligned correctly. You can also add further embellishments, such as sequins or small decorative charms, to the ribbon for an extra special touch.

Frequently asked questions