Creating Colorful Mexican Wedding Banners: A Step-By-Step Guide

Papel picado banners are a staple at Mexican weddings. These colourful, festive banners are made using tissue paper with intricate designs cut into them. The banners are considered Mexican folk art and are usually designed to align with the personality and likes of the couple. They can be customised with the couple's names and wedding date, and the colours can be specified to match a theme. They are perfect for outdoor weddings and evening setups when paired with twinkle lights.

Choosing the right paper

Papel picado banners are a staple at Mexican weddings. They are made from tissue paper with intricate designs cut 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 it is lightweight and easy to cut into intricate designs. Tissue paper also comes in a variety of colours, allowing you to choose the perfect shades to match your wedding colour palette. You can also choose between paper and opaque plastic banners. While paper banners are more aesthetically pleasing, plastic banners are more practical for outdoor weddings, especially in humid or unpredictable climates.

Colour

Papel picado banners come in a variety of colours, and you can usually choose your own colours to match your wedding theme. Keep in mind that the colours you see on your computer screen may not be exactly the same as the actual paper colours.

Size

When choosing the size of your papel picado banners, consider the length of the banner strings and the size of each individual flag. Banner strings typically range from 16 to 20 feet long, and each string consists of multiple flags. The size of the flags can vary, but they are typically rectangular and measure around 14x9 inches or 14x19 inches.

Customization

If you want to include the bride and groom's names and the wedding date on your banners, you can choose between block letters and script writing. However, script writing may require you to provide your own PDF artwork. You can also choose to add additional designs, such as "Felicidades" and paloma doves, to further customize your banners.

Papel picado folding techniques

Papel picado is a Mexican folk art that involves cutting intricate designs into colourful tissue paper or other thin materials. The sheets are then often used to create banners, flags, and decorations for various celebrations and festivals.

• Start with sheets of tissue paper of the same colour.
• Fold the sheets in half to create a rectangle. The number of sheets used will determine the thickness and opacity of the final product.
• Place a chosen template or design on top of the folded tissue paper. Alternatively, draw the design freehand, use a stencil, or print a design. Ensure that the design fits within the dimensions of the folded paper.
• Carefully cut out the design using scissors. Be meticulous with intricate details to maintain the beauty of the design. Take your time and make precise cuts.
• Gently unfold the tissue paper to reveal the cut design. Repeat the process to create multiple sheets with the same or different patterns and colours for a more vibrant effect.
• To create a banner or garland, use a small punch or chisel to make holes along the edges of each piece. Ensure the holes are evenly spaced and aligned for seamless stringing.
• Use thread or yarn to string the pieces together into a banner.

Some additional tips for folding and cutting papel picado:

• For a flower design, measure and cut the tissue paper to the desired size, then fold it in half and draw the chosen design using a ballpoint pen along the folded edges. Carefully cut out the design and unfold the paper to reveal the intricate pattern.
• To create multiple panels from one cut, layer 2-3 sheets of tissue paper together and use tape carefully while cutting.
• For a practice banner, place the template under a single sheet of paper or plastic to get a feel for folding and cutting.
• When using a craft knife, use a fresh blade and work on a cutting mat.
• Make sure to cut all the way through the paper. Leaving corners unsnipped or failing to connect lines may cause the papel picado to rip when unfolded.

Cutting and customising the banners

The first step in customising your Mexican wedding banners is to decide on a colour scheme. Banners can be made from tissue paper or lightweight plastic, and you can choose up to three colours to be included in your design. You can also choose between plastic or tissue paper banners—plastic banners are more practical for outdoor weddings in humid or unpredictable climates, but tissue paper banners are prettier.

Next, you'll need to decide on the text for your banners. You can include the bride and groom's names and the date of the wedding, and choose between block or script letters. If you want script letters, you'll need to provide a PDF of the artwork. You can also include the names and date in a separate ''name page' banner, which works best for names of seven letters or less. If you have longer names, the artist will add filler designs and a scalloped bottom edge to the banner for an additional cost.

You can also choose up to three different banner types for your custom wedding banner, as well as two additional in-stock banner designs. Some examples of in-stock designs include "Felicidades" and "paloma doves".

The minimum order for custom papel picado banners is 20 banner strings, consisting of 10 14"x19" panels, at a cost of $22 per string. Each banner string stretches to about 20 feet. There is also a $150 art charge, which can be waived if the names are short. The lead time is 8 to 12 weeks, and rush orders may be possible for an additional fee, depending on the artist's availability.

Once you've decided on your customisations, you can start creating your banners. First, print out a template for your chosen design and trim about half an inch off each side. Then, cut sheets of your chosen tissue paper or plastic to the same size as the template. Place the tissue or plastic over the template, and follow the printed instructions for folding and cutting. If you're using tissue paper, be gentle to avoid tearing or stretching. Use a sharp pair of scissors or a fresh craft knife and cutting mat to make your cuts. Make sure to cut all the way through, connecting all the lines of your design—if you don't, your banner may rip when you unfold it and remove the template.

Once you've made your cuts, carefully unfold your banner and remove the template. You can then string your banners together to create a garland. Punch holes in the top corners of each banner and thread a string through, securing the string with a small piece of tape. Alternatively, fold the top of the banner over the string and glue it down—this method works best with tissue paper.

You can also create banners without using a template. Simply follow the same folding steps and then improvise your own cut patterns.

Stringing the banners together

Now that you have made your papel picado banners, the next step is to string them together to create a garland. You can try either of these two ways:

Punch Holes and String

• Punch holes in the two top corners of each banner.
• String your designs together to make a banner.
• Cover the holes with a small piece of tape to prevent sliding.

Fold and Glue

• Fold the top of each banner over the string.
• Glue it down. This method is easier with tissue paper.

You can also tie multiple papel picado banners together to make them longer, criss-cross them, or hang them in rows.

Hanging the banners

Firstly, consider the location of your wedding and where you want to hang the banners. Papel picado banners are versatile and can be used both indoors and outdoors. They are perfect for backdrops, photo booths, and hanging over tables or the dance floor. If you are hanging the banners outdoors, consider using opaque plastic instead of tissue paper, as this is more durable and better suited for unpredictable weather conditions.

When hanging your banners, you can get creative! You can hang them in rows, criss-cross them, or tie multiple banners together to create a longer display. If you want to create a backdrop or cover a larger area, consider hanging the banners horizontally rather than vertically. This will give the illusion of a larger space and create a more impactful display.

To hang the banners, you can use string, twine, or ribbon. Start by measuring the length of the area you want to cover and cut the string to size. Then, use tape, glue, or staples to attach the banners to the string. If you are hanging the banners outdoors, make sure to secure them well to withstand any wind or weather conditions. You can use stronger adhesive or tie the banners securely to a fixed structure.

For an extra touch of magic, consider adding lighting to your banner display. As mentioned earlier, papel picado banners pair beautifully with twinkle lights, especially for an evening wedding. You can intertwine fairy lights with the banners or hang them separately to create a soft, romantic glow. This will add to the festive atmosphere and create a memorable ambiance for your special day.

Lastly, don't be afraid to experiment and get creative with your banner hanging! You can mix and match different banner designs, colours, and lengths to create a unique and personalised display. You can also incorporate other decorations, such as flowers or streamers, to enhance the overall visual impact. Remember, there is no wrong way to hang your Mexican wedding banners, so have fun and get creative!

Frequently asked questions