Crafting Paper Heart Decor For Your Dream Wedding

Paper hearts are a fun and easy way to decorate your wedding venue. They can be hung from the ceiling, placed on tables, or used as wedding favours. You can make them from scrapbook paper, which means endless colour and pattern options. They can be hung on their own or as a garland on a length of ribbon. To make them, you will need two sheets of matching paper, a hole punch, scissors, and ribbon. First, stick the white sides of the paper together. Then, cut the paper into strips of various lengths. Next, assemble the pieces, with the shortest strip at the centre, and staple them in place. Finally, bend the strips to form a heart, staple again, and thread a piece of ribbon through the hole at the top of the heart.

Hanging paper heart decorations

Materials:

• Two sheets of matching paper
• Spray glue
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Ribbon

Method:

• Take two sheets of matching paper and use spray glue to stick the white sides together.
• Cut the paper into 1-inch strips. You will need seven strips for each heart: two 12-inch strips, two 10.5-inch strips, two 9-inch strips, and one 6-inch strip.
• Use a hole punch to make a hole in the top of the 6-inch strip. This is where you will thread the ribbon through for hanging.
• Assemble the pieces with the 6-inch strip in the centre and the holes at the top. Place the 12-inch strips on either side, followed by the 10.5-inch strips, and then the 9-inch strips. Make sure the bottom of the strips are aligned 3 inches from the top of the central piece. Staple them in place.
• Bend the strips down to the bottom of the central piece of card to form one side of the heart. Do the same on the other side, making sure all the pieces of card are lying flush before stapling in place.
• Cut a 10-inch piece of ribbon and thread it through the hole at the top of the heart. Secure it with a knot.

Alternative Method:

• Print a heart template onto A4 paper in your chosen colours.
• Cut out the template.
• Fold the template backwards and forwards into a concertina formation.
• Fold it in half lengthwise and secure it into a heart shape using double-sided tape.
• Thread some cotton through the top centre of the heart for hanging.

Paper heart garlands

Step 1:

To make the hearts, you can either cut out a template and trace it onto your chosen paper, or use a heart-shaped hole punch. You will need two hearts per finished heart to make them three-dimensional. You can use any paper you like, such as craft paper, old book pages, music scores, magazines, scrapbook paper, printed paper, or wrapping paper.

Step 2:

Once you have cut out or punched a large number of hearts, lay them out as planned for your garland to ensure you have enough.

Step 3:

Join the hearts together by machine stitching a straight line down the middle of two hearts. Continue stitching with the desired gap between hearts until you reach the desired length of the garland.

Step 4:

If you don't have a sewing machine, you can also attach the hearts using glue. Gather your first two hearts, and mark the central point on each central crease. On the first heart, cut down the creased line to the marked dot. On the second heart, cut up from the bottom to the central dot. Slide the two hearts together along these cut lines to create a three-dimensional heart.

Step 5:

Repeat this process for all the hearts. Then, attach a clear fishing wire or plastic thread to the centre of each heart using a small line of glue. Allow the glue to dry completely before hanging your DIY heart garland.

You can also add some colour to your paper hearts by using the gelli printing technique or simply using coloured paper.

Using paper heart templates

Step 1: Choose Your Paper and Template

Select sturdy cardstock or scrapbook paper in your desired colours and patterns. You can opt for a single colour or mix and match different shades to create a vibrant display. If using a template, print it onto A4 paper in your chosen colours. This ensures a crisp and precise outline for your hearts.

Step 2: Cut and Trace the Hearts

Using scissors, carefully cut out the heart template. Fold your chosen cardstock paper in half, and trace the template to create identical heart halves. You can also cut out the hearts directly from the paper if you prefer. Repeat this process to create multiple hearts in various sizes.

Step 3: Assemble the Hearts

If you're creating 3D hanging hearts, you can glue or staple the heart halves together, ensuring the edges are aligned. Place a weight, like a book, on top to help them set. For a more intricate design, follow a template that involves cutting paper into strips of varying lengths and assembling them into a heart shape using fasteners or ribbon.

Step 4: Add Hanging Elements

To hang your paper hearts, cut a piece of string, ribbon, or cotton, and tie it to the top centre of each heart. You can also punch a hole at the top of the heart and thread the ribbon through before securing it with a knot. This allows you to hang the hearts from the ceiling, walls, or anywhere you desire.

Step 5: Display Your Creations

Paper heart decorations can be hung individually or in clusters to create a stunning visual impact. You can also attach them to doorknobs, use them as table centrepieces, or incorporate them into wedding favours. They add a whimsical and romantic touch to your wedding décor and are sure to impress your guests.

Gluing paper hearts

To make paper hearts, you will need some form of paper, such as scrapbook paper, cardstock, or regular printer paper. You will also need some form of adhesive, such as spray glue, double-sided tape, or regular glue. Additionally, you will need some form of cutting tool, such as scissors or a straightedge cutter, and a hole punch. Finally, you will need some string, twine, or ribbon to hang the hearts.

For the first method, start by taking two sheets of matching paper and using spray glue to stick the white sides together. Next, cut the paper into strips of equal width, with each strip being 1 inch shorter than the previous one. For example, cut two strips that are 12 inches long, two strips that are 11 inches long, and so on, down to 6 inches long. You will need seven strips for each heart, with two strips of each length except for the shortest length.

Once you have your strips, stack them together from shortest to longest, with the patterns facing up. Make sure the edges are lined up, and use a hole punch to create a hole in one end of the strips, about 1/4 inch from the edge. Then, separate the strips into two piles and lay them with the longest pieces facing together, making sure the holes are lined up. Attach a brad fastener through the holes to secure the strips together.

Now, it's time to form the heart shape. Bring each end of the strips together until they match, and punch a hole through all the layers. Attach another brad fastener through this hole, and your paper heart is ready to hang! You can add twine or ribbon if desired.

For the second method, start by folding a piece of cardstock paper in half. Trace a heart template or stencil onto the paper, making sure that half of the heart is on one side of the fold and half is on the other. Cut out the heart shape, and then unfold it. You should now have a symmetrical heart with a fold line down the middle.

Repeat this process to create multiple hearts, alternating between two different colors of paper if desired. Then, apply glue to one half of each heart, and stick them together to form a stack. Place something heavy on top, like a book, to help them set. Once the glue is dry, you can use these hearts as flat decorations or turn them into hanging decorations.

To make hanging decorations, cut a piece of string, twine, or ribbon and tie a knot at one end. Unfold the stack of hearts and apply glue to the first and last heart halves. Place the knotted end of the string into the middle of the hearts and glue them together. Hold or weigh the hearts down until the glue sets. Once dry, your dimensional hanging paper hearts are ready to display!

Paper heart favours

Paper hearts are a great DIY project to add a personal touch to your wedding. They can be used as wedding favours and decorations, hung around the venue on walls or from the ceiling, or placed on tables. You can use any kind of paper, but for wedding favours, you might want to opt for pretty cardstock or scrapbook paper, which comes in endless patterns and colours. Here are some ideas and instructions for making paper heart favours:

Concertina Hearts

Print a heart template onto A4 paper in your chosen colours. Cut out the template and fold it backwards and forwards into a concertina. Fold in half lengthways and secure with double-sided tape to form a heart shape. Finally, thread some cotton through the top centre of the heart to hang it.

Stacked Hearts

Fold a piece of cardstock in half and trace a heart template. Cut out six hearts of one colour and six of another colour. Alternating the colours, glue the hearts together to form a stack, placing something heavy on top, like a book, to help them set. To hang these paper hearts, cut a long piece of string, unfold the stack, and glue the first and last heart halves together with the string in between.

Hanging Hearts

Cut strips of paper, 1 inch wide and 12 inches long. For each heart, you will need ten pieces of paper in five different patterns. Stack the strips of paper, starting with the shortest and ensuring the patterns are facing up. Line up the edges and punch a hole about 1/4 inch from the edge. Lay the papers together with the longest pieces facing each other and attach a brad fastener. Bring each of the ends together and punch another hole, then attach another brad fastener. You can add twine to the brad in the centre to hang the heart.

These paper heart favours are simple to make and can be customised to match your wedding colour scheme and theme. They are a fun and inventive way to add a personal touch to your special day.

Frequently asked questions