Creative Diy: Crafting Wedding Paddle Fans

Paddle fans are a fun and unique way to present your wedding ceremony details while keeping your guests cool during warm spring and summer weddings. You can make paddle fans at home by following these simple steps:

Firstly, download a wedding program fan template from a website and open it in MS Word. Customise the template by adding your ceremony and bridal party details, and change the fonts and formatting to your liking. Remember to stay within the trim lines.

Next, print the template on 8.5 x 11 card stock. A paper weight of 65-80lb is recommended, especially if you are using a home printer.

Then, score the program down the centre fold using the non-blade point of an X-acto knife and a ruler. This will ensure a straight fold. Fold the program in half to make a booklet.

After that, trim the three outer edges of the program using a paper trimmer or scissors, being careful not to cut along the fold line.

Now it's time to attach the fan stick. Apply double-sided tape to both sides of the fan stick and the reverse side of the program. Line up the fan stick in the middle of the bottom edge of the program, fold the program over the handle, and press for good adhesion.

Finally, add your finishing touches. You can dress up the fan handles with ribbon, spray paint them an accent colour, or come up with your own creative embellishments.

Choosing the right paper

For a one-sided fan, it is recommended to use a professional printer and opt for 110lb paper. However, if you are making a two-sided fan, especially if you are using a home inkjet printer, 65lb-80lb paper is a better choice.

One source suggests that 67lb paper is ideal for DIY projects as most home printers can handle the weight, and it still gives a professional feel. Another source recommends using heavy card stock of at least 65lb weight, and for a more rustic look, you can use Kraft paper.

Folding and cutting

Folding:

First, fold your printed template in half lengthwise. This creates a centre fold, which serves as a guide for the rest of the process. Use a ruler and an X-acto knife to score the paper along the centre fold line. This step ensures a precise and straight fold.

Cutting:

The next step is to cut or trim the three outer edges of the program. It is important to be careful and not cut along the fold line. A paper trimmer or scissors can be used for this step. Trimming the paper while it is still folded helps achieve precise and clean cuts.

Gluing:

After folding and cutting, it is time to glue the fan together. Apply glue or double-sided tape to both sides of the fan stick and the reverse side of the program. Place the fan stick in the centre of the bottom edge of the program, ensuring it is straight and centred. Then, fold the program over the fan handle and press down to secure it in place.

These steps form the basis of assembling a wedding paddle fan. Adding decorations, such as ribbons or spray paint, can further enhance the final product.

Sticking the paddle stick

Now that you have your wedding program ready, it's time to stick the paddle! Lay your program on a flat surface and apply a generous amount of glue to one side where the stick will go. Place the stick on the fan and press firmly, making sure it is straight.

Double-sided tape is another option for sticking the paddle stick. It won't leave soggy marks on your paper like glue might. Apply the tape to both sides of the fan stick and the reverse side of the program. Line up the fan stick in the middle of the bottom edge of the program, then fold the program over the handle and press for good adhesion.

If you want to get creative, you can dress up the fan handles with ribbon or spray paint them an accent colour. Just be sure to paint them before taping them to the program so you don't get paint on your paper!

Adding decorations

Ribbons

Adding a ribbon to your wedding paddle fans is a simple yet effective way to decorate them. You can choose a colour that matches your wedding theme, or go for something more subtle like gold. Tie the ribbon around the paddle stick, and you could even notch the ends of the ribbon for a neat finish.

Spray Paint

Spray painting the paddle sticks is another option to add a pop of colour to your fans. You can paint them before attaching them to the fan, and choose an accent colour to complement your wedding colour palette.

Corner Punches

Using a corner punch to round the corners of your fans is a great way to soften the look and add a little extra detail. You can buy corner punches at any craft store.

Twine

For a more rustic look, you could use twine instead of ribbon to decorate your fans. Simply tie it around the paddle stick as you would a present.

Embellishments

Get creative and come up with your own embellishments to add to your fans! Perhaps you could add some small silk flowers, glitter, or stickers.

Personalisation

Make your fans extra special by personalising them with your wedding date, your names, or a meaningful quote. You can do this by printing the details directly onto the fan, or by adding them as an extra decoration.

Rounding the corners

Once you have the paddle stick in place, you can round the corners of the paper with a corner punch, which can be bought at any craft store. This is an optional step, but it gives the wedding paddle fan a nice finished look.

To round the corners, first fold the paper in half, and then use the corner punch to round each corner. You can also notch out the ends of any ribbon you use to decorate the paddle stick to give it a nice finished look.

Frequently asked questions