Creating Magical Wedding Send-Off Wand Moments

Wedding send-off wands are a fun, memorable, and mess-free alternative to traditional wedding ceremony tosses like rice, petals, or confetti. They are also less harmful to birds, who might mistake rice or confetti for food. These wands are easy to make and can be quite budget-friendly, but they can be time-consuming to assemble. To make them, you'll need supplies like wooden dowels, ribbons, bells, eye hooks, and jump rings. The process involves cutting and tying the ribbons, attaching the bells, and assembling the wands using the eye hooks and jump rings. You can also add personal touches, such as staining or spray painting the dowels or including personalized ribbon with a printed message.

Choosing the right materials

Wooden Dowels:

The base of your wand will be a thin wooden dowel, typically measuring around 12 to 14 inches (30.48 to 35.56 centimeters) in length and ¼-inch (0.64 centimeters) in width. You can purchase these pre-cut or cut them yourself from longer dowels. Opt for a natural finish or add a personal touch by spray painting them in neutral colours like white, silver, or gold. If you prefer a more rustic look, you can stain the dowels with natural stains like vinegar and coffee.

Ribbon:

The ribbon is a crucial component of the wedding send-off wands, adding colour and movement. Choose ribbons that complement your wedding colour scheme. You'll need approximately 36 to 40 inches (91.44 to 101.6 centimeters) of ribbon per wand, cut into two equal pieces. Experiment with different textures and widths, such as satin and sheer ribbons, to create visual interest. If you're using multiple ribbons per wand, consider varying their widths and colours for a more dynamic look. Don't forget to seal the ends of the ribbons to prevent fraying.

Bells:

Small jingle bells or standard trumpet-shaped bells can be attached to the end of the wands for an added festive touch. Choose bells that are approximately ½-inch (1.27 centimeters) in diameter for jingle bells and 1½ inches (3.81 centimeters) for standard bells. Opt for gold or silver bells, depending on your colour scheme and preferences.

Eye Screws, Jump Rings, and Twine:

To attach the ribbons and bells to the dowels, you'll need eye screws, jump rings, and twine or clear thread. The eye screws should be thin enough to fit into the hole at the top of the dowel without splitting the wood. Jump rings will connect the bells to the eye screws, while twine or clear thread will be used to hang the bells.

Other Embellishments:

You can further customise your wedding send-off wands by adding lace, glitter, fairy lights, or other decorative elements. Get creative and experiment with different combinations of ribbons, bells, and embellishments to design wands that align with your wedding theme and colour palette.

Remember to source high-quality materials and allow ample time for assembly. Creating these wands can be a fun DIY project, and they will undoubtedly add a unique and memorable touch to your wedding send-off!

Preparing the base

The base of your wedding send-off wand is the wooden dowel. You can buy these at various lengths and cut them down to size, or you can buy them pre-cut. The ideal length is 12 to 14 inches (30.48 to 35.56 cm) long and 1/4-inch (0.64 cm) wide.

Once you have your dowels, you can decorate them as you wish. You can leave them blank, or you can spray paint them with a colour of your choice. Gold, silver, and white are popular choices for wedding send-off wands. Alternatively, you can stain the dowels using a natural stain, such as vinegar and coffee.

Before attaching any other elements to your wand, you may want to make a hole at the top of each dowel. This will make it easier to twist in the eye screws. You can use a thumbtack to make the hole, or, if you have one, a drill with a tiny drill bit.

Now, you can twist in the eye screws. The thinner the eye screws are, the easier this step will be. You may need to use pliers to help you twist the screws in all the way. Be careful not to use eye screws that are too thick, as this may cause the dowel to split.

Adding decorations

Choose your colours wisely

Select ribbon colours that complement your wedding colour palette. This will create a cohesive and stylish look for your send-off. You can opt for a single colour or mix and match different shades to create a vibrant effect. Consider using satin and sheer ribbons of varying widths and textures to add visual interest.

Bells

Include bells on your wands for a festive touch. You can choose between small jingle bells or standard, trumpet-shaped bells. Gold or silver bells are a popular choice, with silver pairing well with cool colours like blue, green, and purple, and gold working better with warm colours such as red, orange, and yellow.

Customise your dowels

You can leave the wooden dowels unadorned or add some extra flair. Spray paint them in a neutral shade like white, silver, or gold, or opt for a natural stain using vinegar and coffee. Another option is to wrap the dowels with ribbon, securing it with a bit of glue to keep it in place.

Add some sparkle

If you want to make your wands really shine, consider incorporating fairy lights or LED lights. These can be wrapped around the dowels or integrated into the ribbons for a magical effect. Another option is to use glow sticks as an alternative to ribbons, providing a colourful and glowing send-off.

Personalise with tags

Custom tags can be added to your wands for a special touch. You can include the married couple's names, a meaningful message, or a fun graphic. These tags can be attached to the ribbons or bells, providing a unique detail that your guests will love.

Final assembly

Now that you have all the components of your wedding wands, it's time to put them together!

Attaching the Eye Hook

Firstly, you'll want to screw in the eye hook into the end of the wooden dowel. This step may require some elbow grease, but it will ensure a secure base for your wand. If you're finding it difficult to screw in by hand, you can use a pair of pliers to get a better grip and twist it the rest of the way.

Adding the Bells

Cut a piece of string or ribbon, about 6 inches long, and feed it through the loop of your chosen bell. You can use a small jingle bell or a standard trumpet-shaped bell, depending on your preference. Once the string is securely tied to the bell, attach it to the eye hook. You can use a simple double knot or a square knot for added security.

Tying the Ribbons

Cut your ribbons to the desired length, ensuring they are equal in length. You can use two different coloured ribbons or multiple ribbons for a fuller look. Stack the ribbons together, find the centre, and tie them securely around the dowel, about 2 inches below the eye hook. Make sure there are equal lengths of ribbon on both sides of the knot. You can add a drop of glue to the dowel before wrapping the ribbons for extra security.

And there you have it! A beautiful wedding send-off wand that your guests can wave as you make your grand exit. Repeat these steps for as many wands as you need, and feel free to add your own creative touches to make them unique.

Happy crafting!

Presentation

Wedding wands are a fun and easy way to make your wedding exit memorable. They are also a great alternative to throwing rice or confetti, which can be harmful to birds and create a mess. Here are some tips to make your wedding wand exit as magical as possible:

First, decide on the type of wand you want. You can choose between simple and fancy wands. Simple wands typically feature two ribbons and a bell, while fancier wands may have multiple ribbons, bells, lace, and other embellishments. Choose colours that match your wedding theme. You can also add personalised touches, such as printed messages or the couple's names on the ribbons.

Next, you'll need to assemble the wands. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Prepare the wooden dowel: You can buy pre-cut dowels or cut them yourself. They should be around 12 to 14 inches long and 1/4-inch wide. You can leave them blank or add some colour by spray painting or staining them. If you choose to stain the dowels, you can use natural stains like vinegar and coffee.
• Create a hole at the top of the dowel: This will make it easier to twist in the eye screws. Use a thumbtack or a small drill to create the hole.
• Attach the eye screws: Twist the eye screws into the holes. Thinner eye screws will be easier to work with, and you may need pliers to tighten them securely.
• Choose and cut your ribbons: Cut the ribbons to the desired length, usually around 24 to 40 inches. You can play around with different colours, widths, and textures, such as satin and sheer.
• Tie the ribbons to the eye screw: Start with the widest ribbon and tie it in a secure double knot. Continue adding ribbons until you have a full wand.
• Add the bell: Cut a shorter piece of ribbon, around 12 inches long, and tie it to the bell with a double knot. You can use standard trumpet-shaped bells or ball-shaped jingle bells, typically in gold or silver.
• Finalise the wand: Tie the ribbon with the bell to the eye screw with a knot or a bow. Trim any excess ribbon if needed.

Once you've created your wands, it's time to present them to your guests. Place the wands in a tall glass vase or a basket with a sign encouraging guests to take one. You can also include a wand with the programs given to guests, or place them on the same table for easy access. Ensure you have enough wands for each guest or at least 85% of the expected guests.

Frequently asked questions