Creating Wedding Stick Props: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding stick props are a fun and creative way to enhance your wedding photos and create lasting memories. You can easily make your own stick props with some simple materials and free printable templates available online. All you need is heavy-weight cardstock in your desired colours, lollipop sticks or bamboo sticks, glue, and a Cricut Explore machine or scissors and an Exacto knife for cutting. By following the downloadable tutorials, you can design and cut out various shapes, such as ties, cakes, flowers, and more, to attach to the sticks. These DIY wedding stick props are a budget-friendly option to elevate your wedding photo booth and provide your guests with a fun and engaging activity.

Print and cut out your designs

If you want to print and cut out your designs yourself, you can download free templates online. These templates can be printed onto white 8.5" x 11" cardstock. You can also use heavy-weight cardstock in your favourite colours.

Once you've printed your chosen template, cut out each design with scissors and an Exacto knife. Some designs may be trickier to cut out than others, so take your time and be careful.

If you don't want to cut out your designs by hand, you can use a Cricut Explore machine. First, download the SVG files you want and upload them to your Cricut Design Space. Then, drag the design to your desired size. You will need to "turn off" any logos by selecting the "eye" in the toolbar so that the machine doesn't try to cut them. Next, colour-code each design to match the colour of paper you want it to be cut out of. If you are using five different colours of paper, for example, make sure each design element corresponds to one colour of paper. Once you're ready to cut, the machine will automatically ask you to load each different coloured paper, and it will cut the designs for you.

After you have cut out your designs, simply glue a lollipop stick to the back of each one.

Use a Cricut Explore machine

Using a Cricut Explore machine is a fantastic way to create unique and customized wedding stick props that reflect your personal style and vision for your special day. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make wedding stick props using the Cricut Explore:

Step 1: Download and Upload Designs

Download the free SVG files designed by Jessica from The Budget Savvy Bride. These files contain various shapes and designs that you can use for your wedding stick props. Once you have the files, upload them to your Cricut Design Space.

Step 2: Edit and Customize Designs

When you open the uploaded designs in your Cricut Design Space, you may need to edit and customize them. For example, you might need to turn off or hide certain logos or elements by selecting the "eye" icon in the toolbar. This ensures that the machine cuts only the desired shapes.

Step 3: Color-Coding and Paper Selection

If you plan to use multiple colors of paper for your stick props, you can color-code each design element to match the color of paper you want it to be cut out of. This helps the machine identify which color paper to use for each design.

Step 4: Cutting with Cricut Explore

Once you have set up your designs and color-coding, it's time to cut! Load your Cricut Explore with the different colored papers, and let the machine work its magic. The machine will automatically prompt you to load the appropriate paper for each design.

Step 5: Removing Cut Designs

After the machine finishes cutting, carefully remove each design from the cutting mat. Your designs will be beautifully cut out, and you can adjust their size as needed.

Step 6: Gluing the Sticks

Now, it's time to assemble your stick props! Take your lollipop sticks and hot glue them to the backside of your cut-out designs. Be careful with the amount of glue you use to avoid any mess.

Step 7: Enjoy Your Wedding Stick Props!

Your wedding stick props are now ready to be used and enjoyed by you and your guests! These props will add a fun and memorable element to your wedding photo booth, and they can even withstand multiple events if handled with care.

Using the Cricut Explore machine simplifies the process of creating wedding stick props, allowing you to make customized designs that match your wedding theme and colors. So get creative, and happy crafting!

Attach sticks to the cut-out designs

Now that you have your cut-out designs ready, it's time to attach the sticks and transform them into fun wedding photo booth props! Here's a detailed guide to help you with this important step:

Firstly, gather your materials. You will need your cut-out designs, lollipop sticks or wooden sticks, and a strong adhesive like hot glue or glue gun. You can also use adhesive foam squares or glue dots, but keep in mind that hot glue or a glue gun will provide a stronger hold.

Next, decide on the placement of the sticks. For most designs, you will want to attach the stick towards the bottom of the cut-out, allowing it to be held comfortably and naturally. However, for some designs, you may want to get creative with the placement to achieve a specific look or function. For example, if you have a cut-out design of a speech bubble, you may want to attach the stick at the bottom-centre for stability.

Now, it's time to start attaching! If you are using hot glue, carefully apply a generous amount of glue to the backside of the cut-out design, in the area where you want the stick to be attached. Quickly but carefully, press the stick into the glue and hold it in place for a few seconds to allow the glue to set. Repeat this process for all your cut-out designs.

If you are using adhesive foam squares or glue dots, you will need to apply a few of them along the length of the stick, depending on its size and weight. Then, firmly press the stick onto the backside of the cut-out design and hold it in place for a few seconds to ensure a strong bond.

Once all your sticks are securely attached, it's a good idea to let the adhesive dry completely before handling the props too roughly. This will ensure that the sticks don't accidentally come loose.

And that's it! You now have a collection of fun and unique wedding stick props that are ready to be used and enjoyed by you and your guests. Get ready to capture some memorable and hilarious photos at your wedding photo booth!

Use heavy cardstock for durability

When making wedding stick props, it's important to consider the durability of your materials, especially if you want to use them for multiple events. Using heavy cardstock is a great way to ensure your props last and are less prone to ripping or bending.

Heavy cardstock, typically ranging from 100# to 110# in weight, will give your wedding stick props a more professional look and feel. It's also less likely to jam in your printer, making it a good choice if you're printing your own designs. If you're using a Cricut machine, ensure your cardstock isn't too thick to avoid cutting issues.

When selecting cardstock, opt for a smooth or textured finish, depending on your printer type. Inkjet printing may benefit from textured cardstock, such as linen, to hide imperfections, while laser printers work best with smooth cardstock. Additionally, consider the colour and design of your cardstock to match your wedding theme.

Keep in mind that the weight of the cardstock affects its bendability. Heavier cardstock, such as the 110# weight, will provide more durability and a luxurious feel to your wedding stick props. If you're looking for the heaviest option available, triple-thick cardstock, around 360# in weight, is considered the thickest and is reserved for letterpress printing.

By choosing heavy cardstock for your wedding stick props, you'll not only add durability but also create a polished and professional look for your special day.

Download free templates online

If you're looking for free downloadable templates for wedding stick props, there are several websites that offer these. For example, The Budget Savvy Bride offers two sets of free downloadable files for photo booth stick props. One set allows you to print and cut them yourself, while the other is designed to be uploaded and cut using a Cricut Explore machine. Similarly, Something Turquoise offers free downloadable SVG files for photo booth stick props, which can be uploaded to Cricut Design Space and cut using a Cricut Explore machine. Alternatively, you can print and cut them yourself.

Canva also offers dozens of free wedding label templates that can be customised and printed. These templates can be used for wedding cards, gifts, favours, or invites. You can adjust the colour palette to match your wedding colours and add additional elements from Canva's library of graphics, borders, backgrounds, and images. Once you're happy with your design, you can save it as a high-quality PDF for printing or share it online.

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