Creating A Wedding Welcome Board: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding welcome signs are a great way to add a personal touch to your special day. They can be used to greet guests, provide information, and enhance the overall aesthetic of the wedding. In this discussion, we will explore different ways to create a wedding welcome board, from DIY projects to customisable templates, and offer tips on designing and displaying your sign to make your wedding a memorable one.

Choosing a font and colour scheme that reflects your wedding style

Wedding welcome boards are a great way to tie your wedding's overall look together, create a lasting impression on your guests, and provide them with important information. Choosing the right font and colour scheme can help you achieve these goals and reflect your wedding style. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect font and colour palette for your wedding welcome board:

Choose a Font that Matches Your Wedding Style

The font you select for your wedding welcome board should complement the style and theme of your wedding. Here are some popular font styles and their characteristics:

• Script fonts are traditional and formal. They mirror cursive writing with long, loopy characters that are connected and often include flourishes, making them ideal for highlighting important details such as the couple's names.
• Serif fonts have decorative lines at the ends of each character, known as serifs. They come in two types: traditional serif fonts with a classic, centuries-old style, and modern serif fonts that follow current design trends while maintaining a connection to tradition. Serif fonts are highly legible, making them a great choice for smaller text.
• Sans serif fonts lack the decorative tails of serif fonts and feature clean, simple letters. They bring a modern and minimalist feel to wedding stationery and are highly legible, especially for digital invitations.

When choosing a font, consider your wedding's aesthetic and formality. For instance, sans serif fonts pair well with contemporary weddings, while serif and script fonts are more suited to traditional weddings. Additionally, the level of formality can influence your font choice—serif fonts with looped edges are perfect for formal affairs, while sans serif fonts are more appropriate for informal, casual gatherings.

Select a Colour Scheme that Complements Your Wedding Colours

The colour scheme you choose for your wedding welcome board should align with your wedding colours and overall aesthetic. Here are some tips for selecting the right colours:

• Stick to your colour scheme: Choose hues that fall within the colour palette of your wedding. This helps to create a cohesive and coordinated look.
• Consider the background: Opt for colours that stand out against the background of your welcome board. For example, if you have a light-coloured background, choose darker text colours, and vice versa.
• Add a metallic touch: Metals like silver, gold, or copper can add a glitzy and elegant element to your welcome board. Copper, in particular, evokes warmth and is suitable for rustic or glamorous celebrations.
• Incorporate watercolours: Watercolour designs can add an artistic and unique touch to your welcome board. You can go subtle with brushstrokes in the corners or bold with splatters of paint across the entire board.
• Match your wedding theme: If you have a specific wedding theme, such as a summer camp or tropical theme, reflect this in your colour choices. For example, use colours that represent the great outdoors or tropical hues like palm tree greens and blues.

Remember, your wedding welcome board is a chance to showcase your personality and set the tone for your celebration. By choosing a font and colour scheme that aligns with your wedding style, you can create a cohesive and memorable experience for your guests.

Adding a personal touch, such as a quote or custom crest

Adding a personal touch to your wedding welcome board, such as a quote or a custom crest, is a great way to make your special day feel extra special. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Quotes

Adding a quote to your wedding welcome board is a wonderful way to showcase your personality and set the tone for your big day. You can choose a romantic quote, a funny joke, or even a bible verse. If you're looking for something cute and adorable, consider quotes such as "I have found the one whom my soul loves" or "You are my happily ever after." For something more light-hearted, how about "Hello, darling. You look incredible, now go grab a drink" or "You're the gin to my tonic"?

You can also personalise your quote by including your wedding hashtag or wedding date. If you have a favourite song, book, or movie quote, this is a great way to incorporate it into your special day.

Custom Crests

Custom crests are a beautiful and elegant way to personalise your wedding welcome board. They typically include the couple's initials or joint monogram, surrounded by decorative flowers, greenery, or other meaningful symbols. You can also include your wedding date, a meaningful place such as your wedding venue, or even your pets!

If you're feeling creative, you can design your own crest by choosing the style, florals, colours, and monograms. Alternatively, you can commission a professional designer or artist to create a custom crest for you, ensuring a truly unique and elegant design.

Whether you choose to add a quote or design a custom crest, your wedding welcome board is sure to be a memorable and special part of your big day.

Selecting the right size for your venue

The size of your wedding welcome board should be determined by the size of your venue and the number of guests you expect. A larger board will be required if you are hosting a big wedding with many guests, to ensure that everyone can see and read the board easily. Conversely, a smaller, more intimate wedding may only require a modestly sized board.

The standard sizes for wedding welcome boards are 18"x24" and 24"x36". The smaller option is ideal for more intimate gatherings or smaller venues, providing ample space for essential information without being overwhelming. On the other hand, the larger size is perfect for larger venues or outdoor settings, ensuring the board stands out and can be seen from a distance.

When deciding on the size of your wedding welcome board, it is important to consider the amount of information you wish to include. If you plan to include detailed information such as the wedding schedule or a message to your guests, you may require a larger board. Additionally, the font size and style you choose will impact the overall size. Select a font that is easy to read and ensure that your guests will have no trouble reading the information from a distance.

Another factor to consider is the placement of the board. It should be placed prominently at the entrance of your venue, where your guests will first arrive. Ensure that the board is well-lit and placed at an appropriate height for easy viewing. If you have a large or heavy board, consider using a stand or easel to display it securely and elegantly.

Displaying your sign with an easel or stand

Choose the Right Easel or Stand:

Select an easel or stand that is sturdy and the right size for your sign. It should be able to support the weight of the sign and have a wide enough base to ensure stability. If you're using a heavier material like wood or acrylic, go for a sturdier easel.

Consider the Height and Placement:

Place the easel or stand at an appropriate height so that your welcome sign is easily visible to your guests. The sign should be at eye level or slightly above, ensuring that your guests don't have to strain their necks to read it. Position it strategically at the entrance of your venue, preferably in a well-lit area.

Enhance with Greenery:

Add some elegance and sophistication to your display by surrounding the sign with greenery. Flowers, branches, or other types of foliage can frame your welcome sign beautifully. This not only enhances the overall aesthetic but also makes the sign more eye-catching and inviting.

Ensure Visibility:

Make sure your welcome sign is visible from a distance, especially if you're placing it outdoors or in a large venue. Consider the viewing distance when choosing the size of your sign and the font for your text. A good rule of thumb is to use a font size that can be easily read from at least 10 feet away.

Secure Your Sign:

If you're using a lightweight material for your sign, such as foam board or cardboard, secure it to the easel or stand to prevent it from being blown over by wind or accidental bumps. You can use materials like double-sided tape, putty, or lightweight Command Strips to attach the sign without damaging it.

Match the Easel to Your Theme:

Consider choosing an easel or stand that complements your wedding theme and decor. For example, if you're going for a rustic theme, a wooden easel might be a perfect fit. For a more modern or minimalist theme, you could opt for a sleek metal easel.

Using materials such as wood, acrylic, chalkboard, mirror or fabric

Wood

A wedding welcome board with a wooden base is a great complement to rustic aesthetics at a farm, vineyard, or distillery wedding. With elegant calligraphy and a custom crest, the earthy surface can also look elevated enough for a formal event.

Acrylic

Acrylic welcome signs are a popular choice for couples. Available in multiple colours, including white, black, frosted, clear plexiglass, and gold mirror, these signs are a beautiful way to greet your guests. You can also opt for a DIY acrylic sign—all you need to do is brush on paint and trace lettering.

Chalkboard

Chalkboards are a fun and versatile option for wedding welcome signs. You can opt for a simple, rustic wood-framed chalkboard, or get creative with a custom design. If you're feeling extra crafty, you can even make your own chalkboard paint by mixing chalkboard paint powder with any paint colour of your choice.

Mirror

Mirror wedding welcome signs are a chic and elegant option that can suit any wedding style. They can also double up as decor, and your guests can use them to snap a quick selfie. You can purchase a ready-made mirror sign or make your own using a mirror of your choice and custom vinyl lettering.

Fabric

For an innovative and unique wedding welcome sign, consider swapping the conventional paper background with a piece of fabric. Choose colours that match your wedding aesthetic, and don't forget to select the right type of fabric to ensure the lettering is clear and easy to read.

Frequently asked questions