Crafting Wedding Signs: A Guide To Diy Nuptial Signage

Wedding signs are a great way to add a personal touch to your special day. They can be used to welcome guests, provide directions, or simply add to the decor. Making your own wedding signs is a fun and easy way to save money and ensure your signs match your wedding's theme. There are many different ways to make wedding signs, from using paint and stencils to printing and transferring designs. You can also get creative with the materials you use, such as wood, chalkboards, or even balloons. With a little time and effort, you can create beautiful and unique wedding signs that will impress your guests.

Using a chalkboard

Step 1: Source your chalkboard

You can buy a ready-made chalkboard, or you can make your own. To make your own, you will need a solid piece of plywood from a home improvement store, or you could use scrap wood. You could even use an old wooden slab or chipboard from an old sketchbook. If you're feeling creative, you can cut your chalkboard into a specific shape, such as a ribbon banner. If you're using plywood or wood, you will need to sand it down with fine-grit sandpaper (100 to 180-grit) to smooth the surface before painting.

Step 2: Paint your chalkboard

Use chalkboard paint and a roller to paint your chalkboard. Apply the paint evenly and allow it to dry for about two hours. You may need to apply several coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next. Once the final coat is dry, go over the surface again with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth out the paint.

Step 3: Prepare your chalkboard

To protect your chalkboard, rub the surface with a piece of chalk, then remove it with a clean rag. Now your chalkboard is ready for your design!

Step 4: Design your sign

You can use chalk, chalk ink pencils, or chalk markers to write your message. If you're feeling artistic, you can add decorations, flowers, or other designs by hand. You could also use stencils or print out a design and transfer it onto your chalkboard. If you want to include an image, you could print it out and trace it onto your chalkboard.

Step 5: Display your sign

Chalkboards look great with leafy green florals, so be sure to add some foliage around your sign. You can also add fairy lights or string lights to make your sign stand out, especially if your wedding is in the afternoon or evening.

Tips and Tricks:

• If you're short on time, you can buy a chalkboard sign and customise it with your own message and decorations.
• If you're making multiple signs, try to mix and match your materials—combine wood, glass, and acrylic for a unique and personalised touch.
• Start your DIY projects early to avoid any last-minute rushes.
• Keep your design simple and elegant, and make sure the sizing is appropriate—you don't want your sign to be lost in a busy tablescape!
• For a fun twist, use a light-up chalkboard sign or add fairy lights around your sign.
• If you're making a directional sign, you can cut your chalkboard into the shape of an arrow.

Printing a design

Step 1: Prepare the Wood

Start by purchasing plywood boards from a home improvement store. Plywood is cheap and commonly used for homemade signs. You can cut the wood to a specific size using a handsaw or circular saw. If you want to refine the wood, sand it with medium-grit sandpaper (60 to 80) followed by fine-grit sandpaper (100 to 180). You can also stain the wood to give it a unique colour.

Step 2: Create Your Design

Use a word processor to type out the words you want on your sign. Choose a classy font and make the font size large, as people will be reading the sign from a distance. You can also flip the page to landscape mode for more space.

Step 3: Print the Design

Print out your design on paper. If you're short on space, you may need to print the design in multiple parts, one word at a time. Leave a few spaces between the words if they're printed together.

Step 4: Transfer the Design

Lay your sign on a flat surface and tape the design pages on top. You can use graphite transfer paper to make the design easier to see. Hold the paper down with masking tape, then outline the design with a sharp pencil, pressing firmly so that the lead transfers to the wood. Remove the paper and adjust the design as needed.

Step 5: Colour the Design

Use chalk ink markers, paint, or paint markers to colour in your design. Chalk ink markers create bright, white lines that can match well with other decorations. You can also add additional decorations by printing and tracing an image or painting flowers or other designs by hand.

Stencilling

Step 1: Prepare the Wood

Purchase plywood boards from a home improvement store. Plywood boards are cheap and commonly used for homemade signs. You can cut the wood to your desired size using a handsaw or circular saw. Sand the wood with medium-grit sandpaper followed by fine-grit sandpaper for a smooth finish. You can also stain the wood to give it a unique colour.

Step 2: Choose Your Stencil Design

You can either buy adhesive stencils from a craft store or make your own stencils using stencil paper and a craft knife. If you're feeling creative, you can even use your Cricut to cut out custom designs. Choose a design that aligns with your wedding theme and the overall skill level of your project.

Step 3: Paint Your Sign

Spray paint your plywood with a background colour of your choice. You can use black or white, or get creative with colours that match your wedding palette. Apply several coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry for about 5 minutes, until the colouring looks smooth and even. Let the final coat dry for at least 24 hours.

Step 4: Apply the Stencil

Before applying your stencil, confirm that it looks the way you want it to. Ask a friend to take a look from a distance to ensure the text is readable. Centre the stencil on your board and use tape to adhere it securely.

Step 5: Paint Over the Stencil

Using acrylic paint, paint directly over the stencil, being careful not to get paint underneath it. You can use a brush or spray paint, depending on the size of your stencil. Remove the stencil immediately after painting to avoid any smudging.

Step 6: Embellish and Display

Add the final touches to your sign by gluing on stickers, ribbons, photos, or other decorations. You can also paint on special pictures or messages to make it truly yours. Display your sign at your wedding venue, whether it's at the entrance, by the guest book, or as a fun photo backdrop!

Using a light-up sign

Custom Neon Wedding Lights

You can get any neon wedding sign size you need totally custom at HandcoFinds. These amazing styles are often on sale for as low as $10. Or, you can try WestNinthVintage, which also has high ratings from happy couples.

"To The Moon And Back"

This is probably one of the most popular neon wedding signs; do you ever need another?! It goes with everything! You can buy this sign from TheLovelyGlassJar.

"It Was Always You"

Whether you met years ago or it just feels like you’ve known each other forever, this neon saying is a sweet choice. You can buy this sign from TheLovelyGlassJar or MorusStudio.

Name in Neon Lights

Show off your new name as a couple and include your wedding date with this charming signage. You can buy this sign from MKNEON or NeonPegasusDesigns.

"Til Death"

Perhaps it’s because Halloween is coming up this month, but this ‘Til Death neon sign is one of the most popular signs right now. You can buy this sign from HDJlettersign, NeonPegasusDesigns, or The Lovely Glass Jar.

"Drunk in Love"

For your bar, this “drunk in love” signage is cute for a reception or patio. You can buy this sign from MKNEON.

"Let's Dance"

Get the wedding party started with this fun neon wall sign. Display it on the DJ booth or hang it behind the band as a reminder to your guests to get on up and dance the night away. You can buy this sign from Name Glo.

"Happily Ever After"

One of the most beloved neon signs for weddings. You can buy this sign from SJ Worktop or OneNeon.

Heart and Arrows

This heart and arrow neon sign is another fun pick. You can buy this sign from NeonPegasusDesigns.

"You Are the Best Thing"

Buy this sign from TheLovelyGlassJar.

Moon and Stars

This moon and stars neon sign is great for a themed wedding, i.e. starry night wedding or moon and stars wedding. You can buy this sign from Isaac Jacobs.

Love in Heart

This is small (so, not a big wall statement piece) but this neon wedding sign is a fun touch for a tabletop at your entryway. You can buy this sign from IsaacJacobs.

Harry Potter Themed

Perhaps you’re planning a wizard/Harry Potter-themed wedding or bachelorette party? You can buy this sign from LetsMakeNeon.

DIY Light-Up Chalkboard Sign

This idea is another take on the chalkboard sign. It’s something that works great for late afternoon or nighttime wedding receptions. It’s more of a fun and quirky sign than a guiding one, but it definitely suits the fun and festive mood of a wedding dance floor. If using at nighttime, make sure to add in fairy string lights, available online.

Using balloons

Balloons are a fun, whimsical, and inexpensive way to decorate your wedding. They can be used in a variety of ways to create a unique and memorable celebration. Here are some ideas for using balloons to make your own wedding signs:

Balloon Wedding Signs

Add a balloon to your wedding sign to make it stand out and ensure your guests notice it. You can tie a balloon to your sign, or use balloons to frame or accent the sign. This will help draw attention to important information such as the welcome sign, seating chart, or bar menu.

Wedding Aisle Decoration with Balloons

Line your wedding aisle with giant balloons or tie balloons to each chair. You can use balloons in your wedding colours or choose a single colour for a more elegant look. This will create a memorable entrance for the bride and add a festive touch to your ceremony.

Giant Balloon Wedding Table Number Ideas

Use giant numbered balloons to indicate table numbers at your reception. This is an easy DIY project that will make a big impact when guests walk into the room. You can choose different colours or patterns for each table to add visual interest.

Balloon Garland or Chandelier

Create a balloon garland or chandelier to hang above the dance floor or dessert table. Mix different sizes and colours of balloons, and add greenery or flowers for a whimsical touch. You can also incorporate string lights or confetti for a festive flair.

Balloon Backdrop

Cover a wall with balloons to create a colourful backdrop for your ceremony or photo booth. Stick to a single colour palette to keep it from overwhelming your guests, but feel free to mix up the balloon sizes. This will create a fun and unique setting for photos.

Balloon Centrepieces

Instead of traditional floral centrepieces, use balloons to decorate your reception tables. You can float individual balloons or create balloon bouquets, adding streamers, tassels, or fresh greenery for extra flair. For a non-traditional look, opt for simple bud vases of greenery and rows of floating balloons connected by gold garlands.

Frequently asked questions