Crafting The Perfect Chalkboard Wedding Sign: A Guide To Writing And Design

Chalkboard wedding signs are a great way to add a personal touch to your special day. From welcome signs to seating charts, there are many ways to incorporate chalkboard signs into your wedding decor. You can even use them to display your wedding menu or bar menu, with some colourful chalk to make it pop. If you're feeling crafty, you can make your own, or you can hire a calligrapher to create some beautiful hand-lettering. Chalkboard signs are a blank slate, ready for you to get creative and add a unique, personal touch to your wedding.

Chalkboard wedding sign ideas

Chalkboard wedding signs are a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding décor. Here are some creative and instructive ideas for your big day:

Welcome and Thank Your Guests

Greet your guests with a charming chalkboard sign at the entrance, expressing your gratitude for their presence. This sets a warm and inviting tone for the celebration.

Display a Wedding Day Timeline

Keep your guests informed by writing out the schedule of events on a large chalkboard easel. This ensures everyone knows what to expect and can join in on the festivities without missing a beat.

Introduce the Wedding Party

If you have a large wedding party, a chalkboard sign is a perfect way to introduce them to your guests. Write their names and roles in elegant lettering, and perhaps even add a fun fact or two about each person.

Provide Seating Instructions

Incorporate seating guidelines into your décor by using cute chalkboard signs. These can be placed near the entrance of the ceremony or reception area to guide guests to their designated seats.

Create a Monogram or Logo

Add a touch of elegance by creating an intricate monogram or logo on a vintage DIY chalkboard. This can be your married initials or a symbol that represents your union, making for a great photo backdrop.

Enforce an Unplugged Ceremony

Gently remind your guests to be fully present and refrain from using their cell phones during the ceremony. A lighthearted message on a chalkboard sign can convey this request in a sweet and non-intrusive way.

Guide Guests to the Photo Booth

If you're having a photo booth at your wedding, make sure to advertise it! A chalkboard sign with a fun message and an arrow pointing in the right direction will encourage guests to strike a pose and create memorable moments.

Display the Menu

Instead of traditional paper menus, opt for a rustic hand-lettered dinner menu on a chalkboard. This is not only environmentally friendly but also adds a unique touch to your reception tables. Don't forget to include a small chalkboard sign at the buffet table to label each dish.

Share Your Love Story

Your wedding is a celebration of your journey together. Share the milestones of your relationship or list out your love story on a chalkboard, allowing guests to get a glimpse into your unique love story.

Add Some Humor with Dance Floor Rules

Chalkboard signs are a perfect way to infuse humor into your wedding. Decorate the dance floor with funny rules or quirky quotes to get your guests laughing and ready to cut loose.

Direct Guests to the Guest Book

Don't forget to call attention to your guest book station! A chalkboard sign with a playful message will ensure your guests don't miss out on leaving their well-wishes.

Offer Wedding Favors

Punny quotes or witty sayings tied to your wedding favors will bring a smile to your guests' faces. For example, offer pashminas alongside a chalkboard sign that reads, "To have and to hold in case you get cold."

These ideas are just a starting point, and you can get as creative as you like with chalkboard wedding signs. Whether you DIY or hire a calligrapher, these signs are sure to add a unique and personal touch to your special day.

How to add a personal touch

Chalkboard wedding signs are a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding decor. Here are some ideas to make them unique and special:

Customise with Personal Details

Include personal details such as your monogram, logo, or wedding date on a hand-lettered welcome sign. This adds a special touch and also keeps guests informed about the day's schedule. You can also mention the names of the wedding party on a chalkboard sign if they don't fit in the wedding programs.

Opt for DIY

If you're crafty, designing and writing your own chalkboard signs can be a fun and rewarding experience. You can find affordable blank chalkboards and get creative with your own unique designs. This gives you complete freedom to personalise the signs however you like.

Hire a Calligrapher

For an elegant and impressive touch, consider hiring a calligrapher to write on your chalkboard signs. Calligraphy adds a sophisticated and artistic element to your wedding decor. You can choose from various calligraphy styles, such as Copperplate, Italic, or Gothic, to match your wedding theme.

Add Flourishes and Decorations

Enhance your chalkboard signs with flourishes, swirls, and decorative elements. These extra touches make your signs more personalised and eye-catching. Just remember not to overdo it—sometimes, simplicity is best.

Use Colourful Chalk

Don't be afraid to add a pop of colour to your chalkboard signs. Using colourful chalk can make your writing stand out and create a fun and vibrant atmosphere. This is a great way to bring your wedding decor to life.

Include Punny Wedding Quotes

Chalkboard signs are a great opportunity to showcase your sense of humour. Include punny wedding quotes, especially when they're tied to a specific detail. For example, "To have and to hold in case you get cold" paired with pashmina favours.

Chalkboard wedding signs offer a blank slate to let your creativity shine. Whether you DIY or hire a professional, these signs are sure to add a memorable personal touch to your special day.

Different types of chalkboards

Chalkboards are an excellent way to add a personal touch to your wedding decor. They come in various types, shapes, and sizes, making them perfect for different purposes and settings. Here are some of the most common types of chalkboards:

Table Top Chalkboards

Tabletop chalkboards are ideal for providing your wedding guests with information about the event, such as the schedule, food specials, drinks, WiFi passwords, and even your wedding party names. They are usually small and come with a stand or holder, making them perfect for placing on tables or counters.

A-Frame Chalkboards

A-frame chalkboards, also known as A-board signs, are designed to be placed on the pavement or floor. They are larger and can be seen from a distance, making them perfect for displaying welcome messages, quotes, schedules, and even your wedding menu. They are also great for gaining the attention of passersby and can add a touch of charm to your wedding decor.

Chalkboard Panels

Chalkboard panels are easy to use and attractive. They can be inserted into existing sign boards or used as a stand-alone piece to display specials, passwords, and thoughts of the day. They are a convenient and flexible option for sharing information with your guests.

Framed Chalkboards

Framed chalkboards offer a more elegant and sophisticated look to your wedding decor. They are perfect for displaying daily specials, WiFi codes, or even your wedding menu. Framed chalkboards can also be used to showcase your artistic skills or fun comics and cartoons that promote your wedding theme.

Combination Chalkboards

Combination chalkboards offer the best of both worlds by combining a traditional chalkboard with other elements like a corkboard or a whiteboard. They provide versatility and allow you to use different writing tools, such as chalk and markers. Combination boards are perfect for creating more complex displays or sharing multiple types of information.

Porous and Non-Porous Chalkboards

When choosing a chalkboard, it is essential to consider whether it is made of porous or non-porous materials. Porous chalkboards have microscopic pores that allow liquid and air to pass through, while non-porous chalkboards do not have these openings. If you plan to use chalk markers, it is recommended to choose a non-porous chalkboard to avoid staining and ghosting issues.

Chalkboard care and maintenance

Chalkboards are a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your wedding décor. Whether you're crafting a welcome sign, a creative guest book, or a funny set of dance floor rules, proper chalkboard care and maintenance will ensure your message looks its best. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Preparing Your Chalkboard:

• Choose a hard and smooth surface for your chalkboard. Softer or more porous surfaces can be used if you're going for a more aged look, but they may be harder to erase and prone to smudging.
• If you're sanding your chalkboard, make sure to remove all the dust before painting to avoid any lumps or imperfections.
• Apply two coats of chalkboard paint, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly in between applications. You can use a brush or spray paint, depending on your preference.
• Wait at least 48 hours after painting before using your chalkboard to ensure the paint is completely dry and durable.

Priming and Using Your Chalkboard:

• Prime your chalkboard by covering the entire surface with chalk and then rubbing it in with a dry rag. This step is crucial as it fills the pores of the chalkboard, ensuring your drawings can be easily erased later.
• Choose a good quality chalk, such as Crayola, to write on your chalkboard.
• If you want thick, dark lines, dip your chalk in water or dampen the chalkboard surface before writing.
• Remember, your chalk art doesn't have to be perfect! Part of the charm of chalk art is its imperfections.

Cleaning and Maintaining Your Chalkboard:

• To clean your chalkboard, use a damp, soft cloth to avoid scratching the surface.
• You can also use a solvent-based cleaner, chalkboard cleaner, WD-40, or lemon oil on a clean cloth to remove any oily buildup.
• For a deep clean, colour the entire chalkboard with chalk and then erase it with a standard felt eraser. Repeat this process several times.
• To remove stubborn marks, such as chalk markers, permanent markers, or crayons, use a damp microfiber cloth with a vinegar solution or a specialized cleaner like Windex.
• Rinse the chalkboard with clean water after cleaning to remove any residue and let it air dry completely before using it again.
• To minimize chalk dust, use quality erasers, clean your erasers regularly, and opt for dust-free or low-dust chalk.
• Regular cleaning is key to extending the lifespan of your chalkboard. Clean your erasers daily and wipe down the chalkboard surface periodically.

Creative ways to use chalkboards at weddings

Chalkboards are a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your wedding décor. They offer a blank slate for you to get crafty and DIY your own signs, or you can hire a calligrapher to create elegant hand-lettered designs. Here are some creative ways to incorporate chalkboards into your special day:

• Welcome Sign: Greet your guests with a charming chalkboard welcome sign at the entrance of your venue. It's a great way to express your gratitude and make your guests feel appreciated. You can even include a monogram, logo, or your wedding date to add a unique touch.
• Wedding Day Timeline: Keep your guests informed and on the same page by displaying a chalkboard sign with your wedding day schedule. This can be placed near the entrance or in a visible area, so everyone knows what to expect and when.
• Ceremony Sign with Wedding Party Names: If you have a large wedding party, a chalkboard sign is a perfect way to introduce them to your guests. Write their names and roles on the chalkboard, and display it near the ceremony entrance or at the reception.
• Seating Instructions: Guide your guests to their seats with cute chalkboard signs. You can include seating guidelines, direct them to specific areas, or even have fun with it by including a lighthearted message.
• Hand-Lettering on a Vintage DIY Chalkboard: Get creative and design an intricate monogram or personalized message on a vintage-style chalkboard. This can be a beautiful backdrop for your wedding photos and will surely impress your guests.
• Unplugged Ceremony Sign: Gently remind your guests to be fully present and refrain from using their cell phones during the ceremony. A sweet message on a chalkboard sign is a great way to enforce an unplugged ceremony without being too strict.
• Aisle Sign for Flower Girls and Ring Bearers: Instead of carrying flowers or rings, give your flower girls and ring bearers a fun task by letting them hold chalkboard signs that introduce the bride or share a cute message.
• Guestbook Sign: Don't forget the well-wishes! Use a chalkboard sign to call attention to your guest book station, so your guests know where to leave their heartfelt messages.
• Newlyweds' Relationship Timeline: Your guests will love learning about your love story. Create a chalkboard sign that showcases your relationship milestones or a fun timeline of events leading up to your big day.
• Photo Booth Sign: If you're having a photo booth, make sure your guests know about it! A chalkboard sign with a fun message and a decorative arrow will point them in the right direction.
• Dance Floor Rules: Chalkboard signs are a great way to add some humor to your wedding. Decorate the dance floor with funny rules or creative messages to get your guests moving and laughing.
• Dinner and Cocktail Menus: Save paper and display your dinner and cocktail menus on stylish chalkboard signs. For a buffet-style dinner, you can use small chalkboards to label each type of food. Don't forget to choose a design that complements the style of your wedding, such as fancy metal frames for a formal meal or simple wooden frames for a casual affair.
• Wedding Favors Sign: Punny quotes or clever sayings are always a hit, especially when they're tied to a specific detail. Display a chalkboard sign with a witty message next to your wedding favors to add a touch of charm.
• Gifts Sign: Avoid any confusion by clearly designating a gift drop-off area. A small chalkboard sign clipped to a decorative basket or table will elegantly guide your guests to the right spot.

Frequently asked questions