Wedding Fan Essentials: What To Include And Why

what to put on a wedding fan

Wedding fans are a fun and practical way to keep your guests cool during an outdoor wedding, especially during the warmer months. They can also be used to display wedding programs, including the names of the wedding party, ceremony details, and messages to the guests. When designing your wedding fans, you can opt for a simple and classic look or get creative with colours, textures, and embellishments. You can also choose from a variety of materials, such as paper, wood, or woven fans, and even add a personalised touch with hand-painted illustrations or maps. Whether you decide to DIY your wedding fans or purchase pre-assembled ones, they are sure to be a hit with your guests!

Characteristics Values
Purpose Keeping guests cool, providing a wedding program, and serving as a wedding favour
Materials Paper, wood, chiffon, tassel, ribbon, glue, cardstock, ink, paint
Design Watercolour illustrations, hand-painted maps, Popsicle-stick handles, bold colours, elegant calligraphy, floral designs, monogram
Customisation Hand-painted by an artist, edited template, personalised stamps, printed at home or professionally

shunbridal

Fan material: woven, wooden, paper, or holly oak

Fans are a great way to keep your guests cool and add a stylish accent to your wedding, especially during the warmer months. There are many options to choose from when it comes to fan materials, such as woven, wooden, paper, or holly oak.

Woven fans offer a natural and timeless look, often paired with a minimalist wedding program attached with twine or ribbon. They can be made from bamboo and straw, featuring a variety of designs, including butterflies, flowers, and tarot cards. Woven fans are perfect for outdoor weddings, especially those with a nature-inspired theme.

Wooden fans provide a polished, organic texture and are often paired with painted or printed wedding programs. They can be made from bamboo or other types of wood, such as holly oak and mauve wood. Wooden fans are durable and can be customised with painted illustrations or decorative designs.

Paper fans are lightweight and easy to make, offering a festive way to cool down guests. They can be cut into different shapes, such as circles or flowers, and decorated with colourful ribbons. Paper fans are versatile and can be printed or painted with illustrations, maps, or wedding programs. They are a budget-friendly option that combines practicality and creativity.

Holly oak is a unique material for wedding fans, offering a delicate and elegant aesthetic. Fans made from holly oak can feature hand-painted illustrations on one side and decorative designs, such as floral patterns, on the other. They are perfect for outdoor weddings, providing a stylish and functional accent to the celebration.

When choosing the material for your wedding fans, consider the overall vibe and theme of your wedding. Whether you opt for woven, wooden, paper, or holly oak fans, they can be customised to match your colour palette and add a creative touch to your special day.

shunbridal

Fan shape: rounded or straight-sided

Wedding fans can be a fun, practical, and pretty accent to your wedding, especially if you're having an outdoor wedding in the warmer months. They can be made from a variety of materials, including paper, wood, and woven fans, and can be decorated in numerous ways.

When it comes to the fan shape, you can choose between rounded or straight-sided fans. If you opt for a straight-sided fan, you can use an 8-inch stick for an 8.5" x 5.5" fan, while a smaller fan would work better with a 6-inch stick. You can also find coloured sticks to match the style of your event, with options such as rose-coloured (dark pink) wavy sticks.

If you prefer the look of rounded corners, you can choose between a 1" rounded corner or a 1/2" rounded corner, adding variety to your fans. You can also get creative with the ribbons and embellishments you add to your fans. Try using a small hole punch to create half-circles and attach twine or ribbon for a unique look.

When creating your own fan design, you can use programs like Microsoft Word and print them out on card stock, which is thick and sturdy enough for assembling into a fan. Remember to use a paper scoring board to mark and score the centre of the program, creating a perfect fold.

Overall, whether you choose rounded or straight-sided fans, there are plenty of ways to customise and decorate them to match your wedding theme and style.

shunbridal

Fan size: small or large

When it comes to wedding fans, there are a variety of options to choose from, and the size you opt for will depend on various factors, including the design, material, and purpose of the fans.

If you're looking for something that guests can use during the ceremony and reception to stay cool, a small, handheld fan is a good option. These fans are easy for guests to manage and can be made from a range of materials, including paper, wood, or woven fabric. Small fans can also be easily customised with painted or printed designs, making them a creative and eco-friendly alternative to separate wedding programs. For small fans, a 6-inch stick is recommended, while an 8-inch stick is more suitable for larger fans.

On the other hand, if you're looking for a fan that makes a statement and can be used as a decorative piece, a larger size might be more appropriate. Larger fans can be used to create a chic display, especially if they are placed in a stylish basket or on elegant chairs. For example, woven fans with long sticks can be adorned with ribbons or tassels, adding a touch of flair to your wedding decor.

Additionally, the size of the fan can also depend on the type of fan you choose. For instance, an accordion-style fan will likely be larger than a simple handheld fan, and its unique design can be a fun feature for guests.

Ultimately, the size of the fan you choose should be guided by your personal preference and the overall theme and vibe of your wedding. Small fans are more subtle and easy for guests to manage, while larger fans can be a statement piece that adds to the decor and atmosphere of your special day.

Metal Chairs: A Wedding Design Guide

You may want to see also

shunbridal

Fan assembly: glue, tape, or twine

Wedding fans can be assembled using glue, tape, or twine. If you want to use glue, it is recommended to use Zip Dry Paper Glue as it holds very well over time and prevents wrinkling. However, be careful as glue may leak through the cardstock and leave stains on your program. To avoid this, use double-sided tape or permanent adhesive tape. If you want to attach the wedding program to the fan, you can use a dainty string of twine.

For gluing, first, fold and crease your paper before adding the glue. This way, you don't have to worry about the glue sticking or drying before lining up the pieces. Then, lay the paper on a flat surface, apply a generous amount of glue to one side where the stick goes, and place the stick on the fan. Press firmly and ensure that it is straight. Apply glue around the edges and fold immediately.

If you are using tape, cover about half the stick in tape (less if you want a longer handle), and adhere the stick to the unprinted side of one card. Trace the perimeter of that card with more tape and adhere the blank side of the other card to the taped area.

If you are attaching the wedding program to the fan, you can use a dainty string of twine or pretty curl of ribbon. This is especially fitting if using a woven fan. If you opt for a wooden or paper fan, the wedding program can be painted or printed right on it.

Foundation for Your Wedding Day Glow

You may want to see also

shunbridal

Fan decorations: tassels, ribbons, or stamps

Fans can be a great way to keep your guests cool at an outdoor wedding, and they can also be a fun decorative element. If you're looking for ways to decorate wedding fans, consider using tassels, ribbons, or stamps.

Tassels

Tassels can add a playful and festive touch to your wedding fans. For a bold statement, opt for bright pink or orange tassels. If you're going for a more sophisticated look, try an emerald green marble print fan with a bright pink tassel.

Ribbons

Ribbons are a versatile way to decorate your wedding fans and can add texture and colour. You can tie a dainty string of twine or a curl of ribbon to attach your wedding program to the fan. For a romantic look, use a chiffon blush ribbon with an elegant watercolour monogram design. If you want to make a statement, bold magenta and yellow ribbons pop against a natural weave for a tropical feel.

Stamps

Stamps can be a unique way to decorate your wedding fans, especially if you're looking for a more subtle or minimalist approach. The US Postal Service offers a "Wedding Blooms" stamp featuring an abstract bouquet of flowers and greenery, which can be a charming addition to your wedding fan design.

Whether you choose tassels, ribbons, or stamps, you can also consider customising your fans with hand-painted illustrations or watercolour designs for a unique and personalised touch.

Frequently asked questions

You can add a personal touch to your wedding fans by including watercolour illustrations, a hand-painted map of the venue, or a monogram design. You can also add embellishments like ribbons, tassels, and stamps to the fans and their sticks.

Wedding fans can include a variety of information such as the names of the wedding party, ceremony details, and messages to the guests. You can also display your name, the event date and location, and the ceremony schedule.

You can make wedding fans using materials such as cardstock, popsicle sticks, glue or tape, and ribbon. You will also need access to a printer or print/copy shop.

The glue used for assembling the fans holds up very well over time. It is recommended to use tape when assembling the fans to avoid stains. Therefore, you can make the fans several months in advance without worrying about the glue leaking through the cardstock.

You can buy printable fans from Amazon or pre-assembled wedding fan programs from stores like Zazzle. You can also make your own wedding fans using templates available online and basic supplies from your local craft store or online.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment