I’m a big advocate of DIY projects and absolutely love helping friends and family with their wedding stationery. Having enjoyed doing everything for my wedding myself – Save the Dates, shower and wedding invitations, programs, etc. – I’ve also enjoyed staying involved in my loved ones’ wedding planning as well.
As with most DIY projects, you want to keep it simple and inexpensive, but still provide guests with something useful…not to mention a keepsake for the happy couple. I would say the most common stationery piece I get asked to help with (or volunteer to do) are programs. The last two weddings have both been during the brutal Tennessee summer, so I decided on fan programs. They are SO much fun to do, and they’re always the talk of a wedding!
Getting into the “how to,” here are the materials needed for DIY Wedding Fan Programs:
- A2 sized folded cards* (or card stock to fold)
- Popsicle sticks or fan handles (found mine on this site, but you can get regular sticks or tongue depressors on Amazon.com)
- Scissors
- Corner Rounder Punch (purchase this at Michael’s or any craft or scrapbook store)
- Double-sided tape…and LOTS of it, depending on how many programs you’re doing
*Note: A2 is a great size because there’s room for content, but they’re not so big that they’re floppy. If you go with standard card stock, make sure that when folded, the programs will be sturdy enough to write on.
Designing the programs is a snap with Microsoft Word. I created additional/background images in Photoshop; or you can just copy and paste something from Google Images. On the front, I just have their wedding monogram (or create one with their initials if they don’t already have one), the happy couple’s names, the wedding date, and location. On the back, I list the entire wedding party, any In Honor or In Memory Of notes, and personal touches or messages from the couple.
Once you’ve designed your programs (making sure to fit the card dimensions), print the front and back onto the outside of the cards. For all the fans I’ve created, I have used standard card stock (purchased at Office Depot) printed in Landscape format on my regular ink jet printer.
To start assembling, open up a card and put double-sided tape on three sides.
Then put double-sided on your handle, covering about half of it. Center on the card and press in place.
Close the card, pressing to seal the edges. Then, using the corner rounder punch, carefully round all four corners.
This is what my bonus room floor typically looks like:
Nevermind the wine glass in the middle…I do not condone drinking and DIY. 
And then, the finished product:
So there you have it. Happy crafting!
XOXO,
Beth
