Program Fans For Summer Weddings DIY

A little less than two weeks away! I still have a list of things to do but they are slowly getting checked off. I checked off one of those things today and got my programs printed! I also spent the better part of the day assembling them. I think they are totally worth it though, they are cute and functional!

So let’s start at the beginning! Materials:

1) Print out and cut out your programs in your fan shape. I created mine in Photoshop and traced around a picture of a program fan I found to create a template.

2) Scissors

3) Paper fasteners or “brads”

4) Hole Punch

Once you have made up, printed, and cut out your program pages you are ready to assemble them! Just a note, it’s best to print these on card stock to make the best fan.

The first step to assembling is to punch the holes. I have to pat myself on the back here because I had the idea to put a flower at the bottom making it really simple to punch every hole in the same spot. Since your programs will probably be different, make sure you measure and make a mark so every hole ends up in the same spot.

After you get all your pages punched put them all in order and insert a paper fastener.

And that’s it! All assembled and finished! The hardest part is cutting out each page. That took me forever. The actual assemblage took a few minutes.

Everything still doesn’t feel real! A week from today we will be on our way back to Maine!

Ceremony Specifics

So we met with our officiant earlier this week to talk about the structure of the ceremony. Guys, it is super important to do this. Especially for me because I know almost nothing about what really goes into it. Isn’t that silly? I’ve seen a bunch of weddings but somehow never retain the series of events that actually transpired. The only thing I knew before the meeting is that the officiant has to tell everyone to sit down, because I’ve seen how super awkward it can be to feel like you have to stand throughout the whole thing. So, yeah, really important to have that meeting!

I talked a little about wanting to incorporate Celtic Handfasting in a previous post, since then I’ve done a little more research on how to structure that kind of ceremony. Fortunately our officiant has performed this Celtic ceremony before and was all for doing it with us. Traditionally, questions (similar to “Will you honor, love, cherish” etc) are asked of the bride and groom and as they answer a different cord or ribbon is placed over their hands. The last cord or ribbon is tied around their hands as the officiant saying that the knot symbolizes the union. However, I couldn’t find who actually does the tying. It’s probably the officiant, but I decided to change it up, because, hey, it’s our wedding right? Instead of the officiant tying the ribbons, I will give one ribbon to the maid of honor, best man, and each of our parents. While the officiant is reading the Celtic vows, the family members can come and place a ribbon over our hands. I love the idea of getting our families involved in the wedding, I think it makes it more special.

Also, it seems, that each ribbon can be a different color to represent different things.

• Red – for strength and courage, good health, prosperity, and longevity
• Orange – for open hearts, sensitivity and understanding
• Yellow – for enthusiasm, spontaneity and equality
• Green – for compassion, affection and caring
• Light Blue – for sincerity, easy self-expression and honest communication
• Purple – for clear vision and wisdom, for peace and harmony in all ways
• Gold – for unity – divine blessing and presence in your lives

There are seven ribbons here, so either one family member will get two, or I’ll just choose six. This also helps another problem I’m having, with the programs. Here are the programs I’d like to make:

Via

But since we aren’t sticking to a traditional religious format, chances are, the ceremony will be quite short. So how do I fit enough information on the programs to make a good enough fan for everyone? Answer: Describe the Handfasting ritual and explain what the colors represent.

Once we get a clearer picture of the ceremony, I’ll be able to make the programs. I’m so excited that the ceremony is becoming more and more demystified! I seemed to have no trouble knowing what goes into a reception, but a ceremony I was so lost! If you’re like me, get some ideas of what you’d want in your ceremony, and when you meet with your officiant they can better tell you how to work all of your ideas in!