I’ve gotten a couple of comments and emails regarding my DIY Powerpoint maps I made for my invitations. I will guide you step by step through the process so you can create your own.
1. Know the addresses of your ceremony and reception 
2. Go to Yahoo Maps and enter your ceremony address as point A and your reception as point B.
3. Click on Go and make sure your map is centered the way you want it.
4. Click on Printable Version
5. Click on Map Only in the new open window
6. Right click the map and click on save picture as. Save the map to your computer.
7. Open Powerpoint and clear out a slide to work on. Then, go to Insert–>picture–>from file (the picture being the map you saved earlier)
8. Then basically you trace the key parts of the map you want on your wedding map. On the bottom toolbar click on Autoshapes–>Lines–>Freeform. Now you have your tracing tool. Adjust thickness of the line by clicking on the icon Line Style (the icon with the lines with different thicknesses). I usually trace the outline of the map first using a slightly thicker line (2 and 1/4 pt is a good thickness). Start at the edge of the map outline and trace the outline of the map until you need to curve, then just click on your mouse. Then continue to trace until you need to curve again, then just click the mouse. You can click as many times as you want to, to get a more accurate trace.
9. Next, trace the important streets using the same Freeform line and a slightly thinner Line Style. Maybe a 1 pt for major streets and a 3/4 pt for smaller streets.
10. When you’re done, just delete the original map picture by clicking on it and pressing delete.
11. You can change colors by clicking on Font color (haha). Add shapes by using Autoshapes and text by using the text box. You can also add clipart by going to Insert–>Picture–>Clip art. Basically, this is where your creative juices need to start flowing. Can’t help you with that….well….I probably could. Drop me a line if you have any more questions or need any help.
I printed a Google map of the area, traced the stuff I wanted with a Sharpie, scanned it, and made it a layer in PhotoShop. Then I traced and colored in whatever I wanted in another layer and deleted the first one. So basically I’m saying I did what you did, only with more steps, and in a different program.
I would imagine that the less-technical crowd could be reasonably successful tracing a printed map onto vellum, too.
Love your maps – so cute! When I looked closely it appears you are getting married where I got engaged! Gorgeous spot!
Thanks so much for the instructions. They were clear and concise and now my map is made!
oh thank you thank you thank you. i stink at this stuff but your directions are WONDERFUL.
How did you save it? I can do what you did but how do I get to save it to add more stuff to it, like yours?
Did you make this with Microsoft 2007 Power Point? I cannot get this to work on my version. Can you let me know. PS I dont see a toolbar on the bottom. Signed a hysterical bride to be!
I did this with 2003 PP but what I found to work was to make your map into your background by going to Format then to Background and insert your overview map then where it shows a white bar (b/c the bg is white by default) click on it and go to Fill Effects. The last tab is Picture and add your picture there. You don’t have to worry about the picture moving then (which I had that trouble).
Bahvee, regarding your actual question and not what I answered, you can go to Insert (4th from the left) and to Pictures and from there get to autoshapes which has the free line.
You also might help if you go to View (third from the left) and go to Toolbars and click on the Drawing toolbar. It should stay on your screen until you close it out then. Please let me know if that doesn’t help you and I’ll try again!
Carissa!!! You are a doll!! Thanks, I was so frustrated last night, but I also read here somewhere that Microsoft Word can also make maps…. and THAT worked with all of your other instructions for Power Point! I made a map, and and although my first time, its adorable!! Truly this blog saved my wrecked nerves!!! Thanks to everyone once again…..
Great that I could help!
I don’t think mine turned out as cute as Mrs. Hibiscus’ but they came out alright too.
A little more of useless information, I had Staples do the printing for me (bc I didn’t want to buy the entire thing of card stock) and they did double sided printing on red cardstock in black ink and all I bought them was a print out of the slide (full page) and another slide I made with information about parking and where the actual wedding was (full page). I took it to them and told them I wanted 4 to each page and they reduced it for me on the paper. It cost me $0.32 for each page. I had 100 invitations to send out, so I only had to have 25 printed out. That’s only $8 and then they ended up cutting them for me for a couple bucks more (I didn’t originally want it but the guy gave me a deal on the cutting and I figured it would save a little stress). It was IN HOUSE and was done in about an hour.
Carissa–Thanks for coming to the rescue! 
I bet your map looks way cute!
Bahvee–Glad someone was able to help!
[...] straight lines on the computer. But I can trace! Upon finding a neat (and smart!) tutorial on Weddingbee about saving a Google/Yahoo/etc. map of the directions and tracing, I was thrilled. Now the map [...]
[...] Hibiscus had written a wonderful DIY map tutorial using Powerpoint. Her beautiful map gave me tons of ideas, but I ended up using Adobe Illustrator [...]
OMG!!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You saved me!!! I’m supposed to mail my invites out TOMORROW and didn’t do a map and realized I really needed one! All the sites online to order one was going to take a week or two, time I didn’t have! Your instructions were great and I just created my own!! Thanks a million!! 
Thank you thank you thank you! I’ve been stuck trying to figure out how to do a map of an US Virgin Island after discovering that Wedding Mapper didn’t think the island existed. Your directions totally saved me and worked perfectly. Plus, I have new appreciation for the magic of Power Point…
Thank You so Much!!! I happened upon your website, and made a completed map within a reasonable amount of time. Your instructions were simple and right on. Thanks so Much – I had no idea how I was going to create an easy-to-follow map of Houston, TX.
Thanks
I cannot get yahoo maps to work. I am only using one location for ceremony and reception. Could this be the problem??
Where do you get the highway or street symbols?
This rocks! I’m in love with how much more personal this can be vs. a link to google maps/directions on our blog!
Hi Rene,
Yes, using only one location doesn’t work for this.
If you do not have the time to create your own wedding map, we are able to design a professional, custom map for you in a short amount of time. Visit us online for more information: http://www.InvitationMaps.com
Mrs. Hibiscus, Orange County Age and Occupation in 06: 25, Eyebal Doc Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Commerical Underwriter Engagement Date: September 26, 2004 Wedding Date: July 7, 2007 Venue: Laguna Beach on the beach, reception on a yacht in Newport Beach About Me: I'm an eyeball doc. Normal is boring. I'm a hat person and a cat person. I'm in love (so very very in love). I'm a dreamer. I want to change the world. Superheroes are my friends. Kindness is contagious. Music is in my heart. Carpe diem.
Latest Gallery Pics