DIY Menus
May 28th, 2008 @ 3:12 pm by Mrs. Penguin
Time consuming unnecessary DIY project #428: Menus
I bought all the materials I was going to need for some cute little menus to fold in each of our guests’ napkins. I took inspiration from my friend Andrea over at Studio Ayt, who made these incredible “cutout” menus for her own wedding last year.
photo credit: andreayung23
Then I actually looked at our menu. It was, in short, short. Salad, entree, and dessert…and not even REALLY dessert…wedding cake. No amuse bouche, no appetizers, no intermezzos, none of those cute little things that make menus interesting. So, I almost nixed the project on the spot, but realized that maybe our guests would still appreciate knowing what kind of sauces they were going to enjoy on their entrees, especially because we didn’t give them meal choices and opted for the mixed grill.
Running with a similar look to our Programs, I used Microsoft Word and an inkjet printer to create our mini-menus.
The menus were 8″x4″, I fit two on each sheet of paper, and cut with a paper cutter.
Using this cute little Fork Knife Spoon craft punch for an accent, I punched silverware through the bottom of the cardstock.
Then, like my programs, adhered some teal thread to the top of the menu with a glue dot.
I attached grey cardstock to the back of the menu using glue dots as well.
Detail on top…
…and on bottom!
In the end, I think our guests will appreciate knowing what they’ll be eating at our wedding, despite the fact that another 8 hours on a tedious project might be the death of me.
What was your most frivolous DIY project?
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46 Responses to “DIY Menus”
I’m in love with you….yep that is all there is to say.
I agree with Pineapple: Very cute - love the thread detail… and the cute hole punch!
I’m glad I didn’t talk you out of doing those. They turned out so great!!!
loooooooooooooooooooove them! they look better than the original! 
So cute! I love the thread detail running through all the projects. We are hand punching and setting eyelets into our menus… I think I will shoot myself after the 10th card…
my pee pee, why must you be so friggin awesome. you are far too creative!!!!!!!!! i so jealous!
oh i love them! im planning on doing those too!
id say my most uneeded DIY project is the wood initials im hanging somewhere (no idea yet) in my venue. i didnt think i was going to do them but then felt really creative this wknd and couldnt finish my invites without some missing info so i just had to create something new right!? ugh!
I want that punch, that is the cutest thing ever! And your menu is just too cool for school, I am envious of your skillz!!
You are cute. Your menus are cute. EVERYTHING is cute. I was thinking about menus, and now I’m totally dead set on doing them. Thank you for keeping my life full of DIY projects!!!
Those look great! Good job!!!
Who’s making your cake, if I may ask? I’m getting the exact same flavor, and my baker is in Berkeley, so I wonder if we’re using the same vendor?
The cutout on the gray paper looks fantastic! I haven’t been planning on doing a menu, since we’re having a buffet, but hearing reading this entry makes me think that it would be a good idea, so that our guests know what’s available. Plus, yours are just soooo cute…
@Maude: My bakers are both in the Sacramento area, since I’m getting married there.
Brides cake is by Ingrid Fraser of Elegant Cakes in Amador City, Ca
Grooms cake is by Crazy Cake Company
http://crazycakecompany.com/
Miss Penguin–these are *so* very cute and professional looking! I too am envious of your DIY skills!!
I covet your skills. You so completely rock.
Soooo cute! Seeing all of the delightful details of your wedding come together makes me eager to see your big day!
Love love love the punch! How perfect!
Pengy — Quick question: Do you have a silent vegetarian option? If so, how did you alert guests to that option?
Wow wow wow. Seriously wow. I love most of your stuff, but these…
@Miss Cookie: Hi there! We actually have 3 vegetarian guests (well, 2 vegetarian and 1 vegan). Our wedding is small enough for us to be able to know who eats what, which is fortunate. They will be having Mixed greens for salad, and Cheese Ravioli for entree(I just let my veggie girlfriend pick what she wanted) and my vegan cousin will be having a Mushroom Napoleon (vegan)…I made 3 seperate menus for them, but did not post
There is no “option” for the vegetarian meal the day of, however. our 3 veggie guests will receive the veggie meals and everyone else will be having the main entree and salad.
I wouldnt recommend this route for larger weddings where you are unsure who is vegetarian and who is not, but our wedding is so small that it was okay.
You are awesome!
I love your idea! I DIY’d menus too, but now that I see how you did 2 per page, I have revamped mine. I like the idea of putting them in the napkins. I was just going to put one per table (in some sort of card holder) but now I’m going to put them in the napkins. Great idea!
Wow, you are truly DIY queen. Can’t wait to see all these details come together
Part of me hates you. Because you’re so frickin creative. Can I hire you? Thanks for sharing!
I luv this!! I’m gonna do it for my DIY menus too~ hehe
That little knife/fork/spoon punch is ADORABLE! the result is completely simply and chic.
This idea is absolutely precious. What a wonderful way to add a personal touch!
That cutout is super adorable!
Your menus look great!
Those are adorable, I LOVE the cut out!
They look great
Those look WONDERFUL, Pengy!!! I love how you added the stringy things like your fab-oo programs. That really makes them!!!
So cute! I love the cutout. Such creativity.
I’ve never seen the hole punch thing done before. I love the cutlery punch. Your menu and Andrea’s look great. I’ve been to her bio page several times before and always love her table pictures where they pose as different couples in history.
Wow! These are great! I love them. Do you happen to have a template for the menus??
-No Computer Skills!
Although this topic was not covered in this blog, I have a question re: Gocco…
If you have a PG5, a machine that suits a 4×6 image, can you use a larger piece of paper without bending the edges? i.e. could you make a 5×7 invitation with a 4×6 Gocco?
thanks so much for your help!
Wow those menus look super cute! And I’m dying to know what font you used.
Hi, I’m not sure if you are even going to see this, but I love your menus but also have no computer skills. Is there any way you can tell me how you made your template, i.e. two 8×4 on one page? Or do you have a template?
Thanks so much!
Mrs. Penguin, Sacramento
Age and Occupation: 26, Video & TV Producer/Director/Editor
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Engagement Date: January 29, 2007
Wedding Date: June 7, 2008
Blogging Since: September 14, 2007
Venue: Winery in the Gold Country
About Me: I'm a silly mess of a girl who, above all else in this world, LOVES the Spice Girls. I eat sushi at least 3 times a week, and feel guilty about how much it costs the other 4 days a week. I love designer jeans and cheap accessories. I don't like sweets, but I love the UCLA Bruins!
ah cute! Love the thread and the cut out!