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Ever since we first booked our venue for end of summer and decided on an outdoor ceremony, I’ve had to face the fact that Central Texas is hot. Not just hot; it’s sweltering. It gets so humid here in the summer that when you step outside it feels like you’re being blasted with truck exhaust. I love the heat, so for me it feels like being wrapped up in a warm blanket, but most people do not feel that way.
Enter my DIY solution: program fans! This project is one of the first ones I decided I wanted to do. However, figuring out how to accomplish it has been a little complicated. At first I thought I would go with the paddle shaped fans on a tongue depressor-type stick. But then I decided it would be more fun to create a paneled fan that folds out into a traditional fan shape.
Here is some great inspiration I found on the ‘net.
If I were going for the paddle fans, I’d do something like this. It’s pretty and simple, and that font is freaking amazing.
This is one of the loveliest paneled fans I’ve seen yet. I’m obsessed with the colors and the big, bold graphic on the front panel.
This one is pretty much the same idea. I think going for a pop of color on the front panel and picking out matching ribbon will be key.
These are pretty cute, too!
Luckily, I discovered a template through one of my favorite wedding bloggers, The Un-bride. She linked me to this amazing template and tutorial that you can download for free! The artist’s website is called Aylee Bits, and in addition to the free basic template, she offers a pre-designed template for purchase. You can also commission her to custom design a template for you!
I’ve decided to go the free template route, and I will share the final product with you guys when I get done. I just have one request: please share with me in the comments section any internet sources for free graphics and clip art that you know of!
Ooo, can’t wait to see what your programs will look like!
We’re going with panel fans because they’re cheaper (and the heat in Alberta isn’t as bad!), but I love the look of your inspiration. =)
Can’t wait to see how they turn out….sorry I don’t have any clipart sources to share!
For graphics freebies, try taking a look at DigiFree. Can’t wait to see how your programs turn out! 
I love the ones done by Rifle. (The first ones). Her style is so fantastic.
I love program fans! Most people can’t help fanning themselves with a program anyway when it’s hot. I don’t have any tips for graphics; I usually just use what’s in Office and change the colors and lines if I need to. Sorry! — looking forward to the final results!
ooh, i love the look of all of these. i’m still trying to figure out if i want separate grass/woven fans and programs, or to make the program also a fan like these… sigh. so many decisions!
I’m planning on program fans but have no idea how to go about making them! These are really cute.
I’m a bit of a design neophyte and at a loss for free graphic/clip art sites, tending to stick to the offerings of Microsoft Word!
We’re thinking of using the free template as well for our programs… can’t wait to see how yours turn out!
I was thinking about program fans as well, but its a coin toss (it may be kinda warm, or a slightly cool) But I love the first fan you showed, I’ve never seen a shape like that!
With you being a Austinite, do you think program fans would be out of place for an outdoor wedding during the last week of Oct?
Thanks for sharing that template… I haven’t found any really myself (although I haven’t had to go searching for one yet)… but I do love the idea!
I’ve been to two Texas weddings and they’ve done the fan programs for both… boy was it HOT!
these are what I am doing as well! I got it all typed out last night. Now onto the printing and cutting!
Great idea! I’ve always loved the program-turned-fan idea but thought the cost would be tooo much for this girl! Maybe DIY-ing wouldn’t bee too terrible - can’t wait to see your finished project!
i helped my bestie DIY-panel program fans for her outdoor wedding. it was super easy and from what i heard [i was part of the wedding party] very helpful. however i don’t know of any clip art resources. sorry!
This is exactly what I was looking for, I just didn’t know it until just now! Thanks for posting the template, that will be a real time saver.
@AnnieAAA: Not at all! You never know if October is going to be hot or not!
Florida gets just as hot so we’ll be making fans too! Can’t wait to see how yours turn out
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Mrs. Mouse, Austin Age and Occupation: 25, Weddingbee Editor/Attorney Fiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Civil Engineer Engagement Date: December 19, 2007 Wedding Date: September 2009 Venue: Barr Mansion About Me: I just graduated from law school and will be taking the bar, getting married, going on a honeymoon with my guy, and then trying to figure out what I'm going to do with the rest of my life. I was born and raised in a small East Texas town, but I'm no country girl! I'm obsessed with British accents, fantasy (including Harry Potter, of course), and classic rock. My fiance and I consider ourselves both music and beer snobs--but every once in awhile we love to hear a crappy band and drink a cheap brew or two. We're planning an eco-friendly, casual, English garden affair for the end of summer, and we can't wait for it to get here!
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