Hive, I have been a busy, busy bee these past couple of weeks trying to complete all of the little details for our big day! I can’t wait to share all of our hard work with you, but I am most excited about our programs, which I am so happy to say are complete! Because we are having an outdoor ceremony (weather permitting- insert dance to the weather gods), we thought fan programs would be a nice detail for guests, assuming it is actually warm at the end of May. I really didn’t think these would be all that difficult—just print, fold, glue in a stick and voila you have yourself a fan program. But hive, let me tell you I was WRONG. These took forever, but I love them so much I don’t even care!
So I started by creating a document in my favorite program ever, Powerpoint (because I am not advanced in the whole computer department). Next I added in Audrey’s illustrated bridal party and my brother’s hand painted flowers (which we scanned so I could use throughout the wedding). Here’s what they looked like:
Next, I printed the image out onto ivory card stock. This alone took me over three hours because my printer took a whopping one and a half minutes to print each one (yes, I was so annoyed with how long it was taking that I timed it!). After the printing was complete, I used a fancy Martha Stewart bone folder to get a crisp line on which to fold the programs in half.
After the folding was complete, I decided the programs needed rounded edges. Because the programs were folded, there were actually two sheets of paper being punched for every corner I rounded. This meant I needed a whole lot of strength to round those edges, and I ended up having to put on shoes, crouch down, and step on the freaking punch to get it to work! Hive, I actually worked up a sweat doing this!
Finally, after folding and punching, I was ready to attach a popsicle stick and glue those suckers shut. I used hot glue to make sure the stick stayed in place, and a glue stick to keep the paper folded over. I added a little bit of hot glue if the glue stick didn’t seem to be holding enough.
And finally, after hours of work, our programs were complete!
I apologize for the horrible blurry cell phone photos!
I am so happy with how these turned out, even if they did take WAYYYY longer than anticipated!
Did you take on a project that you thought would be quick and easy, only to realize it required a whole lot more time and effort? Was it worth it?
I LOVE THIS!!! Its so adorable!! Your guests are gonna adore those!
Fan programs!!! This is such a great idea. I’m seriously considering doing this as well (thank you for sharing!!) since our ceremony is in a non air-conditioned church.
They turned out lovely! 
Super cute (and a bit of a workout from the sounds of it!).
I’m not sure why your corner puncher was such a pain, but if ever you, or any other bees, are having trouble with fancy hole punchers try punching through some foil a few times to sharpen the edges. Then through some wax paper to make it smooth. Sometimes that helps with a stiff hole punchers.
Also, these are really cute, I love the wedding party illustration!
@KimbeeQ: ahh I wish I knew this a week ago! Thanks for the tip, will definitely have to try this!
What size card stock did you use? I’ve thought about doing these, but didn’t want to cut out each piece- I like that you just folded them over!
@mdove07: its just 8.5×11 (regular printer paper) sized cardstock that I got at staples.
love your programs the bridal party line up is Awesome!
Love this! Question for you thought – where did you find the graphics for the bridal party?
They look so good! Where did you get that awesome illustration done?
those came out so cute!!! Your guests are going to love fanning themselves with these! I have to say, those punchers are quite difficult! I used a doily punch for my belly bands and it was so hard to punch down!!!
I LOOVEEE THEMMMM! I love the idea of having little people icons for the bridal party.. my first draft of our programs has this detail, but I don’t know if I’ll be keeping it due to ink and time and space and blablabla. I’ll just live vicariously through you. 
I love the bridal party breakdown as well; very cute illustration! Also, your brother’s handpainted flowers – such a great touch!
Those are great and totally look professionally done! I’ve taken on so many DIY projects that I thought would be awesome only to find out they are going to take soooo much time!!
Mrs. Elk, City: Syracuse/Long Island Age and Occupation: 25, Medical Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Computer Engineer Engagement Date: November 22, 2010 Wedding Date: May 2012 Venue: The Old Field Club About Me: I’m a Long Island girl finishing my last year of medical school in western NY, on the road to becoming a pediatrician. When I’m not studying or sleeping at the hospital, I spend my free time watching bad TV (Vampire Diaries anyone?), playing with my pooch, singing incredibly off-key (to the annoyance of Mr. Elk ), and reading Harry Potter for the zillionth time. Mr. Elk and I are planning a secular wedding infused with both Irish and cultural Jewish traditions. Only a week after I become an M.D., I will get my Mrs. degree, too!
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