How to Make a Handmade Wedding Sign

Your wedding day may be special, but more than likely it will be expensive, time consuming and stressful, too. Though almost everything a bride needs to put together a momentous and memorable wedding day can be purchased pre-made at a store or online, many brides enjoy creating and designing their own wedding accessories, favors and decorations. A bride-to-be can turn sign-making into a craft project to be shared with her intended or her family, or she can take advantage of some alone time and make an uncommon, long-lasting wedding sign out of wood.

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 320-grit sandpaper
• Primer
• Paint
• Printer (optional)
• Cardstock
• Pencils and pens (optional)
• Utility knife
• Tape
• Spray fixative (optional)
• Glaze (optional)

1. • 1
     Sand down your piece of wood with long, even strokes along the grain. The wood can be as large or small as you want your sign to be and you can use any type of wood that you like, though a pine or cherrywood board is softer and will be easier to sand. Make sure that you sand the edges of the board as well so that it looks finished and professional.
   • 2
     Dip your paint brush into the white primer and paint the board so that it is entirely covered in primer. If you desire a color other than white, paint that color over the white primer or use a different colored primer.
   • 3
     Create a stencil for the words or designs you want painted or drawn on the sign. To make a stencil, draw your designs or letters on cardstock or print them off of the computer onto cardstock paper. Then, carve out the letters or designs using a utility knife.
   • 4
     Place the stencil over the wooden sign and paint or draw in the letters and designs. Tape it in place so that it does not move while you design your sign. For an interesting sign, try to create a border. Draw hearts or any other shape in the four corners of the boards, with curling ribbons or straight, bold lines connecting them.
   • 5
     Spray the board with a spray fixative if you used any pencils or pens to draw details on the sign. Allow the sign to dry. If you desire, add a glaze over the sign to make it look more finished and professional.