Templates for Wedding Decorations

Update guests about happenings (the couple's arrival at the reception, cake-cutting, first dance) by asking young guests to raise descriptive paper flags at the right time. Download the clip-art; print onto medium-weight 11-by-17-inch paper, and cut out. Roll the end of the flag around a 1/2-inch dowel and affix with double-sided tape. Tie a ribbon below the flag.

Why save the traditional Just Married sign for your car-aided exit? Hang it up at your reception and you'll get more time to enjoy its message. Better yet, spell out your sentiments letter-by-letter using our alphabet template.

Decorate an entryway with a blooming branch, regardless of the time of year. Here, a leafless dogwood limb provides the base for a Just Married sign and gardenia blossoms that have been wired.

Drape a garland of festive flags made from scrapbooking paper -- each bearing a guest's name and table number -- near the entrance of your reception, or simply make the banners as decorations you can hang throughout your reception. Creating the banner will be a breeze; get started by downloading our template.

Perfect for your getaway car or carriage, this banner will make guests smile.

Create your own photo booth with an oversize canvas backdrop. Download this design and take it to a copy center that can print the large file (we went to FedEx Office).

This modern nod to luminarias -- paper bags with votives inside -- updates the look with chic stripes printed onto vellum and wrapped around straight-sided square glass vases.

To create these stunning centerpieces, we placed several stems of crafted blossoms in tall white cylindrical vases, making sure to vary the height of each for visual interest. Download our petal template to make the perfect crepe-paper magnolias.

To make these adorable luminarias inspired by a cake-decorating stencil, download the template and print onto 11-by-17 paper. Fold the paper like an accordion or wrap around a glass cylinder.

When printed on translucent vellum in soothing colors, lace appears even dreamier and more ethereal than it already is. To make square luminarias beautiful enough to be centerpieces, we simply magnified the lace pattern. Placed in a row, with no extra flourishes, the presentation positively glows with sophistication.

This project is not only a piece of cake to construct but also incredibly budget-friendly. Print our clip-art borders (we used text-weight paper) and cut them to fit an assortment of round boxes and lids.

Swizzle sticks topped with crepe-paper flowers -- here, a spider chrysanthemum and a sleek calla lily -- add zest to lime spritzers.

Flower girls are pretty adorable as they are, but we've found a way to pile on even more cuteness: Instead of having them scatter blossoms as they amble down the aisle, have them be the blossoms by carrying these petal-topped rice-paper umbrellas! Added bonus? After the ceremony, they can tote the pretty parasols home as favors.

Outdoor weddings are especially beautiful, but they can also be uncomfortably steamy. To keep your guests from overheating, pass out handmade fans -- trust us, they'll be grateful. Ours features a floral motif on one side and a quote from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet on the other: "My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep."

Download the template (have a calligrapher add a monogram), then print onto medium-weight paper and cut out. Sandwich a wooden ice cream spoon between the two sides, and secure with glue.

Some guests are too shy to share their life stories. Help them bypass the small talk and go straight for the good stuff with introductory cards that reveal shared interests or personal triumphs.

Play It
When a guest slides out her place card (calligraph her name under our design), she'll see an arrow pointing to the left with the name of the person seated there, plus an interesting tidbit (e.g., "Joel was a Connecticut tap-dancing finalist!"). A second arrow shares info on the person seated to her right.

Make It
Download our editable clip art, then customize a card for each guest. Print onto card stock and cut out, using a craft punch to round the corners.