Putting a crafty, personal spin on your party is as easy as cut, crease, and glue. These supersimple, paper-folding projects, which can be completed well ahead of your big day, are fun, festive—and faster than you think!
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No, this isn't the paper fortune teller you and your fourth-grade friends obsessed over. It's actually the first step to creating décor for your celebration. Read on, and you'll see the shape of more wedding crafts to come.
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String Theory
If you've got an afternoon (and a few willing bridesmaids), you can whip up this cheery backdrop for your photo booth, ceremony marker, guest-book table—or wherever your venue is in need of a little pick-me-up. Make some of these multifaceted beauties, thread them onto string or monofilament, and voilà! Décor is served.
Bonus Tip: To make your garlands really shine, cut a triangle from metallic foil paper to cover one side of each diamond and attach with double-sided tape ("Mirri" gold foil wrap paper, $4 per sheet; nycentralart.com).
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3-D Details
Snip to it! Each of these items can be made in five steps or less.
Clockwise from top left:
Leave a paper trail that guests won't forget, starting with your save-the-date.
Revelers will easily spot their seats when geometric table numbers are perched among the place settings.
At the ceremony, delight attendees with string-tied programs whose corners unfold to reveal all the need-to-know info.
Come reception time, let partygoers unwrap giftlike escort cards.
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Tie One On
A single bow can turn a cake into a showstopper—especially if you pleat the same paper and wrap it around each layer. (To create a gold border as we did, use double-sided tape to layer a smaller strip of paper on top of a metallic one before creasing.) And while this is the trickiest fold we've got, it's worth it. The result is so eye-catching that once you master the technique, you might find yourself making bows to adorn everything from gift boxes to chair backs.
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Paper Goods
When it comes to parting gifts, a cleverly packaged treat is sure to sweeten the deal. Plus, any of these containers can be made larger to accommodate whatever favors you fancy; just increase the size of the paper and folds used.
Clockwise from left:
A string-tied "mini purse" is perfect for packing candies to go.
Watch cupcakes or snowballs bloom inside a flowerlike dish.
Slip slender sticks of chocolate in an envelope reminiscent of a pencil case or crayon box.
Stack smaller snacks in goodie-filled pyramids—check out Bayley's Boxes for nearly identical options in a choice of more than 35 colors (79¢ each; bayleysboxes.com).
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Origami Cranes
In Japanese legend, cranes are thought to mate for life—and to live 1,000 years—making them a powerful symbol of fidelity. Traditionally, the father of the bride gives sen bazaar, 1,000 origami cranes, to use as wedding décor. We can think of a few ways to incorporate this lucky token: Attach the birds to tree limbs for a gorgeous ceremony marker, or turn a smaller group into place cards, with the guest's name on one wing and the table assignment on the other.
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