Decorative paper fans are increasing in popularity even when wedding budgets are staying the same because they are so cheap if you buy them in bulk. This is a chance to create a favor for your guests. You can even use it in the place of bouquets at least for your bridesmaids. Chinese hand fans can work with all different themes as long as you match it to both your dress style and the rest of your décor.

The shape and concept is going to be unique enough that you want to simplify it which will also save you money. You don’t necessarily need your traditional Oriental hand decorative fans with hand-painting on them. If you are giving this as a gift to your bridesmaids then this might be appropriate because it’s going to be a high enough quality that they can keep it for a while.

You will want to stay away from louder patterns though. If you can find an all over print this tends to be more modern than hand-painting. It might be damask or even have polka dots for a slightly funky air. Otherwise, just try sticking with solid colors which will also save you a lot of money too.

Coordinating with the Gown

Also note whether the dress that you’re matching this with is casual or elegant. This will help you to determine the style of fan that you choose. A traditional Oriental style fan is going to be the most elegant especially if it has gold leaf or hand-painting on it. Skip the plastic handles and spend more money for bamboo or faux ivory versions.

For a wedding with shorter bridesmaids dresses you may want to carry paddle style fans. White paper fans without a lot of adornment also work here too. Lace fans can be either casual or elegant. Sandalwood fans depending on the colors of your dresses can also go either way. They do have more of a casual material to them. However, the exotic wood and intricate patterns do take them more into an elegant theme.

If you can’t match the finish directly to your dresses then tie a tassel on the handle to complete the look and coordinate it with the entire outfit. Also make sure that your bridesmaids have an organza bag to put the fan in when it’s not in use so it doesn’t get lost during the reception.

Accessorize

If you can’t spend a lot of money on your bridesmaid’s dresses then add in fun and funky accessories. This may include wearing flowers in their hair or feather hair clips. Fans also help to create a dramatic outfit.

Sometimes, if you’re really on a budget your bridesmaids may just want to wear some of the dresses they already own. Just stick within the same color palette and give each girl unifying accessories to complete their attire. This way you know that they have dresses that they actually like while it’s still quite budget friendly too. If you need to make a statement on a budget then try incorporating hand fans into your big day.

Custom wedding fans make for fun DIY projects. Usually when you buy pieces that are custom made for a wedding the price tag goes up exponentially. However, when you are just dealing with simple paper even if you hire a professional to do it this can still be quite cost effective. So whether you’re making these for your bridesmaids or for all of your guests here are a few easy tips that you can use to assemble or decorate these accessories.

The first step is to add simple tags. You can ties these to the pivot point. You could even take off other tassels. This is the easiest craft project that you can do with Oriental hand fans. It’s probably also the cheapest too.

However, since you might be doing this on several hundred favors you want to make sure that you get it done early and certainly don’t leave it too close to the big day. It’s something that you can print yourself. It might just have the date of your wedding or your names. This way your guests can remove it later and use the fan in their everyday life.

Combine the Program and Fan

If you want more of a program style fan for a wedding then usually this is going to be a DIY project. Unlike most of your oriental hand fans which are just too intricate to make yourself this uses a paddle fan style with square rectangles. You can get kits that have all of the handles and the right weight of paper for a printer.

You might be able to print this out on your home printer or take it to a professional. Some kits even come equipped with glue dots and handles so you don’t have to hunt for all of the supplies. This will be a more extensive and expensive project. These printed paper fans aren’t likely to be something that your guests are likely to keep after the big day. However, it will help them to stay cool while also keeping them alerted to what is going on during your outdoor ceremony.

Integrate the Style of the Fan

You don’t necessarily need an oriental theme to use these pieces in your ceremony. Try out different shapes. You can even track down versions that have a very realistic print of a seashell on it which compliments the fan shape which is a fun addition to a beach wedding. Customizing your template of the flat paddle fans gives you limitless options for the shapes of the pieces as well as the design. Some of the kits even come with preprogrammed templates and software so that you can match the theme of your wedding with this.

You also have plenty of options of what to write. You can print on top of the fan. If you have a separate wedding ceremony program then this might just be a date or your monogram. If you have an intricate design you don’t need any type of font. However, you can also try printing your wedding program or even a favorite story to give your guests some reading material while they wait for the ceremony to start.

If you want to add small details then you can try a DIY project. Sometimes it isn’t smart for a bride to take on a lot of craft projects. However, if you were trying to do the food or the floral arrangements you need to do these on the actual wedding day which is where the stress comes in. If you just do smaller paper craft projects that you could get done months in advance then it’s not a big project. Knowing when a project is DIY and when it is not it is imperative for enjoying your actual wedding day.

White Oriental hand fans might be the base of a craft project. It can be a subtle element to modern décor just the way it is. It can also be the perfect accent for your wedding day. Here is a brief overview of the many different types of white fans that are available.

Wedding Hand Fans

If you’re using this at your wedding then make sure that you pay attention to the meaning of white in both cultures. In most Asian cultures it actually is associated with death. In Japanese culture however, sometimes it is used for wedding days and there might even be a white wedding kimono.

White symbolizes the death of the old family dynamic and the birth of another one. Of course in Western culture this is often associated with purity and weddings. However because of the symbolism of both fans and the color you need to be careful of how you use it.

Just because the color is subtle doesn’t mean that the piece itself has to go unnoticed or be boring. It’s great for jazzing up simpler wedding dresses. Go all out with your accessories because when else can you get away with wearing gloves or carrying a fan or a parasol? Plus, it will be much less expensive than buying a designer gown.

Lace Fans

The most delicate style is going to be made out of lace. It isn’t the typical Chinese hand fan that you might be used to. This makes it perfect to use as a keepsake. If you want to display it as part of your décor later on then this will be a pretty lasting material.

Lace also makes for a quality heirloom piece, although it will be a little bit pricier than your typical paper versions. If there’s a lot of embroidery on it or colorful floral prints then it might be associated more with a Spanish fan. However, just plain white lace is great for a southern style wedding.

Paper Fans

There are different types of paper and you are probably used to seeing a handpainted version. If you don’t necessarily want an Oriental motif then consider going with handmade paper. In fact, this can even match the paper on your invitations. If you get a piece that is custom made this may have several leaf or petal imprints on it.

Since you won’t be relying on color or pattern you need to make a statement with the textures itself, especially if you are using it in decorating. Consider a paddle fan. This has more of a tropical feeling to it. It’s not the folding fan that you may be used to. It often has bamboo or woven handles that can match the rest of your room too.

Scenic Wedding Fans

There are certain motifs that also have white backgrounds. In most cases, if you do want some hand painting to it this equals a floral print of some sort. If you’re going with a dramatic pink and black color palette like you would find on a cherry blossom the white background is really what grounds it and keeps it from becoming too feminine.

The white palette is also going to match a lot of the furniture either in your home or the décor on your big day. If you want a versatile style of fan or you’re spending more money on it then consider the color white.

Cherry blossom decorative hand fans can serve as the inspiration for your entire wedding. The feminine motif makes it perfect for spring since the blossoms do still relate to your typical wedding palettes. This means that it works outside a traditional Asian theme even if you are using Oriental hand fans.

To start the theme off right away you should make the decorative hand fans into part of the ceremony. You could hang them from trees along with paper lanterns. These are much less expensive than most floral arrangements. You could also have a bridesmaid carry it down the aisle.

Since this motif is smaller you are going to need to carry it throughout the entire venue or just make bigger statements with it. Try going a handpainted aisle runner instead of a monogram. It could have beautiful cherry blossoms that mimic the same pattern of your fan.

Cherry Blossoms on Wedding Fans

Weddings are all about the small details. Look for pleating on tablecloths. This can mimic the pleats that you see with Chinese hand fans. This can be a detail in your other linens as well. Napkins can even be folded into elegant fan shapes fairly easily.

There are also other wedding day uses that do have an Oriental influence that have made their way into the mainstream. This includes calligraphy invites. Of course, if you want a hand written version it can be pretty pricey. You can find some printed versions which will be much cheaper. Make it look authentic look by going with a handmade paper. You can have flower petals pressed into it instead of being the typical rice paper.

A hot fashion trend is also inspired by these designs. Kimono dresses and tops are trendy in the fashion world. If you want a bridesmaid dress that your girls can actually wear again then consider one of these with oversized sleeves. In fact you might not even find it at a bridal store which can save you tons of money and ensure that your bridesmaids get a dress that they actually like.

Carry the Cherry Theme Throughout the Decor

With anything thematic you don’t want to go too overboard. Be more subtle in some areas and more literal in others. Look for beading that mimics cherry blossoms on either your dress your bridesmaids’ dresses. When you take the color out of this traditional print and focus on the texture and form then this does make it much more elegant.

The last place to use this is going to be on your cake. It’s going to be more of a modern style cake with a crisp white background. You’re also going to need fondant because buttercream is going to be too messy and textured for this look. Spend more money on sculpted branches and cherry blossoms instead of your typical piping and icing look.

You just need to focus on one element to create a theme and cohesion. It can be as simple as a fan or the handpainting on it. If wedding planning is overwhelming you then get organized by creating a theme and start off with just one simple piece and let that dictate your color palette.

Usually Chinese hand fans appear at your wedding for your guests and favors. However, there is something to be said for actually having a bridal fan. It can help you to save money. Here are a few ideas on how you can match it with both your theme and your dress.

Oriental hand fans have always had the same purpose. Different cultures have different meanings and symbols for them. However, at the heart of it is usually cooling. If you’re going to be outside in the sun and you have a longer ceremony or you’re in a church without air conditioning then consider a hand fan.

This can serve as an element of decor for your wedding. When you’re done using it for the ceremony you could put it on a stand on either your cake table or your guestbook table. This lends a Victorian or vintage aspect to the day while serving multiple purposes.

Keepsakes from Your Big Day

A bridal fan can also be one of the few mementos that you can display in your home later on from the big day. Sure, you might keep your dress and veil but they are probably going to be in a box in the attic. If you are going to display the fan then spend a little bit more money for quality silk fans.

There used to be a tradition of passing wedding dresses from mother to daughter. However, it seems that most daughters want their own dress. This is understandable. Keeping small mementos to pass onto your daughter ensures that she will have something of yours to use on her wedding day when it comes. To preserve a bridal fan make sure that you have a shadow box and keep it out of direct sunlight.

Also consider this style of your decor both for your wedding and your home so it works for dual purposes. If you have a shabby chic home then this is perfect because lace style fans are common for weddings, but it’s also a standard material for this decor genre.

Fans to Supplement Flowers

You don’t have to cut flowers out of your budget completely. However, the fewer flowers you use the less expensive it’s going to be. One of the more intricate bouquets I’ve seen has a paper fan as the base. Then there are flowers and roses on top of this. You may need to pay a little bit more to your florist for them to assemble it.

It’s important that you have a unique bouquet if you’re getting married in summer months like June where your guests are going to be attending a lot of weddings. This is where you can still be traditional and show your personality too.

These types of wedding decor can help you to cut down on your floral budget. Fans only cost a few dollars while bouquets cost several hundred. This can be a fun element for a Southern wedding. You can use the same material as your dress such as lace look. There can even be feather embellishments to it.

If you want a traditional bouquet then save a little bit of money by giving your bridesmaids an Oriental hand fan. Don’t miss out and just buy these for your guests; make sure that you’re included too.

A big wedding trend is the use of Chinese hand fans. These are great favors. Fancier fans can be bridesmaids’ gifts. It isn’t just for an Oriental style wedding either. In fact, you can talk to your graphic designer to help you get the same look of your invitations.

If you’re trying to save money then you might want to go with a dual purpose piece. Instead of having both a fan and program printed have the program printed on the fan. Your guests are probably just going to be using it during the ceremony; especially if you are outdoors or in a church that doesn’t have air conditioning.

This isn’t going to be the typical Chinese hand fans that you think of. Instead, it’s going to be a flat fan. While it looks modern it still does have its roots in Asian culture. This also makes it much easier for craft projects. Even though making a fan looks simple remember that you’re going to be repeating this process over and over for all of your guests.

Since flat fans just have a simple bamboo handle and a rectangular shape it’s the cheapest wedding program fan. It works well for contemporary weddings as well as graphics. This is popular on invitations with birds or cherry blossoms. We also see abstract swirl designs.

If you really want this feature to stand out then reverse the color palette of your invitation. If you had a basic white invitation with lime green writing then this part of your wedding stationery may have a bright lime background. It can have a white front to it.

If you’re making or designing these pieces yourself then this is the option that you’re going to want to choose because it’s the least time intensive and most printers can handle it. You will be working with a heavier quality paper with this type. The fans don’t necessarily need to be lasting if you want to save on materials. Even a heavy-duty card stock would probably work.

Specialized Designs for that Special Day

If you’re not using this as a wedding program then you have a lot more options for the design. This could be your monogram. It can also use the couples’ picture on it, although you will pay more for printing. This gives you a custom feeling.

There are certain paper fans that instantly invoke feelings of a wedding. Look for punched paper that replicates intricate lace. This saves you money over fabric fans. Also, if you’re really on a budget not every guest needs a fan. If they’re sitting next to each other they aren’t all going to be using them once. Just place them on every few chairs.

If you’re working with a printer then the more modern fan just uses a simple eyelet or grommet at the bottom. It might start out as one small rectangle and then it folds into several different pieces. It doesn’t have the traditional fan shape. It can still work for cooling. This gives you opportunities to share your favorite poems and stories. If your wedding is running late then your guests have something to read while waiting.

If you want the traditional pleated fans this isn’t really a DIY project, especially when you’re talking about doing hundreds of these pieces. Instead, just find inexpensive decorative fans in your wedding colors. Alternate them on every other chair in a different tone. If you’re worried about it being too warm out for your guests then this favor helps to alleviate that.