18 Wedding Program Fans for a Summer Ceremony

Practical and pretty.

By Hillary Hoffower
Updated on 05/10/21
wedding program fan

Photo by Elizabeth Lanier Photography; Stationery by Swell Press

We love a good wedding accent that’s both practical and pretty—a dual function useful to both the guests and your wedding decor. Case in point: the wedding program fan!

Perfect for a summer wedding, a handheld fan will help your guests beat the heat away. And when said fan features the wedding program, it becomes even handier. You can attach the program to the fan with a dainty string of twine or pretty curl of ribbon, which is often fitting if using a woven fan. But if you opt for a wooden or paper fan, the wedding program can be painted or printed right on it! Not only does this look creative, but it’ll also prevent you from having to add separate wedding programs to your stationery list—combining two in one makes for a budget-savvy, eco-friendly move.

Wedding program fans lend a lot of leeway in terms of design. Add watercolor illustrations or a hand-painted map of the venue for a customized touch, or complete the look with a Popsicle-stick handle or fun little tassel.

Just take a look at these wedding program fans to see how it’s done! 

01 of 18

Embody Summer

woven ceremony seating fans

Photo by Ana Lui Photography; Design & Planning by Le Jour de Oui; Paper Goods by Indian Wedding Card

 

This coastal Italian wedding is all summertime elegance with underlying tropical tones. Woven wedding program fans placed on stylish white chairs perfectly encapsulate the thematic vibes while keeping everyone cool.

02 of 18

Use Illustrations

watercolor ceremony programs

Photo and Paper Goods by Shhh My Darling

Here, fans made of holly oak, mauve wood, and almond bear a delicate palette. One side boasts a hand-painted illustration of the venue while the other is adorned with program details and decorative floral designs.

03 of 18

Be Festive

floral painted fans

Photo by Steve Steinhardt; Design & Planning by Beth Helmstetter Events; Paper Goods by Maude Press and Cait Courneya

 

Otomi printed paper fans are a festive way to cool down guests at a Mexico destination wedding. Mirror its bold colors with vibrant pink and orange ribbons for an extra bit of flair.

04 of 18

Add Tassels

program fans with blush tassels

Photo by Jana Williams Photography

These wedding program fans keep a classic look with white paper and elegant calligraphy, but lush blush tassels take them to the next level. Place them in a wicker basket accented with peach roses for a chic display.

05 of 18

Adhere Popsicle Sticks

sage green fan on a popsicle stick

Photo by Steven Michael Photography; Paper Goods by East and West Designs

 

Popsicle sticks are all summertime fun! They not only transform a wedding program into a fan but also give a playful nod to the season. This wedding program keeps things summery with a sage green and white color palette.

06 of 18

Think Tropical

tropical ceremony program fan

Photo by Patricia Lyons Photography; Planning by Easton Events

Tie your wedding program to your fan to ensure they stick together! Don’t be afraid to go big on color and texture. Bold magenta and yellow ribbon pop against a natural weave for a tropical flair.

07 of 18

Stick With Simplicity

woven ceremony fans on white wooden chairs

Photo by Gianny Campos; Design & Planning by Rebekkah Rosado of Runway Events; Paper Goods by Fancy That

Stick with simplicity by fixing a minimalist white wedding program to a woven fan for a neutral, natural palette. Place them on equally white ceremony chairs for a timeless look that allows the surrounding venue to shine.

08 of 18

Bring Out the Paint

painted woven fan and program on chair

Photo by Ross Harvey; Design & Planning by Matthew Robbins Design; Paper Goods by Stephanie Fishwick

A custom touch always goes a long way at a wedding. This bride had an artist hand-paint her wedding fans, giving each a unique look. The periwinkle and violet flower designs paid tribute to her French countryside wedding inspired by all things Provençal. 

Fans can make exquisite wedding favors, keeping guests cool long after the ceremony is over. Opt for more durable fans (not the Popsicle-stick DIYs) that will last through many uses and keep their shape for years to come

09 of 18

Create Spanish Flair

blue wedding reception menu and paper fan

Photo by Patricia Lyons Photography; Design & Planning by Claudia Aguirre of A-Tipica Madrid; Paper Goods by Del Rivero Design Co.

A traditional accordion paper fan framed in navy trim and a matching cobalt blue wedding program take on a Marbella chic theme for a Spanish-style wedding.

10 of 18

Feel the Romance

bamboo chairs and woven fans

Photo by Collective by Concept Photography

Lend your wedding program fan some romance with a chiffon blush ribbon. Complete the look with an elegant watercolor monogram design and program details in scrawling calligraphy.

11 of 18

Be Bold

green marble ceremony program fan

Photo by Yolande Marx; Design & Planning by Wedding Concepts; Paper Goods by Secret Diary

Masculine meets feminine with an emerald green marble print that makes a sophisticated statement with a bright pink tassel. We love how this wedding program fan matches the menu, tying in the design throughout the wedding.

12 of 18

Get Moody

black ceremony program fan

Photo by Chantall Marshall; Design & Planning by Infinite Concepts Group; Paper Goods by Secret Diary

Channel autumn’s moody vibes with a black wedding program fan featuring a rich floral print in a burgundy palette.

13 of 18

Employ Minimalism

white ceremony program fan with black typography

Photo by Erin & Tara; Paper Goods by Rebel Reflect

 

We love a good minimalist design, and these wedding program fans nail it. White paper and a classic black type are all they need for an uber-cool, stylish feel. We envision these fanning guests amid an equally minimalist, organic-inspired ceremony.

This design makes for a great DIY project that's easy on the budget. Just have the programs printed up on card stock (you can find customizable templates on Etsy), purchase Popsicle sticks en masse, and adhere them to the backs!

14 of 18

Channel Southern Charm

woven ceremony fan with religious program

Photo by Sara Boyd Photography

This wedding program and fan have some straight-up Southern charm. Add a sweet touch to a woven fan by wrapping its handle in thick, white ribbon, finished off with a bow.

15 of 18

Look to Nature

botanical printed fan

Courtesy of TimberWink Studio

This nature-inspired wedding program fan takes a cue from summer’s lush, green trees with a foliage illustration. Watercolor leaves frame the newlyweds’ names for a botanical touch while a dainty white bow adds a hint of sweetness. We love how the same greenery made its way into the bridal party's bouquets, too!

16 of 18

Paint a Map

map and itinerary ceremony fan

Courtesy of Painted by Pippa

Creativity can transform your wedding program fans into a masterpiece. This one brings the venue to life with a detailed map of the ceremony and reception’s key sites. The visual continues onto the other side, with a timeline told in whimsical symbols and fonts. A wooden handle completes the look with a polished, organic texture.

17 of 18

Go For Accordion-Style

invitation suite with accordion fan

Photo by Sulet Fourie; Paper Goods by Secret Diary

Wedding programs get fun when they’re printed on an accordion fan! This one is all about the glam with a gilded exterior that opens up to a program boasting a red-printed botanical design.

18 of 18

Match Your Theme

wooden wedding program fan

Photo by Elizabeth Lanier Photography; Stationery by Swell Press

As always, consider the vibe of your wedding when designing the program—both literally and figuratively! For example, this couple exchanged vows barefoot on the beach, so they affixed their ceremony programs to paper fans in shades of the sand and sea.

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