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Two wedding signs on tree
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Rustic Wedding Signs

These rustic wood wedding signs are such a joy to create! Perfect for outdoor wedding celebrations, receptions, luncheons, or bridal showers, these DIY personalized wedding signs are almost effortless and create a super rustic aesthetic for the wedding couple and their guests.
Course craft, diy
Keyword diy wedding signs wood, rustic wedding signs diy, wedding signs ideas
Active Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Makes 2 signs
Author Angie Holden

What You Will Need

Instructions

  • First, start with the gel stain and coat the front and sides of your wedding sign. Wipe off any excess with a rag or paper towel. Allow to dry. 
    Stain on top of wood for signs
  • The use of a “dry brush” method is very helpful in getting the correct look on your signs. Dab a very small amount of paint onto your brush and wipe most of it off on a paper plate or towel. Then swiftly move it over the entire front of your wedding sign. Allow to dry.
    wedding sign with dry brush paint in some areas
  • Use your sponge brush with stain once again and make “lines” of darker areas as shown below. Wipe off excess after 3 minutes or so. Allow to dry.
    wooden sign with stain and brush
  • Sand the wood.
    Sandpaper and wood
  • Mix one part gel stain with one part water to make a thinned out version of your dark stain. 
    Gel stain mixture with brush
  • Brush this mixture over your wedding sign then immediately wipe off with a rag or paper towel. The wedding sign on the below left has been completed. Allow this to dry. 
    Two wooden signs
  • Mix one part paint to one part water but this time with the white. This makes a white wash for the sign.
    White paint mixture on plate
  • Again brush over the entire sign then immediately wipe away with a rag. Allow to dry.
    Two rustic wooden wedding signs
  • Next, use sandpaper to rough up the surface and edges. You can concentrate in an area to make it rougher than other areas.
    Wedding signs
  • I then dry brushed white over the top of the signs one last time. Allow this to dry.
    Wooden wedding signs on newspaper
  • Your sign base is complete and we are ready to add the lettering. Be sure your sign is dry completely before continuing. I used black paint with just a touch of white mixed in for a very dark grey color. You can play with the amounts until you like the look.
    One sign that says, "Wedding"
  • We have been concentrating on the front of our sign and neglected the edges. Remember to go back with that white paint and a dry brush and touch these edges. Just to make them appear to be not so new. You can also finish the back if you desire (I did not).
    sign that says, "Wedding"

Notes

  • You can use any colors you would like– maybe even add some gold leaf!
  • Make sure the paint is fully dry before painting the letters.
  • Make sure to sand down the areas to give the signs a "weathered" look.