Wood Sign DIY: The Wedding Sign

Summer weddings are just around the corner, making this the perfect time to share my next wood sign DIY tutorial: The Wedding Sign. I am calling it the Wedding Sign because the CS Lewis quote is so appropriate and I was asked to make this for a couple’s wedding this month! This wood sign would be great for any wedding decor or to give the new couple as a gift. It would also be great to give as an anniversary gift or decor for your own home.

I have some step by step instructions for you to build a frame and a video tutorial for how I use contact paper as a stencil! PLUS FREE DOWNLOAD of cut file.

Wood Sign DIY COST

I always try to include a cost estimate in my tutorials so you know just what you are getting into! It only cost me about $5 dollars to make this sign because I have a significant amount of leftover supplies from previous projects. I estimate it would cost most people $15-20 depending on what you have on hand.

Cost Sheet Download

Sign Supplies

(1) 1x2x8′
(1) 22.5″x22.5″ hardboard
wood glue
stain (I used Minwax provincial)
white paint
Spray polycrylic
sandpaper

Tools

Table saw with thick kerf blade (like this one) or could use a router
Cross cut saw
Circular saw or table saw

(Supply list for adding the lettering is further down)

Wood Sign DIY Assembly

Create a groove in the center of your 1x2x8′ by running it through the table saw. Set the blade height to about 3/8″ and set the fence so that the blade will run through the exact center of the 1×2. I only had to make 1 pass because I used a thicker blade. If you are using a standard kerf blade you may need to make two passes or if the hardboard is thicker then the one I used.

Cut the 1x2x8 into (4) mitered 23.5″ pieces (measured from outside to outside). Each piece will need a 45 degree miter end cut. Take your time and make sure each cut is correct. The groove you just cut needs to be on the inside of the frame.

Sand any edges and corners that need it.

Next step is to cut the hardboard. Use a table saw or circular saw to cut hardboard to 22.5×22.5″ square.

Stain and Paint

After making your cuts, do a dry fit to make sure your hardboard fits in the groove and your frame pieces all match up nicely. If you are satisfied then stain the frame and paint the hardboard white. Both steps are easier to do before assembling the sign. Don’t know how to stain wood? Watch how to here.

stain frame pieces — I like to stain every side of the wood.

I used SW Swiss Coffee in eggshell. My FAVORITE paint brush is from Vintage and Restore by K! Love it! Smooth smooth finish!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will earn a small commission. The great thing is, it won’t cost you a penny more!

Assemble!

Last step for the sign is to glue the pieces together. Apply a small bead of glue along/in groove and a small bit on each mitered end. This can be a little tricky but apply the glue and then slide the painted hardboard in the groove. Do this piece by piece until all 4 frame pieces are around the hardboard and each corner is lined up. Use clamps to hold in place. (you can also use table to hold the corner in place while the glue dries.

Let the glue fully dry before you remove the clamps/tape. You can use finishing nails to secure the frame in each corner but wood glue is strong enough to hold it without. Now, for the lettering!

Lettering with contact paper stencil!

I want to share my preferred method for adding lettering to a DIY wood sign: using contact paper as a stencil. This is particularly helpful if the font style is crisp and straight. I have shared this method before in other DIY wood sign tutorials, but sometimes a video is more helpful. The video also shows how I set everything up and tips for using multiple pieces for larger signs.