Style Me Pretty

Paper Crane Decorations | Satsuma Press

June 25th. 2009 by Abby Larson | Filed Under | 10 comments

This is my favorite of today’s guest blog posts that the fabulous Lynn Russell of Satsuma Press has written. It’s so innovative and fresh, I am in love, love, love.

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Paper cranes are such a lovely and simple way to both decorate and have friends contribute to your wedding. For my own wedding six summers ago, I first printed ‘paper crane party’ invitations that I sent to a group of girl-friends. As you know, I am a letterpress printer, but you could easily print these invites with your computer – or perhaps try using a vintage typewriter – especially if you’re trying to budget. You can make the invitations extra pretty by glueing a piece of the paper you’ll be using for the cranes to the back of the card and wrapping it around to the front, as shown. There’s no need to get too matchy-matchy; you can pull one pattern from the stack or keep the invitation plain and simple, too.

paper cranes

We spent several hours folding paper cranes – I pre-cut some Japanese washi into squares and taught those who didn’t yet know how to fold a paper crane – and had tea and snacks and a wonderful time. I strung the finished cranes using an embroidery needle and thread. We got married at an old cherry orchard in the Columbia River Gorge and we hung the cranes from the chandelier in the big red barn where we had dinner.

I asked my friend, Alyson, of Unruly Things to draw up a tutorial for those of you who might not know how to fold a paper crane. It’s really easy and fun (and sort of addictive) once you get the hang of it!

There are so many beautiful paper choices out there. For my own wedding – at a place called Cherry Hill – I used the cherry blossom washi in shades of ivory, pale pink and light blue. I think it looks beautiful, though, to mix and match papers and patterns.

paper cranes

I’m particularly drawn to Japanese and Italian prints – both of which you can find at Paper Source (). A few sheets will go a long way, too, when you cut them down to squares of various sizes.

polaroid

A thousand paper cranes are also traditionally given as a wedding gift by the folder, who wishes a thousand years of happiness and prosperity upon the couple. What lovelier symbol could there be at the start of your own wedding?

PHOTO Credits: By Satsuma Press, except last photo by Brooke Mackay Castro.

10 Comments about “Paper Crane Decorations | Satsuma Press”

Omead says:

June 25, 2009 at 9:11 pm

Wow...this Origami idea is great of spendthrift brides and grooms. This idea can be used for invitations, place cards, and perhaps to decorate the center pieces too!
DJO
Wedding DJ in Los Angeles
Claire says:

June 26, 2009 at 6:51 am

Thanks for the tutorial -- I just got myself some origami paper =)
Nicole says:

June 26, 2009 at 11:03 am

Love these, and so glad you featured them! Abby, I've just sent you photos of my wedding, which featured 1,000 paper cranes folded by my husband's parents. It was so special and I'd love to share the photos!
Delilah says:

June 26, 2009 at 2:48 pm

Very pretty! I love origami paper!
Trina says:

June 28, 2009 at 11:22 am

we have been folding our 1000 paper cranes too for our wedding this August. My husband is Japanese, so we are incorporating some of his culture into our wedding. Traditionally, it can also be the bride with the help of friends and family folding the cranes...not only someone giving as a gift. I too love the paper she has used!
Catherine Lash says:

June 29, 2009 at 4:14 pm

Love your paper crane party! We love cranes at The Wedding Co. We would love to give your readers the opportunity to participate in The Crane Chandelier Project. http://www.theweddingco.com/events/index.php?event=5
Amelia says:

June 29, 2009 at 7:35 pm

I love this post! I am folding 1000 paper cranes for my wedding in 25 days as a symbol of honor and fidelity to my husband. They'll be in our theme colours of coral, brown, white, green and sprinkling of gold and hung in a huge curtain. The question is- what to do with them afterwards?!!
Fran Waite says:

July 3, 2009 at 5:16 pm

Aloha from Lanai,

My sister is getting married and is up to 800 cranes so far, aiming for 1001. Her theme is bamboos and umbrellas. She wants to hang her cranes like a suspended chandellier, and our thought was to attach them to an one of the 32 inch (diameter) chinese umbrellas. For the life of me, I do not know how this will work because of the weight of the paper and the durability of the umbrellas.

I've managed to find a 43 inch umbrella, is bigger better?
Should it be upside down or right side up? Either way, the weight of the cranes may break it. I just don't know...this is our first time doing this, so I have no clue what 1001 cranes weigh.

Any professional thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Frances Odoshi Waite