fuckyeahweddingideas:

DIY Carnival Marquee Letters

Materials

- foam board and poster board, 2 sheets of each
- spray paint (metallic silver and red)
- G50 light bulbs (bought here, but also found in stores like here) *the bulbs pictured were not the actual bulbs used in the final product – they are plastic ones found here
- hot glue
- C9 stringers (like these)
- printed letters (use serif font of your choice to achieve the same look) to desired size (just remember they need to fit your foam board!)
- cutting mat and x-acto knife

Instructions

Trace the printed letters onto the foam board to cut your letter shapes. With a pencil, mark the center of your letters for where the bulbs will go. The spacing of the bulbs will vary depending on how large your letters will be, so play around before cutting to determine what looks best. Make small holes on the center of each letter large enough to fit the outer rim of bulb sockets (to replicate these these vintage 20th century carnival signs) Here‘s a great tip on how to cut the circles on foam board. Spray paint your letters in rusty-red. Cut 4-5 inch wide strips of poster board and spray paint both sides in metallic silver. Glue the edges of you letters with your “metal” strips. Place the bulbs from the back and you’re done.