Rhiannon Hendricks
If you're planning a Catholic wedding, you may be wondering if you need to create a wedding program for your guests. While it's not mandatory, a wedding program can be incredibly helpful for your guests, especially if they're unfamiliar with Catholic wedding traditions and rituals. It can guide them through the ceremony, explain the meaning behind various rituals, and even serve as a keepsake for you and your guests.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To help guests follow along with the ceremony, especially if they are not Catholic |
| Content | Names of the couple, date of marriage, time and location of the wedding mass, names of important people, order of the mass, explanation of the Eucharist and communion |
| Design | Customisable, can be designed using a word document or a platform like Canva.com, can be printed in black and white to save costs |
| Other | Some guests may keep the program as a memento, so it is a good idea to give a copy to the photographer for detail shots |
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What You'll Learn
The benefits of a wedding program
A wedding program is a great way to keep your guests informed and engaged during your Catholic wedding ceremony. Here are some benefits of having a wedding program:
- Help guests follow the ceremony: Catholic weddings are steeped in tradition and rituals that may be unfamiliar to guests, especially those who are not Catholic. A wedding program can outline the order of the mass, explain the Eucharist and communion rites, and provide a basic script to help guests understand what is happening and when to stand, kneel or bow. This ensures guests can actively participate in the ceremony and feel included.
- Provide important details: A wedding program can include essential details such as the date and time of the wedding mass, the name of the church, and the names of the wedding party and important attendees. It can also mention the prelude music, the processional order, and any other unique aspects of your Catholic wedding that guests may need to know.
- Make guests feel welcome: If you are expecting non-Catholic guests, a wedding program can help them feel more comfortable and welcomed during the ceremony. It can explain Catholic traditions and rituals, such as the significance of the bread and wine during communion. It can also clarify who is invited to receive communion and how non-Catholics can receive a blessing, ensuring that all your guests feel respected and included.
- Keep as a memento: Wedding programs can be kept as souvenirs or memorabilia of your special day. You can include them in detail shots for your wedding photographer, frame them, or tuck them away with other mementos. They serve as a reminder of the love and joy shared on your wedding day and can be cherished for years to come.
- Customise to your style: Wedding programs can be designed to reflect your personal style and the theme of your wedding. You can opt for a simple black-and-white design or choose a more advanced, colourful layout. Whether you prefer a classic or modern look, there are various templates and printing options available to suit your preferences and budget.
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What to include in a wedding program
A wedding program is a great way to help your guests, Catholic or otherwise, follow and participate in the songs and prayers of the Nuptial Mass. It can also help them understand the beauty of the Catholic Mass. Here is a list of what to include in your wedding program:
The Front Page
On the front page, include your names, the date of your wedding, and the name of the church. If the church holds a special significance for you, you can include this as well.
Important People
On the next page, list the names of the important people in your day, including the parents of the bride and groom, the maid of honour, the best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers, flower girl/ring bearer, personal attendants, and any priests that will be presiding during the mass.
Order of the Mass
On the following page, list the order of the mass. Prelude music is usually played or sung about 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony as your guests are getting to their seats. Then, the priest and groom enter first, followed by the wedding party, and the bride, escorted by her father, enters last. The priest will begin the mass by saying a few words about the couple and the sacrament of marriage, and will finish with an opening prayer.
Other Details
You can also include other details such as the readings, psalm, and gospel, along with page numbers to allow guests to follow along. If not all your guests are Catholic, it is a good idea to include a short note explaining the Eucharist and communion. You may also include details about the cocktail hour or reception following the ceremony.
Design and Printing
Finally, consider the design and printing of your program. You can use a word document or a website like Canva.com for a more advanced design. Printing in black and white tends to be cheaper. You can also use a service such as VistaPrint or search for a local stationer.
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The order of the liturgy
A wedding program is a great way to help your guests follow along with the ceremony, especially if they are not Catholic. It can also serve as a keepsake for you and your guests. Here is a guide to the order of the liturgy for your Catholic wedding program.
Prelude
Prelude music is usually played or sung about 15 minutes before the ceremony as your guests take their seats.
Processional
The priest and groom enter first and take their place at the front, followed by the wedding party. The bride, escorted by her father, enters last.
Liturgy
The priest begins the mass with a few words about the couple and the sacrament of marriage, followed by an opening prayer. The couple then exchanges their consent, declaring their reciprocal consent and sealing their marriage with God. The priest then shares the nuptial blessing as the couple kneels in front of the altar. The wedding party and guests then offer a sign of peace, shaking hands with those nearby and saying, "Peace be with you."
Communion
The congregation sings a hymn while the priest breaks the bread, and communion is shared with the couple and Catholic guests. The priest then ends the mass with a final prayer, blessing the union of the newlyweds.
Recessional
The newlyweds exit the altar back down the aisle, followed by their wedding party.
You may also want to include details about any cocktail hour or reception following the ceremony.
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How to design your program
While your priest and/or church will do all the actual ceremony planning, it's up to the couple to provide Catholic wedding programs for their guests. Here are some tips on how to design your program:
Cover Page
The first page is usually very simple. You may choose to put a picture of yourself and your partner on it, or you may opt to just list your names, the date of your marriage, the time that your wedding mass will begin, and the name of the church.
Important People
On the next page, it is traditional to list the names of important people in the ceremony; parents, attendants, and celebrants. This includes the parents of the bride and groom, the maid of honour, the best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers, flower girl/ring bearer, personal attendants, and any priests that will be presiding during the mass.
Order of the Mass
On the following page, begin to list the order of the mass. This is the part of the ceremony that is most similar to a traditional Sunday mass. It is helpful to include an explanation of the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Word (three readings and a sermon). You can also include the prelude music, which is usually played or sung about 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony as guests take their seats.
Other Details
You may also want to include details about the reception, as well as a short note explaining the communion rituals for non-Catholic guests. It is common to invite all guests to come forward for a blessing, whether or not they are Catholic. Finally, consider whether you would like to include any hymns or prayers that will be recited during the ceremony.
Printing and Design
You can design your program using a word document or a website like Canva.com for a more advanced design. Keep in mind that printing in black and white tends to be cheaper. You can also go to an office supply store to get your programs printed, and they may have different types of paper available.
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What to do with your program after the ceremony
A wedding program is a great keepsake to remember your special day. Many couples choose to keep their wedding program as a memento, either framing it or storing it with other special items from the day. It's also a good idea to give a copy to your photographer to include in some of the detail shots.
If you're feeling creative, you could even turn your wedding program into a DIY project and design it yourself. That way, it becomes even more unique and personalised. You could also include a personal touch by writing a sentence or two about how you know each person in the wedding party, such as a childhood friend or college roommate.
You might also want to consider including some unique details about your wedding in the program, such as a special song you'll be dancing to or any other surprises you have planned. That way, your guests can feel even more involved in your celebration.
Finally, don't forget to include all the important people who are part of your wedding, from the wedding party to the officiant and any speakers. It's also a nice gesture to add the names of friends and family members who have a special role in the ceremony.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not mandatory, but it is a good idea to have one. A wedding program helps your guests follow along with the ceremony and understand what is going on, especially if they are not familiar with Catholic wedding traditions.
The first page should include the names of the couple, the date of the wedding, the time of the mass, and the name of the church. The next page can list the names of important people, such as parents, attendants, and celebrants. Then, you can include the order of the mass, which typically follows the liturgy. You can also add details about the reception.
You can design your program using a word document or a website like Canva for a more advanced layout. Keep in mind that printing in black and white is usually cheaper. You can also use a service like VistaPrint or search for a local stationer.
Many couples keep their wedding program as a memento or souvenir. You can also give a copy to your photographer to include in detail shots.
You can include an explanation of the Eucharist and communion in your wedding program. You can also speak to your priest to see if they plan to make any announcements regarding communion. A note in the program can clarify who should receive communion and how non-Catholics can receive a blessing.
