Junior Rasmussen
Wedding programs are a courteous way of letting guests know what to expect on your big day. They can be designed as elaborately or as simply as you like and can include a variety of details, such as the date, time, names, and location of the ceremony. They can also be used to honour your loved ones, both living and deceased. Many couples choose to honour their grandparents in their wedding programs, whether they are in attendance or not. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as listing their names, including a dedication, or mentioning them in a section honouring those who are no longer with us.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Honouring grandparents | Couples may choose to honour their grandparents, living or deceased, in a variety of ways |
| Grandparents in attendance | Should be mentioned in the program, with grandmothers seated after mothers, and their names listed after the ceremony agenda |
| Grandparents not in attendance | Couples can choose to list all grandparents' names with "unable to attend" next to those who cannot be there, or include a general message of gratitude for those not present |
| Deceased grandparents | Names of deceased grandparents can be listed with ""the late" in front, or a general dedication can be included without specific names |
| Placement in program | Grandparents can be listed under the wedding party section, or in a separate section honouring those who are no longer alive |
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What You'll Learn
Honouring absent grandparents
Wedding Programs
If your grandparents are alive but unable to attend the wedding, you can still recognise them by writing a paragraph on the back of the program. You could say something like: "We would like to recognise our loved ones who couldn't be with us today. We know they are here with us in spirit." List their names below the paragraph, or write a personal message if it is just one grandparent. For example: "Beth would like to thank her grandmother, June Jones, who could not make the trip today, for her love and support. June is with us all in spirit and we miss her presence."
If your grandparents have passed away, you can still honour them in the wedding program. Decide with your partner which deceased grandparents you would like to list. While parents are typically included, you may also want to list step-grandparents, siblings, friends, uncles, and aunts. You can add "the late" in front of their names, for example: "The late Mr. and Mrs. Smith". Include their names in the order of service if there is a special portion of the ceremony dedicated to them. This may be lighting a candle in their memory, playing their favourite song, or another meaningful gesture.
Other Ways to Honour Absent Grandparents
There are many other ways to honour absent grandparents beyond the wedding program. You could reserve a front-row seat for them at the ceremony, using one of their jackets or a bouquet of their favourite flowers to mark the place. You could also display a framed photograph of them on the altar table or beneath a chuppah. During the reception, you could set up a memorial table with framed photos of your grandparents and other loved ones who have passed away. Guests can write down their favourite memories of your grandparents in a memory box. You could also incorporate a special moment to remember them just before you say "I do", such as a moment of silence or a song played in their honour.
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Grandparents in attendance
Grandparents play a significant role in our lives, and it is only fitting to honour them at weddings. Here are some ways to include grandparents in attendance at your wedding:
Seating Arrangements
Grandparents are traditionally seated after the mothers, and the wedding program can list this as "The Seating of the Grandmother(s)", naming the song that will play. The wedding party, including the family, is listed after the ceremony agenda. The grandparents of the bride are listed first, followed by the grandparents of the groom. The formality of how the names are written can be chosen by the couple, but it is essential to maintain consistency throughout the list.
Bridal Party Section
The wedding program can include a bridal party section, where the bride and groom can list their grandparents and step-parents. This section is a way to thank those individuals for their role in the wedding and their presence in the couple's lives. It also helps guests understand the relationships between the bride, groom, and their family members.
Special Dedications
The wedding program can also include a special dedication to the grandparents. This can be a simple message expressing gratitude for their support and presence. For example, "We are forever grateful to our beloved grandparents for their unwavering love and support. Their presence here today fills our hearts with joy."
Music and Readings
Music plays a crucial role in setting the tone for the wedding. Including a list of songs in the program gives guests insight into the couple's choices and helps them identify songs they may enjoy. If the grandparents have any special connections or requests, this is a lovely way to involve them. Similarly, citing readings and including the names of the readers adds a personal touch.
Order of Events
The wedding program typically includes the order of events for the ceremony. If there are any special traditions or rituals involving the grandparents, such as a dance or toast, this can be mentioned in the program. For example, "Grandmother's Blessing: A special blessing will be given by the grandmother of the groom."
Including grandparents in the wedding program is a wonderful way to honour their presence and show your appreciation for their role in your life and your journey towards this special day.
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Including deceased grandparents
Wedding days are happy occasions, but they can also be emotional, especially when grandparents are not around to witness their grandchildren's nuptials. Many couples choose to honour their grandparents—both living and deceased—in their wedding programs in a variety of ways.
Decide together with your partner which deceased grandparents you would like to list in your wedding program. You can include a symbolic quote or a simple "In Loving Memory Of" tribute along with the rest of your ceremony details. You can also add a "Dedication" page at the end of the program with a heartfelt message, such as "On this joyous day, we remember those who could not be with us". List the names of the deceased grandparents and then write a message like, "We honour the memory of those who are no longer with us but will forever remain in our hearts".
Other ways to include deceased grandparents
In addition to the wedding program, here are some other ways to include and honour your deceased grandparents:
- Reserve a seat for them at the ceremony with a small sign, a framed photograph, or a single flower from your bouquet.
- Set up a memory box or a memorial table with framed photos of your grandparents, where guests can write down and share their favourite memories.
- Include their favourite flowers in your ceremony decor, such as in the aisle markers, boutonnieres, or bouquets.
- Light a unity candle at the start of the ceremony to signify your grandparents' spirits being present with you throughout the celebration.
- Include a recipe from your grandparent in the program, with a note such as, "We honour the late [Name] by including their special recipe in this program".
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Grandparents' names and titles
Grandparents can play a special role in a wedding, and it is common to include them in the wedding program. Here are some ideas for including grandparents' names and titles in a wedding program:
Including Grandparents in Attendance
If grandparents are in attendance at the wedding, they should be honoured and mentioned in the program. The program can list the seating of the grandmothers, with their names, and the song that will play. The wedding party, including family members, will be listed after the ceremony agenda. The grandparents of the bride are typically listed first, followed by the grandparents of the groom. Consistency in the formality of the names is essential.
Recognising Absent Grandparents
If grandparents are living but unable to attend the wedding, they can still be recognised in the program. A paragraph can be dedicated to them, expressing gratitude for their support and love, and mentioning that they are with the couple in spirit. Their names can be listed below this message. For example, "We would like to thank my grandmother, Emma Johnson, who couldn't be here today. Her love and support have always meant so much. She is with us in spirit, and we miss her dearly."
Honouring Deceased Grandparents
It is common to include the names of deceased grandparents in the wedding program, especially if they were close to the couple. The names of the deceased are usually added with "the late" before their names. For example, "The late Mrs. Emma Johnson, grandmother of the bride." The names can be included in a dedicated section honouring the memory of loved ones. Headings such as "We Remember" or "In Memory Of" can be used. The names can also be listed in a paragraph, such as "We lovingly remember those who are no longer with us, especially [name of grandparent], whose presence we deeply miss."
Formatting and Placement
When including grandparents' names and titles, it is essential to maintain consistency in formatting throughout the program. First and last names, along with official titles, should be included. The wedding party, including grandparents, is typically listed in a hierarchical order, with the bride's side usually mentioned first. The third section of a two-panel program or either interior panel of a four-panel program is commonly used for this listing. The placement of deceased grandparents' names can be at the end of the program, separating the celebratory section from any melancholy portions.
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Thanking grandparents
Grandparents often play a significant role in our lives, and their presence and support are essential on a day as important as a wedding. Honouring grandparents, whether living or deceased, is a beautiful way to recognise their place in the family and the couple's history.
If you are fortunate enough to have your grandparents in attendance, there are many ways to thank and honour them. One way is to mention them in the wedding programme. The programme can list the seating of the grandmothers, with their names and the song that will play. This can be followed by a list of the wedding party, including the family, with the grandparents of the bride and then the groom. Another idea is to ask your grandparents to do a reading or a speech at the wedding ceremony. You could also ask your grandmother to be your flower girl and your grandfather to be your ring bearer, a quirky and cute twist on tradition.
For those whose grandparents are unable to attend the wedding, they can still be recognised and thanked. A paragraph can be written on the back of the programme, thanking those who couldn't be there and listing their names. If there is only one grandparent missing, a personal message can be written. For deceased grandparents, their names can be listed with "the late" in front, and if there is a special portion of the ceremony dedicated to them, their names can be included in the order of service.
When it comes to wedding thank-you speeches, it is common to thank your family, and grandparents can certainly be included in this. You can give a sweeping thanks to everyone present or give individual shout-outs to those who played a significant role in your wedding planning. It is a good idea to mention those who provided financial support, such as your parents and in-laws, and express your appreciation and happiness at joining their family.
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Frequently asked questions
You could include a couple of lines saying that the couple is grateful for the support of those who couldn't attend, including the grandparents. You could also include a memorial section for grandparents who have passed away.
You can include attending grandparents in the wedding program under "Grandparents of the Groom/Bride". You can also include them in the family photo session and get some individual photos with them.
You can incorporate grandparents into traditional roles, such as having them serve as the "flower grandparents" during the ceremony. You can also ask them to officiate the wedding. Another idea is to bring them to the cocktail hour, providing more time for meaningful interactions.
It is not necessary to list all your grandparents in the wedding program. You can include only those who will be seated specially during the ceremony.
