Creating A Wedding Program: A Step-By-Step Guide

how do I make a wedding program

Planning a wedding can be stressful and costly, but creating a wedding program is a fun and easy way to add a personal touch to your special day. A wedding program is a simple piece of stationery that can be used to guide your guests through the ceremony, and it can also serve as a keepsake for you and your guests. In this discussion, we will explore the steps to create a wedding program, from choosing a template to customising the design and including the right information. We will also discuss different ways to present your wedding program, such as fans, maps, or luggage tags, to make it functional and memorable. So, get ready to dive into the world of wedding programs and discover how to make this detail shine!

Characteristics Values
Purpose To give guests an idea of what to expect from the wedding day, to thank guests, and to honour loved ones
Content Names and wedding date, ceremony order, wedding party, helpful notes to guests, message of thanks to guests, photos, monogram, "how we met" story, musical selections/lyrics, meaningful verse/poem/reading, names and bios of those participating in the ceremony, explanation of any cultural or ceremony traditions, explanation of the significance of other wedding details
Format Single-page, double-sided, folded, fan, treat bag, confetti-filled, infographic, map, luggage tag, handkerchief, origami, sign, periodical
Design DIY, online template, graphic designer

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Choosing a template: Pick a design that matches your wedding theme

Choosing a template that matches your wedding theme is an important step in creating your wedding program. Whether you're going for a rustic chic, vintage, Tuscan, or Harry Potter-inspired wedding, there are plenty of options available to you.

Canva, for example, offers a wide range of professionally-designed templates that can be easily customized to match your wedding theme. Their collection includes colorful and floral designs, pastel and classic styles, and everything in between. With Canva, you can also upload your own high-resolution photographs, designs, and illustrations to create a truly unique wedding program.

Shutterfly is another great option, offering free customizable wedding program templates. You can fill in your basic information, scroll through different templates to see how it looks, and finalize it with a heartfelt wedding quote and a personalized thank-you note.

If you're looking for a more affordable option, consider downloading a free template from Google or purchasing a $10 template from Etsy. You can then print them at home or at a local office store or library. Microsoft Word is a simple program that can be used for this purpose.

No matter which option you choose, make sure to include all the important information such as the date, time, and location of the wedding, the names of the couple, the wedding party, and the order of the ceremony.

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Adding personal touches: Include photos, illustrations, and your how we met story

Adding personal touches to your wedding program is a great way to make your special day unique and memorable. Here are some ideas to incorporate photos, illustrations, and your "how we met" story:

  • Photos: Select your favourite photos as a couple and include them in your wedding program. You can choose engagement photos, candid shots, or even a senior prom picture to set a playful and lighthearted tone. If you're having a beach or summer wedding, consider using a photo of you both by the sea or in a summer setting. You could also use a photo of the venue or a map of the surrounding area.
  • Illustrations: Illustrations are a creative way to represent you as a couple. Consider a custom illustration of your wedding venue, or a map of where you're from, or even a luggage tag with your ceremony info if you love to travel. For a fun twist, you could include a custom crossword puzzle based on your love story.
  • Your "How We Met" Story: Sharing the story of how you met and fell in love will be a crowd-pleaser. Start with how and where you met, then move on to how your relationship developed, and finally, how you got engaged. This adds a personal touch and gives your guests a glimpse into your unique journey.
  • Creative Formats: Think beyond a traditional paper program. You could create a Playbill-style booklet with pictures and bios of your wedding party, or print your program on a handkerchief or a fan, especially useful for outdoor weddings.
  • Mixing and Matching: You can also mix and match different elements. For instance, use a photo for the cover and include your story inside, or add illustrations and photos throughout.
  • Customisation: Most online platforms and DIY tools allow you to customise your wedding programs easily. You can upload your own photos, illustrations, and text to create a truly personalised memento.

Remember, your wedding program is a wonderful opportunity to express your creativity and share more about your relationship with your guests.

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Ceremony details: List the order of events, participants, and any cultural or religious traditions

The ceremony is the part of the day that makes your union official, so it's important to get it right. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you plan the ceremony details for your wedding program:

Prelude and Processional

The prelude is when special family members, such as mothers and grandparents, are escorted and seated. The processional traditionally begins when the bride is escorted down the aisle. However, in same-sex weddings, one or both partners may walk or be escorted down the aisle. The processional ends when the bride and groom-to-be take their places.

Opening Prayer or Blessing

If you are having a faith-based ceremony, the wedding ceremony often begins with a prayer or blessing of the couple.

Wedding Message or Wedding Sermon

This is usually given by the officiant or a chosen loved one. It may include a sermon about marriage or a personal reflection on the couple.

Readings and Special Music

If you have chosen to include readings or musical performances, note this in your program. You could also introduce each reading and speaker, or have things flow naturally between readers.

Vows and Ring Exchange

This is often the most emotional part of the ceremony, especially if you write your own vows. After the vows, you will place the rings on each other's fingers.

Unity or Other Ceremony

Couples are getting creative with unity ceremonies! If you're having one, list the specific type, such as a sand-pouring ceremony, hand-tying ceremony, or ring warming.

Pronouncement or Introduction of the Married Couple

This is the announcement that declares you officially married! This is a must-have on your wedding program.

Recessional

The recessional signals the end of the ceremony and the beginning of the celebration. This is when the married couple joyfully walks back up the aisle.

Cultural and Religious Traditions

Different cultures and religions incorporate distinctive elements into their wedding ceremonies. For example, in a Hindu wedding, the bride and groom exchange beautiful garlands created from flowers. In a Jewish wedding, the most famous parts are the glass breaking and the yelling of "Mazel Tov!". In a Catholic wedding, the ceremony is always held inside a church, and the couple does not write their own vows.

Order of Events

The order of events will depend on the type of ceremony you are having. However, some common elements include the processional, prayer and readings, the exchange of symbolic tokens (such as rings), and a kiss!

Participants

Be sure to recognise your wedding party in your program. List everyone, including the officiant, both sets of parents, and wedding party members, such as the maid of honour, best man, flower girls, and ring bearers.

Explanation of Traditions

If you are including any cultural or religious traditions in your ceremony, provide an explanation in your program to help your guests follow along. For example, an explanation of the traditional Hindu seven steps could be helpful to guests.

Thank Your Guests

Use your wedding program as an additional place to say "thanks" to your guests for attending and supporting your union.

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Recognising the wedding party: List the names and roles of those in the wedding party

Recognising the wedding party is an important part of your wedding program. It's a great way to acknowledge the support and significance of your loved ones in your life. Here are some tips to help you list the names and roles of those in the wedding party:

  • Honor Attendants: These are the members of the wedding party who hold the highest honour and have the most significant responsibilities. They are usually the bride's and groom's closest friends or siblings. For the bride, this is the Maid/Matron/Man/Person of Honour, and for the groom, it's the Best Man/Woman/Person. Include their names and roles in the program, for example: "Janelle Andersen – Maid of Honour".
  • Attendants: Bridesmaids/Bridesmaid/Bridespeople and Groomsmen/Groomswomen/Groomspeople are the attendants or honour attendants' support team. They often have active roles in planning the wedding and related events. Include their names and roles, for instance: "Bridesmaid: Sarah Miller".
  • Junior Attendants: If you have young teenagers or children in your wedding party, be sure to recognise them as well. Junior Bridesmaids/Groomsmen and Flower Girls/Boys are all part of the wedding party and have special roles. You can list them by their names and roles, such as: "Flower Girl: Emily Johnson".
  • Other Roles: There are also other important roles that you may want to include, such as the Ring Bearer, Ushers, Readers/Candlelighters, Pages/Train Bearers, Officiant, and the parents of the bride and groom. For example: "Officiant: Reverend James Wilson".

Remember, you can include as many or as few wedding party roles as you like. The key is to acknowledge and thank those who are supporting you on your special day.

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Printing and assembly: Print at home or use a printing service, then assemble if needed

Printing and assembling your wedding programs can be done in a variety of ways, depending on your budget and time constraints. Here are some options to consider:

Printing at Home

Printing your wedding programs at home is a cost-effective option. You can use a variety of software to design your programs, such as Microsoft Word, Adobe PageMaker, or Canva. Consider using heavier cardstock paper in a colour that matches your wedding theme. You can find cardstock paper at any office supply store, such as Staples or Office Depot. If you don't want to use cardstock, consider using a lighter-weight paper for the inside of the program and a heavier paper for the outside.

When designing your program, set up the number of columns you want—typically two for a bi-fold program. You can also add graphics or photos to the cover. If you're happy with your design, print a master copy and then take it to a printing service to make all the copies you need. This will save your printer ink and give you a higher-quality print.

Printing Services

If you don't want to print at home, there are several printing services you can use. These include FedEx, UPS, Staples, Office Depot, Vistaprint, and local print shops. Printing services typically offer a variety of paper options and can provide double-sided printing if needed. They may also be able to help with any technical issues you encounter.

Assembly

Assembly will depend on the type of program you've chosen. For bi-fold or tri-fold programs, you'll need to fold the paper accordingly. You can also add decorative elements, such as ribbons, bolts, or colourful paper. If you're short on time, consider enlisting your bridal party or friends to help with assembly.

Remember to do a test run before committing to a particular design or printing method. This will help you catch any technical issues or design flaws and ensure you're happy with the final product.

Frequently asked questions

You can design a wedding program using online tools such as Canva, or programs such as Microsoft Word.

A wedding program should include the date, time, and location of the wedding, as well as the names of the couple, the wedding party, and other participants in the ceremony. It can also include an outline of the ceremony events, a brief overview of the wedding-day timeline, and any cultural or ceremony traditions that guests should be aware of.

It is recommended to use thicker card stock for a more elegant look and feel. You can also use coloured paper or incorporate patterns that match your wedding theme.

It is a good idea to order five to ten extra programs in case of spills, wind, or guests taking an extra copy for friends or family who could not attend.

You can position the programs at each chair, have them handed out by the wedding party, or place them in a basket at the entrance for guests to take as they arrive.

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