Crafting Wedding Programs: How Many Do You Need?

Wedding programs are a great way to add a personal touch to your ceremony and help guests understand what's happening and when. While they are not necessary, they can be useful for guests, especially if your wedding includes unique or cultural rituals that guests may be unfamiliar with. If you're wondering how many wedding programs to make, a good rule of thumb is to order enough for approximately 75% of your guests. This takes into account that not every guest will be able to make it to the ceremony, and not everyone will take a program. For example, if you have 100 guests, you would order 75 wedding programs. Ordering a few extras is also a good idea, in case of last-minute RSVPs or spills. Alternatively, you could skip the traditional wedding programs and opt for a wedding sign instead, which gives guests all the information they need without any paper waste.

Order 75% of the number of guests

Wedding programs are a great way to help your guests understand what's happening and when, and they can also serve as a keepsake. But how many should you order?

Ordering enough programs for 75% of your guests is a good rule of thumb. This takes into account that not every guest will be able to make it to the ceremony, and not every guest will take a program. This approach will help you avoid having too many leftovers.

For example, if you have 100 guests, ordering 75 programs should be sufficient. You can always round up slightly to the nearest 10 if you want a small cushion in case of last-minute RSVPs.

If you're unsure about whether to order programs, consider a wedding sign instead. A single sign at the entrance of your ceremony can provide all the necessary information for your guests, and you won't need to worry about passing out paper programs.

• Order extras: It's a good idea to order 5-10 extra programs in case of spills, wind, or guests who want to take an extra copy for friends or family who couldn't attend.
• Have a distribution plan: Know in advance how you'll give the programs to your guests. Will they be positioned at each chair, handed out by groomsmen, or placed in a basket at the entrance?
• Proofread: Don't forget to spell-check and proofread your programs before printing!

Include an outline of the ceremony events

Wedding programs are a great way to help your guests understand the flow of your wedding ceremony and can even be a keepsake for them to remember your special day. Here are some ideas on what to include in your wedding program outline:

Provide a Brief Overview of the Wedding Timeline

This can include the start time of the ceremony, followed by cocktails and snacks, dinner, games, and any other activities you have planned for the day. This will help your guests know what to expect and when.

Include an Outline of the Ceremony Events

This is the heart of your wedding program and will guide your guests through the ceremony. You can include the following:

• Welcome & Introduction: Start with a warm welcome and a brief introduction, including a recounting of your love story or how you met.
• Pronouncement of Marriage: This is where the officiant declares you and your partner as a married couple.
• Presentation of the Couple: Introduce the wedding party, including the maid/matron of honour, best man, groomsmen, and bridesmaids.
• Vow Exchange: Explain that you and your partner will be reciting your vows to each other. If you are writing your own vows, you can include a note about this.
• Ring Exchange: Describe the symbolism of the ring exchange and whether there will be any additional rituals, such as a blessing or sprinkling of holy water.
• Special Rituals: If you are incorporating any special rituals, such as a unity candle, handfasting, or garland exchange, explain their significance.
• Readings or Prayers: Let guests know if there will be any readings or prayers and by whom.
• Musical Selections: List any songs or musical performances that will be a part of the ceremony.
• Closing Remarks: Mention any final blessings, prayers, or closing thoughts from the officiant.

Feel free to customise the outline to fit your specific ceremony events and include any unique or cultural elements that your guests may not be familiar with.

Add Personal Touches

To make your wedding program even more special, you can include the following:

• A photo or illustration of you and your partner.
• Your monogram.
• A meaningful verse, poem, or reading.
• Names and bios of those participating in the ceremony.
• Explanation of any cultural or ceremony traditions that are unique to your wedding.
• A message of thanks to your guests for their presence and support.

Remember, the wedding program is a wonderful way to involve your guests in your celebration and create a lasting memento of your special day.

Add your names, date and location

Adding your names, wedding date, and location to your wedding programs is a great way to personalise them and make them even more special. It's a simple step, but it adds a lot of value to your programs, both for you and your guests. Here are some tips and ideas to help you with this process:

• Make them meaningful: Adding your names and wedding date is more than just a formality. It's a way to make your wedding programs more personal and meaningful. Your names and wedding date will be a beautiful reminder of your special day, and your guests will appreciate having this information as a keepsake.
• Consider the layout: When adding your names and wedding date, think about the layout and design. You can simply centre your names at the top of the program with the date and location below, or you can get creative with different fonts, styles, and even illustrations or monograms to make it more visually appealing.
• Incorporate it with other information: Combine this information with other details on the program. For example, you can include a welcome message, such as "Welcome to the wedding of [your names] on [date] at [location]." This sets the tone and provides a warm greeting to your guests as they arrive.
• Add a personal touch: You can also include a short message or dedication along with your names and date. For instance, you might write, "With joy in our hearts, [names] invite you to share in our love on [date] at [location]." This adds a layer of sentiment that your guests will surely appreciate.
• Keep it consistent: Ensure that the format of the date and the way you write out your names and location is consistent throughout all your wedding stationery, from the invitations to the programs and any other materials. This creates a sense of cohesion in your wedding branding.
• Proofread and finalise: Once you've added your names, date, and location, be sure to proofread for any errors. Check the spelling of your names and location, and confirm the accuracy of the date. It's easy to overlook small details, so have a fresh pair of eyes review it as well.

Remember, your wedding programs are a reflection of you and your partner, so feel free to get creative and make them unique to your style. Adding your names, date, and location is a great starting point for personalising your programs and making them a cherished memento for you and your guests.

Recognise your wedding party

When it comes to wedding programs, opinions vary on whether they are necessary or not. Some people find them useful as a guide to the whole event, while others think they are a waste of paper. If you are having a simple ceremony, you may not need a program, but if you have a lot of unique or cultural elements, a program can be helpful to explain the significance of different rituals and traditions.

If you decide to create wedding programs, here are some tips for recognising your wedding party:

Names and Bios

List the names of those participating in the ceremony, including the officiant, the parents of the couple, and the wedding party members. You can also add a sentence or two about how you know each person, giving your guests fun insight into your VIPs.

Order of the Processional

If you want to give your guests a better sense of who is who, list the wedding party in the order they will be walking down the processional.

Photos

Add a personal touch by including photos of the wedding party. This can be a fun way to recognise and honour the important people in your life.

"How We Met" Story

Share the story of how you and your partner fell in love, from how and where you met to how you popped the question. This is a great way to involve your wedding party in the narrative of your relationship.

Thank You Notes

Use the wedding program as an opportunity to express your gratitude to your wedding party for their love, support, and contribution to your special day.

Special Requests

If you have any special requests for your wedding party, such as a song dedication or a reading, you can include this in the program.

Thank your guests and honour loved ones

The number of wedding programs you should make depends on the number of guests you're inviting and whether you think they'll want one. Some people don't take a program, while others might take more than one. As a general rule, it's recommended to make around 3 for every 4 guests. So, for 100 guests, you'd make 75 programs.

Now, on to thanking your guests and honouring loved ones. This is a special and important part of your wedding day, and there are many ways to go about it. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Thanking Your Guests

• Include a message of thanks in your wedding program. This is a great way to express your gratitude to your guests for sharing your special day with you.
• Provide a small gift or favour for your guests, perhaps something inspired by a loved one who has passed away. For example, you could offer cigars in memory of a relative who enjoyed them.
• If you're serving alcohol, you could toast your guests and ask them to raise a glass in thanks for their presence and support.

Honouring Loved Ones

• Reserve a seat for them: You could place a bouquet of flowers, a jacket, or a framed photo of your loved one on a chair at the ceremony.
• Wear something of theirs: Using a piece of clothing or an accessory from your loved one is a beautiful way to feel connected to them. It could be a piece of jewellery, a tie, a handkerchief, a lock of hair, or even their wedding dress.
• Display photos: A visual reminder of your loved ones can be very special. You could display photos at the ceremony or reception, or even hang photos from loved ones' weddings down the aisle.
• Light a candle: Candles are a common symbol of remembrance and are simple to incorporate into your ceremony. You could light a candle in memory of your loved one and ask guests to join you in a moment of reflection.
• Choose meaningful flowers: There are flowers that symbolise remembrance and honour, such as white roses. You could also use your loved one's favourite flowers in your bouquet or ceremony decor.
• Play a special song: Music can be a powerful way to honour someone's memory. Pick a song that holds meaning and play it at your reception.
• Readings and quotes: Incorporate a reading or quote that reminds you of your loved one. You could also include a symbolic quote or an "In Loving Memory Of" tribute in your wedding program.

Remember, it's up to you how you choose to honour your loved ones. You can keep it explicit or more private and personal. The most important thing is that it feels authentic and helps you connect with their memory and your partner.

Frequently asked questions