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

Planning a wedding can be stressful, and it's easy for costs to spiral. One way to save money is to make your own wedding program. This can be a fun and thoughtful way to prepare your guests for the order of events and introduce them to your wedding party. It can also be a beautiful keepsake. You can create a design that matches your wedding theme, whether that's rustic chic, vintage, Tuscan, or inspired by Harry Potter. You can include an outline of the ceremony events, a brief overview of the wedding-day timeline, your how we met story, musical selections/lyrics, and a message of thanks to your guests.

Choosing a design: Pick a template, colour scheme, and font style

When choosing a design for your wedding program, there are a few key elements to consider: the template, colour scheme, and font style.

Template

The template you choose will depend on your wedding theme and your personal preferences. If you're looking for a classic and elegant style, a single-page program with a simple design might be the best option. On the other hand, if you want something more unique and creative, you could choose a fan-shaped program, a map, or even a luggage tag design. Consider the overall style and theme of your wedding and choose a template that complements it.

Colour Scheme

The colour scheme of your wedding program should tie into your wedding colours or the overall theme of your wedding. This will create a cohesive look and feel to your wedding stationery. Consider using colours that are complementary or choose a single accent colour to make your program stand out. You can also use colour to highlight different sections of your program or to match the season of your wedding (e.g. pastel colours for a spring wedding).

Font Style

When choosing a font style, legibility is key. You want your guests to be able to easily read the information on the program. Avoid overly fancy or cursive fonts that may be difficult to read, especially for older guests. Instead, opt for clean and simple fonts that complement your chosen template and colour scheme. You can use different font sizes to create a hierarchy of information, highlighting important details like the names of the couple or the order of events.

There are many online tools and platforms that offer customizable wedding program templates, such as Canva, The Knot, and Minted. These sites often provide a range of design elements, including various font styles and colour schemes, to help you create a beautiful and personalized wedding program.

Adding personal touches: Include photos, illustrations, and your wedding monogram

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 wedding monogram:

Photos

Including photos in your wedding program is a wonderful way to share your journey as a couple. Consider adding photos of you and your partner from childhood to adulthood, showcasing your growth and love story. You can also use photos of important moments or milestones in your relationship, such as your first date, engagement, or special vacations. Another idea is to create a collage of photos with your wedding party, honouring your closest friends and family. These photos will not only add a personal touch but also introduce your wedding party to your guests.

Illustrations

Illustrations can add a whimsical and romantic flair to your wedding program. Consider using lovey-dovey doodles, handwritten details, or line drawings related to weddings and romance, such as wedding cakes, champagne bottles, or lovebirds. These illustrations can be incorporated not only on the cover but also throughout the program, framing the text or as decorative elements. If you're feeling creative, you can even try drawing them yourself! Otherwise, you can commission an illustrator to create custom illustrations that reflect your style and personality as a couple.

Wedding Monogram

Your wedding monogram is a symbol of your union and can be used consistently across your wedding stationery, decor, and even your wedding website. Create a personalized monogram using your initials and wedding date, choosing a style and colour scheme that matches your theme. This monogram can be included on the cover of your wedding program, as well as on each page as a decorative watermark. It can also be incorporated into other wedding details, such as your invitations, thank-you cards, favour tags, and decor, creating a cohesive and elegant look throughout your wedding.

Remember, your wedding program is a reflection of you as a couple, so feel free to get creative and think outside the box! By including photos, illustrations, and your wedding monogram, you'll add a unique and memorable touch to your special day.

Ceremony details: List the order of events, readings, and music

The ceremony is the most important part of the wedding day, as it's when the couple officially becomes married. Here is a detailed order of events, readings, and music suggestions for the ceremony:

Order of Events

The processional is the first part of the ceremony, which involves the entrance of the wedding party and the couple. The order of the processional can vary, but traditionally, the officiant leads the way, followed by the groom, the groom's wedding party and honour attendants, the maid of honour, bridesmaids, flower girl, and ring bearer. Finally, the bride enters, escorted by a parent or alone.

Once everyone is in place, the officiant gives the opening remarks, welcoming the guests and thanking them for their presence. The officiant may also speak about marriage and the couple's love story.

Next are the wedding readings or poems, which can be chosen from any text that holds meaning for the couple. Religious ceremonies typically include readings from holy texts, while secular ceremonies may include passages from books or movies. Family members or friends can be invited to recite the chosen readings.

After the readings, the couple exchanges their vows and makes their declaration of intent, also known as the "I do's". This is the legally binding part of the ceremony, where the couple verbally agrees to enter the marriage contract.

Following the vows, the couple exchanges wedding rings. The officiant first gives each partner the other's ring, and the couple may choose to say a few words about the significance of the ring exchange.

Finally, the officiant pronounces the couple as newlyweds and gives them permission to share their first kiss as a married couple. The recessional then begins, usually following the reverse order of the processional, with the couple leading the way out.

Readings

The wedding readings or poems can be chosen from a variety of sources, depending on the couple's preferences and the theme of the wedding. Here are some suggestions:

• Excerpts from the couple's favourite books or movies
• Romantic poems or spiritual texts
• For religious ceremonies, passages from holy texts such as the Bible, Quran, or other sacred scriptures

Music

Music plays a crucial role in setting the tone for the ceremony. Here are some suggestions for different parts of the ceremony:

Prelude

• "Canon in D Major" – Pachelbel Orchestra
• "Bella's Lullaby" – Carter Burwell, Dan Redfeld, and Elizabeth Hedman
• "Make You Feel My Love" – Adele

Processional

• "Bridal Chorus (Lohengrin)" – Richard Wagner
• "Ode to Joy from Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125: Choral" – Beethoven
• "A Thousand Years" – Christina Perri

During the Ceremony

• "Perfect" – Ed Sheeran
• "All of Me" – John Legend
• "When You Love a Woman" – Journey

Recessional

• "Best Day of My Life" – American Authors
• "Ho Hey" – Lumineers
• "I Say a Little Prayer" – Aretha Franklin

Recognising the wedding party: Name key participants and their roles

The wedding party is a group of people close to the couple who are selected to be part of the wedding ceremony, plan pre-wedding events, and support the couple in various ways ahead of their walk down the aisle. The wedding party is usually made up of close friends and family members of the couple, with some roles designated for young children.

Maid/Matron/Man/Person of Honour

The maid/matron/man/person of honour is the bride's right-hand person throughout the planning process and on the wedding day. They help the bride with all aspects of the wedding, from planning to selecting bridesmaids' dresses. They are usually a sibling or best friend of the bride. On the wedding day, they offer emotional support to the bride and help with tasks such as bustling the gown or affixing the veil. They also give a speech during the reception and sign the marriage license.

Best Man/Woman/Person

The best man/woman/person has a similar role to the maid of honour, but they support the groom. They are usually a sibling or best friend of the groom and stand by his side during the wedding. Their responsibilities include planning the bachelor party, writing a speech, helping with wedding arrangements, and holding the rings. They also sign the marriage license and give a toast at the reception.

Bridesmaids/Bridesmen

Bridesmaids and bridesmen are close friends or relatives of the bride. They take an active role in planning the wedding and are expected to help plan the bridal shower. On the wedding day, they walk down the aisle ahead of the bride and may show guests to their seats or hand out favours.

Groomsmen/Groomsladies

The groomsmen/groomsladies are the counterparts of the bridesmaids and have similar duties. They are usually close friends or relatives of the groom and will be involved in events such as the bachelor party and rehearsal dinner. They support the groom and may welcome guests and show them to their seats if there are no ushers.

Flower Girl/Boy

The flower girl/boy is a charming addition to the wedding party, usually a young niece, sister, or family friend's daughter/son. They walk down the aisle with the bridesmaids, scattering petals. They may also wear a flower crown.

Ring Bearer

The ring bearer is usually a young child who carries the rings down the aisle. This role is often given to another member of the wedding party, such as the best man or flower girl, but it can also be given to a family member or even a pet.

Parents of the Couple

The parents of the couple often have important roles in a wedding. The mother of the bride often spends the wedding day with the bride, helping her get ready, and may give a speech at the rehearsal dinner or reception. The father of the bride traditionally pays for the wedding and gives a speech at the reception, as well as participating in the father-daughter dance. The mother of the groom lends support to the groom and acts as a host at the event, and may also take part in planning. The father of the groom may help organise aspects of the wedding, give a speech, and welcome guests.

Ushers

Ushers are members of the wedding house party, an extension of the central wedding party. They greet guests and show them to their seats before the ceremony. They are often close friends or family members, including pre-teens.

Officiant

The officiant performs the ceremony and is responsible for the paperwork, including the marriage license. They can be a religious cleric or celebrant, or a friend or family member who gets ordained for the occasion.

Printing and distribution: Print at home or use a service, then hand out to guests

Printing and distributing your wedding program is the final step in sharing your special day with your guests. There are a few options to consider when it comes to printing and distribution.

Printing Options

You can print your wedding programs at home, at a local print shop, or through an online service. If you are printing at home, consider the type of paper you will use. Cardstock is a popular choice, as it is thick and sturdy, but be sure to select a weight that is compatible with your printer. You can also get creative and choose coloured or patterned paper that ties into your wedding theme.

Distribution Options

There are several ways to distribute your wedding programs to your guests. You can place them on each ceremony chair, have groomsmen hand them out, or set up a self-serve basket at a welcome table. If you have extra time, you can punch a hole in the top of each program and tie them to the chair backs with ribbon or twine. This adds a decorative touch and ensures that each guest has a program.

Final Thoughts

No matter which printing and distribution method you choose, be sure to order a few extra copies in case of last-minute spills or guests who want to take an extra copy for friends or family who could not attend.

Frequently asked questions