Crafting A Wedding Program Booklet: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding programs are a great way to help your guests follow the ceremony and understand any traditions you're incorporating. They can also be kept as a memento of your special day. If you're thinking of making your own wedding program booklets, there are plenty of ways to get creative. You can design your own from scratch, use a template, or ask a friend or family member to help. You can also choose from a variety of formats, such as half-fold, unfolded, z-fold, or booklets. To save time, you can use a computer program or purchase a DIY kit. When it comes to assembling your booklets, consider using colourful papers, ribbons, and decorations. You can even include special touches like poems, quotes, or photographs.

Choosing a format and size

Wedding programs can come in many different shapes, sizes, and formats. The most common sizes are 8.5-inch by 5.5-inch, 4.25-inch by 11-inch, and 5.5-inch by 5.5-inch, but you can choose any size you like.

The format of your wedding program can be as creative as you like. Here are some popular formats:

• Half-fold with four panels
• Unfolded card with two panels
• Z-fold with six panels
• Booklet (multi-page)
• Envelopes (often filled with confetti)
• Scroll (sealed with a custom sticker or tied with a ribbon)
• Paddle fan
• Flags
• Pyramid
• Accordion fold

When choosing a format, consider the theme of your wedding and whether you want your program to serve a dual purpose, such as a fan to keep guests cool or a bag of popcorn for them to snack on. You could also opt for something more traditional, such as a simple unfolded card with two panels.

If you're looking for a more unique option, you could create a program that doesn't look like a program at all. For example, you could have a hand-drawn illustration of the wedding venue, illustrated silhouettes of each bridesmaid, or a book or calligraphed petal pouch.

Selecting paper stock and finish

When selecting paper stock and finish for your wedding program booklets, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the weight of the paper is important. For a more luxurious feel, choose a thicker paper stock, such as 110 lb cardstock or higher. This will add a sense of elegance and quality to your programs. If you're printing at home, it's important to consider the capabilities of your printer. Some home printers may struggle with thicker paper stocks, so it's a good idea to refer to your printer's instructions and do a test print before purchasing large quantities.

The finish of the paper is another key consideration. For a modern look, opt for a bright white linen or cotton cardstock with a smooth, matte finish. This type of paper is also great for inkjet printing as it can hide imperfections. If you're going for a more traditional or elegant aesthetic, a soft-touch coating or a semi-matte finish can add a touch of sophistication. You can also experiment with textured paper, such as linen or felt cardstock, to create a unique, tactile experience for your guests.

When choosing the colour of your paper, consider the overall theme and colour scheme of your wedding. Matching the paper colour to your wedding colours will create a cohesive look. For a rustic or vintage-style wedding, brown kraft paper is a great option. If you want to add a touch of glamour, consider using a gloss paper stock. Don't be afraid to mix and match colours and textures to create a unique and personalised program.

Lastly, don't forget to think about the practical aspects. If you're printing at home, make sure the paper you choose is compatible with your printer. For framed or mounted signs, a lighter weight paper such as 65-100 lb cover stock will work fine. For flat programs, a heavier weight like 100-130 lb cover stock is more suitable. Keep in mind that very thick paper may require additional postage if you're mailing your programs. Always check with your local post office to ensure you're using the correct amount of postage.

Adding personal touches

Creative Designs and Formats

• Booklet-style with ribbon: Tie your wedding program into a booklet using a ribbon. You can use wired ribbon to help form the ribbon the way you want and give the "knot" a nice firm hold on the paper.
• Newspaper-style: Transform your wedding program into a newspaper-style format.
• Playbill: Create a Playbill-style program, including "The Players" (each attendant's picture and a short bio), a description of "Acts" (the ceremony events), and a "Producers' Note" (a letter to guests from the couple).
• Pamphlet: Print your programs on simple white printer paper, a lovely patterned background paper, or a classy linen paper, and bind them together with a paper trimmer and cardstock.
• Scrolls: Print your programs on marbled parchment paper, roll them into scrolls, and tie them with a ribbon and a sprig of eucalyptus.

Personalized Content and Details

• Wedding party bios: Include brief descriptions of each wedding attendant's relationship to you. You can also add a fun fact or memorable story about each person.
• Musical selections: List the songs being performed or played during the ceremony, along with the artists or composers. You can also explain why you chose each song and provide the lyrics if they hold special meaning.
• Passages and readings: Include any readings or passages from religious texts or other meaningful sources, along with the name of the reader and the title/author.
• Explanation of traditions: If you're incorporating any cultural or religious traditions, provide a brief explanation to educate your guests and ensure they feel included.
• Thank-you notes: Express your gratitude and appreciation for your guests' presence and support. You can also thank both sets of parents and include a memorial for deceased loved ones with a photograph, fond memory, poem, or quote.
• Favorite poems, quotes, or photographs: Include special touches such as these to make your program more personal and set the tone for the rest of the event.

Including the right information

Wedding programs are a wonderful way to help your friends and family follow the ceremony and understand the wedding traditions you're incorporating. They can also take theirs home as a keepsake. Here is some information you should consider including in your wedding program:

Names, Date, and Location

Start with a "cover page" that includes the who, where, and when of the event. Write out your names, the venue name and address, the full wedding date, and the ceremony start time. This will serve as a sweet reminder of the occasion's specifics when you or your guests look back on the programs in the future.

Outline of the Ceremony Proceedings

A timeline of the day is critical because it lets guests know where to be and when, and what to expect. You can keep things straightforward by just mentioning the basics, or go into detail. Think about including the order of the prelude and processional, which readings and songs are included, and any additional formalities. If you're having a religious ceremony, you should provide the title, page number, and look-up information for any passages, poems, or musical selections so that guests can follow along.

Names of Ceremony Participants

Shout out the people who have supported you through the wedding planning process and beyond. List everyone in your wedding, starting with the officiant, then both sets of parents, and finally, the wedding party, including flower girls and ring bearers. If there's room, add a few sentences about how you know each person to give your guests even more insight about your VIPs.

Your "How We Met" Story

A crowd-pleaser to include in your wedding programs is the story of how you fell in love. Start with how and where you met, then move to how you fell in love, and finally, how the question was popped.

Memorial Tribute

If you have loved ones who have passed away but would've loved your wedding, you can honor them in your program. Include their names and a heartfelt message about your relationship with them for a sweet tribute on your special day.

Printing and assembling

Once you've designed your wedding program, it's time to print and assemble. Here are some tips to help you with this process:

Printing

• If you're using a template, download the template and edit it to include your wedding details. You can use Microsoft Word or another word processing program to do this. Customise the text, creating as many pages as you need for your wedding program booklet.
• Choose the type of paper you want to print on. This could be simple white printer paper, patterned background paper, or classy linen paper.
• Print out your design onto 8.5" x 11" paper. If you're printing double-sided, make sure your printer is set up to do so.
• If you want a translucent overlay on top of your booklet, cut a sheet of white vellum to the same size as your pages and print on this as well.

Assembling

• Cut each page into three even pieces that are 8 1/2" tall and just under 3 3/4" wide.
• Cut a piece of coordinating cardstock that is slightly larger than your booklet pages. This will be used as a backing piece.
• Stack your pages in order, with the backing piece of cardstock at the back. The backing piece should be flush with the top of the pages and stick out about 1/4" on the other three sides, creating a border.
• Use a 1/4" rectangle punch to punch two slots in the stack, about 1/2" apart and 1/2" down from the top. This is where your ribbon will go. Adjust the size of the holes if you are using thicker or thinner ribbon.
• Choose a fairly wide ribbon and cut it to the desired length. You will need about 6" of ribbon per program, but this will depend on how far apart your holes are and the look you want to achieve.
• Take one set of pages and align all the top edges together.
• Poke both ends of the ribbon through the holes, from front to back.
• Lay the stack face-down on the table so that the ribbon is pointing up.
• Take the ribbon on the left and poke it through the hole on the right, so that it comes out the front. Then, take the ribbon on the right and poke it through the hole on the left, so that you have a criss-cross on the back of the booklet.
• Flip the booklet over and pull the ribbons snug and tight. Adjust and trim as needed.
• Flip the booklet back over to check that the crossed ribbons are flat and smooth.
• Now, when you flip the booklet back to the front, you should see a pretty faux bow with no tying required!

Frequently asked questions