Crafting A Wedding Programme: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding programmes are a great way to keep your guests informed and engaged during your big day. They can also double up as beautiful mementos of the occasion. While they are not a must-have, they are often welcomed by guests as they provide a timeline of what to expect and when. In this article, we will explore how to make a wedding programme, covering everything from the content and design to the distribution. We will also suggest some unique ideas to make your wedding programme stand out and become a memorable keepsake for you and your guests.

Cover Page

The cover page of your wedding programme is the first thing your guests will see, so it's important to make a good impression. Here are some tips and ideas to help you create a beautiful and informative cover page:

Names, Date, and Location:

The cover page should include the couple's names, the event date, and the wedding location. It is also a good idea to add the ceremony start time as a reminder for guests. While the address is not necessary, as your guests will already have that information, including the venue name will be a nice reminder of the occasion's specifics when looked back on.

Design and Style:

There is no set style for a wedding programme cover page, so feel free to get creative and choose a design that reflects your personality and wedding theme. You can opt for a simple, elegant font with the couple's names, date, and location, or you can add illustrations, photos, or other visual elements. Consider using high-quality cardstock or paper to add a luxurious feel.

Visual Elements:

If you want to include visual elements, consider adding a picture from your engagement shoot, a colourful illustration of your wedding venue, or even a custom monogram. You can also incorporate meaningful aspects through visual elements, such as a watercolour illustration of your venue. This adds a unique and personalised touch to your programme.

Quotes or Lyrics:

If there is a particular quote, song lyric, or poem about love and relationships that holds significance to you and your partner, consider adding it to your cover page. It will set the tone for your guests and add a sentimental touch to your programme.

Keep it Simple:

While you may want to include a lot of information, it's important to keep the cover page simple and elegant. Focus on the essential details and consider the overall aesthetic. You don't want the cover page to look cluttered or overwhelming.

Remember, the cover page is just the beginning. You can include more detailed information, such as the order of events, names of ceremony participants, and personal messages inside the programme.

Order of Events

The order of events is a crucial aspect of a wedding programme, providing guests with a timeline of the ceremony and helping them feel involved. Here is a suggested order of events for your wedding programme:

Processional

Begin by listing the names of those who will be part of the processional, such as the parents, maid of honour, best man, bridesmaids, and groomsmen. This is also an excellent opportunity to acknowledge the people who have supported you and your partner through the wedding planning process.

Welcome and Introduction

Include the name of the officiant if they will be opening with introductory words. You may also want to share a few sentences about how you know each person in the wedding party, giving your guests fun insight into your VIPs.

Readings

If you plan to include readings, list their titles and the names of the readers. Readings can be religious or non-religious, such as poetry or speeches. If you're having a religious ceremony, consider providing the title, page number, and lookup information for any passages so that guests can follow along.

Exchange of Vows

The exchange of vows is a standard part of any wedding ceremony, whether traditional or personal.

Ring Ceremony

Like the exchange of vows, the ring ceremony is another traditional element of the wedding ceremony.

Pronouncement of Marriage

This is the moment when the officiant declares you and your partner to be married.

Recessional

The recessional marks the end of the ceremony. You may want to include a special send-off, such as confetti or bubbles, which guests can use as you exit the ceremony.

Remember, the order of events can be customised to fit your unique ceremony. You can keep it simple by mentioning only the basics or go into more detail, depending on your preference.

Names of Ceremony Participants

The wedding programme is a great way to introduce and thank everyone involved in the ceremony. It's also a useful way to help guests identify who is who, in case they want to speak to any of the wedding party after the ceremony.

• Officiant: [Name of Officiant]
• Maid/Matron of Honour: [Name]
• Best Man: [Name]
• Bridesmaids: [Names]
• Groomsmen: [Names]
• Parents of the Bride: [Names]
• Parents of the Groom: [Names]
• Grandparents of the Bride: [Names]
• Grandparents of the Groom: [Names]

You can also include the relationship of each person to the bride and groom, for example:

Annie Oakley, Friend of the Bride

Bob Dole, Cousin of the Groom

If there are any special guests you would like to name, you can include them in this section.

Bios

If you want to include a more detailed acknowledgement of the wedding party, you could add a short biography for each person. This could include a brief description of your relationship with them, a funny anecdote, or a simple message of thanks.

Divorced Parents

If you need to list divorced parents on the programme, there are a few options for formatting:

Parent and step-parents' names on the same line:

Jane and John Smith (where Jane is the mother and John is the stepfather)

Bruce and Milly Jankins (where Bruce is the father and Milly is the stepmother)

Parents escorted by step-parents:

Jane Smith, escorted by her husband, John Smith

Bruce Jankins, escorted by his wife, Milly Jankins

List parents and step-parents separately:

Parents of the Bride: John Smith and Milly Jankins

Stepfather: Bruce Jankins

Illustrations/Photos

Illustrations and photos are a great way to personalise your wedding programme and make it a beautiful reminder of your celebration. You can include a photo from your engagement shoot, a colourful illustration of your wedding venue, or your custom monogram. You could even have a watercolour illustration made of your venue and incorporate it into your programme.

If you want to include photos, you can upload your own high-resolution images to design platforms like Canva, which offer a range of templates for you to customise. You can also browse their media library, which contains over a million stock images, icons, and illustrations.

You could also include a photo or illustration of yourself and your partner, or even a "how we met" story, to give your guests a glimpse into your relationship. This could be a condensed version of the relationship story you might have on your wedding website.

Acknowledgements

Thanking Your Guests

It's always a nice touch to include a message of thanks to your guests for attending and supporting your union. This can be a thoughtful note expressing your gratitude, making your guests feel even more welcome. Whether it's a simple sentence or a longer message, everyone will appreciate the sentiment.

Honouring Loved Ones

If you have loved ones who have passed away but would have loved to be a part of your special day, you can include a memorial tribute in your programme. Simply mention their names and add a heartfelt message about your relationship with them. This will be a sweet gesture that will surely move your guests, especially those who knew them.

Dedications

Your wedding programme is also an opportunity to dedicate a special message to loved ones who are unable to attend your wedding. This could be due to travel complications, illness, or any other reason. By acknowledging their absence, you're showing your guests that you're thinking of them on this important day.

Gratitude to the Wedding Party

Be sure to express your gratitude to your wedding party, including the officiant, groomsmen, bridesmaids, best man, maid of honour, flower girl, and ring bearer. Mentioning their names in the programme is a way to thank them for their support and honour the important role they play in your wedding.

Thanking Your Parents

According to wedding planner Tzo Ai Ang, couples often use the acknowledgements section to express their gratitude to their parents. This is a chance to acknowledge the important role your parents have played in your life and thank them for their love and support.

Feel free to add any additional messages of thanks to anyone else who has contributed to your wedding or supported you along the way. It's a great way to make your guests feel appreciated and valued on your special day.

Frequently asked questions