Creating Wedding Order Of Service Cards: A Simple Guide

Wedding order of service cards are an important part of wedding planning, providing a schedule of events for guests and helping the ceremony to run smoothly. They can be designed to match the wedding colour scheme and personalised with the couple's names and wedding date. Order of service cards can be as simple or detailed as desired, with some couples choosing to include fun facts, illustrations, or even the lyrics to hymns. Whether you're having a religious or civil ceremony, creating your own order of service cards can be a fun and creative part of the wedding planning process.

Choosing a design and colour scheme

When choosing a design and colour scheme for your wedding order of service, it's important to consider your wedding theme, colour palette, and personal style. Here are some tips to help you make a decision:

• Match Your Wedding Stationery: For a cohesive look, choose a design and colour scheme that complements your other wedding stationery, such as invitations, save-the-date cards, and table plans. This creates a delightful sense of consistency throughout your wedding day.
• Reflect Your Personality: Your wedding order of service is an opportunity to showcase your unique style as a couple. Consider incorporating personal touches, such as a sketch of you and your partner in your wedding outfits or a colour scheme that reflects your individual taste.
• Consider the Season: Take inspiration from the season of your wedding. For example, a spring or summer wedding might call for soft pastel colours, while a winter wedding could be enhanced by deep, luxurious hues.
• Think About the Setting: The location and setting of your wedding can also influence your design choices. A seaside wedding might incorporate nautical themes or colours, while a wedding in a lush garden setting could feature floral designs.
• Choose a Classic or Modern Look: Opt for a classic, elegant design with traditional fonts and subtle colours, or go for a more modern, minimalist approach with clean lines and a bold colour palette.
• Add Personalised Illustrations: Custom illustrations can make your wedding order of service truly unique. Consider including a drawing of your wedding venue, a map of the area, or even fun facts about you as a couple to surprise your guests.
• Incorporate Your Wedding Colours: Use your wedding colour palette as a starting point for your colour scheme. This will help to create a seamless visual connection between your order of service and the overall aesthetic of your wedding day.
• Explore Different Textures: Add a tactile element to your design by incorporating textures such as embossed patterns, foil stamping, or even baker's twine for a rustic touch.
• Keep it Simple or Go Detailed: Depending on your preference, you can opt for a simple, sleek design with minimal details or go all out with intricate illustrations, fun facts, and comprehensive information about the ceremony.
• Involve Your Wedding Party: If you're including the names of your wedding party in the order of service, consider incorporating their input or personalising the design to match their outfits or roles.

Remember, your wedding order of service is not just a practical guide for your guests but also a special keepsake that reflects your wedding day and your journey as a couple. Choose a design and colour scheme that speaks to your heart and celebrates your unique love story.

Selecting the type of paper

• Thickness and Weight: The thickness and weight of the paper can vary, and this will affect the durability and foldability of the cards. For example, thicker paper can make metallic foils and embossing stand out more, while thinner paper is usually cheaper and can help reduce mailing costs if you're posting invitations. If you want to create a foldable card, consider the weight and thickness to ensure it folds neatly and doesn't crack or tear.
• Finish: The finish of the paper refers to its texture and appearance. Common finishes include matte, gloss, pearlescent, and recycled. Matte paper has a dull finish and is suitable if you want a simple and elegant look. It's also a good choice if you want to include photos or graphics, as they will look more vibrant compared to uncoated stock. Gloss finish paper has a shiny, smooth surface that can make colours pop. Pearlescent paper has a shimmering finish, perfect for adding a touch of elegance or glamour to your cards. Recycled paper is an environmentally-friendly option that can also give your cards a unique, natural feel.
• Colour: The colour of the paper can be chosen to match your wedding colours or theme. Classic options include white and ivory, but you can also opt for coloured paper to add a playful or elegant touch. Just be sure to test coloured paper beforehand, as it can affect the appearance of printed colours.
• Writability: If you want your guests to be able to write on the order of service cards, such as for notes or lyrics, consider using uncoated or matte paper. Glossy paper, while visually appealing, may smudge or resist writing.
• Durability: Consider the durability of the paper, especially if you want the cards to be kept as mementos. Heavier, more durable paper will last longer and withstand handling better. Lighter-weight paper is more prone to crumpling or tearing, so it may not be suitable if you want long-lasting cards.
• Cost: Finally, consider your budget when selecting the type of paper. Some specialty papers, such as metallic or textured options, may be more expensive. Compare prices and decide based on your overall wedding budget.

Remember to request samples of different papers to get a feel for their appearance and quality before making your final decision.

Adding personal touches

Creative Design and Illustrations:

Choose a design that reflects your style as a couple. Opt for customised illustrations or hand-drawn sketches of you and your partner in your wedding outfits for the cover. You can also include a hand-drawn illustration of your venue to give guests a sneak peek. Alternatively, select a theme that ties in with your other wedding stationery, such as save-the-date cards and invitations.

Quotes and Lyrics:

Start or end the order of service with a favourite quote about love. If there are special songs or lyrics that hold meaning for you, include them in the programme. You can also add the names of the songs you'll be entering and leaving the ceremony to, as well as any background music played during the signing of the register.

Monograms and Personalised Messages:

Create a monogram with your initials or names, and incorporate it into the design. You can use monograms on various items, from the order of service cards to napkins and drinks stirrers. Additionally, consider including a custom message on the back of the cards, such as a favourite quote or a heartfelt thank-you note to your guests.

Table Names/Numbers:

Instead of numbering the tables, get creative and assign names that hold significance for you. These could be places you've travelled together, your favourite drinks, books, sports teams, or music artists. It adds a fun element for your guests as they try to guess the connections.

Photos and Memorabilia:

Add a personal touch by including photos on the place cards, featuring you and your close friends. For guests you may not have photos with, a Facebook profile picture could be a fun option. You can also create a photo wall to celebrate family members who couldn't be there, displaying past generations' wedding photos.

Signature Cocktails:

Include your favourite drinks or signature cocktails in the order of service. This allows guests to order something they know you'll enjoy, and it adds a personal touch to the bar menu. You can even include a fun fact or a "Cheers" greeting on the napkins, making the drink options more interactive and engaging.

Knowing what to include

The first thing to include is the entrance of the bride, along with details of the music for the processional. This can be followed by a hymn, verse, or singing, for which you can include the words so guests can follow along. Next, you may want to include a welcome by the priest, vicar, or registrar, and then the marriage ceremony itself. If you have them, you can then list any readings, including the name of the reading and author, and which guest or member of the bridal party will be doing the reading.

After the readings, you can include the signing of the register and, if you wish, the names of the witnesses. The recessional can come next, along with details of the music. If you are having a religious ceremony, you may also want to include a final prayer and blessing.

On the back page, you can include details of the reception and a list of everyone in the wedding party. You could also add a nice quote that is meaningful to you as a couple.

Printing and proofreading

Once you've decided on the content and design of your wedding order of service cards, it's time to think about printing and proofreading. Here are some tips to ensure a smooth process:

Printing:

• Consider the paper quality and finish: Choose a paper type that aligns with your wedding colours and theme. Options include classic white or ivory shades, recycled paper, pearlescent finishes, or standard matte paper.
• Quantity: Determine the number of cards needed, allowing for potential mistakes during printing and any last-minute additions to your guest list.
• Timing: Plan ahead to avoid rushing. Printing typically takes a few days, and you may need to account for shipping time if using an online service.
• Customisation: If you want to include personalised illustrations, ensure you allow sufficient time for their creation.
• DIY or Professional: Decide whether you will print the cards yourself or use a professional printing service. Professional services often offer customisation and can provide a seamless, high-quality finish.
• Proofreading: Before printing, ask a detail-oriented friend or family member to review your order of service cards for any typos or errors.

Proofreading:

• Typos and Errors: A fresh pair of eyes can help identify any mistakes you may have missed.
• Consistency: Ensure the formatting, spelling, and capitalisation are consistent throughout the cards.
• Timing: Allow ample time for proofreading, ideally several days, to ensure nothing is missed.
• Key Information: Double-check that all essential details are included, such as the order of proceedings, song choices, and the names of those involved.
• Final Review: After making any necessary changes, conduct a final review to ensure no new errors have been introduced.

By following these steps for printing and proofreading, you can ensure your wedding order of service cards are both informative and aesthetically pleasing.

Frequently asked questions