Creating Wedding Programs With Publisher: A Step-By-Step Guide

A wedding program is a great way to keep your guests informed about the events and schedule of your wedding. It can also be a beautiful keepsake for your guests and a way to thank those who have attended. While it's not mandatory to have a wedding program, it can be a helpful addition to your wedding, especially if you want to guide your guests through any rituals or traditions they may be unfamiliar with.

If you're looking to create your own wedding programs using Microsoft Publisher, there are a few steps you can follow to make the process easier. First, open a blank document in Publisher and set your page orientation to landscape. Insert a vertical line down the middle of the page to serve as a guide during assembly, and then add a blank rectangle with your chosen colour in the centre, extending across both sides of the program.

Next, create text boxes for the different sections of your program, such as the couple's names, the wedding service details, and the wedding party. You can also add personal touches like a thank-you note, a photo, or even a crossword or bridal bingo! Play around with different fonts, colours, and text sizes to create a design that reflects your style and theme.

Once you're happy with the design, it's time to print your programs. You can choose to print them yourself or have them professionally printed to ensure they turn out just right. Finally, assemble your programs by scoring along the centre line, creasing, and rounding the corners. Add some tape and a craft stick to create a fan-like program your guests can use to cool down during the ceremony.

Choosing a template: Select from a range of free, customisable templates online

There are a variety of free, customisable wedding program templates available online. These templates are a great way to keep your guests informed about the events and proceedings of your wedding ceremony. They can also introduce your wedding party and explain certain traditions or rituals.

Canva, for example, offers a range of free and printable wedding program templates that are perfect for a DIY project. Their templates are easy to edit and customise, even if you don't have any graphic design experience. You can browse their collection of templates, which include Catholic wedding program templates and traditional wedding program templates. Each template comes with colour palette information, so you can match your program to your wedding motif.

Adobe Express also offers free wedding program templates, which you can customise with your own information and images.

The Knot has over 600 customisable options, which you can filter by colour palette, price, season, number of photo options, or theme styles. You can select a design, choose your colours, paper type, and quantity, and then personalise the template with your wedding ceremony details.

There are also free wedding program templates available on Template.net, which can be downloaded and printed. These templates are a great way to manage your expenses, as you can get them printed in bulk and add all the details about your wedding. They also have modern trifold wedding program templates that you can customise and send to your friends and family.

Front cover: Include names, date, and theme/colour scheme

The front cover of your wedding program is the first thing your guests will see, so it's important to make sure it includes all the essential information and gives a sneak peek of your wedding's theme or colour scheme. Here are some tips to create an informative and aesthetically pleasing front cover:

Names of the Couple:

The names of the couple should be the highlight of the front cover. You can go for a formal approach by including the full names of the bride and groom, or keep it casual with just the first names. For example, "Kelly Jo Holcomb And Bradley Michael Janis" for a formal tone or simply "Kelly and Brad" for a more relaxed feel.

Wedding Date:

Be sure to include the wedding date on the front cover so that guests can easily refer to it. You can format the date in different ways, such as "Nineteenth of May Two Thousand and Eighteen" for a formal look or "5.19.2018" for a more modern feel.

Theme or Colour Scheme:

Incorporating your wedding's theme or colour scheme into the front cover is a great way to give guests a glimpse of what to expect. If you're having a beach wedding, you might use colours like teal and sandy neutrals. Or, if your wedding is in a garden, consider a colour palette inspired by flowers and greenery. Don't be afraid to get creative and use colours that complement each other, like mauve, gold, and ecru, or sage, French blue, pale pink, gold, and cream.

Location: (Optional)

Including the wedding location on the front cover is optional, but it can be a nice touch, especially if the venue holds a special meaning for you. You can include the name of the venue, such as "Valley Church", or simply the city or town where the wedding will take place.

Formatting:

You have the flexibility to format the information on your front cover in a way that aligns with your wedding's theme and your personal style. For a formal wedding program, you might use a traditional font and symmetrical layout. On the other hand, a casual or modern wedding program might call for a more playful font and asymmetrical design.

Remember, the front cover is just the beginning! Feel free to get creative and add personal touches that reflect your unique style as a couple.

Inside: Add date, time, venue, ceremony details, and order of events

When creating the inside of your wedding program in Publisher, you'll want to include key details such as the date, time, venue, ceremony specifics, and the order of events. This section is crucial as it provides guests with essential information about the wedding ceremony and its timeline.

Date and Time:

Start by clearly stating the date and time of your wedding. Use a bold or slightly larger font for this to ensure it stands out. You could also add a small decorative element or border around the date and time to draw attention to it. For instance, you might write, "Saturday, the Sixth of August, Two Thousand and Twenty-three," with a delicate floral frame.

Venue:

Next, include the venue's name and address. You may also want to add a brief description, especially if the venue is outdoors. For example, "The Wedding Ceremony will take place at The Old Oak Manor, 123 Main Street, Anytown. Please join us afterward in the Grand Ballroom for the reception."

Ceremony Details:

This section can include specific moments or traditions within the ceremony that guests should be aware of. For instance, "We will be having a ring-warming ceremony, where the wedding bands travel through the audience for a blessing." You could also mention any cultural rituals or performances that are part of your ceremony.

Order of Events:

Here, you'll provide a timeline of the ceremony's proceedings. This helps guests follow along and stay engaged. For example: "3:00 pm - Bridal Party Processional. 3:05 pm - Bride's Entrance. 3:15 pm - Vows and Exchange of Rings. 3:30 pm - Unity Candle Ceremony. 3:45 pm - Introduction of the Newlyweds. 3:50 pm - Recessional." Adjust the timing and details to match your wedding's schedule.

Feel free to incorporate decorative elements, such as elegant borders or dividers, to break up the text and add visual appeal to this section. You can also carry your wedding's colour palette or theme throughout to create a cohesive design.

Back cover: List wedding party and a thank you note

The back cover of your wedding program is a great place to list your wedding party and include a thank-you note for your guests.

Listing your wedding party

You can include as many (or as few) details about your wedding party in your program as you wish. It is common practice to thank your wedding party by listing the names of your maid of honour, best man, bridesmaids, and groomsmen. You can also list them in the order they will walk down the aisle so that your guests can get a sense of who is who.

Writing a thank-you note

A thank-you message in your wedding program is a great opportunity to express your gratitude to your guests for their attendance and let them know how excited you are to have them be a part of your special day. Whether you choose to write a short thank-you note or a long one, the message should be sincere and genuine. Here is a template you can use:

"Thank you to all of our friends and family members for being a part of our special day! We are so grateful for your love and support, and we are thrilled to be able to share this joyous moment with you. We hope you enjoy the celebration."

If you want to keep your thank-you message short and sweet, you can use something like the following:

"Thank you for sharing this joyous moment with us!"

You can also use your wedding program to give special thanks to your parents and grandparents for their love and support, and for being a part of your big day.

Printing and assembly: Get professionally printed and assemble with friends

Once you've designed your wedding programs in Publisher, you'll need to get them printed. There are several options for professional printing services, including large companies like Staples and CVS/pharmacy, as well as smaller, local businesses like 2 Friends Printing. These companies offer a range of paper types, sizes, and binding options to choose from. You can typically upload your designs online or bring them into the store on a USB drive. Many companies offer affordable pricing, with some charging as little as $0.24 per page for black and white printing, and $0.29 per page for color printing.

After you've received your professionally printed wedding programs, it's time to assemble them with your friends. This can be a fun and efficient process with a few simple steps. First, gather all the supplies you'll need, including scissors, glue, or tape. Next, set up a workspace that has enough room for everyone to work comfortably. Before beginning the assembly, carefully read through the instructions and create a step-by-step plan. Divide the tasks among your friends, ensuring that everyone knows their role.

As you work, don't be afraid to ask for help or clarification if needed. Take breaks as necessary, and feel free to play music or chat to keep the atmosphere light and enjoyable. Finally, once the assembly is complete, be sure to clean up the workspace and thank your friends for their help. By following these steps, you'll have your wedding programs assembled in no time, and you'll also have created some wonderful memories with your friends.

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