Crafting The Perfect Wedding Program: A Step-By-Step Guide

A wedding program is a document that guides guests through the wedding ceremony, outlining the proceedings and introducing the wedding party. It's a great way to add a personal touch to your ceremony and make your guests feel welcome and involved.

When writing a wedding program, it's important to keep things simple, practical, and to the point. Start with the names of the bride and groom, followed by the wedding date and location. Then, include the order of the ceremony, such as the processional, recessional, greetings from the officiant, special readings, and the exchanging of vows and rings. You can also add a section to introduce the parents of the bride and groom, as well as the bridal party. If there are any religious traditions or customs, a brief explanation can be included to help guests understand their significance. Finally, don't forget to proofread your program before printing it!

Include names, date, and location

Including the names of the happy couple, the date, and the location of the ceremony is an important part of any wedding program. This information traditionally appears at the top of the program or on the front cover.

Front Cover

The front cover is a great place to include the names of the couple, the wedding date, and the venue. You could also include a favourite quote about love, a sketch of the couple in their wedding outfits, or a design that matches the theme of your wedding.

Inside Pages

The inside pages can include the order of the wedding ceremony, hymn lyrics, and readings. You may also want to include the names of the wedding party, the officiant, and any musicians or readers. If you wish, you can also include the lyrics to hymns and the names of readings and poems.

Back Cover

On the back cover, you can include details of the reception, such as the address and start time, and a list of everyone in the wedding party. You could also add a note thanking your guests for coming and honouring any loved ones who have passed away.

Outline the ceremony

A wedding program is a list of the events at your wedding ceremony. Here is a detailed outline of the ceremony:

Prelude and Processional

During the prelude, special family members such as mothers and grandparents are escorted and seated. The processional traditionally begins when the bride is escorted down the aisle. In same-sex weddings, one or both partners may walk or be escorted.

Opening Remarks

The officiant welcomes the guests and thanks them for attending. They may also speak about marriage in general and share the couple's love story.

Opening Prayer or Blessing

In a faith-based ceremony, the wedding ceremony begins with a prayer or a blessing of the couple.

Wedding Message or Wedding Sermon

This may be given by the officiant or a chosen loved one. It could include a sermon about marriage or a personal reflection on the couple.

Readings and Special Music

If you choose to have a loved one recite a reading or include a musical performance, note this in the program.

Vows and Ring Exchange

The couple recites their vows and exchanges rings.

Unity or Other Ceremony

Couples are getting creative with unity ceremonies! If you're having one, list the specific type, such as a sand-pouring ceremony, hand-tying ceremony, or ring-warming.

Pronouncement or Introduction of the Married Couple

The officiant makes an announcement to declare the couple officially married.

Recessional

The just-married couple walks back up the aisle, signalling the end of the ceremony.

Recognise the wedding party

Recognising the wedding party is an important part of your wedding program. This section could be your guests' favourite part, so be sure to include the names of each person involved in your big day, from the bridal party to the flower girl or page boy.

You can list the names of the parents of the happy couple, but you can also list the names of your grandparents, step-parents or great-grandparents. If you want to be more descriptive, you could add a one- or two-word description of each person's relationship to you (e.g. "mother of the bride"). This can be a great conversation starter at the reception.

If you are having a formal or religious wedding, you will list the first and last names of each person involved in the ceremony, including the officiant, acolytes and so on.

For a modern or minimalist ceremony, you might just write the names of family and friends involved. Whether or not you choose to write a description of your relationship with them is up to you.

Thank guests and honour loved ones

Thanking your guests and honouring loved ones is an important part of your wedding program. Here are some ideas on how to do this:

Thanking Your Guests

• It is a lovely gesture to thank your guests for coming. This can be short and sweet, such as "Thank you for your love and support. Today, and always."
• You can also mention how much their presence means to you, for example: "Your presence here today is an honour and a joy in our lives."
• If your guests have travelled to be with you, be sure to acknowledge this, e.g. "We are especially grateful for the distances that many have travelled to be here with us today."
• You could also thank your guests for their support and friendship over the years, and for being a part of your special day.

Honouring Loved Ones

• If you are remembering someone who has passed away, you can include a memorial section in your program. This could be a general note honouring those who are no longer with you, or you can specify particular names.
• Flowers or a candle are often used to symbolise the presence of loved ones who have passed away. You can note this in your program, for example: "The flowers on the unity candle table are in loving memory of those who cannot be here today."
• If you are including a photo or a small frame attached to your bouquet, you can mention this in your program: "The bride's bouquet contains family heirlooms and the rosary her mother received on her wedding day."
• You could also include a dedication or a quote, such as: "In memory of those who can no longer be with us in body but who will forever be in our hearts."

Add creative touches

Now that you've got the basics down, it's time to add some creative touches to your wedding program. Here are some ideas to make it unique and memorable:

• Your "How We Met" Story: Include a brief overview of how you and your partner met and fell in love. It could be a fun way to give your guests a glimpse into your journey as a couple.
• Illustrations or Photos: Add some visual interest to your program by including illustrations or photos. You can feature a picture from your engagement shoot, a colourful illustration of your wedding venue, or even a custom monogram.
• Fun Wedding Facts: Share some fun and unique details about your wedding. For example, if there's a special meaning behind the venue, date, floral arrangements, or attire, include this information in your program.
• Memorial Tribute: If you have lost loved ones who would have wanted to be at your wedding, you can honour them with a special message in your program. It will be a heartfelt gesture that their family and friends will surely appreciate.
• Creative Display Ideas: Think beyond the traditional paper pamphlet and get creative with how you display your wedding program. For example, you could use a chalkboard sign, a mirror, or even a banner calligraphed with the ceremony details.
• Personalised Thank You Notes: Take the opportunity to express your gratitude to your guests for attending and supporting your union. Write personalised messages that reflect your personality and make your guests feel extra special.
• Unique Designs: Match your wedding program to the rest of your wedding stationery, such as your save-the-date cards and invitations. You can also get creative with the paper type, using thicker card stock, coloured paper, or patterns that reflect your wedding theme.

Frequently asked questions