Creating A Wedding Program With Word: A Step-By-Step Guide

A wedding program is a document that outlines the wedding ceremony and introduces the wedding party to the guests. It serves as a guide and provides helpful information about the order of events, participants, and other relevant details.

When creating a wedding program in Word, there are several key components to include:

1. Introduction: Start with a cover page that features the names of the couple, the date, time, and location of the wedding. This sets the tone and provides a nice keepsake for guests and the couple.

2. Ceremony Details: Provide an outline of the ceremony proceedings, including the processional, welcome, readings, vows, and any other special rituals. If there are religious elements, include relevant passages, poems, or songs with page numbers for guests to follow along.

3. Wedding Party Information: List the names of the officiant, parents of the couple, wedding party members, flower girls, ring bearers, ushers, and readers. You can also add a brief description of how you know each person or their relationship to the couple.

4. Additional Information: Include any unique traditions, cultural elements, or explanations of symbolic gestures. You can also add a thank-you message to your guests, memorial tributes, and directions to the reception venue if it's at a different location.

5. Design and Assembly: Choose a design that matches your wedding theme and stationery. You can opt for a single-page program, a folded booklet, or creative options like fans, mirrors, or banners. Assemble the programs with the help of friends and family, ensuring legible fonts and accurate spelling.

By following these steps and customizing your program to match your style, you'll create a meaningful and informative wedding program in Word that enhances your special day.

Introduction: Include the couple's names, wedding date, time and location

The first section of your wedding program should include an introduction with the names of the couple, the wedding date, time, and location. This is usually on the front cover or at the top of the first panel. The wording can be formal or casual, and you can include a short welcoming message to your guests. Here are some examples:

Traditional/Formal Introduction:

Welcome to the Wedding of Ashley Lynn Carter & Thomas Brooklyn Sawyer

East Brooke Lutheran Church

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Minimalist Introduction:

Celebrating Caitlin Hemseth and Sarah Colebright

Modern Introduction:

Welcome as Carley Lee Strong and Thomas Richard Perrin begin their lives together

You can also include a blessing or prayer as part of the introduction. If you're having an outdoor wedding, consider using creative formats such as program fans, treat bags, or mirrors to display your introduction and program details.

Ceremony Order: Outline the ceremony proceedings, including music and readings

Ceremony Order

The ceremony is the most important part of the wedding, as it is what makes your union legal and official. The ceremony order is flexible and can be customised, but there are a few key elements that are typically included. Here is a suggested outline for the ceremony proceedings:

Processional

Mark the beginning of the ceremony with a processional. The order of the processional is customisable but traditionally starts with the officiant, followed by the groom (or either partner for queer/non-binary couples), the groom's wedding party and honour attendants (best man), the maid of honour, bridesmaids, flower girl and ring bearer. Finally, the bride (or second partner) makes their entrance, escorted by a parent or alone.

Opening Remarks from the Officiant

Once everyone is in place, the officiant will give a short welcome speech. They may thank the guests for being present and speak about marriage in general and the couple's love story.

Readings or Poems

Next come the readings or poems. These can be religious texts, poems, spiritual texts or even excerpts from your favourite book or movie. Many couples ask family members or friends to come up to the altar and recite the chosen readings.

Unity Ceremony

If you are including a unity ceremony, such as a sand ceremony or handfasting, this would typically take place after the readings.

Vow Exchange and Declaration of Intent

Now it's time for the vows. You may write your own or stick to classic sentiments. This is where you speak about what you're promising to your partner. You can deliver your vows publicly or privately. After the vows comes the declaration of intent, where you and your partner verbally acknowledge that you are choosing to marry each other.

Ring Exchange

After the declaration of intent, you and your partner swap rings. The officiant first gives each of you the other's wedding ring, and you may say a few words about why the ring is significant.

Pronouncement and First Kiss

The officiant will now pronounce you and your partner as newlyweds, and you may share your first kiss as a married couple.

Recessional

The ceremony ends with the recessional, which follows the reverse order of the processional. The couple leads the way, and the officiant is usually the last to leave.

Wedding Party: List participants and their relationship to the couple

The wedding party is typically made up of the couple's closest family members and friends, who support them throughout the planning process and on the big day itself. Here are some ideas about how to list the wedding party and their relationship to the couple:

Names and Roles

You could list the wedding party members' full names, followed by their role/relationship to the couple. For example:

• John Smith, Father of the Groom
• Susan Smith, Mother of the Groom
• Emily Brown, Maid of Honor
• David Brown, Best Man
• Alice Carter, Bridesmaid
• Thomas Carter, Groomsman
• Lily Anderson, Flower Girl
• Daniel Anderson, Ring Bearer

Names and a Brief Description

Alternatively, you could list the wedding party members' first and last names, followed by a one- or two-word description of their relationship to the couple. For example:

• John Smith, Father of the Groom
• Susan Smith, Mother of the Groom
• Emily Brown, Maid of Honor, Friend of the Bride
• David Brown, Best Man, Brother of the Groom
• Alice Carter, Bridesmaid, Sister of the Bride
• Thomas Carter, Groomsman, Friend of the Groom
• Lily Anderson, Flower Girl, Niece of the Bride
• Daniel Anderson, Ring Bearer, Nephew of the Bride

Names Only

If you prefer a minimalist approach, you could simply list the first and last names of the wedding party members. However, this may make it less clear to guests who each person is, especially if they are unfamiliar with the couple's families.

Bios and Illustrations

For a more creative approach, you could include fun illustrations and a brief bio for each wedding party member. This can be a great way to help guests get to know the couple's VIPs a little better. You could include information such as how the person knows the couple, any responsibilities they have for the wedding, and any fun facts or anecdotes about their relationship.

Messages: Include a thank-you note and memorial message

Wedding programs are a great place to include some personal touches, such as a memorial section and a heartfelt thank-you note. This section can be placed at the end of the program. Here are some ideas for what to include in these messages:

In Loving Memory Examples:

• "As we celebrate our marriage, we have not forgotten those who have passed on. Instead, we remember them in our hearts. The bouquet at the front of the church is in remembrance of our family members who are no longer with us, especially [name of family member(s)]. In addition to the flower arrangement at the altar, the bride's bouquet contains family heirlooms from [name of family member(s)] and the rosary her mother received on her wedding day."
• "We lovingly remember our family members who are with us today in spirit. May the bouquet on the altar be a symbol of their presence."
• "The flowers in front of the church are in loving memory of our grandparents, who are not able to be here today to celebrate with us but are watching from heaven and will always be in our hearts. [List grandparents' names]."
• "The flowers on the unity candle table are in loving memory of those who cannot be here today. Although we cannot see you, we know you are here, smiling down, watching over us as we say 'I do.' You are forever in our hearts and in our lives. Today, we say our vows in loving memory of you."

Thank-You Examples:

• "First and foremost, we would like to thank God for bringing us together. Through Him, our love will always endure. We would also like to thank our parents for their unconditional love, guidance, and influence in our lives. We love you. Words cannot express how thankful we are to be blessed with such wonderful family and friends. Thanks to each and every one of you for being a part of our special day."
• "To our parents, you are our role models, support systems, inspiration, and best friends. Thank you for leading us by example. Your display of faith, hope, love, and respect will forever guide us in the way we appreciate and cherish one another. We appreciate everything you do for us. We love you and could not thank you enough. To our families and friends, you fill our lives with love and laughter. It means the world to us to have you here. We hope that you enjoy tonight's celebration."
• "We would like to thank our family and friends for sharing with us the first day of our life together and for traveling both near and far to be here. We have been blessed by your gracious love, support, and friendship over the years. We especially want to thank our parents, who are such an inspiration to us and taught us to love from the beginning."
• "We feel truly blessed to have each of you here today to witness the joining of two hearts in the presence of God. The friendship, love, and support you have shown means so much to us. A special thanks to those who have traveled a long distance to be here today. An extra special thanks to our parents, whose love and support made us the people we are today. Love, [names of couple]."
• "To our family and friends, thank you. It means the world to have you here today. Thank you for being our support system, our encouragement, our partners in crime, and for loving us through the ups and downs of life. For being our mentors, teachers, and guides. You have helped to make us who we are, and for that, we are forever grateful. So please enjoy today and let it be but a small gift for all you have done. You are our favorite people in the world, and we love you."

Design: Choose a style, e.g. classic, booklet or fan

When designing your wedding programs, there is no "right" or "wrong" approach. You can make your program as detailed as you like, but it's best to keep it short and sweet. After all, you want all eyes on you, not on your program, during the ceremony.

Classic Wedding Program

A traditional single-page program is always a great choice. You can use thicker card stock, coloured paper, or a pattern that matches your wedding theme (e.g. botanical, tropical, under the stars) to achieve a unique look.

Ways to Display:

• Place the programs on each ceremony chair
• Ask ushers to pass them out to guests
• Display them in a self-serve basket at the welcome table
• Add a hole punch to the top and tie the programs to chair backs with ribbon or twine

Ceremony Program Booklets

When there's more information you want to communicate to your guests, a longer booklet is a good option. For example, if your cocktail hour and reception are in a different location, you might want to include directions.

Ways to Display:

• Display the booklets upright on tables at the entrance to the ceremony
• Decorate the tables with flowers or items that match your wedding theme

Ceremony Program Fans

Double-sided paper fans will keep guests cool if your ceremony is during warmer temperatures. This design is perfect for a beach or summer wedding, especially when guests will be outdoors and in direct sunlight.

Ways to Display:

• Place the fans in delicate baskets so guests can take one as they enter the venue
• Put a fan on each seat

Frequently asked questions