Writing The Date: Wedding Program Style Guide

A wedding program is a document that outlines the schedule of a wedding ceremony and introduces the wedding party. It is a useful guide for guests and a keepsake for the couple. The date, time, and location of the wedding ceremony are usually included on the cover of the wedding program. While there is no right or wrong way to design a wedding program, it is important to be consistent with the date formatting. The traditional way to write the date is to spell it out completely, using words instead of numerals. For example, Saturday, the twenty-sixth of October, two thousand and twenty-four.

Date and location

The date and location are essential components of a wedding program. This section serves as a "cover page" and provides the who, where, and when of the event. Here are some tips and suggestions for including the date and location in your wedding program:

Basic Information:

Start by including the full wedding date, ceremony start time, venue name, and address. It is recommended to write out the date and time in full, without abbreviations or numerals. For example:

"Saturday, the twenty-sixth of October, two thousand and twenty-four, at four o'clock in the afternoon"

Or

"Saturday, October 26th, 2024, 4:00 pm"

Formal or Casual Tone:

The wording and format of the date and location can vary depending on the formality of your wedding. For a more traditional or formal wedding, use a more elegant and classic style. For example:

"Saturday, the twenty-sixth of October, two thousand and twenty-four"

For a casual or informal wedding, you can be more relaxed in your wording:

"Saturday, Oct 26, 2024"

Or

"26.10.2024"

Matching Stationery:

Consider matching the style and design of your wedding program to your other wedding stationery, such as save-the-date cards and invitations. This creates a cohesive look throughout your wedding celebration.

Welcoming Message:

You can include a short welcoming message to your guests, along with the date and location information. This can be a simple one-liner or a more detailed message, depending on your preference. For example:

"Welcome to our wedding"

Or

"We are thrilled to celebrate our special day with you"

Cultural or Unique Venue:

If your wedding is at a unique or cultural venue, be sure to include this information. It adds a special touch to your program and provides a clear picture of the setting for your guests. For instance:

"The Lodge at Torrey Pines, La Jolla, California"

Or

"The Boat House at Central Park, New York City"

In conclusion, the date and location section of your wedding program is important for providing practical information and setting the tone for your celebration. Feel free to personalize it to match your wedding's style and theme, creating a memorable keepsake for you and your guests.

Date format

The date is a key component of a wedding program, and there are several ways to format it depending on the style of your wedding and your personal preferences. Here are some options for how to write the date on your wedding program:

Traditional Format

The traditional way to write the date is to spell it out completely, using words instead of numerals. For example, if your wedding is on Saturday, October 26, 2024, the date would be written as "Saturday, the twenty-sixth of October two thousand twenty-four". Here are some guidelines for this format:

• Capitalize the day of the week (e.g., "Saturday") and separate it from the date with a comma.
• For dates from the 21st to the 31st of a month, use a hyphen between the tens and ones place (e.g., "twenty-eighth").
• Write out the full month in capital letters without abbreviations (e.g., "October").
• The year is typically written separately from the day and month, and there are no commas between the month and year.
• There is no "and" in the year (e.g., use "two thousand sixteen" instead of "two thousand and sixteen").

Casual or Informal Format

If you're having a more casual wedding, you can write the date more informally. For a wedding on Sunday, May 17, 2025, you could use the format "Saturday, May 17th, 2025". Here, the day of the week is still capitalized, but the date is written in a more concise manner. You may also use numerals, such as "Saturday, 8/15/2026" for a wedding on August 15, 2026.

Modern or Minimalist Format

For a modern or minimalist wedding, you may choose to keep the date format simple and concise. You can write just the date and the couple's names, such as "Celebrating Caitlin Hemseth and Sarah Colebright, 05.17.2025". This format omits the day of the week and uses a numerical date format.

Formal or Religious Wedding

If you're having a formal or religious wedding, you may want to include additional details such as the time of the ceremony and the venue's address. For example: "Saturday, the twenty-sixth of October two thousand twenty-four, at three o'clock in the afternoon, East Brooke Lutheran Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma".

Remember, the date format you choose should be consistent with the style and theme of your wedding and can be tailored to match the tone of your wedding program and invitation suite.

Time format

When it comes to writing the time on your wedding program, there are a few different ways to format it, depending on how traditional or formal your wedding is. Here are some guidelines to help you choose the best time format for your wedding program:

Traditional and Formal Weddings:

If you're having a traditional or formal weddings, there are certain conventions to follow when writing the time. Here are some tips:

• Write out the time in full, using words instead of numerals. For example, for 3:30 pm, you would write "half after three o'clock".
• If the time is on the hour, simply write "three o'clock".
• Avoid using "o'clock" for half-hour times.
• Use "half after" instead of "half past".
• Do not include "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening" unless there could be confusion. For example, for a wedding at 8 am, you would write "eight o'clock in the morning".
• For times between noon and 4:30 pm, use "in the afternoon".
• For times from 5 pm onwards, use "in the evening".
• Avoid using "am" or "pm".

Casual and Informal Weddings:

If your wedding is more casual or informal, you have more flexibility with the time format. Here are a few options:

• Write out the time using numerals, such as "4pm" or "5:30pm".
• Use a combination of words and numerals, such as "four o'clock" or "7:30 pm".
• Be consistent with the level of formality between the date and time. For example, if you write the date in full, write out the time as well.

Remember, these are just guidelines, and you can adapt them to fit your wedding's style and tone. Working with a stationer can also help you decide on the best time format for your wedding program.

Order of ceremony events

The order of events at a wedding ceremony is largely determined by the type of ceremony the couple is having. However, there are a few standard components that are usually included. Here is a detailed outline of the order of events for a traditional wedding ceremony:

Processional

Marking the beginning of the ceremony, the processional is when members of the immediate family and wedding party head down the aisle and take their places. The order typically starts with the bride's mother, followed by the groom (accompanied by his best man), the paired-up wedding party, flower girl, and ring bearer. The bride, escorted by her father, is usually the last to make her entrance.

Opening Remarks and Introduction

Once everyone is in place, the officiant begins the ceremony with a few words of welcome, thanking the guests for their presence. They may also share a brief recounting of the couple's love story or thoughts on the significance of marriage.

Readings

If the couple chooses to include readings, invited guests or family members will be invited up to share a few words. These readings can be religious passages, poems, or any other meaningful text.

Vows and Ring Exchange

The couple will then exchange vows, followed by the ring exchange, which symbolises their marriage. They may opt to write their own vows or use traditional phrasing.

Unity Ceremony (optional)

The couple may choose to include a unity ceremony, such as lighting a unity candle or performing a sand ceremony, to symbolise their new union.

Pronouncement and First Kiss

The officiant will then pronounce the couple as newlyweds, and they will share their first kiss as a married couple.

Recessional

The recessional marks the end of the ceremony, with the couple leading the way out, followed by the wedding party in reverse order of the processional.

Reception

The reception usually follows the ceremony and can include additional events such as the first dance, dinner, speeches, and other celebrations.

It's important to note that the order of events can be customised to fit the couple's preferences, cultural traditions, and the overall ambiance they wish to create.

Wedding party introductions

A wedding program is a document that guides guests through the wedding ceremony, outlining the proceedings and including the names of those participating. Here are some ideas for wedding party introductions:

Individual Introductions

The DJ or emcee can announce each member of the wedding party individually, sharing fun facts about them as they make their entrance. This is a great way to give your bridal party the spotlight and let your guests get to know them better.

Pair or Group Introductions

A more traditional approach is to introduce the wedding party in pairs or groups. For example, the groomsmen can be announced as a group, followed by the bridesmaids, and then the bride and groom. This option works well for larger wedding parties and can speed up the introduction process.

Creative Entrances

If you want to add a unique twist to the introductions, consider having your wedding party ride in on motorized toys, carry giant glow sticks, or even swap outfits! These unexpected entrances are sure to surprise and delight your guests.

Choreographed Dance

For a high-energy introduction, have your wedding party learn a short choreographed dance routine. This can be a fun flash mob-style performance that gets everyone excited and sets the tone for the rest of the celebration.

Simple Recognition

If grand entrances aren't your style, a simple recognition of your wedding party can be made through a speech or toast. You can express your gratitude and acknowledge their presence without a formal introduction. This can also be done at the rehearsal dinner, where you can thank each person individually.

Bios and Fun Facts

Whether in your wedding program or on your wedding website, including bios and fun facts about your wedding party is a great way to introduce them to your guests. Share how you met, favourite memories, and why they hold a special place in your life. This adds a personal touch and helps your guests feel more connected to your VIPs.

Frequently asked questions