Planning A Wedding: To Program Or Not?

Wedding programs are a great way to add a personal touch to your big day and can be especially useful for guests to refer to during the ceremony. They can be used to outline the day's events, from the ceremony to the reception, and provide a keepsake for guests to take home. While they are not required, they can be helpful for more elaborate weddings or those with unique cultural or religious rituals that guests may be unfamiliar with. Ultimately, the decision to create wedding programs is a personal choice and depends on the specific needs and preferences of the couple.

Names, Date, and Location

Wedding programs are a great way to provide guests with key information about your special day. While they are not mandatory, they can be a helpful and thoughtful addition to your wedding.

The cover page of your wedding program is an excellent opportunity to showcase the names of you and your partner, the date of your wedding, and the location of the ceremony. This information is not only practical for your guests but also serves as a meaningful reminder of the occasion when looked back on in the future.

For the location, include the name of the venue, but the full address is not necessary as your guests will already have this information. Additionally, consider adding the ceremony start time on the cover as a helpful reminder for guests to arrive on time and find their seats.

Order of Events

Following the cover page, your wedding program should include an outline of the ceremony proceedings. This timeline will let guests know what to expect and where to be at certain times. The level of detail included in the outline is up to you. You can simply mention the basics, such as the processional, welcome, readings, vows, and pronouncement, or go into more depth by including the order of the prelude, specific readings and songs, and any other formalities.

If your wedding has a religious or cultural theme, it is beneficial to provide explanations of any rituals or traditions that may be unfamiliar to your guests. For example, the traditional Hindu seven steps or the significance of hand fasting and ring warming.

Names of Ceremony Participants

It is also common to include the names of friends and family members who have a role in your ceremony. This can include the parents, maid of honor, best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl, ring bearer, officiant, singers, and poets. You can list the names of the wedding party in the order they will walk down the processional, so guests can easily identify each person.

Closing Remarks

Finally, your wedding program can end with some closing remarks, such as a thank-you note to your guests and family. You can also include your new address, especially if you plan to receive gifts after the wedding. A practical element to add is the address of the reception venue and its start time, so guests can easily reference this information as they leave the ceremony.

Outline of the Ceremony Proceedings

The ceremony will begin with the prelude, during which important members of the family or bridal party, such as mothers and grandparents, will be escorted and seated. This will be followed by the processional, where the bride, and in the case of a same-sex wedding, one or both partners, will walk down the aisle.

Our officiant, [Name], will then welcome and thank guests for attending, before delivering a prayer or blessing of the couple in a faith-based ceremony, or a secular wedding message or reflection on the couple in a non-religious ceremony.

There will then be a series of readings and musical performances. [Name] will be reciting [Title] by [Author], and [Name of Performer] will be performing [Title] by [Composer].

The ceremony will then move on to the exchange of vows and rings, followed by a unity ceremony, such as a sand-pouring ceremony, hand-tying ceremony, or ring-warming.

The officiant will then pronounce us married, and we will walk back up the aisle to the recessional.

Outline of the Reception

Cocktails and snacks will be served from [Time] to [Time], followed by dinner at [Time]. There will then be games and entertainment at [Time], and the first dance at [Time].

Names of Ceremony Participants

Wedding programs are a great way to guide your guests through your event and can also serve as a keepsake. The names of ceremony participants are an important part of the program, and here's how to go about it:

This section of the program is dedicated to acknowledging and recognising the people who have supported you and played a role in your wedding planning journey and the ceremony itself. Here is a list of the key people to include:

• Officiant: Start by listing the full title and name of the officiant who is conducting the ceremony.
• Parents: Traditionally, the parents of the bride are listed first, followed by the parents of the groom. However, you can also choose to arrange them alphabetically.
• Grandparents: Include the names of both the bride's and groom's grandparents.
• Maid/Matron of Honour: Mention the name and relation to the bride (sister, cousin, or friend).
• Bridesmaids: List the bridesmaids in alphabetical order or the order in which they will walk down the aisle.
• Best Man: Similar to the Maid/Matron of Honour, include their name and relation to the groom.
• Groomsmen: List the groomsmen in alphabetical order or the order they will appear in the processional.
• Flower Girls and Ring Bearers: These young members of the wedding party add a touch of charm to the ceremony.
• Ushers: Include the names of those who will be handing out the wedding programs or assisting guests.
• Readers: If you have chosen to have readings during the ceremony, list the names of those who will be reciting them.

Additional Tips:

• Order of Appearance: Consider listing the wedding party in the order they will appear during the processional to help guests identify them as they walk down the aisle.
• Sentimental Touch: If you have room, add a few sentences about how you know each person, giving your guests a fun insight into your special crew.
• Full Names: It is recommended to spell out the full names of each participant to maintain formality.
• Musicians: You may also want to include the names of any musicians or organists performing during the ceremony.

Honouring Loved Ones

Wedding Programs

The inside front or back page of your wedding program is an ideal place to include a message honouring your loved one. You can write something heartfelt, or include a poem, a quote, or a religious passage. You could also add a photo of them. This gives your guests a chance to read the tribute in their own time and keep your loved one in their thoughts throughout the day.

Candles

Lighting a candle at the beginning of the ceremony is a popular way to symbolise your loved one's spirit being present with you throughout the ceremony. You can keep the candle simple or buy a personalised one with your loved one's name and your wedding date. You can keep the candle jar as a memento afterward.

Flowers

Flowers are one of the best ways to remember loved ones, as there are blooms that symbolise remembrance and honour, like white roses. You can use their favourite flowers in your ceremony decor, such as the aisle markers, boutonnieres, or bouquets.

Reserved Seat

You can honour your late loved one with a front-row seat by reserving a place at your ceremony. You can use one of their jackets, place a bouquet of flowers on the chair, or block off the seat with ribbons and a custom sign.

Music

Music is strongly associated with memories, so if there is a song that reminds you of your loved one, you could play it during the signing of the licence or even as you walk down the aisle.

Wear a Memento

You can keep the memory of your loved one close by wearing a memento of theirs. This could be a pocket square, a piece of fabric from their favourite item of clothing, or jewellery. You could also wear their favourite scent so that you are reminded of them throughout the day.

Memory Table

Create a special space at your reception with a memory table filled with framed photos, sentimental objects, and keepsakes of the person you are honouring. You can include a floral display or candles, or just have a simple photo and a candle.

Speech or Toast

You can say a few words in your speech to remember your loved one, or ask one of your wedding party to pay homage to them. Alternatively, you could raise a glass to them and give a toast with a few personal words.

Play Their Favourite Song

If your loved one adored dancing or there was a song that reminds you of them, you can include this at your wedding reception. You could have it playing while you greet guests or during the dancing and celebrations in the evening.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. Ultimately, there is no right or wrong way to acknowledge a loved one, so do what feels most appropriate and comfortable for you.

Adding Fun Facts

• Your "How We Met" story: Start with how and where you met, then share how your relationship progressed, significant moments you've shared, and how the proposal happened.
• Special meanings: If there is any special meaning behind the location or venue, date, floral arrangements, or attire, include an explanation in your wedding program.
• Favourite quotes: Include a poem, song lyric, or famous quote about love and relationships that holds significance for you and your partner.
• Relationship fun facts: Include a creative crossword puzzle or word search with clues that provide fun information about your relationship.
• Illustrations: Consider incorporating a watercolour illustration of your venue or a custom monogram.
• Relationship milestones: Share significant moments in your relationship, such as your first date, first kiss, or first trip together.
• Personalised messages: Add a heartfelt message of appreciation for your guests, making them feel special and included.

Frequently asked questions