George Boyle
A wedding program is a great way to give your guests a rundown of the day's proceedings and share the details of your wedding. While they are not essential, they are useful for guests to refer to and can be a thoughtful keepsake. There are many ways to personalise a wedding program, from the traditional single-page program to booklets, fans, or even luggage tags. The cover page should include the who, where, and when of the event, and a timeline of the day's events is critical to let guests know where to be and when. You can also include fun facts about you and your partner, a crossword puzzle, or visual elements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Format | Cards, booklets, fans, vellum envelopes, mirrors, windows, chalkboards, wooden signs, newspapers, mini magazines, playbills |
| Names | Names of the couple, wedding party members, parents, officiant, ceremony speakers |
| Date | Full wedding date |
| Location | Venue name and address |
| Time | Ceremony start time |
| Order of events | Officiant’s welcome speech, religious proceedings, ring and vow exchange, processional, cocktail hour, first dance, dinner, etc. |
| Additional information | Explanation of the venue's significance, a poem, song lyric or quote about love and relationships, honouring late family members, etc. |
| Fun facts | Condensed version of the couple's relationship story, a creative crossword puzzle or word search with clues about the relationship |
| Closing remarks | Thank you note to guests and family, favourite quote from a reading or vows, address of the reception venue |
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What You'll Learn
Cover page: Names, date, location, and start time
The cover page of a wedding program should include the who, where, and when of the event. It should be a concise and informative summary, acting as a reminder for guests and a keepsake for the future.
The names of the happy couple should be at the top, with the venue name and address, the full wedding date, and the ceremony start time. While guests will already have this information, it is a nice touch to include these details as a reminder. It also adds a personal element to the program, making it more meaningful.
The cover page can be designed in various ways to reflect the wedding theme. For instance, using coloured paper or thicker card stock adds a unique element, and incorporating patterns or colours that tie into the wedding theme can be a nice touch. For a summer wedding, a double-sided paper fan can be a creative and functional idea, keeping guests cool during the ceremony.
The cover page can also include a map of the venue or the surrounding area, providing a visual element and helping to tell the story of the wedding. This could be an illustrated map or a simple outline, adding a unique and creative twist to the program.
The cover page is an important part of the wedding program, providing guests with essential information and offering a glimpse into the style and tone of the wedding. It is a chance to showcase the couple's personality and set the scene for the celebrations.
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Order of events/ceremony
The order of events and ceremonies in a wedding program can vary depending on cultural and religious traditions. Here is a general outline for a traditional, non-denominational wedding:
Processional
The processional marks the beginning of the ceremony, with the officiant taking their place at the altar, followed by the groom (or either partner in queer/non-binary couples) accompanied by their parents or alone. The wedding party then takes their positions, with the best man and maid of honour arriving together, and the groomsmen and bridesmaids in pairs. The exact order is up to the couple's preference. Processional music can be listed in the wedding program, informing guests about the songs that will be played during the ceremony.
Wedding Readings and Vow Exchange
Once everyone is in place, the officiant welcomes the guests and makes their remarks. This is followed by wedding readings, which can include a unity candle, sand ceremony, or other symbolic rituals. The couple then exchanges their vows, declaring their love and commitment to each other.
Exchange of Rings
In a traditional wedding, the groom usually places the ring on the bride's finger first, with the words "With this ring, I thee wed". The bride then places the ring on the groom's finger. In some ceremonies, each spouse may say a declaration of love before exchanging rings.
Pronouncement of Marriage
After the ring exchange, the officiant officially pronounces the couple as newlyweds. This is a significant moment as it legally and officially binds the couple in marriage.
Recessional
Following the pronouncement, the newlyweds share their first kiss as a married couple. The officiant may offer closing remarks before the recessional begins. The recessional is the reverse of the processional, with the newlyweds leading the way, followed by the wedding party and the guests.
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Wedding party introductions
Firstly, decide how you want to be introduced as a couple. This is a huge moment, as it is the first time you will be introduced as a married pair. You can opt for a traditional introduction, which is a simple and classic way to infer that the bride is changing her name: "May I please have your attention as we welcome the new Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Johnson?". Alternatively, you can choose an introduction that places both partners on equal footing, which is neutral and respectful of individual preferences regarding last names and gender roles: "Let us welcome for the very first time as husband and wife, Charles and Ellen Carlysle!".
Next, decide how you want to introduce your wedding party. You can provide the MC or DJ with a list of names, and they can announce their names, roles in the wedding, and how they are related to the couple. You can also include some fun facts about each person, such as hobbies, occupation, weird habits, and favourite foods and drinks. If you want to get creative, you can have a unique entrance for your bridal party, such as carrying props or toys that fit your wedding theme or wearing attire that is switched up—with bridesmaids in suits and groomsmen in cocktail dresses. You can also let your bridal party choose their entrance music, or go with a fun theme, such as a Disney-themed reception with Disney soundtracks.
Finally, decide on the order of the wedding party's entrance. You can enter first as a couple and then join the rest of the guests to cheer on your bridal party as they come in. Another option is to have the bridesmaids enter as a group and the groomsmen as a separate group.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to wedding party introductions. Get creative, have fun, and make it your own!
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Venue/location details
The wedding program is a great place to include venue and location details. This can be done in a variety of ways, depending on the style and format of your program.
If your wedding ceremony and reception are in different locations, it is useful to include the full address, including the postcode, of the reception venue. You could also include a phone number for the venue in case guests need help finding it. Details of transport options and parking can also be included. For example, you could let guests know the nearest train station, local taxi numbers, and whether cars can be left overnight. If you are providing transport between the ceremony and reception, this is also good to include. For a destination wedding, you could add details of the nearest airport, flight routes, and how to get to the venue from the airport.
If your venue is hard to find, you could include written directions or a small map from the nearest main road. A more creative option is to print a map on the front of your program, which could be of the surrounding landscape, the venue itself, or a map of meaningful locations, such as where you are from or where your guests are travelling from.
Other venue details you may want to include are any venue-specific information, such as whether there is parking available, and any details about the bar, such as whether it is an open or cash bar.
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Reception and after-party information
A wedding reception is typically composed of a one-hour cocktail party and a four-hour reception with a
Cocktail Hour
The first hour of your wedding reception can include a lot of formalities, such as the grand entrance of the newlyweds and their first dance. It is also a great time to take casual and candid photos with your guests.
Dinner and Speeches
The next reception hour will comprise dinner and speeches. It is best to let guests eat shortly after entering the party so they can fuel up for dancing. Speeches and toasts are typically given as guests are enjoying the reception meal. The order of wedding reception speeches usually goes as follows: the best man, followed by the maid of honour, and parents of either spouse. Each speech should be brief, between one and three minutes. The couple may also give a thank-you speech at this time.
Dancing and Cake Cutting
After the toasts, the couple and their parents hit the dance floor. The DJ or band will create a playlist featuring both upbeat songs and romantic ballads to draw all of the guests to the dance floor. After your guests have had a chance to dance, the wedding cake will be brought to the dance floor for the cake cutting. The newlyweds will cut the first slice of wedding cake together and feed it to each other. Dancing will then continue as the cake is served to guests.
After-Party
The after-party will take place immediately after the reception. Make sure your guests know the details by listing the time and location on your wedding website and via signage at your reception. You can also include this information in your wedding program. End the reception with a final dance to signal to guests that it's time to head to the after-party.
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Frequently asked questions
A wedding program is a stationery item that outlines important information about the ceremony and those who are part of it. It's not an essential item, but it's a great way to give your guests a rundown of the day's proceedings.
The basics include the names of the happy couple, the wedding party, parents, officiant, and ceremony speakers. You should also include an order of services, such as the officiant's welcome speech, religious proceedings, ring and vow exchange, and the processional. Other information you might want to include is a map of the venue, fun facts about the couple, and any unique elements of the wedding you want to explain.
Wedding programs can be anything from a single-page card to a trifold or booklet. They can also be more creative, such as a fan, luggage tag, or handkerchief. If you want to save paper, you could display your wedding program on a mirror, window, chalkboard, or wooden sign.
Wedding programs are usually placed on each chair before the ceremony or handed out to each guest. You can enlist ushers or anyone else who isn't in the wedding party to help with this.
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