Lyla Dejesus
Wedding programs are a great way to give your guests an overview of the day's proceedings. They can be as simple or detailed as you like and can be a fun, personal touch to your special day. From the practical to the playful, there are many ways to make your wedding program unique. So, what should you include?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Names of the couple | Bride and Groom |
| Date of the wedding | Date |
| Venue | City and State |
| Order of events | Processional, First Reading, Wedding Message, Second Reading, Vow Exchange, Ring Exchange, Recessional |
| Names of the wedding party | Officiant, Parents, Flower Girls, Ring Bearers, Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Grandparents, etc. |
| Music | Prelude, Processional, Recessional |
| Readings | Prayer, Book Passage, Poem, Song Lyrics |
| Personal messages | Thank you notes, marriage quotes, a short story of how the couple met |
| Address of the reception venue | |
| Start time | |
| Other | Hashtags, Instagram handles, crossword puzzles, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Names, date, venue, and wedding party
Wedding programs are a great way to give your guests an overview of the day's events and ensure they are kept informed and excited throughout the ceremony. While they are not essential, they are a popular addition to the wedding, providing a helpful reference for guests.
The names of the couple, the date, venue, and wedding party are all essential details to include in a wedding program. The cover page should feature the names of the couple, the date, and the venue. You can also include the city and state, and an illustration of the venue. The cover sets the stage for the rest of the program, so it is important to get it right. You can keep it simple or go all out with a custom design featuring a photograph and foil embossing.
The wedding party is usually listed in the same order as the processional, so guests can understand who is who. The officiant is typically listed first, followed by parents and wedding party members, including flower girls and ring bearers. If there is room, you can add a personal touch by explaining how you know each person, for example, a sibling, a childhood friend, or a college roommate.
The wedding program can also include the order of events, with an outline of the ceremony, and any readings, songs, or religious excerpts that will be included. This will help guests to follow along with the ceremony and know what to expect.
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Order of events and ceremony parts
A wedding program is a great way to give your guests an overview of the day's events and to highlight key moments and people. It is also a fun keepsake for guests to bring home. The order of events and ceremony parts may include:
Prelude
The prelude is the time before the ceremony officially begins when guests are arriving. Music usually plays in the background.
Processional
This is when everyone walks down the aisle, including parents, the officiant, groom, groomsmen, bridesmaids, and the bride. The processional music can be listed in the program, including the song names and artists.
Welcome and Introduction
The officiant welcomes everyone and thanks them for attending. They also share a few words about the couple and why everyone has gathered.
Readings, Poems, and Songs
If there are any prayers, book passages, poems, or songs that hold meaning for the couple, they will be read or performed here. There may be one or several readings.
Wedding Message
The officiant shares a message they want the guests to take away from the ceremony.
Vow and Ring Exchange
The couple recites traditional or custom vows and exchanges rings.
Pronouncement
The moment the couple is officially pronounced married.
Recessional
The same as the processional but in reverse. The music for the recessional can be listed, but it is okay to omit this if it is a surprise.
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Personal messages and thanks
Wedding programs are a great way to give your guests an overview of the day's events and express your gratitude. Here are some ideas for personal messages and thanks to include in your wedding program:
A General Thank You Note
Begin with a brief welcome note, thanking your guests for joining you on your special day and celebrating with you. You can also mention how grateful you are for their presence and support. This can be a simple, heartfelt message expressing your appreciation.
A Special Mention
Take the opportunity to highlight and thank those who have played a significant role in your wedding journey. This could be your parents, siblings, bridal party, or anyone else who has gone above and beyond to make your day special. You can add a personal touch by sharing how you know them and why they are important to you. For example, "A special thanks to my sister and maid of honor, Sarah, for her unwavering support and love throughout the wedding planning process. Her presence by my side means the world to me."
Acknowledging Loved Ones
Use your wedding program to honour and acknowledge loved ones who could not be physically present but hold a special place in your heart. This could be a heartfelt message about their impact on your life and your wish for their presence. For instance, "In loving memory of our dear grandmother, Emily, whose spirit and love continue to guide and inspire us. We wish she could be here today, and we know she is watching over us with joy."
A Light-hearted Message
If your wedding has a fun and laid-back vibe, inject some humour into your thank-you messages. It could be a playful inside joke or a light-hearted anecdote that will bring a smile to your guests' faces. Keep it light and entertaining!
A Quote or Poem
Include a short marriage quote or poem that captures the essence of your love and gratitude. It could be something classic or a more modern piece that resonates with you as a couple. For instance, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
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Recessional and processional music
A wedding program is a great way to give your guests an overview of the day's events and proceedings. It is also a fun way to add a personal touch to your wedding. The design and style of your program can influence the wording you choose. For instance, if you're having a fun, laidback wedding, you could use playful language, whereas a formal wedding might call for classic script fonts and elegant verbiage.
The recessional and processional music is an important part of the wedding program. This is the music that will play as the wedding party walks down the aisle and back up at the end of the ceremony. If you're including this in your program, you can list the songs and the artists performing them. If you have recordings or live performers, such as an organist or a quartet, you can also mention them.
The processional is when everyone walks down the aisle, including parents, the officiant, groom, groomsmen, bridesmaids, and the bride. The recessional is the same, but in reverse. If you want to keep the recessional music a surprise, it's perfectly fine to omit this section.
The music you choose for these moments can be very personal, and including it in the program is a great way to give your guests insight into your choices and the meaning behind them. You can also include other musical moments in your wedding program, such as songs that hold a special meaning for the couple or any other songs that will be played during the ceremony.
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Design, format, and paper
Wedding programs can be a fun and creative way to give your guests an overview of the day's events. They can be as simple or detailed as you like, and can even be turned into a keepsake for your guests to take home.
Design
The design of your wedding program can be a fun and creative process. It can be a simple bi-fold or a unique shape like a fan for a summer wedding. You can also incorporate a monogram or a photograph. If you're having a themed wedding, the program can be a great way to introduce the motif. The design and style of your program will also influence the wording and font you choose. For a formal wedding, you may opt for classic script fonts, while a fun, laidback event calls for playful language. You can also include a crossword puzzle, or a social media hashtag for guests to use.
Format
The format of your wedding program can vary depending on the information you want to include and the design you've chosen. The most common elements are the couple's names, the date, the venue, the wedding party, the officiant, and anyone else in the procession. You can also include the order of events, personal messages, and a welcome note or thank-you message to your guests. If your ceremony includes songs, readings, or religious excerpts, you can include these details as well. For a practical touch, add the address and start time of the reception venue.
Paper
The type of paper you choose will depend on the shape and design of your wedding program. You can opt for a simple finish or add a splash of metallic foil or a luxe sheen. If you're looking to save costs, you can print all the details on a single card or choose to forego paper altogether. Some unique ideas include accordion fans or vellum envelopes filled with confetti.
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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 is usually placed on each chair before the ceremony or handed out to each guest.
The most common elements of a wedding program are the couple's names, the date, the venue, the wedding party, the officiant, and anyone else who is part of the procession, like the parents and grandparents. Other aspects, like the order of events, personal messages from the couple, and the address of the reception venue, can also be included.
Wedding ceremony programs can be mini booklets, but many couples choose to print all of the details on a single card. To save space, you can skip printing details such as the names and order of those who will be part of the processional and recessional.
You can include a few short sentences at the end of your programs, thanking your guests for attending. You can also add a short marriage quote or poem, or a story of how you and your partner met. For a themed wedding, the program cover is a great way to introduce the day's motif.
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