Rhiannon Hendricks
Wedding programs are a great way to give your guests an overview of the day's proceedings. They can be as unique as the couple getting married, but generally, they follow a similar pattern. This includes the who, where and when of the event, a rundown of the ceremony, and a thank-you note to guests. The wording can be formal or casual, and you can include special details such as explanations of the venue or date's significance, memorial messages, or even a poem or quote.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cover page | Names, venue name and address, full wedding date, and ceremony start time |
| Order of events | Processional, welcome, readings, vows, pronouncement, recessional, etc. |
| Songs or music | Title, composer, and performer (if live) |
| Readings | Titles of poems or religious passages |
| Wedding party and attendants | Names and roles |
| Thank-you note | Expression of gratitude to guests, family, and friends |
| Memorial or remembrance message | Dedication to deceased friends and family members |
| Reception information | Driving directions to the venue, timing of events (cocktail hour, dinner, speeches, send-off), etc. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
A thank-you note to your guests
A wedding is a celebration of love and commitment, and we are so grateful to have you here with us today. Whether you have travelled far to be here or are joining us from close by, we are delighted to be surrounded by people who have supported us and continue to do so.
We want to thank you for being a part of our special day, and for all the love and support you have shown us. We are so happy to be able to share this moment with you, and we hope you enjoy the festivities. We look forward to many more years of happy memories with you all.
We are so grateful for the role you have played in our lives, and we hope that you will continue to be a part of our journey as we embark on this new chapter together. Thank you for your presence, your well-wishes, and your love and support. We are truly blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people.
We hope that you enjoy the ceremony and reception, and we look forward to creating more memories with you all. Thank you for being a part of our wedding day.
A Wedding Buffet: Variety, Taste, and Fun!
You may want to see also
Explore related products
A memorial message for deceased friends and family
Wedding programs are a great way to give guests a rundown of the day's proceedings and include personal touches. Here are some ideas for a memorial message for deceased friends and family:
Option 1
> Although death has separated us physically, faith and love have bound us eternally. Though we cannot see you, we know you are here. Though we cannot touch you, we feel the warmth of your smile, as we begin a new chapter in our lives. Today we pause to reflect upon those who have shaped our character, moulded our spirits and touched our hearts. May the lighting of this candle be a reminder of the memories we have shared, a representation of the everlasting impact you have made upon our lives.
Option 2
> In our time of joy on this special day, we fondly remember our loved ones who are no longer with us. We are saddened by their absence, but are comforted in knowing that they are forever in our hearts and memories.
Option 3
> 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]. In addition to the flower arrangement at the altar, the bride’s bouquet contains family heirlooms from [name] and the rosary her mother received on her wedding day.
Option 4
> 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.
Option 5
> Today, their presence sustains. We know that you are here and can sense that you are near. You are always at our side. In loving memory of you.
Wedding Planners and Photographers: Commissions and Collaboration
You may want to see also
Explore related products
A rundown of the ceremony, including songs and readings
A wedding program is a great way to outline the important information about your ceremony and those who are part of it. It can be a simple rectangular card or an elaborate booklet, depending on the amount of information you want to include.
The Processional
The processional refers to the entrance of the wedding party. The music played during this time can be included in the program, along with the song title, composer, and performer. The order of the processional may vary depending on your preferences and cultural or religious traditions. Typically, it begins with the bride's mother, followed by the groom, best man, groomsmen, bridesmaids, maid of honour, ring bearer, and flower girl. The bride, escorted by her father, is usually the last to make her entrance.
Opening Remarks and Introduction
The officiant gives the opening remarks, which may include a welcome and thanks to the guests, followed by an introduction. This could be a brief recounting of the couple's love story, words on what marriage means, or a statement about the ceremony and what it represents.
Readings and Prayers
If you are including readings, poems, or religious passages, these should be listed in the program, along with the name of the person conducting the reading. You may also include the title and author of the reading, poem, or passage. If your ceremony includes religious services, your officiant can help you identify additional items to include, such as a liturgy, gospel, or prayers.
Exchange of Vows and Rings
This is the part of the ceremony where the couple exchanges their wedding vows and rings. Some wedding programs include this under the "Exchange of Vows" section, while others list the ring exchange separately.
The Recessional
The recessional marks the end of the ceremony and is usually accompanied by music. Like the processional, you can include the song title, composer, and performer in the program.
Remember, the above outline can be adapted to fit your specific ceremony and cultural or religious traditions. You can choose to include as much or as little detail as you prefer.
Unveiling Creative Wedding Photography: Alternative Styles
You may want to see also
Explore related products
A timeline of the day
Prelude
This is the time before the ceremony officially begins when guests are arriving and taking their seats. It is common to have background music playing during this time, and you may choose to include the song title and composer in your program.
Processional
This is when the wedding party walks down the aisle, including parents, the officiant, groom, groomsmen, bridesmaids, and finally, the bride. You may opt to list the names of those involved in the processional and their respective order.
Welcome
The officiant welcomes everyone and thanks them for attending. This is also an excellent opportunity to include a brief welcome note or message of gratitude in your wedding program, thanking your guests for their support and attendance.
Readings and Songs
If you have any readings, poems, religious passages, or songs included in your ceremony, list them in your program. You may also choose to provide explanations for any selections that hold special meaning for you and your partner.
Vows and Pronouncement
The exchange of vows and the highly anticipated "You may kiss the bride" moment! You may simply mention the basics here or provide more detailed information, such as the specific vows being exchanged.
Recessional
The newlyweds and their wedding party exit the ceremony venue, often followed by close family members. Similar to the processional, you can list the names and order of those involved if desired.
Reception
Provide details about your wedding reception, including the venue and driving directions if it is at a separate location. Note the timing of events such as cocktail hour, dinner, speeches, and any other special activities or send-offs.
The Best Broth for Italian Wedding Soup
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Details about the reception
The wedding program is a great place to include details about the reception, especially if it's at a different location. You can include the address and directions to the reception venue, as well as the timing of events such as the start of cocktail hour, dinner, speeches, and your send-off.
If you have a large wedding party, you might want to consider a folded program with three pages. You can include the order of the ceremony and song titles on the left page, the wedding party on the right page, and additional notes on the back page. This gives you ample space to include reception details without cluttering the program.
You can also choose to include a reception reminder on the back panel of a four-panel program. This can be a simple note about the location and time of the reception, such as "Please join us for a reception at [location] at [time]." If the reception is at the same location as the ceremony, you can simply write "Reception to follow."
If your reception has a specific theme or dress code, be sure to include that information in the wedding program. For example, if it's a cocktail attire reception, you can note "Cocktail attire requested." Or, if it's a themed reception, you can give a hint of what's to come with a playful note like "Get ready to dance the night away at our Great Gatsby-themed reception!"
Lastly, if there are any special instructions or details that your guests should know about the reception, be sure to include them. For example, if there will be a shuttle service provided to transport guests from the ceremony to the reception, you can include a note about that. Or, if there will be a specific type of entertainment or activity at the reception, you can give guests a sneak peek to get them excited.
Cricut for Wedding Envelopes: A Simple Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Your wedding program should include everything you want your guests to know before the festivities begin. This could be the date, time, location, and a timeline of the day's events. You may also include a welcome note, a message of thanks, and any songs, readings, or religious excerpts that hold a special meaning to you and your partner.
Wedding programs can be printed on a single card or a folded booklet. The cover page should include the couple's names, the venue, and the date and time of the ceremony. The second page should feature the order of the ceremony, and the third page can include the wedding party and their roles. The last page can feature additional notes, such as a thank-you message, a memorial note, or reception details.
While printed programs are traditional, you can also display a wedding program sign near the entrance for guests to refer to. Alternatively, consider unique formats such as accordion fans or vellum envelopes filled with confetti to surprise your guests and incorporate your wedding theme.
A thoughtful way to thank your guests is to include a dedicated message of appreciation, also known as a thank-you note. This message can be placed at the end of the program or on the back page. It is an opportunity to express your gratitude and make your guests feel welcome and valued.
