Rhiannon Hendricks
Wedding programs are a great way to guide your guests through your wedding ceremony, and are especially useful for traditional church weddings, which tend to be longer. They can also be a nice souvenir for your guests. While they are not always necessary, they can be incredibly useful for guests who want to follow along with the ceremony, and can be used to provide an overview of the bridal party, officiant, ring bearers, etc. In this article, we will discuss what to put in a church wedding program, including the design, structure, and content.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To serve as a guide for guests, outlining the order of events and who's who in the wedding party. |
| Format | Can vary from a one-page program to a trifold design, depending on the amount of information and desired style. |
| Content | Important details such as the wedding date, names of the couple, location, time, theme, and colors. |
| Order of events: processional music, greetings, readings, exchanging of vows, ring ceremony, pronouncement of marriage, and other key moments. | |
| Information about the wedding party: names and roles of bridesmaids, groomsmen, parents, readers, and the officiant. | |
| Notes of gratitude or personal messages to guests. | |
| Lyrics to congregational songs or hymns for guest participation. | |
| Explanation of religious rituals or traditions for guests from different faiths or cultures. | |
| Reception details, including location and timing. | |
| Design | Rustic, elegant, or basic black-and-white designs are popular. |
| Printing | Consider budget-friendly options like printing in black and white or using online tools like Canva for design and office supply stores for printing. |
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What You'll Learn
Cover: Date, names, location, time, theme, colours
The cover of your church wedding program is the perfect place to give your guests a sneak peek of what to expect at your wedding. It is also a great way to provide them with the basic information they need to know. Here are some ideas of what to include:
Date, Names, Location, and Time
Including the date, names of the happy couple, location, and time of the ceremony is essential. This will allow guests to keep track of the wedding schedule and know exactly where they need to be and when. It is also a nice way to personalise the program and make your guests feel involved in the celebration of the union of two people.
Theme and Colours
Incorporating the wedding theme and colours into the program cover is a wonderful way to create a cohesive look for your special day. Whether you choose a rustic theme with earthy tones or an elegant black-and-white colour scheme, matching your program to your wedding's aesthetic will impress your guests and create a stylish keepsake for them to take home.
Additional Details
You may also want to consider including other pertinent details on the cover, such as a short message of thanks to your guests or a meaningful quote that represents your journey as a couple. These additions can make your program more personal and unique to your wedding.
Remember, the cover of your church wedding program is a great opportunity to give your guests a glimpse into the style and atmosphere of your wedding. By including the necessary information and aligning the design with your theme, you can create a cohesive and informative program that your guests will appreciate and cherish.
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Order of events: Processional music, readings, exchanging of vows, etc
A wedding program is a courteous gesture to your guests, especially if you're having a large wedding ceremony, as it can serve as a guide to what they should expect. It's also a great way to match the theme of your wedding. For instance, a rustic theme could be reflected in a program with simple but classy floral elements.
The order of events is an important part of the program, and this is where you can list details such as the processional music, readings, exchanging of vows, and other key events. Here is a suggested order of events for a church wedding:
Order of Events
- Processional music: The priest and ministers walk to the altar, followed by the wedding party, who make their way down the aisle in the following order: groom, best man, groomsmen, maid of honour, bridesmaids, ring bearer, flower girl, and finally, the bride, escorted by her father.
- Hymns: The congregation joins in to sing or recite hymns such as the Kyrie and Gloria.
- Readings: Designated guests or family members will be assigned readings from the Bible: one from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament, and the responsorial psalm that the guests will repeat in unison. If you are unable to fit all your loved ones into the wedding party, you can assign them to readings instead.
- Homily: The priest reads a passage from one of the gospels, which is usually based on the liturgical calendar. They may opt to read a passage on marriage or love. The congregation stands for this part, and then sits as the priest begins the homily, interpreting the gospel reading and speaking about the couple's union.
- Vows: The priest may read out the vows, to which the couple responds with "I do".
- Ring ceremony: The priest blesses the wedding rings with a prayer and a sprinkling of holy water.
- Pronouncement of marriage
The order of events can be as detailed as your ceremony requires, and you can include other elements such as the entrance of the wedding party, the Liturgy of the Word, the Rite of Matrimony, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
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Wedding party: Names and roles of bridesmaids, groomsmen, etc
A wedding program is not a necessity, but it is a courteous gesture, especially for a large wedding, as it can serve as a guide for guests. It can be designed using a simple word document or a more advanced design platform such as Canva.com.
The wedding party is usually comprised of the couple, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and the officiant. Here is a more detailed breakdown of their roles and names for your church wedding program:
Bridesmaids:
- Name 1 (Junior Bridesmaid): Assisted the bride with wedding planning, including dress shopping, and will participate in most bridesmaid activities.
- Name 2: Hosted the bridal shower, planned the bachelorette party, and will deliver a wedding speech and toast.
- Name 3: Supported the bride with her wedding attire and veil, and helped with pre-wedding events.
- Name 4: Organized the bachelorette party and supported the bride emotionally.
Groomsmen:
- Name 1 (Best Man): Organized the bachelor party and will deliver a wedding speech.
- Name 2: Supported with planning responsibilities and helped with getting suited up.
- Name 3: Assisted with planning and brought a fun and supportive vibe to the wedding.
Other Wedding Party Members:
- Name 1 (Flower Girl): Typically a young girl who walks down the aisle before the bride, spreading petals and bringing joy to the ceremony.
- Name 2 (Ring Bearer): In charge of carrying the wedding rings down the aisle.
- Name 3 (Officiant/Vicar): Leads the ceremony, including prayers and blessings.
Remember, these are just examples, and you can customize the roles and responsibilities to fit your wedding party and program design.
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Reception details: Location, time, receiving line, etc
A wedding program is not a necessity, but it is a courteous gesture to your guests, especially if you are having a large wedding or a traditional church wedding with a long ceremony. It can serve as a guide for your guests to know what to expect during the wedding and the order of service.
Reception Details
The reception will be held at [location name] immediately following the ceremony. We kindly request the pleasure of your company to join us for a celebration of love and happiness.
Location
[Detailed location address and directions]
Time
The reception will begin at [time] with a cocktail hour, followed by dinner at [time], and dancing to commence at [time]. Please note that these times are approximate and may vary slightly depending on the duration of the ceremony and other activities.
Receiving Line
We, the newlyweds, along with our beloved parents, will be delighted to greet each of you as we receive your well wishes and congratulations. Please feel free to come and meet us at the entrance of the reception venue.
Other Details
We will also have a photo booth set up for fun and memorable moments. Additionally, we will have a guest book available for you to leave us your wise words, warm wishes, and lovely messages. We kindly request that you refrain from taking photos during the ceremony and instead enjoy the moment with us. Our official photographer will capture the beautiful memories, and we promise to share them with you all!
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Lyrics to hymns/songs
A church wedding program is not a necessity, but it is a courteous gesture to your guests, especially if you are having a large wedding or a traditional church wedding, as it can serve as a guide to what they can expect during the wedding. It can also be a nice keepsake of your special day.
If you are creating a church wedding program, you may want to include the lyrics to the congregational songs or hymns in your program. This is a great way to encourage full participation in the mass and make it easy for your guests to sing along with you.
"All things bright and beautiful. All creatures great and small. All things wise and wonderful. 'Twas God that made them all." This hymn also has the following verses: "The purple-headed mountain, the river running by, the sunset, and the morning that brightens up the sky... The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun, the ripe fruits in the garden, he made them every one."
"Be still for the presence of the Lord. The Holy one is here. Come bow before him now, in reverence and fear."
"Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart."
"Shine, Jesus, shine. Fill this land with the Father's glory. Blaze, spirit, blaze. Set our hearts on fire."
"You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord. Who abide in his shadow for life. Say to the Lord, 'My refuge, my rock in whom I trust'!"
You can also include popular hymns such as "Ave Maria", "Amazing Grace", and "Be Thou My Vision". If you are having a Catholic wedding, you may want to include the Kyrie and Gloria hymns that are usually recited or sung by the congregation at the beginning of the mass.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding programs are not a necessity, but they are traditional and useful for guests, especially if you're having a long ceremony. They can also be a nice souvenir for your guests.
Important details such as your wedding date, the names of you and your partner, the location and time of your ceremony, and any theme details or wedding colours you've chosen.
The inside of your wedding program should include an order of events/service for the ceremony. This can include details such as the processional music, greetings, readings, exchanging of vows, ring ceremony, and any other key events. You can also include a short note of gratitude to your guests.
This is optional. It can be helpful for guests to sing along, but it may be a waste of paper if they already know the songs.
If you're expecting non-Catholic guests, it's a good idea to include a short note in your program explaining communion. For example: "We as Catholics believe that the bread and wine presented has been transformed into the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We invite all Catholics who are in good standing with the Church to come forward and receive at this time. If you are not Catholic or do not wish to receive, you may come forward with your arms crossed over your chest for a blessing, or you may simply remain in your seat."
