Rhiannon Hendricks
Wedding programs are a great way to help your guests understand what's happening and when. They can also be heartfelt keepsakes for you and your guests. The back of your wedding program is a space for additional notes, such as a thank-you message to your guests, an in memory of note, or reception information. You can also include your wedding party, family, and any other details you want to add. A thank-you note on the back of a wedding program is appreciated but not necessary.
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What You'll Learn
Thank you notes to guests
Thank-you notes to guests are a common feature of wedding programs. This is an opportunity to thank your friends and family for their involvement in the wedding plans and the wedding party, as well as to thank guests for attending and sharing in the celebration. You can choose to thank specific people, such as your parents and your partner's parents, or simply include a general message of gratitude to everyone. If you wish, you can also include a brief mention of any close family members or friends who have passed away and are therefore unable to attend.
There are no strict rules for crafting a wedding program thank-you note, and you can place it anywhere you like. Most thank-you notes come at the bottom of the program or on the back page, where there is ample space. However, you can choose to include your message on the front cover, perhaps alongside a photograph and foil embossing.
- "Thank you all for being here today. We are so grateful to be surrounded by our friends and family, and we are especially thankful to those who have travelled far to be with us. We are also thinking of those who are no longer with us and wish they could be here to celebrate with us."
- "To our wonderful friends and family, thank you for sharing this day with us. We are so grateful for your love and support, and we hope you enjoy this celebration as much as we will. We would also like to honour the memory of those loved ones who are no longer with us and send our love to those who couldn't be here today."
- "As we celebrate our marriage, we want to thank each and every one of you for being here. We feel so blessed to be surrounded by our loved ones, and we are truly appreciative of your presence. We would also like to take a moment to remember those who are no longer with us and those who are unable to attend today."
- "From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to our friends and family for your love, support, and presence on this special day. We are so grateful to be able to share this moment with you. We would also like to honour the memory of those loved ones who are no longer with us and send our love to those who are unable to be here."
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'In memory of' notes
The back of a wedding program is a great place to include additional notes, such as an "in memory of" section. Here are some ideas for "in memory of" notes:
In Memory of Notes
- "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 of family member(s)]. In addition to the flower arrangement at the altar, the bride’s bouquet contains family heirlooms from [name of family member(s)] and the rosary her mother received on her wedding day."
- "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."
- "The flowers on the unity candle table are in loving memory of those who cannot be here today. Although we cannot see you, we know you are here, smiling down, watching over us as we say 'I do'. You are forever in our hearts and in our lives. Today we say our vows in loving memory of you."
These notes can be customized to include the names of specific family members or other loved ones who have passed away and any other personal touches you wish to add.
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Reception information
The back of your wedding program is a great place to include reception information. This can include directions to the reception venue, the order of events, and any activities that guests can expect. If your reception has a theme, you can include this here, along with an explanation of any cultural or ceremony traditions that will be taking place.
For example, you could write: "Join us for an evening of dinner and dancing at the Brooklyn Winery, located at [address]. The winery holds a special place in our hearts as it is where we had our first date. We will be serving a selection of our favourite wines, followed by a three-course meal. There will be a short welcome speech from the father of the bride, followed by the cutting of the cake. We invite all guests to join us on the dance floor to celebrate our special day."
You could also include a timeline of the evening's events, listing the times and activities, such as cocktail hour, the first dance, dinner, and any other entertainment you have planned. If you would like your guests to participate in any way, such as singing or joining in a particular dance, you can also mention this here.
Finally, you can use this space to express your gratitude to your guests. A thoughtful note of appreciation will make your guests feel welcome and valued. You can also use this opportunity to mention any loved ones who have passed away and would have been a part of your special day.
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Wedding party and family
Wedding programs are a great way to introduce your wedding party and family to your guests. They can also serve as a roadmap for the event, letting guests know what to expect and when.
Names and Roles
List out the members of your wedding party, including their roles and placement in the family. This can include the bride's and groom's parents, grandparents, siblings, and any other close family members who are part of the wedding party. You can also mention the maid of honour and best man, as well as any other attendants or ushers.
Relationships and Special Mentions
If you have a small wedding party or extra space, consider adding a line or two about your attendants. You can mention how you met your maid of honour or best man, or share how long your parents and grandparents have been married. These personal touches make your program more memorable for your guests.
Thank-You Notes
It is common to include a thank-you note on the back of the wedding program. This is a great opportunity to thank your wedding party, family, and friends who were involved in the wedding plans. You can also thank your guests for attending and supporting your union. You may also want to mention any close family members or friends who have passed away and are unable to attend your special day.
Practical Information
In addition to the names and roles of your wedding party, you can include practical information such as the order of events, songs, and readings. This helps your guests follow along with the ceremony and know what to expect.
Remember, you can customize your wedding program to fit your unique wedding and family dynamics. Feel free to add personal touches and make it a memorable keepsake for your guests!
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Audience participation requests
The back of your wedding program is a great place to include additional notes and other details you want your guests to know. Here are some ideas for audience participation requests that you can include:
Singing
If you want your guests to join in singing during the ceremony, include a request on your wedding program. For example, "We invite you to join us in singing our favourite song, 'A Thousand Years' by Christina Perri, as we sign the register."
Communion
If you're having a Christian service, let your guests know if they can participate in communion. For example, "Please remain seated during communion unless you are a baptised Christian."
Affirmation of the marriage
If you would like your guests to participate in the affirmation of your marriage, include instructions on your wedding program. For example, "We kindly request that you stand and respond with 'We do' when asked if anyone present knows of any reason why we may not be lawfully joined in marriage."
Unplugged ceremony
If you're having an unplugged ceremony, you can politely request that your guests put away their phones and cameras. For example, "We invite you to be fully present with us during our ceremony. Please refrain from taking photos or videos and enjoy this special moment with us."
Explanation of cultural or ceremony traditions
If there are any cultural or ceremony traditions that your guests may be unfamiliar with, provide a brief explanation to encourage their participation. For example, "During the ceremony, we will be performing a tea ceremony to show our respect and gratitude towards our parents. We invite you to witness this special tradition."
Remember, the content and style of your wedding program can be customised to reflect your personality and the theme of your wedding. These suggestions can be modified to fit your unique ceremony.
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Frequently asked questions
The back of your wedding program is a great place to include additional notes. This could be a thank you note to your guests, an "in memory of" section for those who are no longer with you, or reception information. You can also include your wedding party, family, and any other notes or details you want to share.
Your wedding program should include everything you want your guests to know before the festivities begin. This could be a timeline of the day, a rundown of the ceremony, naming songs and readings, and the order of events. You can also include a request for audience participation, such as singing or taking communion. If you're having an unplugged ceremony, this is a great place to ask guests to put away their phones and cameras.
You can display your wedding program in a variety of ways. You can place them on each ceremony chair, ask ushers to hand them out, or put them in a self-serve basket at the welcome table. You can also get creative and display it on a mirror, window, chalkboard, or wooden sign in a high-traffic area.
