Deborah Chan
Wedding programs are a great way to give your guests a rundown of the day's events and share the story of your relationship. They can be designed in many ways, from a traditional single-page program to a trendy newspaper-style format. The key details to include are the couple's names, the date, the venue, the wedding party, and the order of events. You can also add personal touches, such as fun facts about your relationship, acknowledgements, and explanations of unique wedding elements. So, whether you're planning a simple DIY program or an elaborate keepsake, here's everything you need to know about what to put on your wedding programs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cover page | Names of the couple, event date, and location, and ceremony start time |
| Order of events | A timeline of the day's proceedings, including the ceremony, cocktail hour, and wedding reception |
| Wedding party members | Names and roles of wedding party members, including officiants, flower girls, ring bearers, parents, maid of honor, best man, bridesmaids, and groomsmen |
| Readings and music | Titles of poems, songs, or religious passages to be recited or performed |
| Special instructions | Requests for audience participation, such as singing or taking communion, and instructions for an unplugged ceremony |
| Personal touches | Fun facts about the couple, such as how they met, their interests, favourite parts of wedding planning, or their honeymoon destination |
| Design and format | Traditional single-page programs, double-sided paper fans, or creative formats like maps, luggage tags, or handkerchiefs |
| Acknowledgements | Thanking friends, family, and financial contributors for their presence and support |
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What You'll Learn
Names, date, location, and wedding timeline
The wedding program is a great way to share the details of your big day with your guests. While there are no hard and fast rules, here are some ideas for what to include regarding names, dates, locations, and timelines.
Names
The couple's names are usually displayed on the cover page of the wedding program. If you have enough space, you can also include the names of friends and family members who have a role in the ceremony, such as the parents, maid of honour, best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl, ring bearer, and officiant.
Date
The wedding date is typically included on the cover page as well. Some couples also choose to add the ceremony start time on the cover as a reminder for guests to get ready and find their seats.
Location
The name of the venue is also included in the wedding program, but it is recommended to leave out the full address as guests will already have this information beforehand. If you want to get creative, you can print a map on the front of the program, whether it's of the venue's surrounding landscape, an illustrated map of the venue itself, or a map of where you are from.
Timeline
Including a wedding day timeline is a popular way to share details with your guests. You can start with a minimalist timestamp for each event, listing out the times for every part of the celebration. This helps your guests know where to be at any given time and can also assist your wedding planner in keeping things organized. If you have a more elaborate religious ceremony, you can include a detailed order of the ceremony, with specific prayers or blessings that guests are invited to read aloud.
Remember, there are many ways to distribute your wedding programs, from positioning them at each chair to having them handed out by groomsmen or placed in a basket at the entrance.
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Wedding party and family members
Wedding programs are a great way to introduce your wedding party and family members to your guests. It is a chance to showcase the people closest to the couple, and those who have played a significant role in their lives.
Names and Roles
The wedding program can include the names of the wedding party members and their roles. This is a good way to introduce the bridal party, including the best man, maid of honour, bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl, and ring bearer. You can also include any junior attendants and their roles, such as junior bridesmaids and junior groomsmen.
A Personal Touch
Adding a personal touch to the program can make it more meaningful. You can include a brief description of each person's relationship to the couple, or a fun fact about them. For instance, you could write about how the maid of honour is the bride's sister and has been by her side through thick and thin, or how the best man is the groom's brother and has been his partner-in-crime since childhood.
Honouring Family Members
If there are family members who are not part of the official wedding party, you can still find ways to honour them in the program. You might want to include a special thank you to parents, grandparents, or other family members who have played a significant role in your life. You could also mention any family members who are no longer with you but hold a special place in your heart.
Involving Family Members
In addition to the wedding party, there are other ways to involve family members in the wedding ceremony. You can ask them to do a reading during the ceremony, or give them a special role such as an usher. Ushers can play an important part in showing guests to their seats and ensuring everyone is ready for the ceremony to begin.
Special Ceremonies
Creating a special ceremony is another way to involve family members. Unity candles, sand ceremonies, or tree planting can be meaningful ways to blend families and give your loved ones a chance to participate in the celebration.
Remember, the wedding program is a chance to showcase your personality and creativity, so feel free to customise it to reflect your unique style and the dynamics of your wedding party and family.
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Readings, songs, and music
The readings, songs, and music you include in your wedding program will be unique to you and your partner. You can include a mix of traditional and personal choices.
Prelude Music
Prelude music is played as your guests gather. You can choose to stick to traditional prelude music, such as "Ave Maria" for the seating of mothers, or you can select music that holds a special meaning for you.
Processional
The processional traditionally includes the groom, groomsmen, and officiant. You can choose to have them enter to the same piece of music, or you can select different songs for each.
Flower Girls and Ring Bearers
You may want to choose a song for the flower girls and ring bearers to walk down the aisle to. This can be a new song or the same selection for the entire entrance of the wedding party.
Bridal Entrance
The bride's entrance is a key moment in the ceremony. If you are being escorted, you may want to choose a song that holds a special meaning for you and the person escorting you.
Unity Candle/Sand, Communion, Prayer, Remembrance
You may want to include music or a reading during the lighting of the unity candle or pouring of the unity sand. This is also a good time to include a special love song or a reading that speaks of marriage.
Recessional
The recessional begins after the couple is announced and finishes when everyone in the wedding party has exited. This is often a joyful and upbeat moment, so choose a song that reflects the celebration of the moment.
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Special instructions and requests
Wedding programs are a great way to communicate special instructions and requests to your guests. Here are some ideas for what to include in this section:
- Unplugged ceremony request: If you're having an unplugged ceremony and would like guests to put away their phones and cameras, include a polite request in the program.
- Participation instructions: If you want your guests to participate in certain parts of the ceremony, such as singing along or taking communion, provide clear instructions.
- Map and directions: Include a map of the venue and its surroundings, or directions to the reception venue if it's at a different location. This ensures your guests can easily find their way and stay with the wedding party.
- Timeline of events: A detailed timeline with timestamps for each event will keep your guests informed and ensure they don't miss key moments. Include events like the ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, speeches, and your send-off.
- Honouring loved ones: If you have any special tributes or acknowledgements for loved ones who have passed away, include them here. You can also honour those who couldn't be present due to illness or other reasons.
- Dress code and comfort: Inform guests about any specific dress code requirements or comfort considerations, such as "black-tie optional" or "outdoor ceremony, blankets provided."
- Parking and transportation: Provide instructions for parking or details of any arranged transportation for guests, especially if the venue has limited parking or is in a remote location.
- Accessibility: If your venue has any accessibility features or considerations, include them here. For example, "Wheelchair-accessible shuttle service provided" or "Service animals are welcome."
- Special cultural or religious traditions: If you're incorporating any unique cultural or religious traditions into your ceremony, provide a brief explanation to educate and prepare your guests.
- Gifts and registry details: If you have any specific gift requests or a wedding registry, you can include this information for your guests' convenience.
Remember, the special instructions and requests section is an opportunity to ensure your guests are informed, comfortable, and engaged throughout your wedding celebrations.
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Design and format
The design and format of your wedding program can be as unique as you are. While it is not an essential part of your wedding, it is a great way to give your guests a rundown of the day's events and can be a thoughtful keepsake.
A traditional single-page program is a classic choice, but you can put your spin on it by using coloured paper, thicker card stock, or incorporating a pattern that ties into your wedding theme. You could also use double-sided paper fans for a summer ceremony, or a newspaper-style format. If you have extra time, consider punching a hole in the top and tying the programs to the chair backs with ribbon or twine.
The cover page should include the couple's names, the date, and the wedding location. Some people also add the ceremony start time, which is a good reminder for guests to get ready and find their seats.
Inside, you can include a map of the venue or the surrounding area, an order of events or timeline, and a list of the wedding party members and their roles. You can also add a note of thanks to your guests and financial contributors, and any special instructions or requests, such as an unplugged ceremony. If you have any readings, songs, or music selections, you can also note these, including titles of poems or religious passages.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding programs are not essential, but they are a fun way to give your guests a rundown of the day's proceedings. They can also be kept as a memento of the day.
The cover page should include the who, where and when of the event. This includes the couple's names, the date, and the wedding location. It is also a good idea to include the ceremony start time.
It is a good idea to include an order of events, so guests know what to expect and can follow along. You may also want to include a list of wedding party members and their roles, an explanation of any cultural or ceremony traditions, and any songs or readings that will feature.
Wedding programs don't have to be on paper pamphlets. You could use handkerchiefs printed with an outline of the wedding ceremony, or for a travel-themed wedding, you could use luggage tags printed with all your ceremony information.
Wedding programs are usually placed on each chair before the ceremony or handed out to each guest. You can ask ushers or anyone who is not in your wedding party to help with this. Alternatively, you could display a wedding program sign or place a few programs in a self-serve basket at the welcome table.
