When it comes to a wedding ceremony, a wedding program is a nice way to help your guests follow along with the ceremony, understand cultural traditions and also become familiar with your bridal party! It's also a great opportunity for the couple to give dedication and thanks to guests and serve as a wonderful keepsake too.
Although a program can contain as much or as little detail as you wish, here is a general guideline of what can be included:
A Title page
"The Marriage Celebration of...."
Date
Ceremony location
Wedding Participants:
Officiant
Parents of the Bride
Parents of the Groom
Wedding Party
Readers
Musician...etc.
The Ceremony:
Prelude (songs - titles, composer listed)
Processional (songs)
Opening Words
Readings (mention titles)
Wedding Vows
Exchange of the Rings
Pronouncement
Blessing
Recessional (songs)
Optional Inserts:
Explanation of traditions (religious, cultural, family, etc.)
Thanks
Dedications
Tip: Include fun details & facts about each person in your bridal party - how long you have known them, where they live, etc.
Tip: If the two of you will be moving to a new home around the wedding, include your new address somewhere in the program
Tip: If you have a deceased family member or friend, you can include a dedication:
"We dedicate the flowers with us at the alter in
loving memory of....who are not here to celebrate our
special day with us"
"We dedicate our ceremony music (or a specific song)
in memory of...."
Tip: Fill space at the bottom/inside cover or back with favorite love or wedding appropriate quotes
Tip: Display the wedding programs in a unique & lovely way!
Tip: Be sure your program ties into your wedding style/theme/colors
Just remember to have your wedding program be an expression of the two of you!
Photo credits: 1+2+4+8+9 Brides, 3+5+6+7 Martha Stewart
what a great post filled with info that i seriously needed to know...TODAY! thanks!
Posted by: Jessica Lynn | April 24, 2008 at 08:16 AM
GREAT ideas and inspiration here!
Posted by: Megan | April 24, 2008 at 08:19 AM
This is very very helpful! The programs are our next project. If we ever manage to finish the cursed invitations!
Posted by: Peonies and Polaroids | May 02, 2008 at 07:02 AM
so i just wanted to let you know that i saved this post for over a month for when i finally got around to working on our programs! thanks to your advice they look lovely!
Posted by: Jessica Lynn | May 28, 2008 at 08:43 PM