Wedding programs are incredibly unique – from the layout and embellishments, to the content. Your program should have the same “feel” as the rest of your wedding and should add to the ceremony, not distract from it. That said, there is no “official guide” to what must be included in your program. This may be used as a guide to what is traditionally included in a program.
ON THE COVER:
- Full Name of the Bride
- Full Name of the Groom
- Wedding Date, Year & Time (the time is optional)
- Wedding Location
- A design or monogram that matches the theme/feel of your wedding. Or you may want to include a picture of you and your fiance
THE WEDDING CEREMONY
- Prelude (you may want to list the music that is played in the prelude, or leave it off)
- Seating of the Grandparents and Mothers (may be two separate items, or together – usually dictated by if there are 2 songs or one song being played). Include the name of the song and the composer, or the soloist/duet/trio, etc.
- Chiming of the Hour (most brides do not include this, but we listed it in case you will be chiming the hour at your wedding)
- Vocal Solo/Musical Selections
- Processional (include what is being played while the bridal party enters)
- Entrance of the Bride (include what is being played while the bride enters)
- Call to Worship
- Statement of Intent
- Prayer
- Scripture/Poem Reading
- Charge to the Couple
- Exchange of Vows
- Exchange of Rings
- Pronouncement of Marriage
- Lighting of the Unity Candle (include the song that is being sung or played during this)
- Blessing of the Marriage
- Presentation of the Couple
- Recessional (include what is being played during this)
- Postlude
- A brief line inviting guests to the reception
THE WEDDING PARTY
- Officiant (minister, pastor, rabbi, etc.)
- Parents of the Bride
- Parents of the Groom
- Grandparents of the Bride
- Grandparents of the Groom
- Matron(s) of Honor (may include their relationship and/or city and state)
- Maid(s) of Honor (may include their relationship and/or city and state)
- Bridesmaid(s) (may include their relationship and/or city and state)
- Flower Girl(s) (may include their relationship and/or city and state)
- Best Man (may include their relationship and/or city and state)
- Groomsmen (may include their relationship and/or city and state)
- Ring Bearer (may include their relationship and/or city and state)
- Musicians (include their instrument, or list if they were a vocalist or soloist)
- Bell Ringer (if you have one!)
- Registry Attendants (the people who kept the bride’s book for you)
- Program Attendants (the people who passed out the programs at the door)
- Reception Attendants (the people who are assisting at your reception)
- Wedding Director
- Wedding Coordinator
OTHER THINGS THAT ARE SOMETIMES INCLUDED:
- Special Thanks (to your guests for coming, your parents for raising you right, etc.)
- Directions to the reception site
- Dedication – “The candle in the front of the sanctuary burns brightly in loving memory of Mrs. Pearl Smith, grandmother of the bride.”
- Your “At Home” Address – you new address, phone, email…
- A special poem or scripture
- Notes of interest – for instance “the bride’s veil was originally worn by her grandmother in 1935”
- Items explaining customs, special ceremonies, riturals or symbols that were included in your ceremony that your guests may be unfamiliar with (especially for ethnic weddings)
- A brief story about the highlights of your relationship – how you met, the proposal, etc.
- Insert a card and let your guests in on the fun! Ask them to write down their favorite memory about you, their favorite part of your ceremony or some marriage advice on the cards. After the ceremony, you can have a basket setup where they can drop the cards in as they exit.
WHAT TO STAY AWAY FROM:
- Generally, people who are paid for their services are not listed in the program (photographer, florist, bakery, caterer, printer or stationery shop), but it’s your wedding and if you want to include them, go right ahead.
- Do not mention gifts, money trees, etc.
- Do not over-embellish you programs. Too much ribbon or clipart will take away from the overall effect. Also, just use 2 fonts at most – one fancy font for the headers and one easy-to-read font for everything else.
- Keep in mind the lighting of the church in regards to the colors you select – elderly guests, or those with compromised vision may have trouble reading light colored ink.
