What To Include On Your Wedding Ceremony Program
Exactly what you include in your ceremony program is entirely up to you, but here are some suggestions to keep in mind, from the obvious to the optional.
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Your names, the wedding date, and wedding location.
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The order of events of the ceremony. Include the names of songs used at different portions of the service, as well as the names, authors, and sources of readings, poems, and prayers. Heres a general run-down of what your ceremony outline could contain :
- Seating of the Grandparents
- Presentation of the Couple
- Recessional
If you have the room, some couples choose to share the lyrics of their specially chosen songs or the entirety of their readings or vows in the program for guests to follow along.
The names of the important players in your ceremony. This includes members of your wedding party, family members, your officiant, readers, musicians, or anyone else who plays a role in the service.
A brief explanation of any cultural, religious, or other rituals youve included in your ceremony. Explaining the significance and meaning behind what your guests are watching will help make the experience richer and more engaging for them.
A welcome message to your guests thanking them for making the trip and being present at your nuptials.
Any logistical messages or requests you want to share with your guests, such as:
A Poem Written Piece Lyrics Or Work Of Art
To add more personal touches to your wedding ceremony program, consider including passages or art that is meaningful to you. Think of songs that are important to you, religious texts, poems, or any other sentimental element youd like to include. Depending on the design of the program, these elements could be added to the front or back of the program or sprinkled throughout the other information.
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What To Put On A Wedding Program
A wedding ceremony marks the beginning of a marriage, and a couples life together. Wedding ceremonies may be a civil or religious rite that can take place anywhere at a church, in the gardens, at the beach, or at the city hall.
From the brides march down the aisle to the wedding reception, there are a number of wedding traditions and aspects that make a wedding ceremony special.
It is important that the couple include their guests and the people around them in the celebration by guiding and informing them of what is happening at any given time. This is made possible by wedding ceremony programs.
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How Do You List A Wedding Party In A Program
Wedding programs are a fun way to give a shout-out to the members of your wedding party. Not only will it provide your guests with some fun reading before the ceremony, it will also give them information about your friends so they can mingle during the reception. But if you’re wondering how to list your wedding party in your program, we’ve got the answer.
Truthfully, there’s no right or wrong way to call out your close friends. Generally, you’d list the maid of honor and best man at the top and then list the other members after that. However, you are free to list out your wedding party however you like. Give them descriptions, include tiny illustrations or pictures or spell out their names. Any of these choices are a sweet way to show your crew some extra love on your wedding day.
Start Creating Your Perfect Wedding Program
Crafting the right wedding program wording that reflects you and your partners individual personalities is key to setting the tone of the festivities for your guests. As youre exploring wedding program ideas, be sure that you choose the type of language and stationary that best match the unique essence of your big day.
You should also pinpoint a particular style of wedding ceremony program that aligns with the color palette and aesthetic of your celebration. Dont forget to select wedding place cards that coordinate perfectly with your wedding ceremony programs.
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Ceremony Program With Wedding
An awesome way to help guests get to know your wedding-party VIPs a bit better is stationery that includes fun illustrations and a brief bio for each member. This idea is not only helpful, its colorful and fun.
Ways to Display: Roll these up like scrolls and tie them with a colorful ribbon that matches the wedding theme. Have them positioned on a table near the entrance to the ceremony or waiting on guests seats.
Craft A Fully Personalized Design That Wont Break The Bank
Wedding budgets can run out of control, which is why it is good to know you can still get some things done for nothing. With heaps of free templates, images, fonts and other cool design elements to choose from, you are spoilt for choice. Premium design elements like images or icons are only at $1 for each one time use. Designed by our team of in-house designers they could be just the inspiration you need. Then drag and drop, tweak a font here, adjust a color there and before you know it youll have your very own personalized wedding program.
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Wedding Reception Programs Allow For Fun
The reception portion of a wedding is the time when the bride and groom can show their unique style and personality. Receptions are often more celebratory than formal, and offering a program that outlines the wedding reception itinerary is helpful for guests. Programs also give a fun format for listing the names of the bridal party, officiating ministers and other wedding participants. When the party is over, guests will have an elegant take-home keepsake to remind them of memorable moments from this special day.
- Unlike the official wedding stationery, namely the invitations, reception programs do not have to cost a lot or be too complicated.
- Assign ushers or servers the task of handing out programs to guests as they arrive at the reception.
- Keep a program tucked safely aside for the bride and groom too.
What To Include In A Catholic Wedding Program
For Catholics, a wedding is a sacred sacrament. It unites a man and a woman in the bonds of matrimony before God and the people. In most Catholic cultures around the world, its also a community affair. Their family, friends, and colleagues join the couple to celebrate this joyous day.
Because weddings usually draw large crowds, it can be difficult to manage. This is where wedding programs enter the picture. It informs the guests of the things they need to know about the ceremony. With this, they know what to expect and can thus act appropriately.
If youre preparing for your wedding, heres a quick guide on what to include in a Catholic wedding program.
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What Do Wedding Vows Are Supposed To Say
Say I love you wedding vows template. It seems obvious, but Honaman says he was surprised by the number of couples who added these three words next to their voices. Tell your partner that you will overcome all difficulties. Most wedding vows have to do with going through good times and bad. Share personal stories. I really promise.
What Should You Include On Your Wedding Ceremony Program
A wedding program is an important part of the wedding ceremony, but it often gets overlooked and put off until the last second! There are understandably seemingly bigger issues to deal with, but an informative ceremony program is incredibly important. It helps guide guests through the ceremony, and give them the info they need to understand who is involved and what is going on.
Well go over what to include on your wedding ceremony program, but first, youll need to decide exactly what your program will look like. Traditionally, couples have handed out individual programs at their ceremony. However, in more recent years, many couples have chosen to forgo the individual programs. Instead, theyll have a sign at the entrance of the ceremony space that tells guests any information they might be curious to know.
Of course, a wedding ceremony program sign wont be able to include as much information as an individual program. This means that youll need to decide how much information you actually want to put on your program before choosing between paper programs or a sign.
Now, lets look at the information you may wish to include on your wedding ceremony program.
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Section Two: Order Of Ceremony
Prelude This is the music played while guests are being seated. You may choose to list the song title, composer and the musician playing the piece
Processional The music played while the wedding party walks down the aisle. Traditionally, the bride follows.
Opening Greeting Usually spoken by the ceremonys officiant.
Readings If youre having any special readings during your ceremony, such as poems or bible verses, they typically go here.
Wedding Message Your officiant will often give a message honoring the couple.
Exchange of Vows Say we do and exchange rings!
Unity Ceremony If youre adding a unity ceremony, such as candle lighting, place it after your vows.
Presentation of the Couple The couple kisses and the officiant announces the couple as husband and wife. Cue the cheers!
Recessional The music played while the bride, groom and wedding party walks back down the aisle.
Heres an example of what this section might look like:
Prelude Processional: Cant help falling in love Welcome Special Reading by Sam Forst: I carry your heart with me Wedding Message Recessional: All you need is love
Additional Items To Consider
Engagement pictures are also popular finds on wedding ceremony programs. Many use them to decorate the program’s pages and to draw attention to their new address or other information that they want guests to take note of. Favorite quotes or bible scriptures are also popular with a lot of couples. The ideas for wedding programs are as unlimited as your imagination.
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Section Four: Additional Messages
Your wedding program is a perfect place to add two more piece of information:
Message of Appreciation: And a few heartfelt words of appreciation from you to your wedding guests.
Message Honoring the Deceased: Some couples choose to honor those who have passes away through a meaningful message.
Wondering how to word these messages? Heres an example:
Thank YouTo our dearest family and friends, thank you for all your support and love, today, and alwaysThe flowers on our alter are dedicatedto Jacks grandmother, Helen and Madisons friend Samantha. We carry yourmemory in our hearts and feel your love.
Now lets go through a few examples of how to word your wedding programs. Weve divided our examples into three categories. The examples in each category are all a little different so be sure to look at each one closely. Pick the category you like best and use the examples as a guide for writing your own program wording.
Memorial Messages Or Dedications
Honor those members of your friends and family who have passed with a special memorial in your wedding program. No matter if youre planning a classic or whimsy wedding, let this wording example help you recognize the loved ones youve lost.
In Loving Memory:
Although some of our friends and family are no longer with us, may they be present here on this special day in our hearts and in spirit. In loving memory of
If youre planning a contemporary or casual wedding, the wording sample below will help you commemorate the friends and family who are no longer here.
Well Always Remember:
As we come together on our wedding day, well always remember those who are unable to be here to celebrate this special milestone. We love you and miss you.
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Wedding Program Ceremony Wording
Welcome to the marriage of
Katherine Anne Jones to John Robert Smith
on this Sunday Afternoon
at 4 O’Clock in the Ivy Lodge Terrace
In Asheville, North Carolina
The Wedding Party
While it may seem daunting to design the perfect wedding program, we have a ton of wording samples for every section to help you along the way.
Wood Sign Wedding Program
Outline the order of events on a simple wood sign and hang it near the ceremony entrance so guests will see it as they arrive. A wood sign is perfect for a more rustic or outdoorsy wedding perhaps a barn wedding or one by a lake.
Ways to Display: Your wooden sign can be placed on an easel or propped up against a table, depending on the size. If you are hanging your sign, you can use twine, ribbon, silk string, or whatever else matches your wedding vibe. Alternatively, using a shepherds hook to hang the sign, or placing it on a nearby tree at the entrance are classic, simple ways to display your wooden program.
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Treat Bag Wedding Program
Print the ceremony details on a snack bag and fill it with something guests can munch on as they wait for the ceremony to begin. And, if youre going to provide a snack that might require napkins, consider providing some that match the treat bags and include your wedding monogram.
Ways to Display: Consider having baskets at the entrance so that your guests will pass them as they enter. Adding signage such as Love is Sweet, Enjoy a Treat, is a cute way for guests to be surprised and delighted by your treat bags. If you go the route of popcorn or caramel corn, consider having a popcorn cart or two there to hold the bags!
Do You Need Wedding Programs
Although wedding programs arent absolutely essential compared to some stationery items , your guests will definitely find them useful. Traditionally, wedding programs are either placed on each chair before the ceremony, or theyre handed out to each guest. For this task, you can enlist your ushers or anyone whos not in your wedding partyits a great way to include friends or younger relatives who arent serving as bridesmaids or groomsmen. If you dont want to give a wedding program to every guest, consider allocating one per family or couple or displaying a wedding program sign instead .
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