Wedding Ceremonies: CEREMONY PROGRAMS
One of my Fall couples just reached out to talk about the logistics of their wedding. Not Fall of this year, mind you. But Fall of NEXT year. I’m thinking ‘hang on there, we’ve pleeeeeeeenty of time!’ So I jumped on the phone to see what they really needed. They wanted to know about the sequence of a ceremony because they are considering adding a Ceremony Program. A full 18 months before their Big Day, they are already looking at their stationary suite! They wanted to get my thoughts about the program, so here’s what I told them.
A wedding program is a helpful addition to the wedding ceremony. It will give your guests some information they need, and is another design element that shows your personal style. But do you HAVE to have them?
No.
Not everyone distributes wedding ceremony programs at their nuptials, and that's perfectly okay. However, if you'd like to give guests more information about your wedding day, the program can be an easy way to do so. With destination weddings and multi-day celebrations, wedding ceremony programs are still quite popular. And while they're entirely optional, a program can be a wonderful addition to your Big Day when done simply.
I know, I know I’m usually all about cutting things you don’t need. And the environmentalist in me definitely considers all of that extra paper. Having a program depends on the complexity of your ceremony and it’s also it's a nice way to give a shout-out to your wedding party. So, whether you want all of your guests to understand the rituals of your Hindu Methodist wedding or there’s a sing-along and you need somewhere to display the lyrics, wedding programs allow you to do all of that.
Okay, I want them. Where can I get them?
Like my Fall couple, talk to your wedding stationery designer. If you’re adding the program to your suite, it may be nice for it to follow the same style as your save the dates and invitations. If you don’t have a designer, look for a trusted pro. You can certainly start locally, but all of this work can be done remotely, so you may want look at Pinterest or Instagram for inspiration and see whose work resonates with you.
If you want to go the more DIY route, online companies like Paper Source, Minted and Shutterfly all offer a variety of gorgeous wedding program options. Or, if you're looking for something a little more unique, check out the template designs available on Etsy.
Again, this can all be done simply. You don’t need a huge booklet, and you can use recycled paper or better yet - this awesome paper with SEEDS in it! See, I told you I was an environmentalist!
What Should I Include?
You definitely want to include your names, the ceremony location and date. This is always nice for anyone who want to save it as a memento. Beyond that, it’s really up to you. Consider adding an outline of the ceremony sequence, the names of anyone participating in the ceremony or an explanation of any cultural traditions, if you have any. And If you're having an after-party at a different venue, it may be helpful to include those details on the wedding program so that your guests are clear on when it's happening and how to get there.
You will want to talk with your officiant about what’s best shared verbally or what’s best written. If any of my couples want a short & sweet ceremony, sometimes it’s best to add certain elements to the program, in order to keep the ceremony brief.
Here are some other options to discuss:
The story of how you met
Musical selections/lyrics
Poems, readings or spiritual verses
A thank you message to your guests
A memorial to loved ones who could not attend or are no longer living
A reminder to turn off your phones
And then, you can also include:
A brief overview of the full wedding-day timeline
Your wedding hashtag
Wedding logo/illustrations
A photo or illustration of you both
If you have any questions about your ceremony or the ceremony program, the comment section is always open. Or feel free to reach out directly!