are wedding programs a MUST?

I don't think that they are a must. I just think they are nice to have because it gives all of the information about the ceremony and the wedding party. But I think it is totally up to you.

I personally love looking at wedding programs so I know what's going on and who's who. Wedding programs don't have to be expensive! I made my own....cost like 5 dollars for the card stock at Micheals. They also sell pretty inpensive kits too. Its totally up to you if you want to cut them though.

Andrea thanks for bringing this up, I was thinking the same thing, if I have to do menus and escort cards...do I need programs. We are having a half and hour ceremony...All of our wedding party info is on our website. I am struggling with this one to. I would think no, but I don't know.

I did not have programs and I would not miss them if I was a guest at a wedding. if you WANT to do them then great, but it's definitely not a critical element

I'm skipping them.

Any advice on where to get them, inexpensive ideas, etc.? They are a nice touch, but if I cut somewhere, I won't miss them at my wedding, maybe the guests will... Thanks all!

I think this is one thing I'll be skipping.

If you are having a large wedding with lots of people who may not know that the MOH is your sister, etc...then I think it's a good idea. If your ceremony is very important to you, and you want everyone to know the music and readings that you have carefully chosen and the meaning behind them, then a program is a good idea. Most of them get left behind at the end of the ceremony, and there are usually way more than you need, so maybe just do a smaller amount?

I;m actually trying to think back on all the weddings I've been to and in and I can not really remember a single thing about the programs or if they even had them. It's the kinda detail that means more to the bride than to the guests I think

As much as I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to do the fan petal programs, I can save 200 bucks or more on them, but I keep having this voice tell me, it's just one day, it's your dream day! so...yeah..I am struggling with inner wedding deamons..ANd i have to agree with Laura!

Are they essential - no; but half the details for a wedding are not. I would do the programs but just print them yourself on pretty paper from Michaels, Office Depot, etc... Print them, fold them - you won't even spend $20.

@ FMS, the barefoot bride - you can go online and find the templates and make them yourself! All you need to do is buy cheaper paper and get wooden sticks which you can probably find really cheap, or if you want to be different and save money you could go and use nature and get branches and attach the programs to them I was originally going to do the petal programs but then I am having an indoor wedding and it made no sense. Also if you have word on your computer they have different program templates that you can make, all you would need to buy is printing paper...you can even do them in black and white to save ink costs.

I decided to do programs and they are fancy but I love them...they are kind of a program/favor idea. It's a cardboard CD sleeve that on the front has a florish design with our names and wedding date, I printed the design on purple or teal paper. Then inside I cut different types of scrapbook paper (I just used what I had laying around) as the backdrop and then printed our programs on vellum (I had a lot of that left over) then I hole punched along the spine of the CD case, tied it with a ribbon (had tons of ribbon left over) and then we made a CD with all our wedding songs on it and put that in the front cover. In the back of the case there is a little slot so I handwrote a thank you note, photocopied it onto labels and put it on scraps of paper and then put in a few pieces of kleenex with a little poem about how you would need them for tears. It was something that guests could take with them because of the CD, but if they didn't keep them I wouldn't care because they weren't that bad.

Programs are not a must. The one thing they are helpful for is helping your guests know who is in your bridal party and how they are related to you. They can also make a nice keepsake. If you choose to do programs check out my work at http://takeitpersonallybychristine.com/birthday-party-invitations.html

I'm not having them, I don't want them. I think it's ok to not have them but then I don't really follow ettiquet lol

Not having them. Don't remember ever getting one at any of the wedding's I've been to and if they did have them I didn't keep them.

I agree they aren't a must, but it's definitely nice to have an idea of what is going on as a guest. The simplest and cheapest way to make them is to just buy card stock and print on it. You can even use Microsoft Word for it. I've seen card stock specifically for programs at Michaels & even Staples. Another great and cheap option is vistaprint--- you can make your programs there too.

I like the programs if most of the guests don't know most of the wedding party.

If you'd like the guests to participate in a prayer or reading, it can be included in the program.

You mention family members who are deceased or otherwise unable to be there.

You can thank everyone for attending your special day.

And always check with your officiant to make sure of the order of the ceremony.

We are only having about 25-30 people at the ceremony- close family and maybe 5-10 friends. Because of this we are forgoing programs. Everyone knows everyone in our group of friends so for us it's not a big deal. But like PP said i've been going through weddings i've attended in my head and I cannot think of one where we received a program. Or maybe we did and I just can't remember them...So if you want to cut costs I don't see a reason to have them if you don't want them.

@Brandy — They sound awesome! Nice work! Do you have pics?