13 days to go and no programs- are YOU having programs?

I think that you probably should have a program if you are doing more than just exchanging vows. People like to know what's going on.

I am not doing programs, although I did look them up and got prices for them... just don't think I really need them. My ceremony is pretty simple and reception to follow right after... Now I am thinking I need a menu though... just so people know what they are going to be served when they reach the buffet. How did you do your menus?

I'm a bit sentimental and love nice paper so would certainly miss a program at a wedding. Others may feel differently. If you have any special readings or songs or presentations or if your guests are unfamiliar with your wedding party a simple program would be a nice touch. It could be just one page. here's what I'm doing for mine. I used a boxed scroll invitation.

Our church is producing the programs for us, and they'll be important to our wedding because we're having a religious ceremony with which our relatives will be unfamiliar. Now, if you aren't having anything that you need to explain to your guests (special ceremonies, etc.), you probably don't need programs, and if you're having the ceremony outside, they might blow away and make a mess anyway. So you could really go either way.

I'm doing my wedding programs through vistaprint, getting the free rack cards from them.

I can help you whip up some vistaprint ones. I don't think you need one for every guest, many couples can share. It gives them something to follow along and keeps them entertained while waiting for the ceremony to start.

You can use the 50 free rack cards as programs

link to the free programs and step-by-step instructions on here

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/ideas-for-free-vistaprint-items/2abf6902970b601e.html

10 pages of program examples - If you click on them you can copy and paste the wording. You can use vistaprint's rack cards as programs - they are the same size.

http://www.weddingclipart.com/category/wedding-programs.html

More program examples

http://www.antoniaroseprinting.com/sample-wedding-programs.htm

50 free rack cards - do multiple orders to get the amount you need

50 free rack cards = $10.60

cost $3.00 for colored back side plus $7.60 for 7 day delivery

I'm going to DIY my programs... I wasn't going to do them but I had a dream about making them.... Now I really want to do them as way to entertain my guests while they wait by having a Wedding Mad Lib for them to fill out and make them laugh.

Hi Betsy, I'll post a picture of my menu when I get home and can take one w/my camera. I used Paint to refine the picture that I'm using as a recurring theme throughout the wedding (lovebird theme for wedding), then pasted into Word, downloaded a free script called Chopin Script with our colors, and then printed the menu on thick antique looking cardstock.. used a sliding cutting mat from Michaels to cut it to size, doublesided tape to mount it on thick ribbed bitterchocolate cardstock (was able to cut one sheet into 2 pcs). It came out looking great!

Yes, I did programs.

Thanks Patricia that would be awesome! I'd love to see them!

You can even upload your image and make them personalized.

Let me know if you want any help.

Hayley, thank you for the pointers!!! I used your Vistaprint suggestion before and loved it. We got our large STD magnets there for much cheaper than other sites. They even refunded me $11.62 when the magnets went on an even better sale a week later!

Recently, another of your posts inspired me: I got a large Just Married magnet and 100 business cards for $15.86 including shipping (see pics below).

My best friend and i did the programs for her wedding at 2 am the day of the wedding... haha.

I'm doing my own program, looks like you're pretty good with DIY, you should definitely DIY them, I went to the christian book store the other day and saw the wedding bulletins, the stack of 100 is stold for $5.25, all you do is prepare the program yourself in word, print and fold and it's done.

@Patricia - I did the same thing with business cards! And they are so cute! and vistaprint is so quick. I had one little problem and they fixed it overnight.

I think programs are a nice touch to the wedding, but it is not a "must have" so it is completely up to you.

It allows you to let the guests know the order of events in the ceremony, it allows you to give credit to your wedding party, allows you to thank your guests, explain any certain part of the ceremony others may not know, um if someone has passed away you could do a memorial section for them since they cant be there, etc.

Some brides put very little information in their program while others list lots of information. It also gives your guests something to look at and read while they are waiting for all the other guests to be seated and the wedding to start.

I think I will do them, as a DIY project...I really dont want to spend a lot of money on them bc im sure they will be forgotten by guests lol

I don't think they are totally necessary, I've been to a few without them. Honestly, as a guest I do miss the programs. I like to know who is in the wedding party, sometimes it's obvious just friends or siblings..but I plan on probably doing the ones from Vista print that Hayley mentioned..I really want people to know about the little touches I'm adding to commemorate my mom's memory and also to know how long we've been dating, like just a small blurb about our story since FH is from another country and the vast majority never met him.

Also for your wedding people could use them to fan themselves.

My friend just used cardstock from michael's and printed them out herself a few days before the wedding. They were simple, to the point and cheap!

No, we aren't having a program...