Do people really read the programs

I think both. People generally read them, but I also think they're a waste of money. I usually read through them when I attend a wedding as a guest, but I don't usually keep them. After the last wedding I attended, my fiance and I decided that we aren't doing programs for our wedding, since we noticed that so many people left their programs behind - on the chairs, on the floor, etc. If there is something in your ceremony that needs further explanation, programs could be useful! Otherwise, I would skip them and save the money.

I always read them, H doesn't read them unless I point something out specifically (or there's something unusual in the ceremony). Either way, they get tossed in a recycle bin as soon as the wedding is over, so even with me reading it it's kind of a waste of money (on the couple's part).

I always read them but, of course, I don’t keep them & I wouldn’t expect my guests to either (except for probably our family members).


We were not going to do programs but, since our wedding will not include dancing, we decided to do them so the guests will know what to expect. We are including our timeline (ceremony to grand exit). I don’t think programs are necessary if you’re following a traditional wedding template. You can find some nice program signs on Etsy if you’d rather just do one big program to display and then you can frame it as a keepsake.

Everyone wedding I’ve been to they definitely read them. They are a must have if you are having a religious or cultural ceremony that guests need to follow along with. For a standard non religious ceremony they aren’t necessary. But you can put whatever you want in there: order of ceremony, list of attendants, thank you note to everyone instead of speeches, listing cocktail hour menu which no one ever knows what is being served, a couple readings that have meaning to you, trivia about yourselves, etc. Only your parents and grandparents will keep them though so recycle the rest.

I would probably read through them, but I read everything. Having said that, most people know how weddings work and 99% of the time they are completely unnecessary and a waste of money. I don't think I've ever been to a wedding where the program enhanced my experience as a guest.

Programs can be helpful if you are including religious or cultural elements in your ceremony that not all of your guests will be familiar with or if, for example, the couples come from different backgrounds and having a bilingual program will help relatives follow along who might not be fluent in the language the ceremony is being conducted in.

So unless your program is specifically going to make it easier for your guests to follow along, I would skip them.

View Quoted Comment I completely agree. Unless there is something significantly different about your ceremony that you need to convey to guests, programs are a waste of money. Tbh, I don’t think I’ve seen programs at a wedding in 5+ years. If you are having a standard ceremony, I wouldn’t waste your money.

Unless I got to the venue early and there's a lull in conversation while waiting for the ceremony to start, I typically don't read them. I feel like most people may peruse them, but I don't think many people are reading them very closely. They're often left on the ceremony chairs, and some people don't even take them. I would honestly just skip them to be honest. You can honor the memory of your loved ones by doing just that-remembering them. If you don't announce them in some way, it isn't seen as an offensive thing or anything.

I read them always. But, I guess you have to ask yourself if you want to invest the time in creating and editing, printing, and getting your ushers to distribute and recycle. How about the option of your officiant requesting a moment of silence in remembrance of those who cannot be with you on your wedding day? And then he/she proceed with the joyful sections of the ceremony? Best wishes.

View Quoted Comment I love this idea!

I read the programs if the ceremony is long and boring.