Do you really need to have an Ceremony program???

I love this thread. I was trying to decide the same thing. We're not doing anything special for our ceremony. We're just going to walk out, say vows and leave. I thought I was the only person who didn't want programs! I feel like its a waste of money too. It's classy and adds detail to a wedding, but idk. It just seems like such a waste. If I can figure out how to print something nice on my own, I'm thinking of turning them into fans for my outdoor June wedding.

It's up to you. I'm just glad to see I'm not the only bride who doesnt want programs!

We are having them because of some cultural traditions that will need explaining. I don't want to take up time during the ceremony with a long story so we will print them in the programs. I also want a Thank You section and a section for reception activities. If we weren't doing so much weird stuff we probably wouldn't have them.

I made too many. I bought 3 packages of 40 each. So everyone could have one. But really, I would have been fine with just one or two packages of 40 programs. Or if you don't have time, just skip it. I really liked mine though and it was worth my time.

Our guest list is 200. I plan to make no more than 150.

Of course it's up to you, however, having a program can be more than just listing the wedding party's name. A ceremony program can include your thank you's, acknowledgments, participating vendors, poems, etc. I have seen a program that included how the bride and groom met. It all depends on the bride. Also, it will help guide your guests through the ceremony without them wondering what's next...

Im not. no need to.

Well since our's is a Jewish wedding, and a little more than half of the people who will be there are not Jewish, the program comes in handy to explain things and for them to know whats next.

People have varying opinions of programs. For instance, all the programs I've seen are like a 8x10 folded in half. It has the order of the ceremony with any song choices you have and then at the end it has the parents and bridal party listed. I've seen online some as complex as having inserts about the bridal party, information about the couple and even more stuff. We are doing a very simple program. But no, you don't have to have one. And most people just throw them away or don't even look at them. If you do decide to do them, don't print more than half of how many you expect to come. If 100 have RSVP'd, don't print more than 50.

At our wedding I don't want guests to see what is happening next. I want everyone to live the moment. I want our wedding to be surprises throughout and everyone just having a blast. Some weddings I went to was so boring that everyone was leaving before anyone could dance. Our is going to be so great that people will be begging for more. I am just like Jennifer L. In and out (kis)= keep it simple.

I am making ours. We are using them because we want to add in a directions section of how to get to the reception site because the ceremony and reception are not at the same venue.

Anybody invited to our reception will have received driving directions with their invitation. I may have some directions available at the church in case anyone forgot theirs but I won't be printing any information about the reception in our program. We may have to extend an open invitation to our church for the ceremony but we can't afford to have them all at the reception and I don't want any crashers.

Ours are both at the same location. So they will be attending both.