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marissa
Devoted May 2011

No Programs?

marissa, on April 11, 2011 at 9:11 AM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 20

I apologize if people have posted before about not using programs but do you think it's ok? I don't plan on having any, we are having a short Catholic ceremony (not the full Mass) but I feel like people might expect them and wonder why there aren't any. What do you think? If I should make some, what would be the cheapest route you think?

20 Comments

Latest activity by Jessica, on April 11, 2011 at 2:02 PM
  • Raptor Bride
    Master May 2011
    Raptor Bride ·
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    I dont think it's wrong not to do them, im not doing them. i kinda think they're a wasteful use of paper, because most people dont really use them.. if you want them, just make them for a keep sake?

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  • Mrs♥In♥September
    Master September 2011
    Mrs♥In♥September ·
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    It all depends on your preference. I've been to weddings where they had them and to weddings where they didn't and I didn't miss them.

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  • Andrene
    Master October 2011
    Andrene ·
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    It's really is entirely up to you. I'm a paper person so would look for them at any wedding I went to but I am in the minoirty on this.

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  • Mary
    Super July 2011
    Mary ·
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    If you decided that people are going to expect them, you could easily do a simple, flat card, run through your own printer, on pretty paper or plain paper with a small embellishment (sticker, ribbon tie, swirl or design with a metallic pen, small stamped design, etc.). It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive, since lots of people won't keep them. (I always have, but I'm a stationery whore and love anything printed on pretty paper.)

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  • Rosie
    Master June 2011
    Rosie ·
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    If you don't want them, that's fine. If you're not sure, though, or if you have a lot of non-Catholics who are unfamiliar with the ceremony (even though it's not a full mass, I could see people scratching their heads at things like the responsorial psalm), you could do a one-page thing with the order of the ceremony on one side and the names of the members of the bridal party on the other. Even a wedding ceremony without the Mass in a Catholic church is a half hour at the shortest because there is still a Gospel and homily, so it might be a good idea to have something just so that people can know what's going on.

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  • Lala
    Master May 2012
    Lala ·
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    We aren't going to do one. We are having a casual, beach wedding and I saw this idea that I love:


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  • Mrs. Smith
    VIP May 2011
    Mrs. Smith ·
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    We aren't doing them...they will more than likely get tossed out.

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  • sarah
    Super June 2012
    sarah ·
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    La la i love that idea ..... im not doing programs i think its a waste of money for something thats not going to be a memorable part of the wedding

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  • Kari
    Devoted September 2011
    Kari ·
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    We are not having programs, but are having a quik, 5 minute ceremony (not in a church).

    When I asked out DOC about it- she agreed that it was not necessary.

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  • EdubbsWife™
    Master October 2011
    EdubbsWife™ ·
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    I am having them. I also am a paper person. I am also interested in knowing who is in the wedding party, what to expect, the names of the songs being sung, and any other things people want to share (poems, thanks, in memory of...). I do not throw them out, to me the paper is part of the wedding experience. And they do not have to be fancy. Just my 2 cent. If you have any people like me, they will look for them. Now will I have a miserable experience if they are not there? Of course not.

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  • Alyssa
    Dedicated June 2011
    Alyssa ·
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    I stood up in an outdoor wedding last summer and they didn't have any programs, there were no ushers either. I dont think it wrong not to have them. it is your wedding, it is just an easier way for you to tell everyone about the music in the ceremony and thank yous and such, but again it depends on your preference. We are having quite a bit of music because we are doing a full worship service (with some contemporary christian worship songs with a full band leading) right after our vows and kiss Smiley smile so we will have programs jsut to help all the guests out to know the names of songs and give out thank yous. I am doing just a single 8 1/2 x11 printed text paper (aka computer paper) that we have at home and going to roll it up like a scroll and tie it with a ribbon. I think this will be the cheapest way. You could also use some sort of sticker to hold them together if you didn't want to use the ribbon. I like the ribbon because it adds to it and ribbon is cheap. So that is mt 2 sense

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  • Ashley
    VIP September 2011
    Ashley ·
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    The last wedding I went to, they had hundreds of programs, and not one of them were touched. With the exception of our few out of town guests, everyone at our wedding has a good idea as to who's who, so wedding programs for us would be a waste of time and money.

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  • marissa
    Devoted May 2011
    marissa ·
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    Thanks everyone and great ideas! Alyssa, I love that idea and it sounds inexpensive. I am able to print anything at work so maybe I could do that. I was going the no programs route but I want people to be able to follow through with what's going on and I want my wedding party listed on there.

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  • EdubbsWife™
    Master October 2011
    EdubbsWife™ ·
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    Marissa, if you are going to print your own (which I may end up doing since I could not get the super fantastic ones that I wanted - I'm not sure yet) may I suggest www.paperandmore.com. They have some great papers and offer very inexpensive fast shipping samples if you want them. Good luck!

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  • GinaBeana
    Devoted May 2012
    GinaBeana ·
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    Alyssa, I love your idea! I am doing a short ceremony as well, but I think it would be nice if everyone knew who was in our bridal party and the names of the songs we are featuring.

    Now, to answer the question in the post. I think you can make the decision not to have the program, but I do know that this was something that I always looked at while I was there to follow along at any wedding I go to. I also can honestly say that I never looked at it again once the ceremony was over. So you can take both of those points into your consideration.

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  • Marilyn Starling
    Marilyn Starling ·
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    How about a photo of the 2 of you and on the back some of the basic program info. Some people would like to know and it would become a keepsake for most. But it is your choice. Best of luck

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  • *~* Soon to be Mrs. Murphey *~*
    VIP February 2013
    *~* Soon to be Mrs. Murphey *~* ·
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    I am making my own! All I am paying for is the card stock and ribbon which was like $20 total ... plus a little time and effort haha... so really my time was like $350! hahaha

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  • CK
    Expert April 2011
    CK ·
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    2nd lala's idea! Just stole it Like I own it.

    Thanks lala!

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  • Pumpkin's Sunshine
    Master October 2011
    Pumpkin's Sunshine ·
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    I am having an outdoor ceremony so I might make them by glueing cardstock to a popsicle stick to make fans. That way if it's warm they have a fan!

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  • Jessica
    VIP June 2011
    Jessica ·
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    I am not doing them either. If you want cheap ones try vistaprint.

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