Programs/Menu cards do you really need them?

Nope! save some trees

I am wondering the same thing. I am having a few more people than you (4 on each side) but I wasn't planning on doing a ceremony program. Most people tend to leave them on the chairs and throw them out. After reading some posts I feel like I should do them now.

I'd just make signs at the buffet table

My own personal opinion is when you have a ceremony that includes multiple people doing readings and whatever- especially if everyone doesn't know everyone- you should have programs. Other than that, it's not necessary. Same thing on the buffet- unless you have a huge buffet with foods that look unusual, I agree with Kimberly M- save a tree! (And the work)

@Lori-Sometimes the guest like to know who's standing up there w/you.

We are doing programs, but they are fan programs because it's FL. BUT I don't recommended doing a program per guest, maybe save some money by doing 1 per household?

Programs definitely not a necessity and honestly until WW I'd never heard of the menu cards at weddings.. I dont' think I've ever been to a wedding that had them... so I think thats a personal call... I agree with Kimberly save a tree!

I do not think you need them at all. However if you do decide on getting them I would get them from vistaprint. They will be super cheap so it is not a big deal if people throw them away or not take them.

I did see a cool idea on here that someone did with the menus by putting a couple on the tables in a picture frame..I might do one or two by the buffet table. I also thought of doing a chalk board with the wedding party listed ..kinda shabby chic country looking..the feel I am trying to obtain.

It has been hard because I live in VA and wedding is in MI. FMIL is helping with the booking of vendors. she has been wonderful but is going more formal when I keep telling simple casual look is what I want. It is supose to feel like the family gathering on Sat for a big picnic. They only control I feel I have is the decorations because I been doing that myself..and of course they are paying for most of the wedding.

Thank you for asking this question so I wouldn't have to After reading the responses - I will be saving some trees!

And after reading the responses I will be doing programs. Lol

@Singing Diva, that is my plan for the programs. We're having an outdoor ceremony in September at 11:00 AM so it might be warm.

And I'm doing a couple menus for each table. We're having a buffet and I want to make sure people know what is up there.

If anyone needs help, I have designed programs on vistaprint before.

These are the 50 free rack cards.

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

Singing Diva...wow that is a great idea! The program on a fan. How creative!!!!!! Mine is inside but I whish I had of thought of that.
@Becky....if your wedding is so small and personal you may not want to waste the time or paper making a program or menus. What you may want to do is at least have the food "labeled" on the buffet so people know what is what. I hate going to buffets and not know what the food is. If you do decide to do programs, yu can do quite a bit with Microsoft Word and one sheet of paper. It doesn' thave to be long and fancy, just a sheet of paper or print on the nice paper they sell at office stores. Otherwise for 15 people I would skip that part. Hey...we share the same date

I'm not doing a program OR a menu. I think it also depends on how religious or how long or short your ceremony is. My FH and I are not very religious, so our ceremony is going to be around 30 minutes max. I don't want to waste all the money, paper, and time. I don't believe we're going to have any readings either. I'm also very eco-friendly so

SAVE THE TREES!!

Good luck everyone!

I didnt know either...so I asked my wedding planner, and SHE said they are more for very formal weddings or weddings with traditions not everyone is familiar with to help guests understand what is going on. My wedding isnt traditional, and is formal just not superrr formal, Im not using them. =)) I think its a waste of the wedding budget, so Im not even bothering with a program either.

Nah.. Im not and I am also doing the backyard wedding. =)

We did programs only because we were having a Jewish wedding with several nonJewish guests. We therefore included the complete text of the ceremony, with transliterations and translations of the Hebrew and explanations of Jewish wedding customs. In other circumstances, I don't believe programs are necessary.

As for menus, I did one each for the buffet table, signature drinks, and layers of the cake. And even that wasn't really necessary.

For the wedding you described I would agree with you that you don't need programs. Like 2ndBride said, programs are best for ceremonies to explain things or to provide information to guests.

I also agree with Maria that placing signs at the buffet stations would be a big help because some guests may have allergies or diet restrictions and it would be helpful for them to know what is in a dish.

We're date twins, so best of luck on your wedding day.

Singing Diva love the fans that is a good idea my wedding is also outside