Reception programs - Are you doing them?

Wait, this is a thing? I'm going to be lucky if I manage to get ceremony programs put together.

What's a reception program?

We are not doing reception programs, I don't think I've ever seen those done. But I am thinking of having a program board- like a chalkboard on an easel with the reception timeline, just so people know what to expect when. We're having a buffet but no menu cards.

ETA: picture of what I'm thinking of doing, though I would decorate it differently, to be more wedding-style. I'm only doing it if I can do it easily for cheap though, definitely not a priority.

Reception program? No. Probably no menu card, either. What I am thinking about doing is a thank you for spending the day with us card at each place setting

I'm not having a reception program but thinking about one for ceremony.

My friend had a program with the menu, timing of events (cake cutting, speeches, etc) so people knew when not to run out and miss something), who was speaking etc. I thought it seemed excessive, but wondered what everyone else was doing.

I am having a rustic theme wedding and I have ordered two chalkboards that come with easels (under $30 total) and I will be using one at the ceremony site in lieu of typed/printed programs. Since my ceremony is in a park, this will also cut down on the risks of people leaving paper and having them fly all across the park (and 9/10, people don't keep programs anyway, so I'll save money here)! The other will be used as a menu board at the reception site.

I'll also have the one from the ceremony transported to the reception site and used to either direct guests to sign the guest tree or to notify them to personalize their mason jars as they'll be a keepsake to each guest. We play a lot of Pictionary with our children, so the chalkboards will still come in handy afterwards :-)

I have never heard of a reception program, just a ceremony program. What goes in a reception program?

I haven't heard of this either. I won't even be doing ceremony programs.

I had never even considered that. My DJ will be aware of the reception program because he is helping me with announcing and whatnot. But keep some spontaneity for your guests, and even for yourself. You will be dealing with a lot of to-do lists leading up to your wedding (if you are not already aware of that), so don't add one more to the mix. Plus, another set of programs would be just one more thing you have to remember to do and pay for.

I'm not doing ceremony or reception programs. My ceremony will be the standard I do I do so I don't think we need a program for that. I'm not having menus either.

We are doing what Sara is doing. We found it to be easier and cheaper on our end.

I only had menus. No programs of any kind. We didn't have a buffet though - it was a sit-down dinner.

Never heard of a reception program. We are doing ceremony programs since its in a church. We are doing menus (no chargers) and having buffet. That way guests know what to expect when they get up there.

Nope never heard of that and didn't do menus or any other signage at the wedding. Just an extra expense in my opinion.

Yes...sort of ....I have it incorporated into my ceremony program just so the guests know what to expect ...Zazzle has some cute ones

I'm not and have never attended a wedding with one. They honestly seem like a bit of a waste, right? Your DJ can make announcements before events are to happen, I don't see a reason why your guests need to know ahead of time that toasts will begin at 9 or anything like that.

We will have menu cards for every other person at the table. Only because they are provided by the caterer.

Head desk. No one needs to do this. What are they going to do, leave? What difference does it make what time what thing happens? Your DJ will announce things, and it'll be just fine.

Keep it simple, seriously. Don't add all these things that really serve no purpose except to make you more stressed out.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I really didn't want to do them, so I'm happy nobody else is either!