What is the point of a wedding program?

If you have a more involved ceremony, it's nice to be able to let folks know about any special touches -- a sand ceremony or a unity candle, any special traditions, etc. Catholic weddings are a good example -- if you don't have all Catholic guests, it lets people know what's happening next, words to special prayers, etc.

If you have a simple ceremony, like I did, you can use it to introduce the parents and the wedding party, to write a thank you note to your guests, to write a memorial note about those who have passed, etc. You can also go without it.

I personally like them because they tell the names and roles of people involved in the wedding. It can explain any special ceremonies or traditions that some may not be familiar with. I really just like to know what's going on and what comes next Music choices, thanks to the guests for coming, and your future address together!

We told people who was in the ceremony... everyone doesn't know that your maid of honor has been your friend since pre-school. We also had a poem we liked, we gave the history of jumping the broom. We acknowledged our parents and grandparents. We also had the order of events (cocktail hour, game, then reception) and we asked people not to take pictures during the ceremony.

We had a lot of announcements! LOL. If you don't have any, skip them. But I loved the paper of a wedding! It also helped pull the wedding theme together. PM me with your email if you want a publisher file of the one we did.

We didn't do a program and I wish we had. It was on the list, I just didn't get it finished in time. Our ceremony was very simple, but literally 2 months later I could not remember for the life of me all of our musical selections, etc.

I have the programs from my grandparents' and parents' weddings. It's a really nice keepsake. And it's something nice for people to have in hand as they're sitting and waiting for the ceremony to start, in case they don't know all the people in your bridal party, etc.

I know I always love knowing who's who in the bridal party, seeing which readings the couple has chosen, etc. I'm snoopy.

We will have a small program just to list who the wedding party is and also to have the readings listed so people can read along if they want

Also we wanted to put a little memorial in the program for my grandmother and our son

We had a Catholic ceremony and since 95% of the people attending where not Catholic we had the programs to line out the whole ceremony like the responses and when to stand. As well as list our "in memorial", driving directions to the reception and wedding party.

I'm so neurotic, I love going to weddings with programs so I can see what the ceremony is going to involve and then follow along to see "what's next."

We are doing a pretty involved one because of our Catholic mass. We are including an "agenda" of the ceremony (i.e. the order things are happening), and an outline of the entire mass - including all the readings written out so guests can follow along. We also included the list of our bridal party, including our officiants, a poem for those that have passed (specially mentioning my father) and then a thank you. Phew.

Printing as we type!

I had so many family and friends who helped me with all the details, I wanted to thank them all. Both inside pages of my listed all the people in the BP and all other helpers! The back was a poem I like.

Sometimes, if you have a religious ceremony you have a very thick program that goes through the ceremony in detail, lists all the responses from the congregation, etc.

We had a Jewish ceremony with several nonJewish guests. The program included the entire text of the ceremony, with transliterations and translations of the Hebrew, plus an explanation of the Jewish customs.

Full Catholic wedding here, and a lot of non-Catholics on the guest list. It's a way for people to follow the ceremony. It also introduces the wedding party.

I included a thank you to guests on the back of mine as well as a marriage prayer.

It makes a great fan when you are hot.

It is something for you guests to read while they are waiting for the ceremony to start.

It is not needed, but I like them.

However, I don't think a ton needs to be spent on them, and only order for 50%-70% of your guests, they will share. Unless it is a summer wedding out doors and it is a fan, then one for everyone.

Ideas for Things for a program....

Name, Date, Time, Location

Parents Names

Wedding Party (how you know them is optional)

In Remembrance

Order of Ceremony

Description of any special ceremonies (wine, jumping the broom, 3 cords, etc)

Thank you to guests

Directions to Reception - Map

Poem or quote (if you have room it is a nice touch)

Games (word search, cross word, word scramble)

Your new address - if you two are moving to a new place together.

Wow Ladies! I had no idea! These are all awesome ideas. I think we have just decided to have a wedding program! Thanks for the photos I am a visual person and it helps it become more clear!

I so love being able to talk to all of you!! Life savers!

I like them for listing the bridal party, especially if you have guests who really only know your side or FH side. Also, it helps people know where you are in the ceremony- especially if it is going to be long. (Not to be a kiill-joy but if you are having a Catholic wedding with a lot of non-Catholic guests, a lot of them will be following the program to know when the good parts are and what they can daydream through).

They are also a nice place to honor people who are important to you who have passed and can't physically be at your wedding.

LOL @ A great fan, Hayley you're precious (And I mean that! Promise, no sarcasm!)

I wasn't planning on doing one, but now I feel like I should just to announce who's who in the wedding party. Ours is relatively small, 3 each, flower girl and ring bearer, but our families have not met yet and that may be a good thing to do.

Otherwise, we're SUPER SIMPLE people and we're not doing a big fancy ceremony.

@ Hayley, did you make those fans? that's a great idea! how did you do it? yourself or order them somewhere?

I'm so glad you posted this!! I was wondering the same thing and because we are not having a wedding party I didnt know the point of it but now I have soooo many ideas..you guys are awesome.. Thank you Katie P.