Picture by Love and Light Wedding Planning

Picture by Love and Light Wedding Planning

The big day is almost here, and you’re down to the final touches! It’s time to think about wedding programs. These little details double as a fun keepsake for you and your guests (and if you’re like me, it’ll end up in a scrapbook). Not only are they a sweet memento, but they also give your guests a helpful play-by-play of what to expect. All that’s left is to pick your favorite style and fill in the details!

Wedding Program Essentials

1. Start with your cover page of essentials. Include your names, date, and location. You can even add a photo of the two of you to make it extra personal and memorable.

Picture by Love and Light Wedding Planning

2. Be sure to name your ceremony participants and give a special shoutout to your favorite people! These are the folks who’ve supported you throughout the planning process, and this is a great way to recognize their contributions. You can include your officiant, parents, wedding party members, flower girl, and ring bearer. I recommend listing them in the order of the processional so guests can easily follow along during the ceremony.

Picture by Raven Shutley Studios

3. Include an outline of the ceremony so guests know what to expect. You can keep it simple and straightforward, or go into more detail, especially if your ceremony includes cultural or religious traditions that may be unfamiliar to some guests. Offering more context helps everyone understand the significance of each moment. After the ceremony outline, follow up with the reception details. If you’re planning to take many group portraits (as common in South Asian weddings), consider listing the groupings in the program. That way, guests will know when their photo is scheduled. Your planner or photographer can then call out group numbers to keep things running smoothly.
4. Include any special requests you’d like your guests to follow. This could include putting away cell phones or inviting them to participate in part of the ceremony. You can also use this section to remind people to remain seated throughout the ceremony and wait to greet you after the recessional.
5. Last but not least, include a short thank you note. It’s a thoughtful way to express your gratitude to everyone who made the effort to be part of your special day. You can also take a moment to recognize the extra special people who went above and beyond to help bring your wedding to life. A little appreciation goes a long way and your guests will feel the love.

Customizing Your Wedding Programs

1. Adding a “how we met” story is another sweet and popular touch. Even if it’s already on your wedding website, including it in your program lets guests connect more personally with your journey. You could keep it simple with a quick version of how it all began, or share a broader overview of your love story and what brought you to this moment.
2. When creating your wedding program, don’t forget to incorporate beautiful visuals. Personal touches like photos of you and your partner can make the program feel warm and meaningful. You could even include small pictures of each member of the wedding party to help guests put faces to names. It’s a fun and thoughtful detail that adds charm and personality.
3. Memorial tributes are another meaningful addition to your program. Include a heartfelt message and perhaps a photo. This is a beautiful way to honor a loved one who is no longer with you. These touching gestures allow their memory to be part of your day, and it’s something your guests will deeply appreciate.

Picture by Hey Devan