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By offering a program
to your wedding guest, you are providing an order to the event
and a lovely keepsake for your friends and family. Programs can
be inexpensively printed at your stationer, a quick print shop
or form your computer. Wedding programs are becoming
increasingly popular, and brides are thinking up different ways to
personalize them and make them unique for their guests' enjoyment.
Programs typically contain the bride and groom's names, the date,
location, names of the wedding party, order and elements of the ceremony
(unity candle, vows, etc), music, any other principals in the wedding, and
thanks.
Your program should be printed at the last minute to allow for
program and other changes to be included in the text. However,
have a rough draft typed up a few weeks prior to the wedding to
allow for proofing. You will only need to scrutinize the added
text rather than the whole program. Make sure to verify a
reasonable time schedule with your printer. Also order some
extras for keepsakes as well as to mail to people who could not
attend.
Make sure to include some or all of the following elements:
* Wedding Date
* Order of Service
* Music Performed
* "Thank You For Attending"
* Names/relationship of Bridal Party
* Other Party Members (guestbook attendant, musicians, etc)
* Place of Ceremony
* If flash pictures are allowed
* Special readings
* Introduction of Family
* Appropriate Poem
* Officiant's Name
* Couple's New Address
* Wedding Missal
* Directions to Reception
* Note to Guests
Rather than including only the names of your bridesmaids or grooms, also
include how you met them and their role in your relationship (for example,
if you met through one of your groomsmen, or a bridesmaid who supported you
through your long distance relationship).
Include what the bride's "something old, new, borrowed and blue" are. For
instance, if a bride is wearing a bracelet her grandmother gave to her, or
if the wedding gown was her mother's.
If you are getting married in a significant location, explain it in the
program. Maybe you and your groom met there, or had your first date there,
etc. Even if the location isn't directly significant to your relationship,
but has an interesting history, that can also be included.
Include a short explanation of how the bride and groom met, and the
proposal story.
Include the lyrics to your first dance song and why it was chosen.
Explain the meaning and symbolism of parts of the ceremony, such as a
huppah or breaking of the glass in a Jewish ceremony, or the veil and cord
in a Catholic ceremony.
Don't think that you have to stick to a traditional two or tri-fold
program. You can make it a few pages, or even a small booklet! You can add a
beautiful touch by punching two holes down the fold, threading ribbon
through, and tying it into a bow.
Include a wedding blessing significant to your heritage, such as an Irish
blessing, or one in Spanish and translated.
Some programs now contain a photo of the bride and groom, sometimes drawn
by an artistic friend. Perhaps a black and white version of a photo can be
printed on a vellum overlay to the program.
Type out the text of readings or song lyrics.
If you have a theme, let the program play out in it also. If you have a
fairytale theme, put a castle on the front. If you are have a dove theme and
release, explain its significance.
Scatter love quotes throughout the program.
Include poem from the bride to the groom and vice versa.
Include a special dedication to deceased family, such as grandparents.
Lastly, it is always nice to thank all the people who helped you in the
wedding, and don't forget to thank the guests for sharing this special day
with you!
By using your programs as yet another way to personalize your wedding,
guests will be sure to appreciate the personal touch. |
