Wedding Program Essentials: What to Include in Your Wedding Program

There are several reasons to have a program at your wedding:

• If your wedding party is large and your guests are unfamiliar with the bridal party.
• If you have a long list of “Thank Yous” that you want to give proper credit to.
• If your wedding is being conducted in a religious tradition that some of your guests are unfamiliar with, it may be helpful to include a program with some details outlining the specifics so that they are able to follow along without feeling lost.

Once you have decided that your wedding needs a program, there are a couple of necessary items that must be included:

• The cover will typically feature the names of the couple, the date, time and or location as well. Some couples choose to include a photo of themselves which is perfectly acceptable as well.
• Typically wedding programs will include some version of an order of events section. Writing a general outline of the wedding ceremony is a useful way to inform your guests about what to expect. Here you can include the different song names and who performs them. If there are any readings or selections taken out of holy books or otherwise, this also can be included.
• It is customary to compose a list of the names and roles of your bridal party. Some couples allow space to include a short sentence or two about each member of the bridal party and why their relationship is important to you.

Following those three typical aspects of the program, depending on space there are several other optional ideas you may want to incorporate into your program:

• An explanation of the importance of the location, date, theme or anything else significant about the wedding plans
• Directions to the reception
• Favorite quotes or poems as selected by the bride or groom
• Thank yous

It would be both ideal and remarkably beautiful to include the same styles of font, paper and design in your program as your letterpress wedding invitation. Your guests will notice the small details and be thoroughly impressed.



Nick Walrath

Invitations by Ajalon
View our letterpress wedding invitation gallery.