Ceremony Program

hlvonb

What all is included in the ceremony / wedding program? 

I know that the members of the bridal party as well as the groom's parents and the brides parents are mentioned.

I know the pastor is mentioned.

What else might be nice to add?

AddieCake

Some people list the music or names of readings. 

MobKaz

My daughter included the Order of Mass (Catholic Nuptial), and listed the names of the Officiate, musicians, and vocalist.  The names of the readings, as well as the readers, were listed.  Songs and the words to some of the prayers were included.  The bridal party was listed.  There was a page dedicated to the guests.  It was basically a letter of thanks and thanked family, friends, and parents for support, love, and involvement in their lives.  

My son and his wife listed the wedding party and ceremony order.  Within each component they listed the particulars, i.e., Prelude......................music by Andrew Bird, Processional............music by The Books, etc.  They also included Welcome, Readings, Unity Ceremony, Officiant's Remarks, Exchange of Vows, Exchange of Rings, Presentation, Recessional.

Jen4948

You can list the names of all persons participating in your ceremony, as well as a note of thanks to them for their participation.  (Don't make that the only gesture of thanks to them, though-they're doing you a huge favor, so show genuine gratitude with a personalized note of thanks and gift.)

If you have deceased or absent loved ones you'd like to give a tribute to, you can do that in your program.

You can also use it to provide translations of anything in foreign languages or explanations of any rituals or elements of your ceremony that are outside the mainstream of your guests' experience.

HisGirlFriday13

Ours were long -- like 8 pages, booklet-style -- but they were also SUPER detailed. Because we had a full Catholic Mass, and the majority of our guest weren't Catholic, our program was a step-by-step, follow-along guide as to what was coming next, what each part meant, etc.

hlvonb

Thanks everyone!

casey8784

HisGirlFriday13 said:

Ours were long -- like 8 pages, booklet-style -- but they were also SUPER detailed. Because we had a full Catholic Mass, and the majority of our guest weren't Catholic, our program was a step-by-step, follow-along guide as to what was coming next, what each part meant, etc.

we're basically doing this, except for a jewish wedding

CLI242009

HisGirlFriday13 said:

Ours were long -- like 8 pages, booklet-style -- but they were also SUPER detailed. Because we had a full Catholic Mass, and the majority of our guest weren't Catholic, our program was a step-by-step, follow-along guide as to what was coming next, what each part meant, etc.

FI's mom makes the programs for the church, so she's offered to make ours and that's basically what we are doing too.

OP it all depends on what kind of ceremony you are having and what you want included/known. The more religious ceremonies have the bigger programs especially if you want to help your guests who have no idea what's going on. Simpler ceremonies have smaller programs.

This is what I've usually seen in programs:
- Parents of B & G
- Names of all the bridal party members and listing who's the MoH and Best Man.
- Vendors (those who might be there like video, photo and florist)
- Musicians and/or the music
- readings and whose reading which reading
- a small thank you note at the end of the program to the guests

hlvonb

Thanks!

HisGirlFriday13

@hlvonb, I can show you a mock - up of mine if you want to see it.

hlvonb

@HisGirlFriday13

Yes please

amakayeb

@HisGirlFriday13

I would love to see it too. That is one of the next projects on my to-do list, and ours will need to be more detailed than the more basic ones.

HisGirlFriday13

@hlvonb and @amakayeb -- I'll try to upload them tonight. @hlvonb, if I don't remind me.

hlvonb

@HisGirlFriday13

Will do.