Do I need Programs?

SharEtoBe

FI and I are trying to find some areas to do a little cost cutting and FI wants to eliminate the programs. He said he thinks they are a waste of money because most people might flip through them a little and then leave them on their chairs which is one more thing to be cleaned up and they are looking at a program instead of the ceremony. I see the validity in his argument but in my brain, programs are part of the wedding ceremony. Anyone not doing programs? Do we need them? It would save us some time and money that we could put towards other things (bathroom baskets, menu cards which are a MUST because we are having a tasting style menu with many courses, etc.)
Thanks!

schnugglebug

Do you really need bathroom baskets?
I noticed a lot of brides are doing them... I have never been to a wedding with one...

as for programs we printed 1/4 to the amount of guests we had... and ordered them of Vista Print for 10$... (plus like 5$ sh&Hnd)

minionlover

I am not doing programs.  To be honest, I have only been to a few wedding where they had them.  I maybe flipped through them quick and then threw them out.  The only time I kinda liked them is with a Catholic ceremony that way I could follow along.

cbear215

We aren't doing programs either.  I agree with Cathy that the only time that they are helpful is if you are having a full Catholic mass, and even then, I still don't think they're absolutely necessary.

julzy

We're doing them but I'm making them myself. I should be able to keep the cost to around $50-$60. I think they make a nice keepsake for the family (I have the programs from my family members' weddings--and I especially love the ones where I was in the wedding party. I'm a pack rat though haha so might not be the best judge of these things.)  I definitely don't think they're necessary though.  No one will miss them but I also definitely don't think anyone will miss bathroom baskets either!

lehc723

I have been to a couple weddings that didn't have programs, and it was fine.

You could also, if you want, skip bathroom baskets. We did them, and I kind of regret it, ha, because it was money I wish we hadn't spent. But FI thought they were neat and he's been so cool and laid back about me taking on crafts and whatnot that when there was something he wanted us to do together, I didn't know how to say no.

achiduck

Unless your ceremony is in a different language or has many cultural traditions that the majority of your guests won't be familiar with you don't need them.

LDubHawksFan

Programs and baskets aren't necessary.  Skip them.  For programs, I'm printing them myself at home, so I bought a package of cardstock at Michaels for $3.  You are right though, most people don't keep them.  The baskets are cute and nice, but not necessary.  I bought 2 baskets on super sale at Michaels too, but I'm on the fence on spending probably another $15 to fill them with stuff.  If I do, then I'm going to just give them to my friend getting married the next weekend.

had26

I was on the fence about them too and just decided to bite the bullet and do them.  I know I enjoy looking at the program at weddings. I went to Staples and bought a package of nice cardstock.  It's enough for programs and menu cards.  I'll just create them and print them myself on a color printer.  Not too expensive at all.  I think the paper was like $8 or something.  Another thought for you if you are really torn!

mercurybebe

We did a really simple 8x10 flyer Program through vistaprint because we had bought the Groupon and had $ to spend there.  It is double sided and we are thinking of rolling it up and wrapping it with ribbon to give to guests.  I wanted something for people to take away with our info on it since our favors are Lindt chocolates in organza bags with no name/date, etc. 
On the back of the program we wrote out the lyrics to our 1st dance song...people can sing along

[Deleted User]

We are doing them, we have some space on the back so I am going to use that to invite people to join us downtown for a festival that is going on that night (we are having a morning wedding).

catwine

I like programs becuase I want to know whats going on and who's who...that being said, i agree that it can be a waste of money. we are probably going to print them though.
i've seen the order of ceremony written on a big chalkboard at the entrance to the ceremony location.  that might be cute if it fits your style

violakat03

I am planning to do programs using the leftover cardstock from invitations. As a guest, I'd like them because I like knowing who the people in the bridal party are, but I wouldn't miss them if they weren't there. I wouldn't be doing them if I didn't already have the materials.

Before getting on TK I didn't even know some weddings had programs because I'd never been to a wedding with them. I'd also never seen bathroom baskets. I've now been to one wedding from a bride who was active on TK that had bathroom baskets and programs. Most of the stuff in the baskets wasn't used and she said she regretted spending the money on them, so I'm not doing them either. I am going to have tissues available because that's something she opted not to offer and regretted.

photoash

We're having a very laid back, short, and non-traditional ceremony (non-religious, etc), so we're skipping the programs. We're making a sign to inform guests that we'd like them not to chose a side during the ceremony, and the invites informed them that the reception is to immediately follow the ceremony and where its located, so programs were just not really needed. I can understand if youre having a big Catholic wedding or something along those lines, but really, I dont think theyre that important.