Are Ceremony Programs necessary???

Knottie1440529273

I am trying to find a way to cut costs on the wedding, and just don't see the purpose of a wedding program?? Has anyone been to a wedding where they didn't have programs?? Can anyone suggest a cheap alternative/cool idea?? I just think it's silly because everyone knows how typical wedding ceremonies go....suggestions would be great! Thanks ladies!!

Lisa50

Programs are not necessary.  We did not have one and no one missed it.  Most weddings I've been to did not have programs.  Eliminating program design/production gives you one less thing to stress over.

Gabrielle76

Programs are not necessary.  They can be helpful if you are having a wedding that incorporates a lot of things not familiar to your guests, like if you are having an interfaith wedding, or complicated religious ceremony.  Otherwise no one will miss them.

Avion22

Our ceremony wasn't terribly complicated, but we did have some readings and prayers that had responses, and we wanted people to have the option of reading along and responding or not based on their beliefs.  

Our programs cost maybe $10 in paper and ribbon?   I designed them on MS Word, and printed them on my home laser printer, then punched two holes in the "spine" and bound them with a piece of tied ribbon.  They looked beautiful.   If you don't have a printer you could use, then you can do what my sister did and go to Kinkos for copies.  Or see if a friend will let you use their printer if you chip in for an ink cartridge.

kizznible

I wouldn't worry about programs, they are out dated in my opinion. I dont plan on having them. this is your wedding and you make it your own. dont be pressured by what other people say you need. programs are just a waste anyway.

annamhisle

I made 80 of these for about $10.

They are front & back!

Avion22

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_are-ceremony-programs-necessary?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:10Discussion:07b90e87-0405-42dd-9f77-e8e009dd6557Post:0ceb0f92-d678-4372-af3b-cd7d479d3ba5">Re: Are Ceremony Programs necessary???</a>:
[QUOTE]I wouldn't worry about programs, they are out dated in my opinion. I dont plan on having them. this is your wedding and you make it your own. dont be pressured by what other people say you need. programs are just a waste anyway.
Posted by kizznible[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Our priest thought they were pretty much mandatory. If I hadn't made my own, he would have made some for me, and they were going to be UGLY (like, the same script he was reading off of, in bold and all-caps, with sheets of 8.5x11 stapled together).</div><div>
</div><div>I agree that if you are doing a fairly simple ceremony then you don't need them.  But I hardly see how something as cheap as $10, that helps your guests follow your ceremony, and names people in your bridal party, is a "waste" or "outdated."

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mdeidre

I don't see any need for them.  I designed and printed my own the first time I got married, but this time we're not going to have them at all.  In my situation, they would be a waste, but some people do consider them to be a lovely keepsake.  I will let those people content themselves with our wedding invitations.

kateguess22

Forgo ceremony programs unless you have a really long, complicated ceremony and you want guests to be able to keep up. Not only are you saving a ton of money by leaving stationary by the wayside, you're also saving trees. You eco-friendly bride, you!

toothpastechica

Not necissary, we are having them because we are having a religious ceremony and most of our guests will not be used to it, also we are having some people in our wedding who most guests won't know and rather then having them asked all night "so how do you know..." it will be written in the program.

random4180

I plan on having them but part of that does come from the fact that we're getting married in a church- which I know from experience can be uncomfortable if you have nothing to follow. There are readings and some prayers with responses and with my VP deal I can design it and get it all printed up for me on nice paper for $15 or less. Seems worth it for our purposes but only you can determine if it's worth it to you and useful for your ceremony. 

toothpastechica

PS. we are also just printing our ceremony on cardstock and using word to design it. Not hard, and inexpensive, and we are only printing about 50-60 for a wedding of 120 people. They do not have to be elaborate or have to match other things unless you want them to, ours will be done for about $10 (price of cardstock and ink).

ChristineNB

I am not planning on having them.  I have never been to a wedding that had them, and I am planning on keeping my wedding ceremony pretty simple.  I might have a reading, but no religious rituals, no prayers, no sand ceremony, so I figure people will be able to figure everything out