Programs and Menu Cards?

shaer2

Ok, so this may sound like a strange question but I do have to admit I'm not up on wedding etiquitte nor do I remember even having these for my first wedding but...are most people doing programs and menu cards? If so what is the purpose of the program and what should it say? And what should they look like?

katiebean1

Every wedding I have been to has had programs and no menu cards. We are doing both. Our programs will be really simple, a listing of things happing during the ceremony,  our names, the date, list of the bridal party and how we know them, parents names and possibly a section to remember those who are no longer with us.  Our table number frames are double sided so I'm going to make a card listing everything that will be on the buffet. As a guest I know I would appreciate knowing what was for dinner before I got to it. As far as what they should look like, just make them match your wedding!

npott044

I have never been to a wedding with a menu card so I do not plan on doing one. Every wedding I have gone to on the other hand has programs but to be honest I usually toss them right after the wedding so I might not do these either.

jessa1228

I'm not doing menu cards but I think they're a good idea for a reception where the guests don't know ahead of time what's being served. As for programs, I'm still undecided. I think if it's in the budget then I'll do something simple because like PP said they're disposable, plus my ceremony is going to be pretty straightforward.

BMcLeodTeam

My programs will include what the readings are, the order of the service (we're doing a religious service, and not all attending are religious, so this will explain to them what we're doing), who the wedding party is, an explanation of the meaning behind one of the things we're doing and potential a listing of those that can't be with us, but we've been leaning towards not doing that.

We are doing menu cards, but we are having a buffet dinner where guests won't know ahead of time what's being served. Ours will outline what's in each dish so as tables wait for their turn to go up to get food, they can already know what they can/can't eat due to what they like, allergies, etc.

shaer2

Thanks ladies. I do have an idea that might save me from menu cards but still allow me to show the menu to guests. I had bought a vintage Pepsi sign that was used in a restaurant to display the menu and it came with all the letters, numbers etc. Since we are having a vintage, outdoor wedding I think this would work and I could display it on the wall of the reception area (lattice walls). Thoughts?

BMcLeodTeam

If you're doing a vintage wedding I'd say it TOTALLY fits in!

SCogs18

At the moment we are NOT doing them as our budget is stretched to the max and I really don't want to go over.  If I do end up doing anything, it would be really simple DIY programs.  I don't think a menu card is necessary.

ekk120

Every wedding I have been to so far, they have done programs. IMO, they are kind of a waste of money. We're painting the panes of an old window with chalkboard paint, and then writing all of the information that would normally go on the programs on the chalkboard. Its going to be displayed as people come into the ceremony; we're having a pretty laid back backyard wedding. Maybe you could do something like that to save on money/time? I just feel bad throwing out a program right after the ceremony because I dont want it folded up in my purse, lol.

As for the menu card, I think that your idea is great! The Pepsi sign would be super cute and fit your theme perfectly it sounds like.

mamameech

I think it depends on your style of wedding. We are having a traditional church service so for process and readings, I am doing a program. Our dinner is formal, and all the formal weddings I've been to have had menus. And, I want to do one :P

I also do all the designing and printing myself so it's not a bit cost by any means; and it's a way for me to use my creativity.

agladhill

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_september-2012-weddings_programs-and-menu-cards?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:a464c18c-2e4d-469b-8eae-3865079cb9cfDiscussion:16a271e1-2259-4f89-90c1-08ad0c9baf19Post:a47f851a-a97f-410f-94c3-2eec3ac67215">Re: Programs and Menu Cards?</a>:
[QUOTE]My programs will include what the readings are, the order of the service (we're doing a religious service, and not all attending are religious, so this will explain to them what we're doing), who the wedding party is, an explanation of the meaning behind one of the things we're doing and potential a listing of those that can't be with us, but we've been leaning towards not doing that. We are doing menu cards, but we are having a buffet dinner where guests won't know ahead of time what's being served. Ours will outline what's in each dish so as tables wait for their turn to go up to get food, they can already know what they can/can't eat due to what they like, allergies, etc.
Posted by BMcLeodTeam[/QUOTE]

This is exactly what I'm doing too, although we are not having a religious ceremony, but we will be doing some things like the unity sand that will be a foreign concept to my family.  I'm printing mine on seeded paper, so that hopefully everyone will take them home and recycle them in their flower beds. <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-smile.gif" border="0" alt="Smile" title="Smile" />