Program wording!

Pookieson · March 2013

I have casual program fans for the ceremony and longer programs for the reception (tri-fold) that include things like bar information, that guests with dietary restrictions or concerns can contact waiters etc etc. Where do I put the thank you to parents? Ceremony or Reception program? Also, can you ladies give me some feed back on what goes on these programs traditionally? Thanks!

itzMS · March 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_invites-paper_program-wording-15?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:cd062f89-8272-496a-b0ab-225e1f87acecDiscussion:05bcead9-3393-48ff-81ff-f158c8987dcePost:90c2fb6b-f41b-4a59-96b6-edcea332c6e5">Program wording!</a>:
[QUOTE]I have casual program fans for the ceremony and longer programs for the reception (tri-fold) that include things like <strong>bar information</strong>, that guests with dietary restrictions or concerns can contact waiters etc etc. Where do I put the thank you to parents? Ceremony or Reception program? Also, can you ladies give me some feed back on what goes on these programs traditionally? Thanks!
Posted by Shannon1401[/QUOTE]

Huh? What "bar information" could guests possibly need?

Normally, at most, a reception has a menu. In my experience, that is only if guests are choosing their meal option at the reception, not beforehand. What on earth would you need an entire program for?

Just put a few sentences of thanks on your ceremony program.

Pookieson · March 2013

It is an informal progam with the events of the ceremony that is kind of quirky/funny. They do not have dinner menus so we will list what is offered and menton that special concerns can be accommodated. The will not close the bar, and we are offering beer, wine and champagne. We are just putting beer, wine, champagne hosted. Should the thankyou go on the reception then?

Pookieson · March 2013

http://offbeatbride.com/2011/12/funny-wedding-program

something like this

itzMS · March 2013

I hadn't seen those before, and I wish I didn't just now.

Sorry, but those are terribly cheesy and kind of condescending.

Guests with dietary needs know that they can request accomodation. Guests don't need to be "told" on a program what is offered at the bar.

Pookieson · March 2013

well if they aren't closing the bar, guests can still order whatever they want but they'd have to pay. I think it's horribly rude to not let them know we are hosting beer and wine before hand so that they don't think it's full hosted bar and then have to pull wallets out.

The program isn't identicle to this one, just a starting point. We don't have cupcakes on tables, etc, so things just do not apply. I think they are funny and I think it can be done in a cute/humorous way.

Pookieson · March 2013

Also, it isn't just dietary needs, it's substitions of any kind, if they don't like the dressing, they can change it. I wouldn't know this if I went to wedding, I'd just eat what I was served.

itzMS · March 2013

Yikes.

First of all, you should only have available what you can afford to host. Telling guests in a program that they have to pay for things is just so awful I don't have words.

To answer your issue of substitutions, why can't the waitstaff just tell guests that they may choose from A, B, or C for their salad, and X, Y, or Z for their entree?

Having a "joke" program filled with sarcasm and treating guests like they've never been to a wedding before isn't a solution and is inappropriate.

Pookieson · March 2013

There will be nothing stating they have to pay for anything, only that beer and wine is hosted. The VENUE will not close the bar. So I want a way to let them know that is what is hosted. Secondly, I don't think a humor filled "program" with little blurbs about anything at the wedding is condescending. I would consider us to be a fun, quirky couple and I think a funny wedding would be entertaining (if done correctly). Like I said, it won't exactly be what is stated above, but a variation. I don't see an issue with disclosing beer and wine are hosted...it's not like I'm putting, "well pay for beer and wine, but please buy cocktails and shots so our bar bill isn't as high."
The waitstaff suggestion is valid, but we have 220 guests and I'm not sure they will tell every.single.guest, "by the way, if you don't like a, we have b, c, d and e."

libby2483 · March 2013

I agree with itzMS. Programs like this seem condescending and I think many guests will miss the "humor". Even more so, I just think they are unnecessary. I understand the dilemma with the venue refusing to remove hard alcohol, as our venue was the same way, but a simple sign by the bar that says beer and wine are hosted will suffice. In terms of food, won't your guests select their meal ahead of time? If not, simple menus or a quick summary of choices from the waiter should work. People don't need a play-by-play guide of exactly what to do at a wedding.

Edit: And to answer your original question, I would just do ceremony programs and put the thank you in there. I don't know what "traditionally" goes in a reception program because I have never heard of such a thing.

Pookieson · March 2013

there is no choice. It's just chicken, but if they don't like the kind of chicken, it can be accomodated, same as dressing, etc.

Pookieson · March 2013

I think this might be an aread where you must know your crowd. I don't think anyone will not understand this is supposed to be funny.

Pookieson · March 2013

I am only hosting beer and wine. The VENUE will not close the bar. So if guests wanted to, they could order something, I CANNOT stop this. I want to make it clear that only beer and wine are hosted. There is nothing I can do about the venue not closing the bar, there aren't many places where I am from that accommodate this large of a guest list and it is too close to switch venues anyway. My question had nothing to do with the bar. Only program wording.

libby2483 · March 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_invites-paper_program-wording-15?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:cd062f89-8272-496a-b0ab-225e1f87acecDiscussion:05bcead9-3393-48ff-81ff-f158c8987dcePost:755bb045-469d-4ba1-93c8-600d2ebc7f89">Re: Program wording!</a>:
[QUOTE]I think this might be an aread where you must know your crowd. I don't think anyone will not understand this is supposed to be funny.
Posted by Shannon1401[/QUOTE]

<div>That's a good point. I would find it odd, but if you know that your friends and family will get the humor, go for it. </div>

OwningAHome1981 · March 2013

That program in the link is absolutely cheesy. I would be embarrassed for the B & G if I was handed something like that.

Bar info doesn't need to be in a program. If you aren't hosting a full bar, have a sign at the bar stating what you ARE hosting. Food choices would be stated in a menu on the table at everyone's place setting OR I know in some cases people send their food choice back with their RSVP card. Why do you need a program telling people what food is available? I know you said you aren't having menus, but I suggest that you do and if your venue won't provide them, make them.

There is nothing cute or humourous about this.

Program wording!

Re: Program wording!

Choose Another Board

Search Boards