Is it rude not to have programs?

golden1215 · June 2010

We're having a very small wedding where the whole ceremony won't go over 10-15 minutes. Do I NEED programs? I'm trying to keep a budget and they seem silly to me for a few reasons:
1) Our wedding is outside - we're not having the traditional row/pew type seating. and we don't have an usher, so I'm not even sure how we'd hand them out...
2) At no point will the guests reply to anything, like you see in church weddings
3) I have 1 MOH and he has just 1 BM, any everyone already knows who they are. Same for his sis doing the reading and my grandpa singing the song.
4) The format couldn't be more standard. Music, walk in, greeting, reading, song, vows, rings, unity candle, pronouncement, done.

Do people really need to know what's happening next in such a quick and small ceremony? Is it rude not to have programs?

damaless · June 2010

I asked this in response to another thread a while ago and was told that programs aren't necessary but some people like them and prefer to have them.

Brie2010 · June 2010

Nope. Not rude.

georgia_bride09 · June 2010

Programs aren't necessary.

If you're not doing the typical row/pew thing, where/how are your guests sitting?

How small is small?

eastunder1 · June 2010

I think programs are a complete waste of time/money/trees. If I don't already know who your bridal party is, I assure you I don't care. And I can probably follow the ceremony without being told in advance what is coming next.

JessAndTrav · June 2010

I'm definitely in the camp that programs aren't a necessity. The ONLY reason we did them was because my MIL was adamant that we have them. They were very simple, nothing fancy. I wasn't willing to put forth the effort into something I didn't want.

KatyRoseM · June 2010

I like programs. I like reading what you thought was important for me to know. I also like having something to read before it starts and any explanations of traditions. However that is all personal preference, its not rude to do without them.

Bubbalub · June 2010

Programs, to me, are more for church weddings. That way people can read along with the special readings or whatever, and they know what hymns may be sung. We aren't doing programs and I haven't been to a wedding with them in years.

apnk2005 · June 2010

I don't think programs are neccesary. We're having them, because we're outside, and if it's really hot, people can have something to fan themselves with.

golden1215 · June 2010

thanks for the in put ladies

georgia_bride09 - small is 30 people and they'll be at round tables on a patio overlooking the garden where we'll say our vows

*BeachBride0410* · June 2010

Skip them, no one will notice. I was worried about it, but none of my guests cared. Like East said, waste of money & paper.

danieliza1127 · June 2010

I definitely think you can skip them. That said, we got married outside, had a small wedding party, and just had them in a basket instead of handed out. I think you can really go either way but if you're leaning toward skipping them, just skip them.

mags0607 · June 2010

I'm in the camp that they are only necessary for Church weddings and religious ceremonies that some guests may be unfamiliar with. In your case, skip them, they really aren't needed, and certainly not rude to skip them.

[Deleted User] · June 2010

I hope not, because we didn't do them.

I think they are a waste of perfectly good trees, and money. My friend had one and honestly it went in the trash as soon as I got home.

blackfire5th · June 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_rude-not-programs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:80a2ca1c-b931-4c53-906b-effb3d989303Post:816d4809-15af-48a3-a23d-7a940afcd408">Re: Is it rude not to have programs?</a>:
[QUOTE]I don't think programs are neccesary. We're having them, because we're outside, and if it's really hot, people can have something to fan themselves with.
Posted by apnk2005[/QUOTE]

<div>We had them because we had a big church wedding, but I like to get them so that I can fan myself.</div>

swissarmymelody · June 2010

If you decide that you do want them, they don't have to be a lot of money. You can always print them yourself; we made over 100 for under $20.

brookelynpaisley · June 2010

Very. Everyone needs to know how you know all your bridesmaids and what your parents names are. Duh

Is it rude not to have programs?

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