What to Include in a Wedding Ceremony Program?

If you’ve decided to have a wedding ceremony program but need help with what to put in it, you’ve come to the right place! There are a few things you should always include in your wedding program and other things you may or may not want to include at your discretion. If you’re unsure if you want one read our article answering the question “Do I Need a Wedding Ceremony Program?”. There are three main sections that you will want to include in every wedding program.

The first is the cover, which typically includes the date and/or the name of the bridal couple. You may also include the location and time of the ceremony, a picture of the couple, or a design element such as a bouquet of flowers, a scroll, monogram, or other similar design.

The second item is the order of events. Here you will list everything that will happen during the ceremony including processional music, greeting, scripture or other readings, prayers, exchange of vows, ring ceremony, unity candle ceremony, pronouncement of marriage, recessional music, and any other ceremonial music or events. You may not have all of these events and you also may have some not listed. Whatever your wedding ceremony includes you should also include in your wedding program in the order in which they will occur. Also if you did not list the bridal couple on the cover you can list them just before this section along with the time date and location of the wedding.

The third item is a list of bridal party members. This is just a simple list of names and their roles in your wedding ceremony. Some examples would be: Officiant: John Doe, Parents of the Bride: John and Jane Smith, Parents of the Groom: Rick and Debbie Jones. You will also want to list: Stepparents of the bride/groom, grandparents of the bride/groom, maid of honor, best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen, readers, ring bearer, flower girl. The candle lighters and ushers could be mentioned here or in the thank you section.

Some other things you might wish to include in your program would be an explanation of the rituals or traditions that are part of your ceremony. In the order of events you will want to include a request for audience participation during the affirmation of marriage, communion, singing, offering of the peace, etc. and times when the guests should stand or kneel. You may want to include a thank you section to thank all the people that have helped you in your life to this point or during the preparation of your wedding ceremony. You can also add any memorials to honor those who have passed. If you’d like you can include a few sentences about the bridesmaids and groomsmen and why they are important to you. Another thing to include might be the significance of the location, wedding theme, song for the first dance, etc. You can include quotes or poems about love and/or marriage. And finally, you can include directions to the reception and if you want a reception program.