The Absolute Guide to What Should (And Should Not) Go in a Wedding Program

There are so many little details that can bring your perfect wedding vision to life, and with so much going on throughout the entire planning process, it can be pretty easy to forget a few of those pieces. Amid all the decisions over your cake, tablescape or invitations, the ceremony program can easily fall by the wayside.

A wedding program is used to hint on some aspects of the ceremony and rules of conduct of the guests. And it's not only useful for guiding guests through the event, it's also a personal, thoughtful addition to your party. If you’re thinking of having one, here’s what you need to include.

What to Put in a Wedding Program

According to event planner Mei Lien Carter, the most common features of a wedding program include the couple’s names, the wedding date, location, and a list of key participants, like the officiant, wedding party, and close family members. Add-on components, including personal notes or detailed explanations of traditions, can make the experience all the more special.

Here’s what to include:

Names, Date, and Location

On the cover of your program (or top if yours is a single-sheet layout) be sure the two of you, the date of the ceremony, and the location are featured. Others even add the ceremony start time as a reminder for guests to take their seats before it begins.

Order of Events

It's a great way to keep guests informed by posting the schedule of events. If your party has a religious or cultural theme, Carter suggests giving a quick explanation so people feel included and a part of the celebration.

A sample order of ceremony could look as follows:

• Processional: Detail who will be walking down the aisle, from parents to wedding party.
• Welcome and Introduction: Include the name of your officiant if they’ll be giving an opening statement.
• Readings: Give the title and reader’s name.
• Vows: Whether standard or unique, they´re the main event.
• Ring Ceremony: Symbolic, heartwarming, and usually a highlight.
• Announcement of Marriage: When you are officially married.
• Recessional: Indicates the ceremony's end.

Names of People in the Ceremony

If there is space, also list the name of relatives and friends who are taking part in the ceremony. This could be anyone from parents, to attendants, flower girls, ring bearers, readers, and musicians. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate their dedication.

Acknowledgments

A thank-you section is a nice touch. The program is also commonly used by couples to thank guests, particularly parents or mentors, Carter says. It’s a nice way to feature the support you’ve gotten, before your big day.

Special Tributes

Look to pay homage to loved ones who can’t be in attendance? More than a few couples wanted to include a nod to deceased family members or those who could not attend because of the distance or other issues. In recent years, this section has been used for guests who were impacted by travel bans or health concerns, Carter notes. A moving message here gives your program depth and feeling.

Fun Facts

You can even add playful details to your program to make it all the more personal. Share a few cute or funny facts about you guys, if you’d like. You might add a mini crossword or a custom illustration — a drawing of your venue, maybe, or a symbolic image that evokes your journey together.

One couple, Carter remembers, sent a watercolor of a garden where they were to be wed. With little touches like this, a program can become a beloved souvenir.

Closing Remarks

Conclude your program with one last thank you, a line from your vows or a beloved poem, or something useful like the address and start time of the reception. This allows guests to easily move on to the next part of the reception.

Final Thoughts

A wedding program is so much more than guide to your ceremony—it’s a chance to welcome your guests, include a personal touch, and even set the tone for your event. Whether you take a simpler approach or splurge on custom design, this little touch can help elevate your big day even further.