Programs are saved as keepsake records of the who, what, and why of their ceremony programs. This checklist of contents, stylish trends, and helpful logistics will help you get started. Read up on real-life brides’ stories of how they got with the program!

Contents

Front page: Bride and groom’s name, place of ceremony, and the date.

Inside left page: Names of the wedding party in the order of walking down the aisle, including parents, maid of honor and best man, bridesmaids and groomsmen. Also include officiant, readers, soloists, musicians and the pieces they will perform.

Inside right page: The order of the ceremony, including the prayers and rituals.

Also: Your program can include brief and informative descriptions of military, ethnic, or religious rituals and practices; remembrances of departed loved ones and thanks to families and friends for support.

Stylish Trends

Unique sizes and folds – long and narrow, square, folded up rather than vertically, tri-folds, accordions, single sheets, or fans.

Matching: Color ink, paper, motifs, initial, monograms, or ribbon to your wedding colors.

Customizing a meaningful engagement photo, songs, poems, quotes along with why you selected the passage or photograph.

Helpful Logistics

Plan ahead: Gather your information at least two months before your ceremony so you and your custom invitation designer have time to customize your program.

Save money: Prioritize by having your program jacket and binding ribbon match your wedding and design, then print the inside on your own computer and assemble the programs with your bridesmaids.

Handing out: Have the groomsmen hand out the programs before seating your guests, ask a favorite teenage cousin or nephew to distribute from a basket, or place a program on each seat ahead of time.

How these brides got with the program

Amy Gallagher matched her wedding program to the colors of her wedding – soft charcoals and lavenders. Amy and Brian’s initials graced the front of the program with a large charcoal crystal binding the monogram. She chose a multi-page description of the Jewish wedding traditions so guests could keep the program as an informative keepsake. Amy’s binding was unique in that she bound from side to side at the top and bottom, rather than at the seam. See Custom Wedding Invitations: Bel Air Style 1

Liza Temple choose to have her invitation designer create her cover and fill in the pages on her own to save costs. She matched the paper, ink, and herb motif to go with her invitation set. Her square shape matched the modern wedding she had at the family ranch in Northern California. She printed the inside from her own computer and her bridesmaids helped her assemble them at home. See Custom Wedding Invitations: Greenbriar Style 1

Kelly Campbell tied her vibrant orange programs with a matching motif and typeface to her invitations. She and Josh chose a meaningful passage from a song for the back of their program. Their free-spirited style and quote went perfectly with the feel of their ceremony. See Custom Wedding Invitations: Malibu Style 1

Constance Stern used a traditional Chinese symbol – double happiness – on the back of their program along with remembrance of departed loved ones, and special thanks to family and friends who traveled to be with them, and to Connie’s parents, who hosted the wedding. The Chinese symbol appeared on their save the date, the invitation’s direction card, and through to the program. See Custom Wedding Invitations: Calvin Style 1

Alexandra Brook wanted a simple ceremony program as she chose to have guests focus on the ceremony itself and the beautiful scenery of Tuscany. The olive branch motif, which was used from the invitation, envelope, program, menu, place cards, to their thank you notes, provided a sense of continuity. See Custom Wedding Invitations: Tuscany Style 1