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While optional, many brides and grooms create a wedding program for their big day. This otherwise simple piece of stationary is a memorable keepsake that couples and guests can cherish for years to come. In case this is your first time hearing about wedding programs, though, you may have some questions. What should I include in a wedding program? When do I hand them out? To learn more about wedding programs and how they are used, keep reading.

 

Basically, a wedding program is an itinerary of the activities of festivities planned for your wedding day, along with other pertinent information about the big day. If you see a Broadway play or musical, for instance, you’ll probably a receive a program with similar information about the event. Well, a wedding a program is the same — only for your wedding.

Benefits of Wedding Programs

There are several benefits to creating and using wedding programs. Being that no two weddings are ever the same, your guests might be wondering when the ceremony and/or reception will happen. With a wedding program, they can easily find this information.

A wedding program is also a fun keepsake of your wedding. Some couples have even framed their wedding program as a token to remember their wedding.

What to Include in a Wedding Program

Here’s a short list of things to include in your wedding program:

  • Full names of bride and groom
  • Date and time of wedding
  • Address of venue
  • Name of the officiant
  • Names of bridesmaids and groomsmen
  • Order of the wedding ceremony
  • Entertainment (e.g. disc jockey or live band)
  • The story about how you and your soon-to-be spouse met
  • A brief ‘thank you’ note to guests for attending the wedding

Creating Your Own Wedding Program

You can also choose to create your own wedding program. The wedding website TheKnot.com has a detailed step-by-step guide that walks you through the process. You can create them either on standard single-sheet paper using a DIY kit, or you can create them using a computer program. If you plan to create your own wedding programs, though, be sure to make them several months in advance. This should provide ample time to fix any errors or typos you encounter.

It’s important to remember that wedding programs are completely optional. There’s no rule stating that couples must offer them to their wedding guests. With that said, wedding programs are easy to make, and they prove valuable information to guests.