(photo courtesy of Brad Howe Photography)
Ceremony Programs
There are many different styles and formats when it comes to wedding ceremony programs. While often the denomination of the wedding determines the contents, imagination can be used when choosing the way the information is delivered and displayed.
Common forms of programs include:
Church bulletins: usually simple in style, these bulletins are often printed by the church staff and may be a folded piece or pieces of copy paper much like parishioners would receive at a Sunday service
Formal Printed Programs: programs ordered through a stationer may take one of dozens of forms – a single panel tied with a ribbon, panel style on a backing, folded with or without cover stock, petite multi-fold on heavy stock…the combinations are endless. Professionally printed programs could be engraved, printed via thermography, letterpressed or flat-printed depending on the style and budget the bride wants to achieve.
Print-Your-Own: craft stores on online distributors now carry lines of pretty card stock meant for program printing, appropriate for less formal and restricted budget weddings
Program Fans: more popular in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, program fans are still a fun and merciful option for outdoor weddings in the summer heat. Details are printed on multiple panels which are secured with ribbon or a grommet which fan out for double-duty.
Ceremony details may be handed to guests by program attendants, or friends, usually of the bride, who are assigned this honor as an extension of her VIP wedding party, or distributed by ushers while seating. They may be displayed at the ceremony site in baskets or garden containers and in intimate weddings could be set at each guest’s seat.
You should make sure that ceremony programs are left in the seats of those family members who are included in the formal processional before guest seating begins so they may follow the program without carrying them as they are taking their places.
In most cases, one program per couple is sufficient. It’s better to have extra on hand, though, than to run short!
Finally, don’t forget to reserve a couple of souvenir copies of the program for the newlyweds to store with their wedding keepsakes!
Happy Planning!
Shayna Walker, Williamsburg Wedding Design
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