Wedding Wednesdays Q&A: Wedding Programs

It’s Wednesday and time for our Wedding Wednesdays Q&A where we answer your most pressing wedding planning questions.  Today we are talking about wedding programs:  I just sent out my invitations and now I’m thinking about some of the details that I want for my wedding.   One thing my friend said I have to have are wedding programs.  Is this true?  I feel like it would just be a throwaway.  What is the purpose of them and do I need them?

The purpose of wedding programs is to tell people what will be happening in your ceremony.  Imagine you are doing something ceremonial or cultural in your wedding that people might not understand.  The program is a way to explain it to them so that they can follow along and be a part of what is happening.  Wedding programs are common for church weddings or religious weddings where there are rituals that not everyone would know about.  But, they can also be used for non-religious weddings as well.

Besides informing your wedding guests of what will happen, the wedding programs are also is a chance for you to share additional information about the wedding as well.  Sometimes couples want to recognize a deceased relative or inform guests who the family and wedding party are.  It can also give you a chance to share a written thank you as well.

While wedding programs are traditionally meant for the ceremony, you could also make a program for the entire wedding as well.  It would be more of a timeline or schedule of events.  Some couples do this to get their guests excited about everything to come and of course once again, let people know what will be happening.

So, are wedding programs a must have?  The answer is no.  You should make a wedding program if you feel like your guests would benefit from it, but it’s definitely not a must have.  Now I must mention that the one instance where I think it is a must have is if you are doing something (in your ceremony or otherwise) that many of your guests won’t understand (e.g. Hindu wedding, Greek wedding).  You don’t want your guests to feel out of place or unsure what to do and by explaining it, they get to be a part of it as well.

(Photo credit: Sherman Chu Photography)

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