A wedding program is a thoughtful way to share the story of your special day with guests. Here's a sample outline and template you can use as a guide:
**Sample Wedding Program Template:**
1. **Welcome**
* A brief welcome message from the couple
* The date, time, and location of the ceremony
2. **Wedding Party**
* Names and titles of the wedding party (bride, groom, best man, maid of honor, etc.)
3. **Order of Events**
* A list of the events that will take place during the ceremony, such as:
+ Processional (entrance of the wedding party)
+ Welcome message from the officiant
+ Readings or songs
+ Vows and ring exchange
+ Pronouncement and kiss
+ Recessional (exit of the wedding party)
4. **Special Recognition**
* A special acknowledgment for any notable guests, such as parents, grandparents, or honorees
5. **Wedding Party Bios**
* Short bios on each member of the wedding party, including their relationship to the couple and a fun fact or two
**Example Wedding Program:**
[Cover Page]
Welcome to the marriage of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]!
Today, we gather to celebrate the union of these two amazing individuals. The ceremony will take place at [Location], starting at [Time].
**Wedding Party**
* Bride: [Bride's Name]
* Groom: [Groom's Name]
* Maid of Honor: Sarah Johnson
* Best Man: Michael Davis
* Bridesmaids: Emily Wilson, Rachel Lee
* Groomsmen: James Thompson, Christopher Brown
**Order of Events**
1. Processional (entrance of the wedding party)
2. Welcome message from Officiant, Rev. Jane Smith
3. Reading by Sarah Johnson, "A Love Letter" by [Author]
4. Vows and ring exchange between [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]
5. Pronouncement and kiss
6. Recessional (exit of the wedding party)
**Special Recognition**
We are honored to have [Parent's Names] with us today, celebrating their daughter/son's special day.
**Wedding Party Bios**
* Sarah Johnson (Maid of Honor): Sarah is [Bride's Name]'s best friend and partner in crime. Fun fact: She can recite the entire script of "The Office" from memory.
* Michael Davis (Best Man): Michael has been [Groom's Name]'s wingman since college. He's a master griller and loves trying new craft beers.
Remember to keep your program concise and easy to read. You can add or remove sections as needed, depending on the tone and style of your wedding.
A wedding program is a nice touch that can add a personal and elegant touch to your special day. Here are some examples of how to write a wedding program:
**Basic Structure:**
* Welcome message
* Wedding party introductions (bride, groom, attendants)
* Order of events (ceremony, recessional, etc.)
* Musical selections or hymns played during the ceremony
* Special acknowledgments or dedications
**Example 1: Simple and Classic**
Welcome to the wedding celebration of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]!
**The Wedding Party:**
* Bride: [Bride's Name]
* Groom: [Groom's Name]
* Maid of Honor: [Maid of Honor's Name]
* Best Man: [Best Man's Name]
**Order of Events:**
1. Prelude Music: [Song Title] by [Artist/Band]
2. Processional: "Here Comes the Bride" by Richard Wagner
3. Ceremony: Officiated by [Officiant's Name]
4. Recessional: "Canon in D" by Pachelbel
**Musical Selections:**
* Prelude Music: [Song Title] by [Artist/Band]
* Postlude Music: [Song Title] by [Artist/Band]
**Special Acknowledgments:**
We would like to take a moment to acknowledge our parents, [Bride's Parents' Names], and [Groom's Parents' Names], who have supported us every step of the way.
**Example 2: More Detailed and Personalized**
Welcome to the wedding celebration of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]!
**The Wedding Party:**
* Bride: [Bride's Name]
* Groom: [Groom's Name]
* Maid of Honor: [Maid of Honor's Name], sister of the bride
* Best Man: [Best Man's Name], best friend of the groom
* Bridesmaids: [List of bridesmaid names]
* Groomsmen: [List of groomsman names]
**Order of Events:**
1. Prelude Music: "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri (played on piano)
2. Processional: "Ode to Joy" by Beethoven, played by our string quartet
3. Ceremony: Officiated by Rev. [Officiant's Name], a close family friend
4. Recessional: "I Choose You" by Sara Bareilles (played on guitar)
**Musical Selections:**
* Prelude Music: "Clair de Lune" by Claude Debussy (played on piano)
* Postlude Music: "All of Me" by John Legend (played on piano and cello)
**Special Acknowledgments:**
We would like to take a moment to acknowledge our families, who have been our rock throughout this journey. We are grateful for their love and support.
**Example 3: Whimsical and Playful**
Welcome to the wedding celebration of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]!
**The Wedding Party:**
* Bride: [Bride's Name], Queen of the Castle
* Groom: [Groom's Name], Prince Charming
* Maid of Honor: [Maid of Honor's Name], fairy godmother extraordinaire
* Best Man: [Best Man's Name], knight in shining armor
**Order of Events:**
1. Prelude Music: "Wedding March" by Felix Mendelssohn (played on a recorder)
2. Processional: "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" sung by the wedding party
3. Ceremony: Officiated by [Officiant's Name], with a dash of magic and wonder
4. Recessional: "I Will Follow You into the Sun" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros (played on ukulele)
**Musical Selections:**
* Prelude Music: "The Way I Am" by Ingrid Michaelson (played on guitar)
* Postlude Music: "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles (played on harmonica)
Remember to keep your wedding program concise, clear, and easy to read. You can add personal touches, such as photos or illustrations, to make it more special and memorable for your guests.
Writing a wedding program can seem overwhelming, but following a specific order and including essential elements will help you create a beautiful and informative keepsake for your guests. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to write a wedding program in order:
**I. Cover Page (optional)**
* Include the couple's names
* Wedding date
* Location of the ceremony
* A brief phrase or quote that sets the tone for the celebration
**II. Welcome and Prelude**
* Greet your guests with a warm welcome message
* Acknowledge any special acknowledgments, such as a unity candle lighting or a blessing from a loved one
* Provide a brief overview of the ceremony's format and what to expect
**III. Order of Service**
1. **Introduction**
* Welcome remarks by an officiant, emcee, or celebrant
2. **Processional**
* List the order in which participants will enter the ceremony space (e.g., bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl, ring bearer)
3. **Opening Prayer/Blessing/Welcome**
* A brief prayer, blessing, or welcome message to set the tone for the ceremony
4. **Reading(s)**
* List any readings or poems that will be shared during the ceremony
5. **Wedding Party Vows/Promises**
* Include the vows or promises made by the wedding party (if applicable)
6. **Ring Exchange/Couple's Vows**
* Describe the ring exchange and/or the couple's vows
7. **Prayer/Blessing/Intercession**
* A brief prayer, blessing, or intercession to seek God's guidance and presence in the marriage
8. ** Pronouncement/Declaration of Marriage**
* The officiant's declaration that the couple is now married
9. **Recessional**
* List the order in which participants will exit the ceremony space (e.g., bride, groom, wedding party)
**IV. Special Acknowledgments**
* Honor any special acknowledgments or recognitions during the ceremony, such as:
+ Recognition of military service
+ Honoring loved ones who have passed away
+ Incorporating cultural or family traditions
**V. Closing Remarks**
* A final message from the officiant or celebrant to conclude the ceremony and send guests off with a blessing or farewell note
**VI. Reception Information**
* Provide details about the reception, including:
+ Location and address
+ Start time
+ Parking information (if applicable)
+ Special requests or instructions for guests (e.g., dress code, RSVP deadline)
**VII. Final Thoughts/Gratitude**
* Express your gratitude to your guests for celebrating with you
* End with a heartfelt message or a quote that resonates with the couple's love story
Remember to keep your wedding program concise and easy to follow. You can include additional elements, such as photos, poems, or songs, if they are meaningful to the couple.
Here are some wedding program examples:
**Example 1: Simple and Classic**
* Welcome Message:
"Welcome to the wedding celebration of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]."
* Ceremony Program:
"Ceremony Music: 'Canon in D' by Pachelbel"
"Prelude: 'The Wedding March' by Felix Mendelssohn"
"Processional: 'Here Comes the Sun' by The Beatles"
"Hymn: 'Amazing Grace'"
"Offertory: 'I Choose You' by Sara Bareilles"
"Recessional: 'At Last' by Etta James"
* Reception Program:
"Dinner and Dancing to follow"
**Example 2: Themed Wedding**
* Welcome Message:
"Welcome to the Enchanted Garden wedding celebration of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]."
* Ceremony Program:
"Ceremony Music: 'The Sound of Silence' by Simon & Garfunkel"
"Prelude: 'Fly Me to the Moon' by Frank Sinatra"
"Processional: 'Landslide' by Fleetwood Mac"
"Hymn: 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow'"
"Offertory: 'Marry You' by Bruno Mars"
"Recessional: 'I'm Yours' by Jason Mraz"
* Reception Program:
"Dinner and Dancing to follow, with a special surprise at 9pm"
**Example 3: Formal and Elegant**
* Welcome Message:
"Warmest greetings on this most auspicious occasion. The marriage of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] is a celebration of their love and commitment to one another."
* Ceremony Program:
"Ceremony Music: 'Prelude in E Minor' by Chopin"
"Prelude: 'Air on the G String' by Johann Sebastian Bach"
"Processional: 'The Prince of Denmark's March' by Henry Purcell"
"Hymn: 'The Lord's Prayer'"
"Offertory: 'Hallelujah' by Leonard Cohen"
"Recessional: 'Bridal Chorus' by Richard Wagner"
* Reception Program:
"Cocktail hour and dinner to follow, with a special performance at 10pm"
**Example 4: Fun and Whimsical**
* Welcome Message:
"Get ready for the most epic celebration of love and marriage! [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] are tying the knot and we're thrilled to share it with you."
* Ceremony Program:
"Ceremony Music: 'Best Day of My Life' by American Authors"
"Prelude: 'Mr. Blue Sky' by Electric Light Orchestra"
"Processional: 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' by The Beatles"
"Hymn: 'Love Shack' by The B-52's"
"Offertory: 'Sweet Disposition' by The Temper Trap"
"Recessional: 'Here Comes the Sun (Reprise)' by The Beatles"
* Reception Program:
"Dancing, games, and shenanigans to follow. Don't forget to wear your party shoes!"
Remember, these are just examples, and you can customize your wedding program to fit your unique style and preferences.
Here are some traditional wedding program examples:
**Classic Wedding Program Example**
* **Welcome**
* **Processional**
+ Officiant's Procession
+ Bridal Party Introduction
+ Bridesmaids' Procession
+ Groomsmen's Procession
+ Maid/Matron of Honor's Procession
+ Bride's Procession
* **Ceremony**
+ Opening Prayer or Welcome
+ Reading 1 (e.g. Bible verse, poem)
+ Song or Music Performance
+ Reading 2 (e.g. Bible verse, poem)
+ Officiant's Remarks and Vows
+ Ring Exchange
+ Pronouncement of Marriage
+ Kiss
* **Recessional**
+ Bride and Groom's Recessional
+ Bridal Party Introduction
**Vintage-Inspired Wedding Program Example**
* **Welcome to the Celebration of Love!**
* **The Ceremony**
+ Prelude Music: [list songs or artists]
+ Processional: [list names and titles]
+ Opening Prayer or Welcome: [officiant's name]
+ Reading 1: [reader's name] - [reading text]
+ Song: [performer(s)] - [song title]
+ Reading 2: [reader's name] - [reading text]
+ Officiant's Remarks and Vows
+ Ring Exchange: [ceremony details]
+ Pronouncement of Marriage: [officiant's name]
+ Kiss: [bride and groom's names]
* **Recessional**
+ Recessional Music: [list songs or artists]
+ Bride and Groom's Recessional: [bride and groom's names]
**Modern Wedding Program Example**
* **Welcome to the Celebration of Love!**
* **The Ceremony**
+ Prelude Music: [list songs or artists]
+ Processional:
- Officiant: [officiant's name]
- Bridesmaids: [list bridesmaids' names and titles]
- Maid/Matron of Honor: [maid/matron of honor's name]
- Groomsmen: [list groomsmen's names and titles]
- Bride: [bride's name]
* **Ceremony Highlights**
+ Opening Prayer or Welcome: [officiant's name]
+ Reading 1: [reader's name] - [reading text]
+ Song: [performer(s)] - [song title]
+ Ring Exchange: [ceremony details]
+ Pronouncement of Marriage: [officiant's name]
* **Recessional**
+ Recessional Music: [list songs or artists]
+ Bride and Groom's Recessional: [bride and groom's names]
Remember to customize your wedding program to fit your personal style and wedding theme.
Here's a sample wedding program in PDF format:
**Wedding Program**
**[Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]**
**Celebrating their love and commitment to each other**
**Saturday, [Date], at [Time]**
**at [Location]**
**Order of Events**
1. **Pre-Ceremony Music**: Enjoy the beautiful sounds of [musician/ensemble] as they set the tone for our special day.
2. **Welcome and Introduction**: Our emcee, [name], will welcome everyone to the celebration and introduce our officiant, [officiant's name].
3. **Candle Lighting**: Join us as we light the unity candle, symbolizing the union of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name].
4. **Wedding Party Introduction**: Meet our beautiful bridesmaids, [bridesmaid names], and handsome groomsmen, [groomsman names], who will be standing by [Bride's Name]'s and [Groom's Name]'s side today.
5. **Processional**: Watch as our lovely flower girls, [flower girl names], and ring bearers, [ring bearer name(s)], make their way down the aisle, followed by [Bride's Name] and her father, [father's name].
6. **Ceremony**: Listen as [officiant's name] guides us through the ceremony, sharing words of wisdom and love.
7. **Vows and Ring Exchange**: Witness the exchanging of vows and rings between [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name], as they promise to love and cherish each other for all eternity.
8. ** Pronouncement and Kiss**: Join in the joy as our newlyweds are pronounced husband and wife, followed by their first kiss as a married couple!
9. **Recessional**: Follow the wedding party as they make their way back down the aisle, led by [Bride's Name] and her new husband.
10. **Post-Ceremony Celebration**: Stay and celebrate with us as we enjoy cocktail hour, food, and music!
**Special Thanks**
* To our parents, [parents' names], for their unwavering support and love.
* To our wedding party, [bridesmaids' names] and [groomsmen's names], for standing by our side today.
* To our friends and family, for joining us on this special day.
**Reception to Follow**
Immediately following the ceremony, please join us for food, drinks, and celebration at [reception location].
**RSVP Information**
Please RSVP by [date] to let us know you're coming! You can respond by mail to [address], or online at [website].
**Wedding Website**
For more information about our special day, including accommodations, travel information, and registry details, please visit our wedding website at [website URL].
This is just a sample, but you can customize it according to your needs and preferences. You can add or remove sections, modify the wording, and include personal touches that make it unique to your wedding.
Remember to keep it concise and easy to read, with clear headings and bullet points to help guests navigate the program.
Here are some simple wedding program examples:
**Example 1: Classic and Simple**
* Wedding Program Cover: A simple white or cream-colored card with the couple's names and the date of the wedding
* Inside:
+ Welcome message
+ Order of events (ceremony, recessional, reception)
+ Names of the wedding party and their roles
**Example 2: Whimsical and Playful**
* Wedding Program Cover: A colorful illustration or design featuring the couple's names and a playful font
* Inside:
+ A brief story about how the couple met and fell in love
+ The order of events (ceremony, recessional, reception)
+ Fun facts about the couple, such as their hobbies or interests
**Example 3: Formal and Elegant**
* Wedding Program Cover: A luxurious paper with a elegant font and design
* Inside:
+ Welcome message from the wedding party
+ The order of events (ceremony, recessional, reception)
+ Names and titles of the wedding party members
+ A special thank-you message to guests
**Example 4: Personalized and Meaningful**
* Wedding Program Cover: A custom-designed cover featuring a special photo or illustration that represents the couple's love story
* Inside:
+ A heartfelt letter from the bride and groom to their guests
+ The order of events (ceremony, recessional, reception)
+ Names and stories about the wedding party members
+ Special acknowledgments for the couple's parents, grandparents, or other important family members
**Example 5: Simple and Straightforward**
* Wedding Program Cover: A basic white card with the couple's names and the date of the wedding
* Inside:
+ The order of events (ceremony, recessional, reception)
+ Names of the wedding party members
+ A simple message welcoming guests to the celebration
Remember, your wedding program is a special keepsake for your guests, so make sure it reflects your personal style and wedding theme.
Here are some examples of wedding program wording:
**Welcome**
* "Welcome to the wedding celebration of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]!"
* "Join us as we celebrate the union of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] in marriage."
* "Please join our joyous gathering to witness the marriage of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]."
**Order of Events**
* "The ceremony will begin at [time], followed by a reception at [location]."
* "Today's schedule includes: [list specific events, such as readings, songs, or special performances]."
* "Following the ceremony, we'll adjourn to the reception area for food, drink, and merriment."
**Special Thanks**
* "We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to [family member/friend/organist] for their beautiful music."
* "A special thank you to [florist/caterer/photonographer] for helping make this day truly unforgettable."
* "We're grateful to have [family member/friend] here with us today, sharing in the joy of our wedding."
**Readings and Performances**
* "[Name], will be reading a selection from [book/poem]."
* "The talented [singer/musician] will perform a special song for us."
* "We're honored to have [poet/author] share their original work with us today."
**Officiant's Welcome**
* "Welcome, everyone! I'm [Officiant's Name], and I'll be guiding us through the ceremony today."
* "I'm thrilled to be a part of this special day for [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]."
* "Let's take a moment to reflect on the love and commitment that [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] are about to make."
**Vows and Pronouncement**
* "[Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name], please join hands and repeat after me: 'I, [Name], take you...'"
* "As [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] exchange their vows, let us celebrate the love that they share."
* "With great joy, I pronounce you husband and wife! Congratulations, [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]!"
**Closing Remarks**
* "Thank you, everyone, for being a part of this unforgettable day. Cheers to [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]'s future together!"
* "As we celebrate the union of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name], let us also remember the importance of love, laughter, and commitment."
* "May today be the start of many happy years for [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]."
Remember to keep your program concise and easy to read. You can customize it to fit your unique style and wedding theme.