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Looking for wedding program wording ideas? Not sure what to include in your wedding program? You’ve come to the right place! Create the perfect wedding program with this guide to wedding program wording.
Most wedding programs are comprised of four sections: the introduction, the ceremony, the wedding party and messages.
If you’re printing two-panel wedding programs (front and back), the first two sections can go on the front, and the other two on the back. If you’re printing four-panel (folded) wedding programs, each section can be placed on its own panel.
Let’s go through the wedding ceremony program order, section-by-section, so you’ll know how to word your wedding programs.
The first section should include:
If you’re printing two-panel wedding programs, the introduction should be printed on the top of the first panel. If you’re printing four-panel, folded wedding ceremony programs, it should be on the first panel, otherwise known as the front cover.
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The second section of your wedding program should feature the order of the ceremony. On two-panel programs, it will go immediately below the introduction. On four-panel programs, it should go on the second page, or inside cover.
This is the music that is played while your guests are being seated. It’s common to include the song title, composer, and the name of the person performing it (if it’s a live performance, such as a piano, guitar player, and/or singer); though these are optional.
Prelude
The attendants’ processional is the music played when the bridal party makes its way down the aisle. Like the prelude, you can list the song title, composer and performer. These are optional; however, your formatting for the prelude and processional should match.
This is the music played when the bride enters and makes her way down the aisle. Formatting should match the other songs.
Bride’s Processional
Greeting or Opening Prayer
The attendants’ processional is the music played when the bridal party makes its way down the aisle. Like the prelude, you can list the song title, composer and performer. These are optional; however, your formatting for the prelude and processional should match.
The greeting can be listed on your wedding program as:
Readings
If the ceremony will include religious readings, they should be included on the program. The readings might be consecutive; or, you might have one reading early in the ceremony and another reading later. Place the readings accordingly, name the Bible verse (if applicable), and name the person conducting the reading.
Exchange of Vows
The part of your wedding in which vows and rings are exchanged; on wedding programs, it’s commonly referred to simply as the “Exchange of Vows.”
Exchange of rings
Some wedding programs include this part in the “Exchange of Vows,” others list it separately
Unity ceremony
If the wedding will include the lighting of a unity candle, pouring of unity sand, or some other symbolic gesture, include it on your wedding program. It’s commonly referred to as a “Unity Ceremony.”
Presentation of couple
The part of the ceremony in which the officiant announces the newlyweds, they kiss, and the celebration begins.
Recessional
The music played when the newlywed couple and wedding party make their way back down the aisle. It should follow the formatting of the other music.
NOTE: If your wedding ceremony will include a religious service, your officiant or church can help you identify additional items to include and where to place them. For example, your ceremony section might have a liturgy, which could include readings, a gospel, a sermon or homily, hymns, and prayers (such as the Lord’s Prayer). Separate items might also include the Rite of Marriage and Nuptial Blessing, such as in a Catholic wedding.
The third section of your wedding program should feature participants other than the bride and groom, otherwise known as the wedding party. If you’re printing two-panel programs, it can go either below the introduction or on the top of the back. If you’re printing four-panel, folded programs, it can go on either interior panel. First and last names, as well as official titles (when applicable), should be included.
How you list the wedding party in your programs is up to you, though a hierarchy similar to the following is common:
If desired, you can include the relationships to the bride and groom for each person in the wedding party.
Examples:
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How to list divorced parents on a wedding program
Proper wedding program etiquette for divorced parents presents several different options, including:
Parent and stepparents’ name on the same line
Jane and John Smith [where Jane is the mother and John is the stepfather] Bruce and Milly Jankins [where Bruce is the father and Milly is the stepmother]
Parents escorted by stepparents
Jane Smith, escorted by her husband John Smith Bruce Jankins, escorted by his wife Milly Jankins
List parents and stepparents separately
Parents of the Bride: John Smith and Milly Jankins Stepfather: Bruce Jankins
The last section of your wedding program should feature a message of appreciation for your guests, also referred to as a message of thanks or, simply, a thank-you note.
Optionally, some couples elect to include a memorial or remembrance message dedicated to deceased friends and family members. You can also choose to include a reception reminder. This section can be placed on the bottom of two-paneled programs, or on the back panel of four-paneled wedding programs.
