A wedding program is one of the many decisions you’ll make when planning your wedding. And we’re here to help! But first, are programs a requirement? Some say programs are optional, but we think…programs are essential. A properly constructed program can introduce guests to your families, your wedding party, share a little bit about you as a couple, convey the tone and theme of your wedding, and even include a heartfelt mention in memory of a loved one. We’ve been browsing the beautiful wedding programs over at Hadley Designs and designer Rebecca has some helpful tips on what wedding programs should include… We’ll share her tips, showcase some of our favorite programs from her collection, and inspire you with some of her newest wedding invitation designs, too. When it comes to wedding paper goods, you’ll want everything to be cohesive. Lucky for you, Hadley Designs offers complete packages, all customized for every part of your wedding from save the dates and invitations to programs, menus, place cards, and more! Are you ready to cross programs (and other paper goods) from your long list of to-do’s? Let’s get started!

What to Include in Wedding Programs

There are typically seven key ingredients to the perfect wedding program: the cover, order of events, family, wedding party, in memory of, thank you, and fun elements. Let’s begin with the first thing guests will see: the cover.

1. Cover

The cover is decorative should reflect the theme of your wedding. The cover usually includes three things: the couple’s names, wedding date, and location. According to Hadley Designs, “A lot of brides like to include an engagement picture, a favorite scripture, or a favorite love quote.”

2. Order of Events

The main function of the ceremony program is to share the order of events. Here is one example of a traditional wedding ceremony outline:

3. The Family

In this section, you can include family members, such as Parents of the Bride or Parents of the Groom. This is a nice place to mention your grandparents, too.

4. The Wedding Party

Include a list of your bridesmaids and groomsmen, along with how they’re related to or friends with the bride or groom. For instance, the Maid of Honor could be shown with her name and a brief description, such as “the bride’s best friend and roommate from college”.

5. In Loving Memory Of…

We mentioned some appropriate ways to honor loved ones at your wedding in this recent article. One of our favorite ways to include his or her name in your ceremony program. Hadley Designs mentions, “A lot of brides like to enjoy a little memoir section for those special person(s) who have passed on and cannot be a part of the special day.”

Here is one example from their website:

“On this joyous occasion, we would like to remember

those who are no longer with us. We know their

loving presence and spirit are with us today and always.

A single sunflower has been placed on a chair in honor of…”

6. Thank You to Guests

In this section, the bride and groom can include a brief thank you message to guests for attending the wedding.

7. Fun Element

And last but not least, don’t forget to add a fun element to the program. According to Hadley Designs, “e have had brides include a number of fun extras for their guests. A few of our more popular options include a crossword puzzle about the couple, a word search, riddles, or jokes.”

TIP

Picking a ceremony program that doubles as a fan is a great idea for summer weddings, as it can keep guests cool, too.

Invitation Designs

Now that you’ve seen some program tips and examples, check out these additional custom designed invitations from Hadley Designs for the spring and summer! I especially love this floral wedding invitation suite spotted in their shop:

This floral wreath style is ideal for a bohemian wedding:

This doily invitation is another favorite. I like it paired with navy, as shown:

Prefer an elegant calligraphy look? Here’s one example:

Floral watercolor designs are very in this season, and this is one of my newest favorites:

This one, too!

This navy and blush palette is pure perfection:

The hard part? Picking a favorite! As mentioned, you can create a custom package (with programs, place cards, menus, invitations, and more) with help from Hadley Designs. Get started on their website.

Do you have questions about your wedding program? Tell us in the comments section below!

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