No doubt, the wedding program wording by default is to have a seamless flow. In particular, this is because the wedding program is what will guide your guests all through your event. And some couples choose to use unique wedding programs instead of the standard style for wedding programs.
So, whichever you choose, allow us to help you navigate the maze that is wedding programs wording and wedding programs etiquette.
Wedding Program Wording Structure
Ceremonies differ, so do the wedding program’s wording structure. But to make a beautiful wedding program, there’s a wedding program wording template. It’s always almost divided into 3 sections which are the introduction, order of events and participants.
They include the names of the couple, wedding date and venues, start time, procession, greetings, readings, vows, presentation and recessional. Tweak to suit whatever style of wedding program wording ideas that fit your wedding.
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Wedding program cover wording
For wedding programs that are more than a page, the cover will have wedding programs text. This text must be informative and romantic. It must include the who, why, when, and sweet romantic quotes as footnotes. Get creative by first putting the couple’s name down on the cover.
Then include the date that you’re having the wedding. The venue is also very important. You’ll find a sample wedding program in post.
Here are a few popular examples of wedding program wording for the cover include phrases such as:
- The two become one.
- Today I will marry my friend.
- Oh, perfect love.
- God bless our wedding day.
- Two lives, one love.
- I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.
- Two hearts united in love.
- United in love.
- From this day forward.
- Everlasting love.
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When you open the wedding program
The essence of wedding programs wording is to get information. So the inside of a wedding program will contain two sections which are the order of event and participants.
The order of the event will have the name of the couple inscribe at the beginning. Then the others will come as follows. Listed below are basics you can’t miss.
Order of program
- Prelude
- Wedding processional
- Greetings
- Readings
- Vows
- Presentation
- Processional
Participants
- The wedding officiant
- Parents of the bride
- Parents of the groom
- Grandparents of the bride
- Grandparents of the groom
- Maid of honor
- Best man
- Bridesmaids
- Groomsmen
- Flower girl
- Ring bearer
- Ushers
- DJ (optional)
- Etc
The names of each participant should be spelled in full.
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Additional information
After giving all the vital information, you can add a thank-you for the guests at the back page. It’s always nice to also wish them journey mercies back home. If you’re having a destination wedding, include pictorial outlays of the city. They might want to come back. Some couples also include a map to help with directions for guests.
Wedding Program Wording Samples To Get You Started
Below are samples of wedding program wording for your reference. They can serve as wedding program fan template program for wedding or wedding bulletins examples. However, these are mainly sample wedding program wordings.
1. General Information
Bride and Groom names, date, ceremony time, the location of the ceremony including city and state.
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Order of Ceremony:
Prelude: Music plays in the background while guests settle down and find their seats.
Seating of Bride and Grooms Parents and Grandparents.
Bridal Party Procession: The bridal party comes in.
Bridal procession: The bride comes in on the arm of her father or male representative.
Greeting (by the officiant)
Declaration of intent (by the couple)
Exchange of vows and rings (by the couple)
Sand ceremony (or any traditional/religious step required in your wedding): Depending on the religion or tradition, some ritual may be inserted here. Could be jumping the broom or a lighting a candle.
Prayer, blessing or reading: Reading of a poem or verse by friends or family.
Kiss the bride: The couple is presented to everyone as a man and wife, and the groom kisses his bride.
Recessional: The couple exits the ceremony.
Participants/The Wedding Party:
List of participants.
Reception Information: Any important information on the reception, like the time, venue, and seating arrangement.
Final message, poems or scripture. This personalizes the wedding program. Moreover, it is a chance to add some words unique to the couple. It is also a chance to include some words in memory of lost loved ones. E.g.
“We would like to remember our parents who are sorely missed and are not with us today…”
“We remember our dearly beloved….”
“In honor of so and so who could not be with us today….”
Thank You: E.g. Thanks to our family and friends who have chosen to celebrate this wonderful day with us. We wish you as much love in your lives as you have shown us, and we wish you a safe journey home.
New Address: Some couples find fun ways of including their new home address in the wedding program. This makes it easy for family and friends to reach them afterward or forward gifts.
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2. Opening
The opening for a typical wedding program includes the things such as the Bride’s first and last name, the Groom’s first and last name, month, day, year of the wedding as well as the time and the ceremony venue.
Order of Events
In fact, this is the main body of the wedding program. It details the points of the ceremony from the entrance of the bride up until the exit of the couple after they have been joined by the officiant.
Opening music: The music that plays while the guests get settled.
Processional: The bride and her bridal party come in, in the order, they have chosen.
Opening Words by the officiant: A few words about the couple and their union are said by the officiant.
Readings: Poetry or verses read by loved ones to the couple.
Wedding Message: The officiant reads his message which is usually blessings and words of advice to the couple.
Vows: the exchanging of vows and rings by the couple.
Presentation of the couple: The officiant presents the couple to their guests, and they kiss as man and wife.
Exit by the couple: This indicates the end of the ceremony.
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Wedding party
Just like participants, the wedding party is listed in detail in this section, their names captured in full and in the following manner.
Full title and name of your officiant
Parents of the bride
Parents of the groom
Grandparents of the bride
Grandparents of the groom
Maid/Matron of honor (you also have the option of including relation to the bride- sister, cousin, or friend)
Bridesmaids (list in alphabetical order or standing order)
Best Man (same rules apply as maid of honor)
Groomsmen (list in alphabetical order or standing order)
Flower girl, ring bearers
House Party
Ushers
Personalized Messages
Wedding Program Wording Examples
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Modern wedding programs wording
The modern wedding program’s wording comes with a contemporary touch. Throw in an artistic flair and get creative, then you have a masterpiece on your hands. Usually, most go straight to the point like the wedding programs wording below.
The Marriage Celebration of
Blue marshal + Sir Carter
April 14, 2015
4:00 pm
Lebua hotels
Bangkok
Ceremony Order
Processional
Welcome
Giving Away of the Bride
Exchange of Vows and Rings
Pronouncement and presentation of the Bride and Groom
Recessional
Wedding Party
Parents of the Bride
Parents of the Groom
Maid of Honor
Best Man
Bridesmaids
Groomsmen
Flower Girl
Ring Bearer
Officiant
Quote
When someone else’s happiness is your happiness that is love. – Lana Del Ray
Non-religious wedding programs wording
Non-religious wording for the wedding program does not contain any reference to a supreme being. It packs a punch in its design, fonts, calligraphy, colors, and content. It contains only the necessary information and sometimes poetry or romantic quotes. See the wedding programs sample wording below.
Welcome to the Marriage of Prisca Anne Todd to Tim Doug Michel
This Sunday afternoon,
March twentieth, Two-Thousand Seventeen
at 4 O’clock in the 620 Skybar
in Portland, Oregon
Order of ceremony
The entrance of the Bride
Opening Message
Readings
Vows and exchange of rings
Pronouncement and presentation of the Couple
Recessional
Wedding Party
Officiant
Parents of the Bride
Parents of the Groom
Maid of Honor
Bridesmaids
Best Man
Groomsmen
Quote
Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own. – Robert A. Heinlein
Simple wedding programs wording examples
Do you want to do something unconventional without hassles? A simple wedding wording program does it. Straight to the point without embellishments. Only the important stuff. See a sample for wedding programs wording below.
22.09.09
Blue & James
Tie the knot Today
At Knapp’s castle
Ceremony Order
It goes thus…
The wedding party dances in first,
then a perfect number plays for the bride and groom.
The couple dances in, and take their readings.
They say their vows and promise “I do.”
Wedding Party
Bride’s Parents
Groom’s Parents
Maid of Honor
Best Man
Officiant
Quote
I love being married. It’s so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life. – Rita Rudner
Unique wording for wedding programs
Keep program short, unique, stylish, and sweet like below.
Ivy
Briggs
— and —
Tim
MacArthur
December 22, 2004
Chateau d’Esclimond
Vienna, Austria
We wed Today
Prelude
Here Comes The Bride
Welcome
Vows Sayings
Rings Exchange
The Kiss
Presentation of Bride and Groom
Recessional
The party starts
Fine dining & music
Wedding church programs wording
Make it thoughtful, modern and stylish with a blend of tradition.
Prelude
Processional
Bridal March
Welcome
Prayer
Declaration of Intention
Reading
Exchange of Vows
Exchange of Rings
Blessing
Pronouncement
Recessional
Wedding Party
Mary and Gabe
February 7, 2011
Officiant
Parents of the Bride
Parents of the Groom
Maid of Honor
Bridesmaids
Best Man
Flower Girl
Ring Bearer
Creative wedding programs wording
Go all out on aesthetics and language to reflect your creative personality. See one of our creative wedding programs wording examples below.
A Marriage Ceremony of
Ivy Langston & Nick Renoir
Saturday, April 5, 2010
at 2:00 PM
in a hot air balloon, Albuquerque
Ceremony Order
Processional
Opening Message of Gratitude
Reading
Solo
Vows sayings
Exchange of Rings
Pronouncement and presentation of the Couple
Recessional
Wedding Party
Officiant
Parents of the couple
Couple attendants
Soloist
Quote
Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same. – Emily Bronte
Wedding Programs Wording Etiquette
From the designs of the wedding program matters, as it determines how much you can put in. For instance, if you make a wedding program fan, you only have the front and back. Hence, important information comes first, as we will see below.
- The cover.
It must include the couple’s names, venue and wedding date. It can be as elegant or simple as you want. Here’s the place to put your theme or picture for little personalization. - List your music because the guests might want to know what music plays.
- It’s not necessary to include the officiant address everywhere, but it’s a lovely gesture.
- Please, remember to cite all your readings as guests may want to check it up later.
- Don’t include all prayers except the ones that are very meaningful to you.
- Print out your wedding vows, and only list it in the program
- If there’s any ritual, communion or ceremony that guests aren’t familiar with, explain it briefly so that guests can follow.
- Include all participants of your day. It’s a way to thank them
- List out pronouncement, let people know it’s party time.
- If there’s a reception, indicate the time and venue at the end of the program.
All in all, your wedding program should be clear, concise, and able to lead your guests from beginning to end of your day easily. This is why asides from the design, color, and structure, you need to prepare your wedding program wording. However, one of the factors which make your special day complete, it should not be left to the last minute. Therefore, take your time, decide what is vital to be included, and prepare your wedding program wording.
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