Do we HAVE to make Wedding Programs for the wedding?

Answer 1

No, you don't.

Honestly, most people coming to your wedding should know the majority of the people involved and have some passing familiarity with the general run of weddings. Unless you're doing something more than half your guests won't have a clue about, I wouldn't bother.

Besides, as a guest I always find it's just one more piece of paper to deal with until I can discreetly dispose of it where the bride and groom won't see. I've never actually read one, and the only time I found one useful in any way was the time I desperately needed a fan and found I didn't have one in my purse.

Unless it's really important to you for whatever reason you may have, I'd just pass on having a program. Save a tree and save a guest trying to figure out how to ditch the program without offending anyone.

Answer 2

You don't HAVE to, but we are. At first we weren't going to, then realized that the guests could read the program while they wait for the ceremony to start. So we have a nice booklet program that has the schedule of events, an about me section, an about him section, a how we met section, a 'the proposal' section, then members of the wedding party and parents and officiant. We are also putting what is available for food as well as a thank you to the reception hall and chef, etc.

Answer 3

Of course not. They're nice if there are a lot of people from out of town, or who don't know both the bride's side and the groom's side well as it will explain who the wedding party is. It is also helpful if there are things in your ceremony (religious or otherwise) that many guests might not be familiar with, as the program is a way to explain those and to gently instruct people if they need to do something. But, it's certainly not necessary. We decided to have one as there are several segments to the day that it would help people to know about, we wanted to have a tribute to our parents, who have passed on, and we wanted to explain some aspects of the ceremony and the venue. I did the programs myself, and actually enjoyed doing it. I like how they turned out, and my fiance thinks I'm very clever!

Answer 4

The Purpose of a wedding program identifies and honors everyone participating in the ceremony, it also makes a wonderful keepsake for your guests.

Your certainly not required to have a wedding program, however, it's a great way to add a personal touch to your ceremony

Answer 5

No, they are pretty optional. It's nice if you have a lot of guests who don't know the wedding party. Or if you're having an order of events that's out-of-the-ordinary. Otherwise, most guests know what to expect at a wedding. And programs generally get left behind or thrown away anyway. If you do decide to have them, they're a good DIY project. Don't spend a lot of money on them.

Answer 6

We had a small wedding with 14 people in attendance, so no, we didn´t make wedding programs. If people didn´t get a chance to know who was who in our wedding, I would feel bad for them-it was very intimate and great to not have programs-this isn´t the theater, it´s a wedding for heaven´s sake!

Answer 7

I am an old, old lady and I have never HEARD of a "Wedding Program". I suspect that this is yet another frivolous frippery dreamed up by "the wedding industry" -- more about separating happy couples from their money than about what is actually necessary.

To get the REAL low down on what is truly traditional and necessary -- as opposed to the grandiose dreams of the wedding industry -- your best reference is Miss Manners aka Judith Martin. Her books are found in many public libraries.

Miss Manners tells you how to be both thrifty yet "excruciatingly correct" in everything from engagement to thank you notes. Here are two examples:

She tells you how to have a tea or a dessert & champagne reception for those who don't wish to serve a full meal.

She explains why handwritten invitation are even MORE correct the machine produced variety.

She instructs you in how to politely keep your guests from using your event as a way to entertain guests of their own -- at your expense.

Congratualtion and best wishes! (Out of the money Miss Manners is going to save you, send ME a slice of cake, haha.)

Answer 8

I imagine there's a cheap way to do it. I didn't have programs at my wedding. But I'm sure you could do one on your computer and make copies. If you do use programs, go cheap, because most end up in the trash, anyway.

Answer 9

Wedding programs are a wonderful detail to add to your wedding - they make your guests feel more included and are a lovely keepsake, but don't stress yourself out about them - they aren't required, they are just something nice you can do.

You can make them as simply or creatively as you would like. Make a trip to your local craft and/or scrap-booking store and they will have tons of materials for you to work with from papers to brads to fancy embellishments.

I create custom wedding programs and have done everything from a single piece of card stock 5.5"x11" or 5.5"x14" to 20 page booklets with embossing, vellum and ribbon. You can do anything and everything in-between. Often less is more - you can make something beautiful with the simplest of materials.

As for the information to include, that is up to you too. You can do a simple 'outline' of information about the wedding party and/or order of the ceremony or you can include in-depth descriptions, including short biographies about your wedding party or the story of how you met. You can even include the words to readings and lyrics to songs if you'd like. A common inclusion is religious instruction if you will have a lot of guests that belong to different denominations. Some couples also find it comforting to include a dedication in memory of loved ones who can't be there - this is a very personal choice and should only be done if it brings you comfort, if it is upsetting for you, don't feel you have to do it. There are other ways to address the acknowledgment of those who aren't there, from a memorial candle to just a silent moment you keep to yourself. Do what is right for you and your fiance.

Bottom line, if you would like to have a wedding program, have fun with it - include and exclude whatever you think is important for you and make them as simple or fancy as you'd like. If you prefer not to have one, don't worry about it.

Best wishes & good luck with your wedding!

PS: Here's a good article from The Knot about the basics of programs - http://www.theknot.com/ch_article.html?o...

Answer 10

Absolutely not. Programs are completely optional and honestly I think sometimes they are there to keep guests busy. While some people do want to know who each person is, they'll be okay if they don't have a program. Not to mention it is one less thing to clean up after the ceremony.