Wedding ceremony programs are often neglected when purchasing other stationary for the wedding however, it is actually a very important part of the wedding ceremony! A wedding program introduces the bridal party, the parents of the bride and groom, and explains the order of service. If you purchased your wedding programs at the same company as your wedding invitations you can create the programs to match your unique wedding invitations. For example, if you used a monogram on your wedding invitations, you can incorporate this on the front of your wedding programs or use the same ribbons on your programs as the ones used on your wedding invitations. Including a watermark photo of the church you are getting married at on the front of your program can further customize your wedding ceremony program.
For something different, try introducing each bridal party member with a catchy phrase that represents them! For example, under a hockey fan groomsmen’s name you can write, “go leafs go”, and under a shopaholic bridesmaid’s name, you can write, “shoes, shoes, shoes.” If you are finding that you have more text than a standard two page program, you can purchase trifold wedding programs to give you an extra page to work with. If you are crafty, you can order blank wedding programs rather than printed wedding programs. Ordering a do-it-yourself wedding program pieces may help save money especially if you require multiple pages.
Your wedding program stationary can be very creative if you use different shapes, textures and styles of paper. Tea length wedding programs can be very unique and easy to make. You can simply print on a regular letter size paper, and fold it length wise. For an added touch, you can tie a ribbon around the program, or at the side of the program to keep it closed or just add a decorative touch.
Be sure to use the same paper for your programs as your wedding invitations to keep the theme consistent. Even simply using the same font style and colour from your wedding invitations will help match them up and have your guests talking about the beautiful wedding stationary!
If you are getting married at a catholic church, be sure to show a copy of your program to the officiating priest as some churches will need to approve the program wording before it goes to print! Some of the key elements to include on the over are the name of the bride and groom, the location of the ceremony and the date it will take place.
The exact wording for your wedding program will depend on your ceremony. Your wedding program text can be one of the more difficult parts to come up with when making your wedding program. Below are some sample wedding programs to give you a brief idea.
Standard Wedding Program Format:
Officiant
Rev. Ralph Taylor
Organist
Sharon Beckstead
Bride’s Parents
Darryl and Barbara Buchanan
Groom’s Parents
Ken and Ann McKenzie
Wedding Party
Maid of Honour Best Man
Nicole Benedict Simon Ellison
Bridesmaids Groomsmen
Jody Wilson Benji Dempsey
Georgi Aguirre Sacasa Neal
Ushers
David Buchanan
Jason Rickert
Processional
The Welcome
Lighting of the Unity Candle
Hymn
Hark the Herald Angels Sing - Hymn # 48
Reading by Catherine Cafferty
The Marriage
Declaration of Marriage
Lighting of the Unity Candle
Signing of the Register
Canon in D – J. Pachebel
Prayer and Benediction
Recessional
Catholic Wedding Program:
Janice & Eric
CELEBRANT
Reverend Canon Dr. Kenneth Fung
ASSISTING CLERGY
Reverend Erin Dewhirst
PARENTS OF THE BRIDE
Eddie Lo
Catherine Lo
PARENTS OF THE GROOM
Jong Hwan Choi
Jae Won Choi
MAIDS OF HONOUR
Nirupa Gangam
friend of the bride
GROOMSMEN
Roy Choi
brother of the groom
Elaine Lo
sister of the bride
Darren Lekkerkerker
friend of the groom
Lesley Lo
sister of the bride
Luc Lafleur
friend of the groom
Tammy Berman
friend of the bride
ORGANIST
Andrew Ager
Rajesh Mohare
friend of the groom
Brian Huen
friend of the groom
ORGAN PRELUDE
PROCESSIONAL
(Please Stand)
Trumpet Voluntary, J. Clark
Trumpet Tune and Air, H. Purcell
HYMN
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
GATHERING OF THE COMMUNITY
THE PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD
FIRST READING
Read by Melinda Ho, cousin of the bride
A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians (13:4-8, 13)
SECOND READING
Read by Gordon Goldthorpe, friend of the groom
Reader The Lord be with you. (Please stand)
All And also with you.
Reader The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark (10: 6-9).
All Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife;
And the two will become one; so they are no longer two, but one.
Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.
Reader The Gospel of Christ
All Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
SERMON
by Reverend Canon Dr. Kenneth Fung
EXCHANGE OF VOWS
GIVING & RECEIVING OF RINGS
HYMN
All Things Bright and Beautiful, C. F. Alexander
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Read by Lara Tiqui, friend of the bride
THE LORD’S PRAYER
BLESSING OF THE MARRIAGE
THE PEACE
SIGNING OF THE REGISTER
Canon in D Major, J. Pachelbel
DISMISSAL
RECESSIONAL
Water Music Suite No. 2: Alla Hornpipe, G.F. Handel
To our parents…
We thank you for your constant love and guidance.
You have made us who we are today
and have reminded us to always believe in ourselves and to fully embrace life.
We are forever grateful.
To our brothers, sisters, family and friends…
You have been with us through our toughest and happiest of times,
always with your continual support and love.
Your presence here today has made this special occasion
a joyful, beautiful and memorable one.
Janice & Eric
Jewish Wedding Program:
The Celebration and Uniting of
Christine Marguerite Talbot
and
Michael Robert Falk
Officiants Father Joseph Horrigan
Rabbi Michael Oppenheimer
Standing under the Chupah
Parents of the Bride Melvyn Talbot
Rose Talbot
Parents of the Groom Tom and Barbara Steenerson
Maid of Honor Sandra Chin
Bridesmaid Sonja Salmon
Best Men Marc Adams
John Coleman
Participants
Grandmother of the Bride Marguerite Talbot
Sister of the Bride Melissa Talbot
Brother of the Bride Marvyn Talbot
Sisters of the Groom Debbie Janik
Jodi Regelsky
Seating of the Grandmother Music
Processional of Attendants
Presentation of the Bride Music
Introduction and Address Rabbi Michael Oppenheimer
First Reading (Corinthian 13:1-8, 13) Melissa Talbot
Second Reading (Song of Songs 8:6-7, 6:3) Debbie Janik
Exchanging of Vows & Rings Father Joseph Horrigan
Blessing over the Wine Rabbi Michael Oppenheimer
Remembering Loved Ones Father Joseph Horrigan
Lighting of the Unity Candle Father Joseph Horrigan
Signing of the Marriage Contract Music
Breaking of the Glass Rabbi Michael Oppenheimer
Recessional Music