Do I have to have wedding programs?

Wedding programs for your ceremony can be helpful to guests of other religions who may not be familiar with the traditions you’ll have at your service, but they definitely aren’t a requirement. They’re especially helpful if you’re having an interfaith ceremony since programs usually map out ceremonies step by step. That way, none of your friends or family members will feel like they don’t know what’s going on. Programs also usually contain the readings; guests who tend to dose off while listening to these will appreciate this because they’ll be able to follow along. If you want to save the time (and the paper), have your officiant, a friend, or a family member explain what will happen in the ceremony as part of their opening remarks. If you end up wanting programs, you can make them yourself and print everything at home; design them and take them to a printer, or have them printed by the same stationer who prints your invitations and other wedding stationery. You can do all this at the same time you decide on your menu cards and escort cards. If you decide to DIY, just give yourself enough time. You don’t want to be assembling programs the morning of the wedding. Aug 05, 2009