Although a guide to your ceremony is not a must for your wedding, programs have become increasingly popular as of late. Like many other parts of the wedding stationery, you have full creative liability here. Generally the program should be in the same style and form as the invite, save the date card, directions, and any other part of the stationery trousseau. The program should start by listing the bride and groom's names as a title of sorts. Underneath include the wedding information: the location, date and time.
Next list the order of the service (circling, sharing of Kiddush cups, rings and vows, etc), the names of the wedding party (the best man, maid of honor, bridesmaid, etc) and the names of the parents and grandparents.
If you are having musicians at the ceremony it's customary to list them as well. Brief bios of the wedding party, vows, readings, a favorite love poem, songs, explanations of traditions, a monogram, your new address, directions to the reception, and a thank you or remembrance are all additions to the program. I recommend to avoid cheese, leave out any photos.
After you have decided the text of your program decide what form the program will take. A small one page booklet is the most traditional but anything goes. Small booklets tied with pretty ribbons, pull out accordions, flat postcards, long bookmarks, flip books, popsicle stick fans, and fan booklets are all wonderful artistic options. Speak with your stationer well in advance to figure out the design of the program and be sure to proof read the invite several times and check the spelling of names with everyone mentioned. To cut back on costs have the stationer print only the cover to your program and create a document on your computer to fill the rest of the pages. Decide whether each person will be handed a program or simply one for each couple and family.
I personally love the mini booklet idea because it can easily fit into a purse and the bows are so pretty. What about you? How was your wedding program designed?