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Ideas & Inspiration » Wedding » Wedding Program Examples & Wording

Wedding Program Examples & Wording

Written by  Last Updated: Apr 14, 2025

When you’re planning a wedding, every detail matters—and your wedding program is no exception. A beautifully designed program helps guide your guests through the ceremony while adding a personal touch to your big day. Whether you’re looking for wedding program ideas, templates, or tips on what to include, this guide will help you create a program that’s both stylish and meaningful.

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What to Include in a Wedding Program

A wedding program is more than just an agenda. It’s a thoughtful way to welcome your guests, walk them through the ceremony, and give them a deeper glimpse into your love story. Whether you’re planning a traditional service or a modern celebration, your program can be as simple or detailed as you like.

Essentials for Every Wedding Program

Start with the key details that help guests follow along:

  • The names of the couple getting married
  • Wedding date and location
  • A brief welcome or message of gratitude
  • An outline of the ceremony timeline (e.g., processional, vows, ring exchange, pronouncement)
  • Names and roles of the officiant, wedding party, and any readers or musicians
  • Instructions, such as a note about silencing phones or respecting an unplugged ceremony

These items ensure guests know what’s happening and who’s involved, and they give your ceremony structure.

Extra Details to Make It Personal

Once you’ve covered the must-haves, consider adding a few touches that reflect your personality, theme, or relationship:

  • A snapshot of your love story or how you got engaged
  • Photos or illustrations of the couple or venue
  • Fun facts or introductions for your wedding party
  • A custom wedding crest, monogram, or logo
  • A short wedding quote, bible verse, or line of poetry that holds special meaning
  • Titles of songs played during the ceremony
  • Notes about the significance of certain traditions or rituals
  • A line acknowledging loved ones who are no longer with you
  • Tips for the rest of the day (like directions to the reception or timing for cocktail hour)
  • A thank-you note to guests for celebrating with you
  • Invitations for audience participation (singing along, joining in a group blessing, etc.)
  • Your wedding website URL for guests to revisit photos and memories later

These optional additions help turn your wedding program into more than just an informational handout. They make it a meaningful keepsake your guests can cherish.

Whether you keep things minimal or go all-out with custom illustrations and heartfelt notes, your program should reflect the tone of your ceremony and the story you’re telling. Think of it as part guide, part love letter, and part celebration preview.

Wedding Program Example & Sample Wording

Here’s a sample wedding program to inspire your design. It shows how each element, from the ceremony timeline to personal notes, can come together in a meaningful way.

Names of the Couple
Emma Grace Martin & Daniel James Rivera

Wedding Date and Location
Saturday, September 20, 2025
The Oakwood Gardens, Sonoma, California

Ceremony Order of Events

  • Prelude Music: “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Elvis Presley
  • Processional
  • Welcome & Opening Remarks
  • Reading: “Union” by Robert Fulghum
  • Exchange of Vows
  • Ring Exchange
  • Unity Candle Ceremony
  • Pronouncement of Marriage
  • Recessional: “You Are the Best Thing” – Ray LaMontagne

Wedding Party
Officiant: Rev. Lila Thompson
Maid of Honor: Sarah Martin
Best Man: Marcus Rivera
Bridesmaids: Lily Chen, Ava Reyes, Caroline Moore
Groomsmen: Josh Bennett, Ethan Kim, Victor Gonzalez
Flower Girl: Mia Lopez
Ring Bearer: Noah Martin

Special Thank You Message
We’re so grateful to have you here as we begin this next chapter together. Thank you for your love and support.

In Loving Memory
We lovingly remember those who are with us in spirit today, especially our grandparents.

Wedding Program Tips

Designing your wedding ceremony program is a chance to reflect your style while keeping guests informed and engaged during the ceremony. Here are a few practical ideas to help you create something memorable and useful:

1. Choose a Format That Matches Your Style

Shutterfly offers both flat and folded wedding program options. Flat programs are sleek, modern, and perfect for minimalist designs. Folded programs give you extra space for ceremony details, wedding party names, and special messages. Pick the format that best fits your aesthetic and the amount of information you want to share.

2. Order the Right Quantity

You don’t need one program per guest—one per household or couple is usually enough. As a general rule, order about 10–15% more than your headcount to cover last-minute additions or any printing mishaps. Extra copies can also be saved as keepsakes for you and close family members.

3. Plan How You’ll Distribute Them

Think about when and how guests will receive the programs. You can assign ushers to hand them out before the ceremony begins or place them neatly on each chair. For more casual or outdoor weddings, a basket near the entrance works well too.

4. Keep It Clear and Easy to Read

Make sure your ceremony timeline is laid out in a way that’s easy for guests to follow. Use clean fonts and make sure the text is large enough to read, especially for older attendees.

5. Add a Personal Touch

If you’re including extra details—like a note of thanks, a favorite quote, or a tribute to loved ones—try to make the language heartfelt and personal. This small touch can make your program feel like a reflection of your relationship rather than just an itinerary.

Use a Wedding Program Template to Make It Easy

If you’re not sure where to begin, starting with a wedding program template can make the process much simpler. With Shutterfly, you can choose from a range of flat and folded program designs that suit any wedding theme or style. From modern and elegant to whimsical and romantic, each template is easy to personalize with your own wording, colors, and fonts. You can even choose programs that match your wedding invitation suite, including wedding invitations, RSVP cards, and more.

Want to make your program feel more personal? Add a favorite photo, include a meaningful quote, or tie in your wedding colors for a cohesive look. You can even add a QR code that links to your wedding website, giving guests quick access to details like the reception address or your registry.

Related Resources on Wedding Program Examples

A well-crafted wedding program helps set the tone for your ceremony and welcomes guests into your celebration with warmth and intention. Whether you’re planning something simple or more detailed, take the time to create a wedding ceremony program that feels true to you both.

Additional resources: