Hello everyone–today we’re thrilled to debut our new Wedding Program designs–available in 6 unique sizes: Rectangle, Square, Tea-length, Gate-fold, Tri-fold and Half-fold. As with all of our wedding stationery, our Wedding Programs are easily personalized–from front to back–and side to side–with your colors, photos, fonts and wording!

What are your thought on wedding programs? Are they necessary? Our thoughts below…

{click to enlarge}

We think Programs are an important part of your wedding stationery! Here’s why …

First impressions count! More than a pretty accessory, programs are pretty smart tools that help guests feel included and welcomed at the wedding–right from the start. Programs provide an important opportunity to care for your guests in unique, subtle ways. A timely tool, programs set the stage for joining families and friends {probably unfamiliar with each other} and for creating a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Wondering what to put on a wedding program?

8 Content Ideas for Your Wedding Programs

1. Order of events- Guests love to know what’s happening next! Create anticipation as well as keep your guests organized with an order of the service. 

2. Wedding party bios- Short and sweet introductions of your party will help create an air of familiarity and warmth, right from the beginning. Plus, guests are curious about these special people in your lives.

3. Fanfare+ Processional/Recessional Music- From Pachelbel’s Canon in D, to J.S. Bach, Vivaldi, The Beatles or Bryan Adams–your guests will appreciate knowing which songs you’ve chosen for those magical moments!

4. Special Readings- If there is a special reading, verse, or poem you’d like guest participation with, have it printed on your programs–so everyone can read along.

5. Acknowledgments- Use your program to give a shout of thanks to those special family/friends who performed a special service i.e. song, reading, playing the piano, etc.

6. Explain a Ritual- Is yours a multi-cultural wedding?Are you celebrating a custom that may be unfamiliar to most? You can put your guests at ease, comfortable and even get them involved with a brief explanation of the ritual.

7. Translations- Are there meaningful words or phrases that need to be translated into another language{s}? Add them to your program.

8. A beautiful keepsake A beautifully-designed program that coordinates with the rest of your wedding stationery, is a treasured keepsake–a souvenir for your guests and a detailed memento for you–of one of the most important days of your life!

Which Program Size is Best?

Choose the program size and type that fits your wedding style and ceremony needs the best. Do you have a lot of information to share–readings, wedding party bios, explanations … roomy program types like the Half-fold, Tri-fold, and Gate-fold Programs may be just perfect for you! Browse the Tea-length, Rectangle, and Square sizes too!

How Are Programs Distributed at the Ceremony?

Programs can be cleverly arranged in pretty containers–ready to for your guests to pick up themselves. They can also be handed out by your ushers seating your guests. Or, they can be sitting pretty in the seating areas–just waiting for your guests to sit down. It’s your choice!

What are your thoughts on Wedding Programs?

I’m a big fan of using fun and creative RSVP wording–especially for showcasing the spirit of a wedding. While RSVPs serve a very practical and much-needed purpose–getting an accurate guest count–why not incorporate a bit of fun into them as well?

Read on for creative accepts/declines wording–both classic and contemporary {plus additional links to help you with your RSVP wording}

Which is your favorite?
What do you think about incorporating humor or creativity into your RSVP wording?

One of my favorite wording ideas comes from the Ritzy Bee blog. It’s an oldie but a goodie … and it’s cute cute cute! The wording is clever, positive and the best part–the objective is clear–to find out who is attending and who is not!

___Will be there with bells on
___Will be there free of bells
___Will be there … undecided on bells

Number of people attending: ­­­_____

___Will not be there
Heard there will be people wearing bells

___Will not be there
Regardless of the bell controversy

So fun!

Here’s another idea that plays off the original above:
Spring, Summer, Outdoor, or Destination wedding–

___Will be there with SPF on
___Will be there free of SPF
___Will be there … undecided on skin protection

Number of people attending: ­­­_____

___Will not be there
Heard there will be people donning SPF

___Will not be there
Regardless of the SPF controversy

A few more ideas to get your creative juices flowing …

Garden

____ Come rain or shine… we’ll be there!
____ Very sorry. Out of sunscreen and umbrellas!

Winter/Christmas

___Gladly! We’re full of jolly
___Sorry! Cannot join in the jolly

___Accepts with joy
___Sorry to miss this joyous event

Western, Rustic

___Yeehaw, we’re there!
___Shoot, can’t make it!

Beach or Cruise

___Yes! Counting the waves
___Sorry, we’re in over our heads!

Mountain Destination

___Yes! We’re able to move the mountain
___Cannot, having trouble moving the mountain!

Vegas

___Yes. It’s in the cards
___Sorry. We have no luck that day.

Country theme

____We’ll be there y’all… boots chaps and cowboy hats.
____ Rats! Got a hitch in my giddy-up from squatting on my spurs.

Casual

____ Yes! We are SO there.
____ Sorry! Can’t make it.
____ Can’t commit. But I’ll probably show up anyways!

Refreshed & Additional wording ideas:

Funny RSVP Wording

Basic Anatomy of an RSVP + tips

RSVP from the Apple Blossoms design {Pocket Invite}.

Let’s paint a couple of pictures … one of a beach destination wedding and another of a private wedding ceremony that includes a bride, a groom, and their closest family and friends. They could be getting married in some far-off distant and tropical land–or they could be right around the corner at a tiny church or at city hall. How do you word the invitation for a beach destination wedding? How do you word the invite if it’s a private ceremony with reception later?

Of course, you’ll want to tweak, personalize and formalize the wording to fit your style and special circumstances but here are 3 different invitation wording samples for the above scenarios …

Destination Wedding
The wording on this destination-themed invite includes guests that are invited to both the ceremony & the reception.
Love Airways- Flat Tea-length Wedding Invitation

Private ceremony, same day reception
The wording on this invitation is for reception-only {same day private ceremony}. Here, the couple prefers to wed in a private ceremony with only their closest friends and family in attendance. They will celebrate with the rest of their family and friends later on at their reception. They will still need to send RSVPs with their invites.

Signature of Love- Flat Square Wedding Invitation

Private ceremony, later reception
A little bit different … this invite wording acts as a festive destination wedding announcement. It also invites guests to a reception about 3 weeks after the ceremony- to celebrate the couple’s marriage.

Tropical Paradise Flat Rectangle Wedding Invitation

As always, I hope this wording helps! Let me know if there are any other scenarios we can help you with …

Modern weddings enjoy lots and lots of freedom these days- no longer adhering to the hard and fast rules of days gone by. While often told by older generations, many couples still like to know basic etiquette regarding their wedding stationery. Here are 5 of the most popular etiquette topics that we get and that every couple should be aware of- before they push their envelopes.

{Soft & Sweet- Tea Length Wedding Invitation}

1. What is the basic wording that my invitation must have?
Every invitation must have: who {is hosting} and who {getting married} when {time & date} where {ceremony location}. Traditionally, if a couple marries in a house of worship, wording reads: “request the honor {honour} and “favor {favour} of a reply” on the RSVP card. Words, dates and numbers are typically spelled out, and the only abbreviations are Mr. and Mrs. Punctuation is typically found only in the time, date or in the location.

formal:

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Frank Johnson
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Anna Evelyn
to
Mr. Jacob Michael Lund
Saturday, the twenty-third of July
two thousand twelve
at five o’clock
Grace Fellowship Church
Osceola, Wisconsin

less formal:

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Frank Johnson
invite you to celebrate
the marriage of their daughter
Anna Evelyn
to
Jacob Michael Lund
Saturday, the twenty-third of July
two thousand twelve
at five o’clock
Grace Fellowship Church
Osceola, Wisconsin

2. Can I print “No Children” on my wedding invitations?
No. Wording like this is negative and has the potential to offend. The best way to communicate your wishes for an “adult only” event is by properly addressing your invitation envelope{s} to those who are specifically invited. Read more about using double envelopes.

3. Can I include my registry or gift information on my invitations?
No. Even though most guests bring gifts, it is considered poor etiquette to include that on your invitation- even if the gifts are intended for charity. Have your family and wedding party spread the word rather than have gift or registry info printed on your invites.

4. Should I take the time to find out the titles, relationships and names of all my guests?
Yes! Details matter! When an envelope arrives properly addressed and correctly spelled, it speaks volumes about your attention to detail. Not only that, it’s thoughtful and respectful to try to include the professional titles and learn the names of all your guests.

5. Can I print out labels to address my wedding invitations?
No. While it is tempting, the handwritten invite lends a special touch and is still considered proper etiquette. I’d recommend  inviting 2 of your best friends over {who have excellent handwriting} for a few hours of addressing and stuffing envelopes. It’s a great bonding time- I promise!

What are your thoughts on etiquette? Old fashioned or something to pay attention to?

check out the Top 5 Save the Date questions answered