Wedding Program Examples and Ideas

A traditional single-page program is a classic choice. You can put your spin on it by using thicker card stock, using colored paper, or incorporating a pattern that ties into your wedding theme (botanical, tropical, under the stars, etc.). You can place the programs on each ceremony chair, ask ushers to pass them out, or gather them in a self-serve basket at the welcome table. If you have extra time, consider punching a hole in the top and tying your programs to the chair backs with ribbon or twine.

Double-sided paper fans can keep guests cool if you’re having a summer ceremony. Fans are particularly perfect for a beach or summer wedding, or any time guests will be outdoors and in direct sunlight. You can experiment with different shapes—think hearts and seashells—or print your program onto a multifold fan that guests slide open.

Print the ceremony details on a craft-paper bag and fill it with something guests can snack on as they wait for the ceremony to begin. (If you’re going to provide a snack that might require napkins, consider providing some that match the treat bags and include your wedding monogram.) You can also fill the bag with mints, tissues, or lip balm.

Stuff a vellum envelope with brightly colored paper confetti that your guests can toss during your recessional. You can attach the envelope to your program with double-sided tape or print the program directly on the envelope.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, an infographic might be worth even more. Turn your day-of timeline into a chart or diagram to give guests at-a-glance details. You can keep yours super simple and break down just the ceremony, or pack in a lot of visual interest by including as many details as you can fit.

Printing a map on the front of a single-sheet, trifold, or booklet program can help tell your wedding story. It could be a map of the venue’s surrounding landscape, an illustrated map of the venue itself, or a map of where you are from or all the places your guests have traveled from.

For those who love to travel, a luggage tag printed with all your ceremony info can be an inspired way to incorporate your love of globe-trotting into your wedding. Have more information than one tag can hold? Tie multiple tags together with string or ribbon.

Handkerchiefs printed with an outline of the wedding ceremony can be used for happy tears, and they make a lovely keepsake. These elegant favors are especially nice for a classic wedding. As guests arrive at the wedding, have the handkerchiefs hanging with tiny clothespins from a cord, so guests can choose their own. You might also roll them up, tie them with a ribbon, and put them in baskets for guests to take themselves.

Surprise your guests with DIY programs tied with string that unfold to reveal all your ceremony details. You can fold your programs into triangles, squares, hearts, and more. It’s helpful to use what’s called a “bone folder,” an inexpensive tool made with sharp, smooth edges, to crease your paper.

Instead of passing out printed stationery, display your wedding program on a mirror, window, chalkboard, or wooden sign. Place it in a high-traffic area, like the entrance of the venue or the ceremony entrance. You can set it on an easel, prop it up against a table or tree, or hang it. You can hand-write the details or hire a calligrapher or artist to do it for you.

If you’re news junkies or just looking to make your wedding front-page news, try a program that resembles a newspaper, a mini magazine, or even a playbill. This is a good opportunity to include a photo from your engagement shoot, your wedding monogram, and details about the proposal in addition to details for the day. Bonus: Add a custom crossword puzzle focused on your love story.