Having a wedding program will add an extra special touch to your wedding day. They will help make your guests feel included, as well as keeping them informed as to what is happening and to introduce them to the bridal party. They are lovely record of your day and many guests will keep them as keepsake of the day.

Do you need a wedding program?

It isn't an essential requirement to have a wedding program and wedding etiquette will not tell to have one. But for some wedding ceremonies they are considered a necessary extra. Such occasions can include:

* You are having a traditional or religious ceremony and a number of your guests are of a different religion or culture.

* Your wedding is large and you will have a number of guests who do not know the bridal party.

* Your ceremony will quite long and guests will have to be prepared for a long wait.

* If you have many people who you need to thank.

* You are having an interfaith ceremony and want to keep the guests informed as to what is happening.

If your budget is tight or you are short on time then adding in wedding programs may seem like an extra you can't stretch to. However, a simple wedding program needn't cost much and you could make them yourselves on your home computer. Providing a wedding program does make a nice gesture to your guests and a souvenir of your day.

Elements of a wedding program

The cover: A typical cover will show the names of the couple and the wedding date. You may also include the location and time. Pictures or graphics are also popular elements on the cover.

The order of events: If you didn't put your names and date on the cover then include them inside above the order of events. The order of events is a list of the key elements of the ceremony such as hymns readings etc. List them in the order in which they occur and include hymn numbers where appropriate.

Members of the bridal party: A simple list of the names and roles of your bridal party. For example:

Officiant: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg

Parents of the bride: Mary and John Smith

Parents of the groom: Elizabeth Jones and Thomas Wilson, Jr.

Stepparents of the groom: Robert Jones and Lisa Marist-Wilson

Grandparents: Sarah Smith, Margaret Blackwood, Thomas Wilson Sr.

Maid of Honor: Maria Gellert

Best Man: William Harris

Bridesmaids: Rebecca Brown, Juanita Ramirez

Groomsmen: Calvin Aremu, Jonathan Goldstein

Readers: McGuire Johnson, Alexander Wilson

Other things you may wish to include in your wedding program

* An explanation of traditions or rituals used in your ceremony

* A request for participation by the congregation in certain parts of the ceremony (e.g. affirmation of the marriage, communion, singing, offering of the peace, standing or kneeling)

* A section in which you give thanks to people who have helped you with the wedding.

* Memorials for loved ones who are no longer with you.

* A short sentence about each of your bridesmaids and groomsmen, describing why they are important to you.

* An explanation of the significance of the location, theme, first dance song, etc. (For example: the reception will be held at Coldwater Restaurant, the site of the bride and groom's first date).

* Quotes or poems about love or marriage

* Directions to the reception