Designing & Making
Your Wedding Ceremony Programs
Thinking about having wedding programs at your ceremony? Don't pay
someone else to do this when you can make a very elegant, and
cost-effective program yourself.
Of course, this will cost you time and energy, but it can be a wonderful
project if you are experiencing,
"Just-before-the-wedding....Not- much-left-to-do....
Need-something-to-keep-me-busy syndrome."
Here is what you will need (remember, though, each guest does not
need his or her own program. You can instruct your ushers to hand
one out per family, or just to the adults, etc.)
To begin working on your program, you are first going to need to know the order of your ceremony. Talk with
your officiant about this, and be sure to okay it with him or her before you begin. Write the order on a piece of
paper and go over it several times to make sure you are not missing anything.
Next, begin typing your program. You will probably want your paper in landscape mode, so that when you fold
it, it will be longer than it is wide. Also, choose two columns to help line up each side. And remember, if you
are putting words or a printed pattern on the cover these will need to be on the right-hand side of the paper -
words for the back of the program will go on the left.
Fold each piece of card stock in half. Next, punch two holes through the card stock - each about 1 ½ inches
from the edge. Cut a piece of ribbon about one foot long, and test it to see if it is too long or too short to tie
in between your two punched holes with a nice bow on the outside. Adjust the length accordingly, but don't
tie it back on. Use this piece as your measuring stick and begin cutting the rest of the ribbon the same length.
When you are finished cutting the ribbon, begin tying your programs together with a simple bow on the outside
front.
Place your finished programs in a tulle-lined basket for your ushers to grab them from and you are ready to go!
If you want to remember a loved one who has passed on, consider placing a single rose on the altar and then
writing a special note about that person on your program beginning with, "The single rose on the altar is in
loving memory of..."
Craft and office supply stores often sell stamps that you can use to decorate your program with. Also, you might
want to try using some of those fancy scissors that will cut the edge of your program in a jagged or curvy line.
Don't forget to thank your guests for attending your wedding and reiterate any special instructions you may
have for them. For example, "Maps to the reception can be found at the back of the church."
And don't forget to save one of the programs for yourself! After all that hard work, you will want to place one in
your wedding album or scrapbook.
Your Wedding Ceremony Programs
Thinking about having wedding programs at your ceremony? Don't pay
someone else to do this when you can make a very elegant, and
cost-effective program yourself.
Of course, this will cost you time and energy, but it can be a wonderful
project if you are experiencing,
"Just-before-the-wedding....Not- much-left-to-do....
Need-something-to-keep-me-busy syndrome."
Here is what you will need (remember, though, each guest does not
need his or her own program. You can instruct your ushers to hand
one out per family, or just to the adults, etc.)
- 65 lb. Card Stock Paper 8 1/2 x 11 (color of your choice)
- Ribbon (color and style of your choice) - at craft store
- Single-hole paper puncher - at office supply store
To begin working on your program, you are first going to need to know the order of your ceremony. Talk with
your officiant about this, and be sure to okay it with him or her before you begin. Write the order on a piece of
paper and go over it several times to make sure you are not missing anything.
Next, begin typing your program. You will probably want your paper in landscape mode, so that when you fold
it, it will be longer than it is wide. Also, choose two columns to help line up each side. And remember, if you
are putting words or a printed pattern on the cover these will need to be on the right-hand side of the paper -
words for the back of the program will go on the left.
Fold each piece of card stock in half. Next, punch two holes through the card stock - each about 1 ½ inches
from the edge. Cut a piece of ribbon about one foot long, and test it to see if it is too long or too short to tie
in between your two punched holes with a nice bow on the outside. Adjust the length accordingly, but don't
tie it back on. Use this piece as your measuring stick and begin cutting the rest of the ribbon the same length.
When you are finished cutting the ribbon, begin tying your programs together with a simple bow on the outside
front.
Place your finished programs in a tulle-lined basket for your ushers to grab them from and you are ready to go!
If you want to remember a loved one who has passed on, consider placing a single rose on the altar and then
writing a special note about that person on your program beginning with, "The single rose on the altar is in
loving memory of..."
Craft and office supply stores often sell stamps that you can use to decorate your program with. Also, you might
want to try using some of those fancy scissors that will cut the edge of your program in a jagged or curvy line.
Don't forget to thank your guests for attending your wedding and reiterate any special instructions you may
have for them. For example, "Maps to the reception can be found at the back of the church."
And don't forget to save one of the programs for yourself! After all that hard work, you will want to place one in
your wedding album or scrapbook.
| Copyright © 2009 Carolyn Burke - Wedding Liaison |
