Wedding Program Wording: What to Include

Wedding Wording & Etiquette

Wedding programs are incredibly unique–the layout, the adornments, and the content for every wedding program is different. And since many people keep wedding programs as a “souvenir” of the special day, it’s important to have a beautifully crafted, professionally worded wedding program. If you have been struggling with wedding program wording, we have some tips for you that will help get you started.

Your wedding program should have the same “feel” as the rest of your wedding and should add to the ceremony, not distract from it.  There really is no set rules as to what must be included in your wedding program or how the wedding program wording should be organized. Here we are going to offer some of the more traditional wedding program wording and what is included in most traditional wedding programs.

On the cover of the wedding program, you can include:

  • Full name of bride and groom
  • Wedding date, year and time
  • Wedding location
The wedding ceremony:
  • Prelude
  • Names of parents and grandparents and seating
  • Vocal selections
  • Processional
  • Entrance of Bride
  • Statement of intent
  • Prayer
  • Reading of Scripture
  • Poem reading
  • Charge to couple
  • Exchange of vows
  • Exchange of rings
  • Pronouncement of marriage
  • Lighting of unity candle
  • Blessing of the marriage
  • Presentation of the couple
  • Recessional
  • Postlude
  • Invitation of guests to reception
The wedding party:
  • Officiate
  • Parents of bride and groom
  • Grandparents of bride and groom
  • Matron and/or maid of honor
  • Bridesmaids
  • Flower girls
  • Best man
  • Groomsmen
  • Ring bearer
  • Musicians
  • Bell ringer (if applicable)
  • Registry attendants
  • Program attendants
  • Reception attendants
  • Wedding director
  • Wedding coordinator
Additional items that are optional:
  • Special thanks
  • Directions to reception venue
  • Dedication
  • Your new home’s address
  • Brief history of your relationship
  • Special poem meaningful to couple
The PaperDirect blog often has information about do-it-yourself weddings to get you started, and PaperDirect is your one-stop online shopping source for everything you need for your DIY wedding from invitations to thank you cards.