New Jersey Wedding Program Ideas
Most brides choose to match the style of their programs with their invitations, wedding colors, wedding theme or ceremony location. Which option you choose will depend on the feeling you want to convey to your guests. An elegantly lettered program with simple flourishes may suit a formal event, while colorful stylized graphics might be better suited to a New Jersey beach wedding. Other thoughtful New Jersey touches include honey bees, blueberries, or meadow violets, some of the state's cherished symbols. For a beach wedding, consider adding a sand dollar accent, or a stylized top view of a conch shell, the state seashell of New Jersey.What Should My Program Include?
Wedding programs are most often themed to suit either your ceremony site or your wedding theme. They give a simple rundown of events for your wedding, and list the friends and family participating in your ceremony, such as your officiant and bridesmaids. The info you provide in your wedding program will be drawn directly from the order of events in your ceremony, as you have agreed to with your wedding planner, officiant and wedding party. Most are a folded page with an outer and interior, and make use of either a half-fold or tri-fold layout. However, trendier brides may look to single full page programs for designer flair. Some also opt for a cover of heavier card stock, with multiple pages inside.Wedding programs may include any or all of the following information or sections:
A General Greeting:
- Words of Welcome
- Names of Bride & Groom
- Wedding Date
The Wedding Ceremony:
- Prelude (Name of Music, Composer)
- Processional (Name of Music, Composer)
- Seating of the Mothers
- Bridal March (Name of Music, Composer)
- Greetings to Assembled Guests
- Selected Readings & Names of Readers
- Lighting of the Unity Candle
- Recitation of Vows
- Exchange of Rings
- Pronouncement of Marriage
- Signing of the Register
- Recessional (Name of Music, Composer)
The Wedding Party:
- Parents of the Bride
- Parents of the Groom
- Maid of Honor
- Best Man
- Bridesmaids
- Ushers
- Ring Bearer(s)
- Flower Girl(s)
- Officiant(s)
Acknowledgments:
- Words of Appreciation
- Special Mentions and Thanks
- Invitation to the Reception
How Do I Make My Own Wedding Programs?
Making your own programs is easy, especially with the assistance of friends or invitation designer. Begin a month in advance of your wedding for best results. Gather all of your necessary info, including names of ceremony participants and order of events. Format the information to fit on a single page (landscape or horizontal), or on a single page front and back. Use a larger font for your section headings to draw attention to the order of events. Your wedding program should be designed to follow along with your actual ceremony, so that guests will be able to find their place again if their attention should waver.Consider adding graphic flourishes or New Jersey imagery to your designs to create a wedding program your guests will cherish. Examples include whirling crimson oak leaves for a fall New Jersey wedding, blue, silver and gold wave graphics for a beach wedding, or stylized honey bees for a sweet and simple program design.
To combine images and text, use your favorite word processing or layout program, such as Microsoft Word or Publisher. Online options like WeddingClipart.com offer tutorials, examples, templates for downloads and more to make the process as easy as possible. Insert your images, add the information you'd like to share with your guests, and then print a few test copies on regular printer paper to show your bridesmaids, husband-to-be, or wedding planner. After making any needed changes, print your programs on a good quality paper or card stock, available at your local stationery store or online from high-quality vendors such as LCI Paper or MyGatsby.com. In case you need extras, print a few more copies than you think you will need. These leftover programs may end up as keepsakes, or may be recycled.
Last but not least, consider how you'd like your programs to be presented. Will they be presented by hand? How will they be kept at the ceremony? A nice woven basket tied with a silk ribbon of your chosen wedding accent color is always a good option. Many ceremony sites have professional helpers or ushers available to assist with hand outs. With a well-designed program, you can rest assured that your guests will feel welcomed and inspired by your wedding vision.