PA Wedding Program Ideas
Many brides choose to coordinate their programs with their invitations, colors, wedding motif or ceremony location. Special Pennsylvania touches might include fireflies or mountain laurel floral prints, two of the state's cherished symbols. For a country-style wedding, consider adding a silhouette of horse and carriage or a colorful barn star (a beautiful six-pointed folk art design seen throughout rural areas of the state) to suggest PA's pastoral heartland and heritage.How Do I Make My Own Wedding Programs?
Many brides choose to make their own programs, often with the help of their invitation designer or bridesmaids. Begin a few weeks to a month in advance of your wedding for best results. Think of adding clipart flourishes or local imagery to your designs, such as falling yellow maple leaves for a gorgeous autumn Pennsylvania wedding.To make your own programs, you can use your favorite word processing or layout program, such as Microsoft Word or Publisher, or Open Office Writer. Another option is an online site, such as WeddingDNA, which offers templates and guides and will walk you through the design process. 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 bridal party or wedding planner. Get their feedback, make any necessary changes, and then print your programs on a good quality paper or cardstock, available online or at your local stationery store. It's good to make a few extra in case some get lost or don't print properly. Any left over may be kept to cherish or can be recycled.
What Should My Program Include?
The information 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 a cover 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.Wedding programs may include the following information or sections:
General Greeting:
- Words of Welcome
- The Names of Bride & Groom to Be Wed
- The Date of Your Wedding
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:
- Bride's Parents
- Groom's Parents
- Maid of Honor
- Best Man
- Bridesmaids
- Ushers
- Ring Bearer
- Flower Girl
- Officiant(s)
Acknowledgments:
- Words of Appreciation
- Special Mentions
- Invitation to Reception
Finally consider who will be handing out your programs, and how you'd like them to be presented -- perhaps in a nice wicker basket tied with a silk ribbon of your chosen wedding accent color. Many ceremony sites have helpers or ushers on-site to help with handing out the programs. With a little planning and some Pennsylvania-inspired imagery, it's easy to create your own wedding programs. With local flavor and the pertinent details of your wedding ceremony, both you and your guests will cherish these mementos for years to come.