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Dedicated February 2020

No program or sign

Michelle, on February 1, 2020 at 9:34 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 17
Hi!



Am I making a huge mistake? We aren't planning on programs or a sign version of a program. We have a website (which has only info about the wedding and us - nothing about wedding party), and a welcome sign that just says our names and "Welcome to our wedding". I don't really understand programs, but are we missing something important?

17 Comments

Latest activity by Kaysey, on February 7, 2020 at 10:20 AM
  • Allyson
    Devoted February 2020
    Allyson ·
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    I’m doing the same as you
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  • Erica
    Dedicated October 2020
    Erica ·
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    I was actually thinking about the same also. I keep reading everywhere that they are a waste & often times are thrown away or left in the seats at the ceremony site.

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  • Nicole
    Master September 2020
    Nicole ·
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    Programs are definitely not needed. We won’t be having them, either.
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  • MOB So Cal
    January 2019
    MOB So Cal ·
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    Unless there is something substantial about your ceremony that most guests will be confused about (e.g., a full Catholic Mass, with guests who are mostly non-Catholic), there is no need for a program or sign. Most people can follow a basic marriage ceremony! Save your $$$$! Smiley winking

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  • Caitlin
    Devoted September 2021
    Caitlin ·
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    Right?? I didn't see the need for programs either, but I don't think my mother can live without them so she is paying for them! Lol! However I do respect her knowledge: If it is a religious ceremony at all, they are customary and/or expected. (They also apparently keep the guests from getting antsy because they know what's coming next.)
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  • Flame Princess
    Dedicated April 2021
    Flame Princess ·
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    A ton of articles that are all "top 10 things you shouldnt spend wedding budget on" all have programs in the top three. Im just doing one big sign with the entire nights timeline
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  • Mandi
    Master October 2020
    Mandi ·
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    I'm skipping programs.
    • Reply
  • Kelly
    Champion October 2018
    Kelly ·
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    Nope. We didn’t have a program or sign or a welcome sign! None of that stuff is necessary.
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  • Kaysey
    Super February 2020
    Kaysey ·
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    I don't think you're making a mistake there. My FH and I are not doing traditional programs either. We weren't going to do anything like that originally. We did decide, however, to do a funny program last week. We're only doing this because we know some of our guests will be showing up very early and we wanted to give them something to do/read while they wait for the ceremony to start. Doing a traditional wedding program isn't us (b/c we aren't very formal or traditional), and our ceremony is only going to last around 10 minutes from start to finish. I've attached photos of what we're doing. I did black out the last names of our bridal party and our officiant, lol.

    Program 1No program or sign 1Program 2No program or sign 2



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  • Andrea
    Master January 2021
    Andrea ·
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    I'm not having programs either!! You have nothing to worry about unless there is something super unique or special about your ceremony- then a program would be good.

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  • A
    Savvy August 2020
    Amanda ·
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    We're not doing programs either. It's just an extra expense for something most people don't even want. We have a timeline on our wedding website, and there will be people on hand to direct guests who seem lost.


    You'll be fine without it!

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  • Amanduh
    Devoted January 2019
    Amanduh ·
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    Not having programs isn't necessarily a mistake. They are far from the most important part of your wedding, and it won't ruin anything if you don't have them.

    That being said, as a wedding guest, I appreciate having programs, especially at a wedding where I'm not familiar with the ceremony, like a catholic mass. We had programs that we bought from MagnetStreet at our wedding, and while some were left behind, I think that people enjoyed having them, considering they were included in plenty of pictures posted to Instagram/Facebook: https://www.magnetstreet.com/wedding-programs


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  • Cherry
    Expert February 2020
    Cherry ·
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    These are way too cute! I immediately thought of stealing it but I ain't got time to make this up and personalize it!

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  • Cherry
    Expert February 2020
    Cherry ·
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    We aren't doing programs, but we are putting up a chalkboard sign that has a list of the events on it with times. The wedding portion doesn't need explaining unless it's going to be in multiple languages, or a religious ceremony. Our sign will just say, "5:00 - Wedding, 5:30 - Cocktails, 6:00 - Dinner, Toasts, Cake! 7:00 - Marshmallow Roasting/Board games, 8:00 - Party On, Dudes!

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  • H
    Master July 2019
    Hannah ·
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    We had 0 programs or signs. The only thing we had was escort cards and menus (because the venue printed menus for free and guests chose their entree) People managed to find their way from ceremony to cocktail hour to reception just fine. Also, our wedding was pretty standard so a timeline (other than ceremony start time) wasn't needed.
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  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
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    I think it's fine to skip programs. I would only have them If your ceremony is outdoors with no shade and if it's long or bilingual
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  • Kaysey
    Super February 2020
    Kaysey ·
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    If you want, I can send you the Microsoft Word version of mine and you can customize it from there if you want Smiley smile

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