Program wording - complicated family

ETA: Realized you were asking for program. I'm not quite sure what to do in this situation, but you do know that you don't have to have programs right? It's just an extra expense.

What MrsCK said.

Maybe this for your parents: John Doe, Jane Doe and Ann Smith. I wouldn't mention the girlfriend.

His parents: Joseph and Mary White, Carol and Dick Black. I don't know that it matters whether you list father and wife or mother and husband first.

Don't do a program. I've been to very few weddings were programs were actually done.

I think she's talking about program not the invites... Are you guys close to your parents significant others? For example did a step dad raise your future husband? If they are all significant others that came after your were raised I would just put "parents of the bride/groom" and just list your actual parents.

However if any of your parents' significant others acted in a parent role that complicates things because they were a parent too

I have mom, dad, step mom, step dad, FFIL, FMIL. I'd just write something general as in

"The families of" or "the parents of" etc. Everyone will know who you're referring to.

I know skipping them is an option, but my dad (who is generously funding part of the wedding) really wants them. I have absolutely no idea why they're so important to them but he's already brought them up a few times.

My mom's partner and dad's girlfriend came after I had moved out but my fiancé's step parents both helped raise him. Which I think complicates it a lot more - my dad is the one who wants them and I'm guessing he wants his girlfriend mentioned as he's already asked to make sure she'll be getting a corsage, but she didn't have a role in my life when I was little.

Thank you all for reading and for your suggestions so far!! I appreciate it.

I think you should only list your parents and FH parents and step parents because they both played a role in his life. At the reception you can have the DJ call their names as they walk in. I'm sorry but if they don't have no significant connection with you I won't list them.

Parents of the bride is usually listed first then the groom's parents. So I would list bride's parents followed by their partners then list groom's parents followed by their partners

Fellow teacher! I also got all of my planning done before the kids came back! Crazy teacher stress and crazy wedding stress would just be too much! The thing is, if you mention your dad's girlfriend then you would also want to mention your mom's girlfriend. Most people don't mention girlfriends of parents though. If you do a program it will be something that you keep and if they broke up then you'd always have them on there. Our photographer told us that girlfriends/boyfriends shouldn't be in wedding pictures either for this reason, but it is a personal choice. Maybe just tell your dad that you don't want a program or that if you do you are only going to list him and your mom. Because your FH's parents are married you would include their spouses. I hope this helps some! Happy planning and good luck on the school year!

Thanks so much everyone!

Meg - yes that's my hope, to get it all done before my kiddos come back! I hope you have a great year as well!

I would do it. Your dad and mom with their partners under their respective names.

His dad and mom with their respective partners under.

Skip the mr and mrs all together.

Just don't do programs. They're a waste of time, money and paper, and in this case it'll save you an extra headache!

Just don't do programs. They're a waste of time, money and paper, and in this case it'll save you an extra headache!

Just don't do programs. They're a waste of time, money and paper, and in this case it'll save you an extra headache!

My half sister had 3 dads (our shared bio dad, her half brother's dad, and her step dad.) Plus BILs 2 parents. I'll see if she had a program. It was 15 years ago.

Just do not do programs, and you don't have to put family on the invites either.

How long have your mom and dad been with their respective partners? I would not include them in the program since they aren't married.

Sarah - thanks I would appreciate it!

I agree, I would skip the programs to but my dad feels very strongly about them.

As far as not including my parents' partners because they aren't married, I would go with that but we are planning on getting them both corsages (again, at my fafher's request) and they have both been with their partners for about 10 years. That's a long time - longer than some marriages - and I don't believe my mother and her partner intend to get married. However, they own a house together, have pets together, and have been living together for over 5 years. I feel like it's a hard situation because I don't want to not include them simply because they don't have a marriage license when they are just as committed as many married couples. So at the moment I plan on including all of them and am just trying to figure out the best wording. And, if they are all listed on a program - does the mom come before or after the dad (for both sets of parents). And do you put the bride's parents or the groom's parents first.

Here's how Emily Post says to do it

Parents of the Bride:

Mom and Partner

Dad and Partner

Parents of the Groom

Mom and Step-Dad

Dad and Step-Mom

ETA: This is how it would be done on invitations, so I think it's totally fine to do it this way in the program as well.