Wedding Program Wording Guide

Looking for wedding program wording ideas? Not sure what to include in your wedding program?
You’ve come to the right place! Create the perfect wedding program with this guide to wedding
program wording.

Wedding program wording ideas: what to include in a wedding program

Most wedding programs are comprised of four sections: the introduction, the ceremony, the
wedding party and messages.
If you’re printing two-panel wedding programs (front and back), the first two sections can go on
the front, and the other two on the back. If you’re printing four-panel (folded) wedding programs,
each section can be placed on its own panel.

Two-panel program

Wedding Party

Ceremony

Introduction

Appreciation Message

Four-panel (folded) program

Appreciation Message

Ceremony

Wedding Party

Introduction

Let’s go through the wedding ceremony program order, section-by-section, so you’ll know how to
word your wedding programs.

Section 1: Introduction or front cover (panel)

The first section should include:
 The names of the bride and groom
 The wedding date
 The wedding time (optional)
 The wedding location (optional)
Your wording can be formal or casual. For example, a formal wedding program front panel might read:
Kelly Jo Holcomb
And
Bradley Michael Janis
Nineteenth of May Two Thousand and Eighteen
One O’clock in the Afternoon
Valley Church
A casual wedding program front panel might read:
Kelly and Brad
5.19.2018
1 p.m.
Valley Church
Or, simply:
Kelly and Brad
5.19.2018
If you’re printing two-panel wedding programs, the introduction should be printed on the top of the first
panel. If you’re printing four-panel, folded wedding ceremony programs, it should be on the first panel,
otherwise known as the front cover.
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Section 2: Ceremony Order

The second section of your wedding program should feature the order of the ceremony. On two-panel
programs, it will go immediately below the introduction. On four-panel programs, it should go on the
second page, or inside cover.
The ceremony order should include:
The prelude
This is the music that is played while your guests are being seated. It’s common to include the song title,
composer, and the name of the person performing it (if it’s a live performance, such as a piano, guitar
player, and/or singer); though these are optional.
Prelude
The attendants’ processional is the music played when the bridal party makes its way down the aisle. Like
the prelude, you can list the song title, composer and performer. These are optional; however, your
formatting for the prelude and processional should match.
Example: “Water Music” (George F. Handel) Performed by Mary Smith The attendants’ processional

Processional

This is the music played when the bride enters and makes her way down the aisle. Formatting should match
the other songs.
Example: “Fur Elise” (Ludwig Van Beethoven) Performed by Jane Auger Bride’s processional

Bride’s Processional
Greeting or Opening Prayer
The attendants’ processional is the music played when the bridal party makes its way down the aisle. Like
the prelude, you can list the song title, composer and performer. These are optional; however, your
formatting for the prelude and processional should match.
The greeting can be listed on your wedding program as:
 Greeting
 Opening Prayer
 Invocation
Example: “Wedding March” (Felix Mendelssohn) Performed by Mary Smith

Readings
If the ceremony will include religious readings, they should be included on the program. The readings
might be consecutive; or, you might have one reading early in the ceremony and another reading later.
Place the readings accordingly, name the Bible verse (if applicable), and name the person conducting the
reading.
Example: Reading 1 Corinthians 16:14 John Smith

Exchange of Vows
The part of your wedding in which vows and rings are exchanged; on wedding programs, it’s commonly
referred to simply as the “Exchange of Vows.”
Exchange of rings
Some wedding programs include this part in the “Exchange of Vows,” others list it separately
Unity ceremony
If the wedding will include the lighting of a unity candle, pouring of unity sand, or some other symbolic
gesture, include it on your wedding program. It’s commonly referred to as a “Unity Ceremony.”
Presentation of couple
The part of the ceremony in which the officiant announces the newlyweds, they kiss, and the celebration
begins.
Recessional
The music played when the newlywed couple and wedding party make their way back down the aisle. It
should follow the formatting of the other music.
Example: "The Best is Yet to Come" (Frank Sinatra) Performed by Jane Auger

NOTE: If your wedding ceremony will include a religious service, your officiant or church can help you
identify additional items to include and where to place them. For example, your ceremony section might
have a liturgy, which could include readings, a gospel, a sermon or homily, hymns, and prayers (such as the
Lord’s Prayer). Separate items might also include the Rite of Marriage and Nuptial Blessing, such as in a
Catholic wedding.
Section 3: Wedding party
The third section of your wedding program should feature participants other than the bride and groom,
otherwise known as the wedding party. If you’re printing two-panel programs, it can go either below the
introduction or on the top of the back. If you’re printing four-panel, folded programs, it can go on either
interior panel. First and last names, as well as official titles (when applicable), should be included.

How you list the wedding party in your programs is up to you, though a hierarchy similar to the following is
common:
 Parents of the bride
 Parents of the groom
 Grandparents of the bride and groom (if desired)
 Maid or Matron of Honor
 Best man
 Bridesmaids
 Groomsmen
 Flower girl
 Ring bearer
 Attendants
 Ushers
 Officiant
 Music/performers
 Any special guests you’d like to name
If desired, you can include the relationships to the bride and groom for each person in the wedding party.
Examples:
 Annie Oakley, Friend of the Bride
 Bob Dole, Cousin of the Groom
 Terry Walters, Brother of the Bride
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How to list divorced parents on a wedding program

Proper wedding program etiquette for divorced parents presents several different options, including:
Parent and stepparents’ name on the same line
Jane and John Smith [where Jane is the mother and John is the stepfather] Bruce and Milly Jankins
[where Bruce is the father and Milly is the stepmother]
Parents escorted by stepparents
Jane Smith, escorted by her husband John Smith Bruce Jankins, escorted by his wife Milly Jankins
List parents and stepparents separately
Parents of the Bride: John Smith and Milly Jankins Stepfather: Bruce Jankins
Section 4: Appreciation, Memorials and Reception Reminder
The last section of your wedding program should feature a message of appreciation for your guests, also
referred to as a message of thanks or, simply, a thank-you note.
Optionally, some couples elect to include a memorial or remembrance message dedicated to deceased
friends and family members. You can also choose to include a reception reminder. This section can be
placed on the bottom of two-paneled programs, or on the back panel of four-paneled wedding programs.
Appreciation messages
Appreciation message example 1:
Thank you for sharing in our special day, and for all the love and support you’ve shown. We look forward
to many more years of happy memories with you!
Appreciation message example 2:
To Our Parents
Thank you for the guidance, support, patience, lessons and love you’ve given us. You have shaped us into
who we are today and have shown us a commitment that we’ll share with one another as our families
embark on a new journey together.
To Our Family and Friends
Thank you for joining us as we begin a new chapter in life, one that wouldn’t be possible without all the
love and support you’ve shown us. You are the sources of so many treasured memories, and we look
forward to making countless more memories as we begin our new lives together.
Memorial messages
Memorial message example 1:

In Loving Memory
We remember our loved ones who are here in spirit. You are in our hearts and memories, always.
Joseph Dirt, Grandfather of the Bride
Lana May, Cousin of the Groom
Other ways to list memorial names include:
Joseph Dirt
Bride’s Paternal Grandfather
Louise and Jon Meyer, Groom’s Maternal Grandparents
Grandpa Joe Dirt
Reception reminder example:
Please join us for dinner and reception immediately following the ceremony at The Reception Hall, 555
Wedding Drive, San Francisco
Once you’ve finished writing your wedding program wording, you can choose your wedding program
format, create your wedding program design, then print custom wedding programs that will wow your
guests and leave you with a beautiful keepsake for your special day. Don’t forget to  print rehearsal dinner
invitations  and  custom wedding save-the-date cards  that match!
Relevant resources pages
 https://www.psprint.com/resources/engagement-party-invitation-wording-ideas/
 https://www.psprint.com/resources/choose-the-best-words-for-your-wedding-cards/
 https://www.psprint.com/resources/wedding-invitation-wording-tips/
 bridal-shower-wording-examples-for-invitations/
 do-it-yourself-wedding-invitation-card-templates/
 affordable-wedding-invitations-for-budget-weddings/
 what-is-the-perfect-wedding-invitation-wording/
  https://www.psprint.com/resources/make-own-wedding-invitations/

Marriage Is a Covenant That Reflects God’s Character

Marriage was not created merely as a romantic relationship, nor even as an institution
aimed at self-fulfillment. Marriage is God’s way of modeling his covenant-keeping
nature. In Ephesians 5:32, Paul concludes his instructions on marriage by stating,
“This is a great mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.” Paul has been
giving instruction on marriage, when suddenly he is describing Christ’s relationship
with his church. Is Paul talking about marriage or the church? The answer is yes;
marriage is patterned after God’s relationship to his church.  Thus, in marriage (our
own or others’) we begin to know God more intimately.
How? In a godly marriage we begin to discover what it means to be deeply known and
steadfastly loved. From beginning to end, God’s preferred way of relating to his
people is by covenant. By making a covenant, God joins himself to his people,
pledging to remain steadfastly committed and loving his imperfect people even at the
cost of death. In other words, by making a covenant, God makes an unwavering
promise that he will continue to love and care for his people—even though they may
fail God, even though they may be unfaithful to him, and even though they may grow
cold in their love for him. In the fullness of time, God kept this promise with his
people, even though it meant laying down his life for them in death. As a covenant,
marriage is, ideally, meant to model this steadfast, promise-made/promise-kept
relationship. In a marriage, two people publicly bind themselves together, committing
themselves to one another, promising to be faithful, exclusive, and sacrificially loving,
until death.
Keeping this commitment is no small effort. Feelings and affections can cool for a
season. Circumstances like illness, job loss, or family conflict can create strain that
tears at the fabric of a marriage. And of course, we stare at our own personal sins and
failures—pride, a critical spirit, and selfishness, to name a few—in the mirror of
relationship. The covenant of marriage is meant to hold husband and wife together
through these purifying fires, leading us to growth and maturity.
Seasoned spouses will often acknowledge times in marriage when it was the covenant
vows alone that kept them together. But when the vows are kept and the covenant
upheld, those around begin to glimpse (though admittedly through a dark glass) what
God’s commitment to us actually looks like: a promise made to us, and a promise
kept, even at infinite cost to himself. Faithfulness to his bride, through sickness and
health, good times and bad. Marriage, then, becomes a beautiful portrayal of the
gospel itself.
So why withhold this covenant from same sex couples? This is a fair question that
requires a careful and pastoral response. In part, the answer lies in how marriage
reflects not only God’s relationship to the church, but also his nature. Genesis 1:27
emphasizes that when God created human beings, he “created them in his own image,
in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
Masculinity and femininity are not artificial social constructs, nor are they traits to be
either idolized or ignored. They are a piece of what it means to reflect God’s image. In
a marriage between man and woman, the image of God is reflected in a way that is
unique. This does not diminish single people, who also beautifully reflect the image of
God. Rather, it suggests that when two people become one flesh, God’s intent is to
illustrate something of his image that cannot be communicated in homosexual
relationships. The joining together of male and female as one gives us a more
complete picture of God’s character.
So how ought the church live in the midst of these changing times? First of all,
churches ought to do all they can to promote healthy marriages that reflect God’s
covenantal relationship. This means preaching and teaching about marriage, it means
promoting premarital ministry, as well as ministry to married couples. Some churches
have invited couples who have been married for a decade or longer to serve as
mentors to newlywed couples. Church leaders would be unwise to take an indifferent
approach to couples living together. Each situation is unique, of course, so there are
no one-size-fits-all answers. But churches should take care to disciple couples to
pursue the covenant commitment of marriage, even though that may be culturally
unpopular. Such care for those living together should always be offered with the truth
and grace that Jesus himself so marvelously demonstrated.

"Marriage is a sacred covenant, a holy relationship between a man and a woman that was instituted
by God. Even if a person is not married, he/she needs to understand God's plan and purpose for
marriage because marriage is about more than the couple saying "I do". Marriage is God's idea. The
woman was His gift to the man and Adam responded, "At last!"
"So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs
and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made
into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, 'This at last is bone of my bones and
flesh of my flesh, she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of man'" (Genesis 2:21-23).
He named her, showing his headship. He named her Woman, showing their equality.
'Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall
become one flesh.' (Genesis 2:24)
Paul quotes this verse in Ephesians 5 and explains, "This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it
refers to Christ and the church" (v. 32). Marriage is an exquisite illustration of the relationships
between Jesus and His Bride, the church. When a man loves, cherishes, cares for, and protects his
wife, he illustrates Jesus' headship over His church. When a woman respectfully submits to her
husband's headship, she illustrates the church's submission to Christ. And when one falters, the other
is not exempt from fulfilling his/her covenant responsibility to be an image-bearer of God in the
marriage.
Neither man nor woman can obey these gospel imperatives in their own strength, but the Holy Spirit
motivates and empowers us to fulfill our covenant vows. God's grace transforms two individual
people into one so that with one heart and voice they glorify God as husband and wife. As they grow
in oneness, their marriage begins to point to the profound mystery of the gospel--our oneness with
the Lord Jesus.
When a man and a woman say "I do," from that day forward they have the sacred privilege and
responsibility to illustrate the most glorious thing in the universe; the love of Christ for His church.
They have the potential to point to what is truly ultimate, the gospel of our Lord and Savior. Their
"my story" will not just become an "us story", it will be a gospel story." -Karen Hodge and Susan
Hunt, "Transformed Life-Taker to Life-Giver"
For more on the topic of marriage, check out our convo with Carla Weathersbee on episode 40! You
can find it here: https://itunes.apple.com/.../journeywomen/id1244331156...
ep. 40 | marriage | Carla Weathersbee

By 
Mary Fairchild




Updated June 03, 2020

Christian marriage is more than a contract; it's a covenant relationship. For this reason,
we see symbols of the covenant God made with Abraham in many of today's Christian
wedding traditions. The still-practiced Jewish custom of commencing the wedding with
the writing of a marriage contract can be traced back to the first century BC.
Wedding Symbols

 Christian marriage is a covenant relationship.

 The wedding ceremony itself is a picture of the blood covenant between God and
humans.
 Many traditional wedding customs have their roots in the ancient and sacred covenant
God made with Abraham.
 Wedding ceremonies in both the Old and New Testament had distinctly devout and
spiritual dimensions because faith in God was woven into the daily fabric of the Hebrew
family life.
The Covenant Ceremony
"Easton's Bible Dictionary" explains that the Hebrew word for covenant is berith, which
comes from the root meaning "to cut." A blood covenant was a formal, solemn, and
binding agreement—a vow or pledge—between two parties made by "cutting" or
dividing of animals into two parts.
In Genesis 15:9–10, the blood covenant began with the sacrifice of animals. After
splitting them precisely in half, the animal halves were arranged opposite each other on
the ground, leaving a pathway between them. The two parties making the covenant
would walk from either end of the path, meeting in the middle.

The meeting ground between animal pieces was regarded as holy ground. There the
two individuals would cut the palms of their right hands and then join these hands
together as they mutually pledged a vow, promising all of their rights, possessions, and
benefits to the other. Next, the two would exchange their belt and outer coat, and in so
doing, take some part of the other person's name.

The wedding ceremony itself is a picture of the blood covenant. Let's look further now to
consider the biblical significance of many of today's Christian wedding traditions.

Seating of Family on Opposite Sides of the Church

Family and friends of the bride and groom are seated on opposite sides of the church to
symbolize the cutting of the blood covenant. These family, friends, and invited guests
are not just witnesses, they are all participants in the wedding covenant. Many have
made sacrifices to help prepare the couple for marriage and support them in their holy
union.
Center Aisle and White Runner
The center aisle represents the meeting ground or pathway between the animal pieces
where the blood covenant is established. The white runner symbolizes holy ground
where two lives are joined as one by God (Exodus 3:5, Matthew 19:6).

Seating of the Parents

In biblical times, the parents of the bride and groom were ultimately responsible for
discerning God's will concerning the choice of a spouse for their children. The wedding
tradition of seating the parents in a place of prominence is meant to recognize their
responsibility for the couple's union.

Groom Enters First

Ephesians 5:23–32 reveals that earthly marriages are a picture of the church's union
with Christ. God initiated the relationship through Christ, who called and came for his
bride, the church. Christ is the Groom, who established the blood covenant first initiated
by God. For this reason, the groom enters the church auditorium first.
Father Escorts and Gives Away Bride
In Jewish tradition, it was the father's duty to present his daughter in marriage as a pure
virgin bride. As parents, the father and his wife also took responsibility for endorsing
their daughter's choice in a husband. By escorting her down the aisle, a father says, "I
have done my very best to present you, my daughter, as a pure bride. I approve of this
man as your choice for a husband, and now I bring you to him." When the minister asks,
"Who gives this woman?," the father responds, "Her mother and I." This giving away of
the bride demonstrates the parents' blessing on the union and the transfer of care and
responsibility to the husband.
White Wedding Dress
The white wedding dress has a twofold significance. It is a symbol of the wife's purity in
heart and life, as well as her reverence to God. It's also a picture of the righteousness of
Christ described in Revelation 19:7–8:
"For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself.
She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear." For the fine linen represents the
good deeds of God’s holy people. (NLT)

Jesus Christ clothes his bride, the church, in his own righteousness as a garment of "the
finest of pure white linen."
Bridal Veil
Not only does the bridal veil show the modesty and purity of the bride and her reverence
for God, it reminds us of the temple veil that was torn in two when Christ died on the
cross. Removing the veil took away the separation between God and man, giving
believers access into the very presence of God. Since Christian marriage is a picture of
the union between Christ and the church, we see another reflection of this relationship
in the removal of the bridal veil. Through marriage, the couple now has full access to
one another (1 Corinthians 7:4).
Joining Right Hands
In the blood covenant, the two individuals would join together the bleeding palms of their
right hands. When their blood mixed, they would exchange a vow, forever promising all
of their rights and resources to the other. In a wedding, as the bride and groom face one
another to say their vows, they join right hands and publicly commit everything they are,
and everything they possess, in a covenant relationship. They leave their families,
forsake all others, and become one with their spouse.

Exchanging of Rings
While the wedding ring is an outward symbol of the couple's inward bond, illustrating
with an unending circle the eternal quality of love, it signifies even more in light of the
blood covenant. A ring was used as a seal of authority. When pressed into hot wax, the
impression of the ring left an official seal on legal documents. Therefore, a couple
wearing wedding rings is demonstrating their submission to God's authority over their
marriage. The couple recognizes that God brought them together and that he is
intricately involved in every part of their covenant relationship.
A ring also represents resources. When the couple exchanges wedding rings, this
symbolizes the giving of all their resources—wealth, possessions, talents, emotions—to
the other in marriage. In the blood covenant, the two parties exchanged belts, which
form a circle when worn. Thus, the exchanging of the rings is another sign of their
covenant relationship. Similarly, God chose a rainbow, which forms a circle, as a sign of
his covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:12–16).
Pronouncement of Husband and Wife
The pronouncement officially declares that the bride and groom are now husband and
wife. This moment establishes the precise beginning of their covenant. The two are now
one in the eyes of God.
Presentation of the Couple
When the minister introduces the couple to the wedding guests, he is drawing attention
to their new identity and name change brought about by marriage. Similarly, in the blood
covenant, the two parties exchanged some part of their names. In Genesis 15, God
gave Abram a new name, Abraham, by adding letters from his own name, Yahweh.
The Reception
A ceremonial meal was often part of the blood covenant. At a wedding reception, guests
share with the couple in the blessings of the covenant. The reception also illustrates
the wedding supper of the Lamb described in Revelation 19.
Cutting and Feeding of Cake
The cutting of the cake is another picture of the cutting of the covenant. When the bride
and groom take pieces of cake and feed it to each other, once again, they are showing
they have given their all to the other and will care for each other as one flesh. At a
Christian wedding, the cutting and feeding of cake can be done joyfully but should be
done lovingly and reverently, in a way that honors the covenant relationship.

Throwing of Rice
The rice-throwing tradition at weddings originated with the throwing of seed. It was
meant to remind couples of one of the primary purposes of marriage—to create a family
that will serve and honor the Lord. Therefore, guests symbolically throw rice as a
gesture of blessing for the spiritual and physical fruitfulness of the marriage.

By learning the biblical significance of today's wedding customs, your special day is
certain to be more meaningful.