Passing out a wedding program to all of your guests is a great way to highlight what is to come during the ceremony and scheduled events. These can also become great keepsakes that remind your guests of the great events they bared witness to that day. Here is a look at some wedding program wording examples that will make your planning process easier.
Example #1
Processional
Serenade by Franz Joseph Haydn
Canon in D…by Pachelbel
Opening Words
“Love” by Roy Croft
Read by …
Expression of Vows
Exchange of Rings
Pronouncement of Marriage
The Kiss
Recessional
Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
Example #2
Prelude
Seating of the Parents
Processional
Entrance of the Bride
Prayer
Libation Offering for the Ancestors
A libation is a sacred communal ritual, used in traditional African life. The libation begins with an invocation to invite everyone to participate, followed by an introduction where ancestors, elders and family members may be named. The supplication asks God for good wishes, and the conclusion ends by sending the spirits home and thanking participants and praying that they leave more blessed than when they came. Like the wine in a communion, liquids used in libation are symbolic of the ancestral spirits. The libation closely follows the family lineage and is a recitation of a couple ’s links to each family member, living, dead and un born.
Tasting of the Herbs
Marriage does not promise a state of euphoria or peace on a daily basis. Traditionally, the bride and groom participate in a tasting of the four elements of life – bitter, sweet, sour, and hot – as well as water to cleanse the palate, as a way of demonstrating the fullness of experience that each married couple will come to know over time.
Charge to the Couple
Declaration of Intent
Commitment of the Families
Vows of Union
Blessing and Exchange of Rings
Wedding Prayer
Pronouncement of Union
Lighting of the Unity Candle
Musical Selection
Benediction
Recessional
Postlude
Example #3
Wedding Service
Prelude
Processional
(Trumpet Voluntary – Purcell/Clark)
Welcome/Vows of Support
Invocation and Opening Prayer
Scripture
(Colossians 3:12-14)
(Song of Solomon 8:6-7)
(Matthew 19:4-6)
Wedding Meditation
Vows
Exchange of Rings
Declaration of Marriage
Wedding Blessing
Prayers and Lord’s Prayer
Benediction
Presentation
Recessional
(La Rejouissance – Handel)
Postlude
Example #4
Musical Prelude
Lighting of the Candles
Seating of the Parents
Processional
Entrance of the Bride
Poetry Reading
Exchange of Vows
Prayer & Blessing
Lighting of the Unity Candle
Musical Selection
Pronouncement of Marriage
Recessional
Acknowledgements
Example #5
“To My Dear and Loving Husband”
If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me ye women if you can.
I prize thy love more that whole mines of gold,
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay,
The heavens reward thee manifold I pray.
Then while we live, in love let’s so persever,
That when we live no more, we may live forever
Thou may love on, through love’s eternity
I Corinthians 13:1-13
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Exchange of Vows
Blessing and Exchange of Rings
A circle is the symbol of wholeness, perfection, and unity. Like circles, their rings have no beginning and no end. They are tokens of the growing relationship that Jaccqueline and Mitchell have come here to celebrate and confirm.
Lighting of the Unity Candle
“Ave Maria” by Shubert
Jacqueline and Mitchell are going to light their Unity Candle, a symbol of their relationship and love. The candles from which they light it have been lit by their families to represent their lives to this moment.
The lights, representing the faith, wisdom, and love they have received from their parents, are distinct, each burning alone. Jacqueline and Mitchell will light the center candle to symbolize the union of their lives. As this one light burns undivided, so shall their love be one.
May the radiance of this one light be a testimony of their unity. May these candles burn brightly as symbols of their commitment to each other, and as a tribute to their families’ everlasting love for them.
Final Blessing
Recessional
Queeon of Sheeba (Handel)
Royal Fireworks (Handel)
Verse
From “Hamlet”
Doubt thou the stars are fire;
Doubt that the sun doth move;
Doubt truth to be a liar;
But never doubt I love
Example #6
Order of Service
The Marriage Ceremony of
Name
and
Name
Rev.Name, Officiating
Prelude
Lighting of the Candles
Seating of Honored Parents and Guests
Solo “Ribbon in the Sky”
Processional “Canon in D” by Pachelbel
Entrance of the Bride “Bridal Chorus” by Wagner
Ceremony
Prayer
Reading of Scripture
Greeting and Declaration of Intent
Giving of the Bride
Exchanging of Vows
Exchanging of Rings
Lighting of the Unity Candle
Communion
Solo “The Lord’s Prayer”
Marital Blessing
Pronouncement
Benediction
Recessional “Wedding March” by Mendelssohn
Example #7
The Wedding Ceremony
Prelude
Entrance Rite
The Lighting of the Unity Candle By Mothers……….”Morning Has Broken”
Seating of the Mothers
Attendants Processional……….Song
Bridal Processional……….Song
Opening Prayer
Liturgy of the Word
Old Testament
TOBIT 8:4b-8……….Read by Name
Responsorial Psalm
PSALM 103:1-2, AND 13, 17-18A……….Read by Name
New Testament
CORINTHIANS 12:13-13:8A……….Read by Name
Gospel Acclamation and Verse
JOHN 4:12……….Read by Name
Gospel Reading
MATTHEW 5:1-12A………..Read by Name
Homily
Rite of Marriage
Exchange of Vows
Blessing of the Rings
Lighting of the Unity Candle
Prayer of the Faithful……….Read by Name
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Presentation of the Gifts………..Name
“ SONG”
Preparation of the Gifts
Eucharistic Prayer
Nuptial Blessing
Sign of Peace
Communion………..”ONE BREAD ONE BODY”
Presentation to the Blessed Mother……….Ave Maria (Schubert)
Concluding Rite and Final Blessing
Recessional……….Song
Example #8
The Wedding Ceremony
Prelude
“Grand Passions”
Seating of Parents
Processional
“Canon in D”
“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”
Opening Greeting
Declaration of Intention
Presentation of the Bride and Groom
Response of the Family
Prayer
Gospel Reading…St. Matthew 19:4-5
Epistle Reading…1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Reading by the Bride’s Father
“Marriage joins two people in the circle of its love”
Intercessory Prayer
Exchange of Marriage Vows
Blessing of the Wedding Rings
Declaration of Marriage
Vocal Solo
“Grow Old With Me”
Blessing of the Marriage
Vocal Solo
“The Lord’s Prayer”
Dismissal with a Blessing
Benediction
Recessional
l“Trumpet Tune and Air”
Example #9
Wedding Ceremony
Processional…………………”Here comes the bride”(Wagner)
Opening Prayer
Liturgy of the Word
Old Testament
Genesis 2:18-24………………………………..Read by Name
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 145:8-10, 10 and 15, 17-18………………Read by Name
New Testament
1 Corinthians 12:31-13:8a………………………Read by Name
Gospel Reading
John 15:12-16…………………………………..Read by Name
Rite of Marriage
Exchange of vows
Blessing of rings
Exchange of Rings
Blessings
Irish Blessing……………………………………………Read by Name
Nuptial Blessing………………………………………….Name
Recessional…………………………………”Traditional Wedding March” (Mendelson)
A sincere thank you to all of our friends and family for sharing this special day with us. We will forever remember this joyous occasion.
Example #10
The Wedding Ceremony Uniting
*****
and
****
Month **** th, Year
Prelude
Processional Canon in D………………..Pachelbel
Opening Remarks
Acknowledgement of the Two Different Traditions
Explanation of the Huppah
Readings Old Testament…………………Song of Songs 7:12-14
New Testament……………….First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians Marriage
Blessing Honoring Parents
Wine Ceremony
Hands of the Bride and Groom
Homily
Exchange of Vows
Exchange of Rings
Explanation of the Ketubah
Seven Wedding Blessings {Shev A Beruchot}
Pronouncement of Marriage
Benediction
An Irish Blessing
Breaking of the Glass
Recessional
Thank you for joining us on this special day.
The presence of our family and friends means so much to both of us.
We especially want to thank our parents for their ever present love and support.
Officiant………………………………………………..****
Parents of the Bride………………………………….****
Parent of the Groom………………………………….****
Matron of Honor……………………………………….****
Best Man……………………………………………….****
Bridesmaids…………………………………………….****
Groomsmen…………………………………………….****
Ring Bearer…………………………………………….****
Flower Girl……………………………………………..****
Readers………………………………………….……****
Musicians………………………………………………****
In Loving Memory Of…
Check out this short series on the perfect way to word your wedding programs. Learn the basics of word usage, length, style, and format in this helpful video.
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