Ceremony - Why Do A Wedding Program?

Tell your guest what to expect on your wedding day by including:

• The ceremony site
• The date, time, and place of the wedding
• The names of the bride and groom
• The names of the bridal party and officiant
• The names of the soloists, musicians, and pieces performed
• The parent's names
• Tributes to deceased parents, relatives, and friends
• The words to readings, songs, prayers, and blessings
• Foreign language translations, if needed
• Explanations of religious or ethnic rituals, customs, and military traditions
• Thank-you's to parents

Beverly Harris Weddings & Events

(310) 487-9698

7 Tips On How To Get Guests Involved In The Ceremony

1. If getting married in a church, reverse positions with officiant so you and your groom face guests.
2. Move the chuppah or portable altar closer to pews to increase the feeling of community.
3. At a small wedding, have guests stand around the altar in a semicircle.
4. Stand outside the church to greet arriving guests
5. Welcome guests with bagpipers, saxophonists, or classical guitarists outside the ceremony site; a flutist or harpist can play indoors.
6. Choose a prayer for attendants or guests to say in union.
7. Ask ushers to distribute candles to each guests as they are seated.  After lighting the Unity Candle, the bride and groom walk to the first pew on their sides of the church.  With their own candles they each light the candle of the guest in the first seat of the first pew, who lights the candle of the person next to them, till all of the candles are lit throughout the room.

Beverly Harris Weddings & Events

(310) 487-9698

Tips: Creative Ceremony Touches

A wedding ceremony doesn't have to be the same old thing that you saw and your friends wedding.  Make your ceremony personal, about you and your fiance.  You should add your own special touches and be creative. 

• Have children pass out candles, flowers, or yarmulkes (skullcaps) for a Jewish ceremony.
• Print greetings, poetry, and tributes in your wedding program.
• Hang a floral wreath on the door of the house of worship, announcing "a wedding is in progress".
• Line the windowsills with votive candles; wrap greenery or tulle around columns.
• Walk down the aisle on a hand-painted runner decorated with flowers.
• The bride and groom walk down the aisle escorted by both parents--a Jewish tradition.
• As the bride is escorted to the altar, she might pause at the first pew to give her mother a flower and a kiss; as she leaves the altar with the groom, she'd do the same for her mother-in-law.
• Sip from two goblets of wine--a Jewish tradition--to symbolize the joy and sorrow of life.
• Have bridal assistants ring bells, release doves, or blow bubbles as you emerge from the house of worship.
• Travel to the reception in creative transportation--a horse and buggy or an antique car.

Beverly Harris Weddings & Events

(310) 487-9698