I am thinking about skipping the programs all together and putting up one large billboard on an easel instead....similar to what a hotel does. I am giving my guests fans & petals to throw, so I figure it's one less thing for them to carry. What are your thoughts on this? Clever or tacky? My fiance seems to like it of course!! :)
I think you should still do the traditional programs, if budget allows. People always seem to like them, and a lot of people save them as keepsakes from the wedding. I've also read on here that a good chunk of programs go unused, so you wouldn't even have to plan for 1 per person/family/couple. You can just print up maybe enough to fill a small basket, or one for every other chair.
I would still do the program, because people like to know what's going on. What would be on the sign? Their seat? You can still do that, but I wouldn't skip the programs.
Personally, I like having a program for myself so I can keep track of what's going on during the ceremony. Unless your ceremony is in a very small space, with only a handful of people, no one is going to be able to read the easel-program during the ceremony. Do fan-programs (if you haven't already bought nicer fans as favors), or you could do simple one page programs.
I think we are doing both -- our sign is going to make it look like our guest are going to a seminar or lecture, not a wedding. Our program is going to look like a course syllabus.
I have axed the program idea...I have a wedding website and from my experience with programs they just get thrown away. I love the hotel style billboard idea!
I really like it too! While programs are necessary for some weddings (if you're having a full mass or need to explain traditions), I really think you can skip it, especially if your wedding is pretty straightforward.
ha ha Niki, that's funny. I didn't even notice the way I worded it. LOL
Thanks for the advice everyone! I think the billboard will work nice, and we'll just move it around all night so everyone can see it....i.e. Put it by the bar for cocktail hour, and on the porch and whatnot. Hope people like it! (fingers crossed) :)
I think that if your ceremony is long, complicated, or hard to follow - or if you expect people to arrive really early and have nothing else for them to do, a program is great. Myself, I generally look through the program mostly when I first get there - to get some idea of how long and complicated the ceremony is going to be - and after that mostly when I'm bored with whatever else is going on.
We are live music starting 30 minutes before the ceremony, and the ceremony itself is only about 20 minutes long - there are no readings except those that the pastor is doing (which he will introduce), and no music that shouldn't be clearly recognizable to most of the guests. So we are not doing programs.
If people want to know afterwards who your MOH was, or what the song during the interlude was, the billboard should be fine.
And I also think that programs turn out like invitations - about a dozen of your guests will keep them (mostly your immediate family) and most of them won't actually be able to ever find them again. Everyone else will throw them away as soon as they get home, or a week later when they clean out their car.
I am thinking about skipping the programs all together and putting up one large billboard on an easel instead....similar to what a hotel does. I am giving my guests fans & petals to throw, so I figure it's one less thing for them to carry. What are your thoughts on this? Clever or tacky? My fiance seems to like it of course!! :)
posted by monica 3 months agoThose fans are going to hurt when they hit their target.
posted by Niki 3 months agoI think you should still do the traditional programs, if budget allows. People always seem to like them, and a lot of people save them as keepsakes from the wedding. I've also read on here that a good chunk of programs go unused, so you wouldn't even have to plan for 1 per person/family/couple. You can just print up maybe enough to fill a small basket, or one for every other chair.
posted by drprepper 3 months agoI would still do the program, because people like to know what's going on. What would be on the sign? Their seat? You can still do that, but I wouldn't skip the programs.
posted by KateMW 3 months agoI have seen a lot of people print the program on the fans. That would help x
posted by englishmuffin 3 months agoPersonally, I like having a program for myself so I can keep track of what's going on during the ceremony. Unless your ceremony is in a very small space, with only a handful of people, no one is going to be able to read the easel-program during the ceremony. Do fan-programs (if you haven't already bought nicer fans as favors), or you could do simple one page programs.
posted by MsAnge 3 months agoNiki, very funny!
I think we are doing both -- our sign is going to make it look like our guest are going to a seminar or lecture, not a wedding. Our program is going to look like a course syllabus.
Have you thought about putting the program on the fans? Here are some ideas: Fan Programs and here is a blog about it on weddingbee.
Good luck!
posted by caliocteach 3 months agoI have axed the program idea...I have a wedding website and from my experience with programs they just get thrown away. I love the hotel style billboard idea!
posted by fallgirly 3 months agoI really like it too! While programs are necessary for some weddings (if you're having a full mass or need to explain traditions), I really think you can skip it, especially if your wedding is pretty straightforward.
Niki, that cracked me up. =)
posted by rebecca 3 months agolike fallgirly said, programs aren't necessary as the wedding biz would like you think they are.
you can leave them out completely and no one will notice.
On the other hand, we are having a wedding mass with a lot of non catholic guests so we feel it make make things go smoother for them.
posted by TallBride 3 months agoha ha Niki, that's funny. I didn't even notice the way I worded it. LOL
Thanks for the advice everyone! I think the billboard will work nice, and we'll just move it around all night so everyone can see it....i.e. Put it by the bar for cocktail hour, and on the porch and whatnot. Hope people like it! (fingers crossed) :)
posted by monica 3 months agoI think that if your ceremony is long, complicated, or hard to follow - or if you expect people to arrive really early and have nothing else for them to do, a program is great. Myself, I generally look through the program mostly when I first get there - to get some idea of how long and complicated the ceremony is going to be - and after that mostly when I'm bored with whatever else is going on.
We are live music starting 30 minutes before the ceremony, and the ceremony itself is only about 20 minutes long - there are no readings except those that the pastor is doing (which he will introduce), and no music that shouldn't be clearly recognizable to most of the guests. So we are not doing programs.
If people want to know afterwards who your MOH was, or what the song during the interlude was, the billboard should be fine.
And I also think that programs turn out like invitations - about a dozen of your guests will keep them (mostly your immediate family) and most of them won't actually be able to ever find them again. Everyone else will throw them away as soon as they get home, or a week later when they clean out their car.
posted by suzanno 3 months ago