Wedding Ceremony Programs

With just 15 days to go, it's time to do some finalizing, and one of those bits is the creation of the wedding ceremony program. Is it necessary? No, but it's certainly helpful to the guests to know what's coming next, a great memento of the occasion and gives the couple a chance to give out a thank you to all those who came to the celebration. But what exactly should be included in the program?

1) The order of the ceremony: processional, Scripture readings, hominy, vows, rings, pronouncement of marriage, kiss and recessional.
2) Details: What is the music? What are the Scriptures? What is the title of the message? If there are specific religious traditions, it might help to explain these for guests of a different denomination or faith. Same goes for cultural traditions.
3) Wedding Party: Who are the maid of honor, best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen, parents, flower girl, ring bearer, master/mistress of ceremonies, officiant and ushers.
4) Personal thank you: This gives the couple a chance to thank their family, friends and co-workers for sharing in their day.
5) New address: Where will the couple be living?
6) Hashtag: To officially tell the guests how to tag all things wedding so the couple can see photos and posts on social media after the wedding.
7) Invitation to the Reception: Sometimes directions, a map and times are here.
8) Photos and bios: Sometimes couples will have information about how they met and their engagement photo.

Sometimes memoriams of deceased family members, poems, Bible verses, song lyrics and the like are also included in the program.

There are also clever presentations for programs. Some people turn their wedding programs into a fan. I even saw one with triangular pieces attached by a grommet at the point that spread into a fan. For outdoor and potentially warm weddings this is clever and helpful. Some are rolled like a scroll, trifold, several layers, or different shapes and colors. Mix fonts and colored printing. Just like the ceremony itself, you can make the program likewise.

As for the number, you can print out one for everyone, or one per family. The second is more cost efficient, of course.

So finalize those ceremony details and get ready to put it together. Make it uniquely you!

Discussion: What do you feel is necessary for the wedding program? What is unnecessary to you?

Prayer: Lord, you have told us to do things decently in and in order and the wedding program helps keep everyone on the same page, literally. We thank you, Father, that you are a God of order. May your presence be all over these programs. In Christ, Amen.

#WeddingBlogAboutHashtags

The other day I saw a post about a child's birthday. The post was punctuated with about 30 hashtags. It got to be comical because many were repetitious. I think I even commented "You need more hashtags" to which she responded, "I would have, but Instagram only allows 30." I am hoping she's joking, but I noticed on other recent posts, she's had an equally tremendous amount of hashtags.

A hashtag - for those uninformed - is a social media label that allows folks searching the internet to find information with a similar theme. A hashtag is preceded by the number symbol ( a tiny tic tac toe) that looks like this #. Thus a hashtag might be something like this: #weddingblog. Oftentimes people will use it to express their feelings or add context to something they have just posted, like #can'tbelievewehavetowrite42moreofthese, #willwerunoutofideas, #surelyourkidsarereadyformarriagebynow.

They are all the rage with regards to weddings now, because if guests at the wedding post a photo and include the specific wedding hashtag, the bride and groom can find those photos later by doing a search of the hashtag. The Knot wedding magazine says 55% of couples have a hashtag for their weddings and those who didn't, wish they did. Anton and Kayla have already selected their hashtag. It's #finaLeeZimanek. Now when they post anything that has to do with the wedding, that hashtag is attached.

The wedding hashtag is so popular, that there are even hashtag generators. If you go to Wedding Wire, you can plug in your names, wedding date, location, etc. and it will give you a slew of hashtags to choose from. Hashtags like #happilyeverafter, #trueloveforever or #newlyweds interspersed with the couple's info. After you select a hashtag you need to check if anyone else is using it for some other theme, so you aren't doubling on info. Ayla and Rob are in the process of trying to come up with a hashtag. They intend to use their hashtag specifically for their Selfie Station where people can get dressed up and take photos of themselves with their cellphones (like a photo booth). This way Ayla and Rob can see them all after the wedding when they are posted with the hashtag. We have several contenders including 

#LollyGoggin
#eatdrinkandZGoggin
#ZimazingGoggin
#webeGoggins
#ARforeverlove
#ZGogginblend
#ARrecipe4love
#SnogginGoggins
#toomanycooksinARkitchen
#Mr&MrsGoggin
#foodiesinlove
#ZGogginweddingfeast ... you get the idea.

So it's a fun process and helpful at the same time for the couple and the guests. Now if we could just settle on one for Ayla and Rob.

UPDATE: Right after this was posted, we got a text. Hashtag selected! #eatdrinkandbegoggin. :)

Discussion: When is a hashtag unnecessary? Do you see the value in a hashtag? Tell about some clever hashtags. When has a hashtag been helpful to you in a search?

Prayer: Lord Almighty, you are so wonderful and we love you. We thank you that you are so easy to reach out to and learn about. We pray for your blessing on every guest that comes to these weddings and the fun photos that will come from them. In Jesus, Amen.