Original content: Religious Wedding Programs Templates And Wording Samples
A religious wedding would inevitably make the use of religious wedding programs, and it goes without saying, that these are quite different from the average traditional wedding programs. Every religious wedding, be it Catholic, Hindu, Muslim, Baptist or other, make use of religious wedding ceremony programs.
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These programs carry certain religious elements from the shared faith of the couple and serve as a guide for the wedding ceremony. Sometimes, determining what should be included in the program to best reflect your beliefs, can be difficult. This is why we have put together this information on several types of religious wedding programs, from Catholic mass wedding programs to general Christian wedding programs and more.
Information To Include In Your Religious Wedding Program
In general, wedding program wording can be easily put together under a number of subheadings. These can be broken down into:
- A general outline of the steps necessary for the ceremony in s descending order. This will include traditions such as handfasting, the benediction by the minister, or lighting of the unity candle.
- Titles of hymns, readings or music that would be used during the ceremony.
- The text of hymns and readings.
- The list of names of the bridal party and their relationship to the couple.
- Tributes to deceased family members.
- Show of gratitude to guests as well as acknowledgments.
- A map or address for the reception venue.
- Photographs of the couple.
Sample Christian Wedding Programs Wording
Christian wedding programs templates or samples can help guide you when creating a wedding program of your own. While there are no hard and fast rules when creating a program for a wedding ceremony, a few elements cannot be left out of Christian wedding ceremony programs examples. See a sample below.
- Procession
- Seating of Guests
Title of hymn or Christian song that would be playing. - Procession of the Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids
Title of song that would play. - Procession of the Bride
Title of hymn or song that would play. - Welcome and Opening Prayer
- First Reading
Bible verses and name of the reader. - Second Reading
Bible verses as well as the name of the reader. - Gospel
Main bible verse. - Exchange of Wedding Vows
- Blessing and Exchange of the Rings
- Sand Ceremony
- Nuptial Blessing
- Communion
- Final Blessing
- Recessional
Title of song, which would be played.
Simple Catholic Wedding Program
Every Christian denomination has a different method of conducting wedding ceremonies. This is why a Catholic wedding program would differ from all the rest. Below is a sample program for a Catholic wedding ceremony.
The Ceremony
- Prelude
Title of the chosen song or hymn that would play. - Bride’s Processional
Name of the processional song or instrumental. - Opening Prayer
- Old Testament Reading
Related bible verse from the old testament. - New Testament Reading
Related bible verse from the new testament. - Gospel Reading
Gospel reading bible verse. - Homily
- The Exchange of Vows
- Exchange of Rings and Blessings
- The lighting of the Unity Candle
- Intercessions
- The Lord’s Prayer
- Communion
Corresponding hymn. - Closing Prayer
- Final Blessing
- Recessional
Title of song or hymn that will play.
Catholic Mass Wedding Programs Sample
Some couples will prefer Catholic church wedding programs for a Catholic wedding with a mass. Some wedding ceremonies are conducted exclusive of the full mass, or the mass is not entered into the program. Below is a detailed sample Catholic ceremony wedding program for one with a mass.
Front Cover
- A Marriage Celebration
- Names of the Bride and Groom
- Details of the Wedding Ceremony Venue, including address and date.
Page 1
- Names of the Parents of the Bride
- Names of the Parents of the Groom
- Name of the Maid of Honor
- Name of the Best Man
- Names of the Ushers
- Name of the Ring Bearer and the Flower Girl
- Name of the Organist and the Soloist, if any
Page 2
- Prelude
- Processional
Title of a song. - Bride’s Processional
Title of a song. - Liturgy of the Word
- Opening Prayer
- First Reading
Bible verse - Responsorial Psalm
Bible verse and reader’s name. - Second Reading
Bible verse and reader’s name. - Gospel
- Homily
Page 3
- The Sacrament of Marriage
- Exchange of Vows
- Blessing and Exchange of Rings
- Unity Candle
Title of song - Prayer of the Faithful and Response.
- Name of the reader.
- Presentation of the Gifts
- Liturgy of the Eucharist
- Lord’s Prayer
- Nuptial Blessing
- Sign of Peace
- Communion
- Final Blessing
- Recessional
Title of a song.
Catholic Wedding Program Without Mass
Not too different from the earlier sample of Catholic wedding program with mass, is the Catholic wedding programs without mass. Below is a helpful sample.
- Introductory Rite
- Prelude and Seating of Guests
Title of wedding hymn - Seating of Parents
Title of accompanying music - Bridesmaid Processional
Title of processional hymn or song. - Bridal Processional
Title of processional song or instrumental. - Greeting and Opening Prayer
- Liturgy of the Word
- First Reading
Bible verses - Responsorial Psalm
- Second Reading
Bible verses - Gospel Acclamation
- Gospel
Bible verse - Homily
- The Rite of Marriage
- Marriage Vows
- Blessing and Exchange of Rings
- The lighting of the Unity Candle
- Prayer of the Faithful
- Nuptial Blessing
- The Sign of Peace
- Concluding Rite
- Solemn Blessing
- Presentation of the Bride and Groom as a married couple.
- Recessional
Title of recessional music.
Religious Wedding Programs Samples
Here we have put together samples and templates of wedding programs for various religions. Each guided by the rules and traditions of the different faiths. Each religious wedding differs in its own way, and with these samples, you can see just how.
Baptist Wedding Program Wording
Front Cover
- The Blessing and Celebration of Marriage Unity
Name of the Bride and the Groom - Details of the Wedding Ceremony Venue, including address and date.
Page 1
Details about the Wedding Party
- Parents of the Bride
- Parents of the Groom
- Grandparents of the Bride
- Grandparents of the Groom
- Maid of Honor
- Best Man
- Names of Bridesmaids
- Names of Groomsmen
- Officiating Ministers
- Pianist and/or Flutist, if available
- Soloist
- Other musicians
Page 2
The Marriage Ceremony
- Prelude
Title of prelude hymn or song. - Seating the Mothers and Grandmothers
Title of accompanying music - The Processional
Title of processional music - The Bridal Processional
Title of Bridal processional song - The Worship Service
- Presentation of the Bride
- Homily
- Declaration of Intent
- The Exchange of Vows
- The Exchange of Rings
- The Communion
- Prayer of Blessing
- Pronouncement of Marriage
- The Recessional
Name of recessional song
Jewish wedding program
KaballatPanim
- Greeting the Chatan&Kallah
Details on where the bride will receive her guests and where the groom will receive his. - The Ketubah (Marriage Contract)
The signing of the ketubah - Bedeken (Veiling of the Kallah)
Here the groom veils the bride after looking at her to confirm. This stems from the story of Jacob who married the wrong sister, being easily tricked because she was veiled. - Guests take their seats in the ceremony room
The Ceremony
- The Chuppah (Marriage Canopy)
The ceremony is conducted under the chuppah. It is a canopy under which the couple will stand during the wedding ceremony. The couple will walk to the chuppah to perform their rites. - The Kiddushin (Betrothal)
Though the term for betrothal in Hebrew, in a Jewish marriage, the kiddushin serves as the first part of the marriage ceremony. - The giving and acceptance of the wedding ring
Similar to the exchange of rings in a traditional wedding. The groom places the ring on the index finger of his bride. - Reading of the Ketubah
The reading of the ketubah, which is the Jewish marriage contract outlining the rights and responsibilities of the couple in their marriage. - Nissuin (Marriage Blessing)
This is the second part of the marriage, which comes with a blessing for the couple to start their lives together. - The Breaking of the Glass
This actional finalizes the marriage covenant. The couple is now married. - Exit
- Yichud (Togetherness)
The couple exit to a yichud, which is a private room watched over by two witnesses, where they can rest, eat and be together for the first time after their wedding.
- Seudat Mitzvah (Wedding Meal)
Celebratory, festive meal, much like the wedding reception for a traditional wedding or the celebration of a bar mitzvah.
Muslim Wedding Program Sample
Front Cover
- A title, with the name of the Bride and Groom
- Details of the Wedding Ceremony Venue, including address and date.
Page 1
- Baraat Welcome
Arrival of the groom to the wedding venue, accompanied by a procession of his friends and family. - Mahr
The groom gives the bride the mahr, which is a part of the contract. “And give the women (upon marriage) their mahr as a (nikah) free gift.” (Quran 4:4). - Nikahnama
Consent and signing of the contract, and the announcement of the Agd-Nikah (the written marriage contract)
Page 2
- Sermon
- The marriage sermon, given by the Muslim officiant conducting the nikah.
Relevant Quranic verses and prayers. - Blessing the Groom
He is blessed by the older women, and he offers his greetings (salaam). - Reception
Dinner, after which the couple sit together for the first time.
Post Wedding Rituals
- Rukhsat
The bride is bid farewell by her friends and family and transported to her husband’s house. - Welcoming the Bride
The bride enters her new home as her mother-in-law holds the Quran over her head. - Chauthi
The bride visits the home of her parents on the fourth day after the wedding. She is given a joyous welcome. - The Marriage Banquet (Walima)
A banquet hosted by the groom’s family after the wedding, attended by both families, as well as friends and well-wishers.
Wedding Ceremony Programs Examples
Below are a few easy to access wedding ceremony programs examples.
1. A Jewish wedding program with fun and helpful infographic, which will keep your guests informed and entertained at the same time. Easy to edit and print.
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2. Lovely Hindu printable Indian wedding ceremony program. Easy to customize with clear instructions for editing, and with beautiful, informative graphics included.
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3. Printable Catholic wedding ceremony program. A sample Christian wedding program for those of the Catholic denomination. The instant downloadable program laid out in gold, has an easy purchase, customize and print process.
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4. Beautiful Catholic wedding program template. Easy to personalize, edit and print, for a classic Catholic white wedding.
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5. Wedding pogram with greenery and wooden cross sign for the Christian couple looking for something natural. Comes with a Catholic Mass Church Ceremony outline and clear, easy instructions for personalizing and printing.
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A religious wedding would no doubt include religious wedding programs. The information printed on your wedding program and the order, would depend on your particular faith and individual preferences. However, if you find that you are unsure what to include in your wedding program, then the samples we have put together here should be able to serve as a guide for when you create your own.
The wedding program shares details of your wedding ceremony in a way that helps guests understand what will and is happening, so it should be as informative and clear as possible. If you have any trouble with the wording for parts of the ceremony, you can consult with your wedding officiant for extra guidance.
