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Updated May 15, 2024Catholic Wedding Program Template: Wording & Info
Here's absolutely *everything* that you should be sure to include.
Among all of the wedding planning details that need to get done before your big day, it's easy to wrongly overlook getting wedding ceremony programs printed, a misstep that should be avoided. As expert Lisa Resnek Wyett of Massachusetts-based Mark Harris Stationers puts it, "the wedding program helps all the guests, Catholic and non-Catholic, follow and actively participate in the songs and prayers of the Nuptial Mass." Translation: If you want to keep everyone engaged and on cue throughout your ceremony, give them programs that contain the order of service and other pertinent wedding-day details.
Just as wedding ceremonies in every religion are slightly different though, so too are wedding programs. That's why we've created this explainer complete with a Catholic wedding program template, which will help you understand exactly which wedding traditions and ceremony elements, like the order of service, should be included in your own Mass program.
What To Include in a Catholic Wedding Program?
Here's what you'll want to include in your wedding program, in order.
Prelude
Procession
Greeting and Opening Prayer
Liturgy of the Word
This section of the ceremony contains:
- The First Reading
- Responsorial Psalm
- Second Reading
- Gospel Acclamation
- Homily
During the Liturgy of the Word, the Priest and/or often a family member or friend of the couple will read passages from the Bible (one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament). The Responsorial Psalms are sung by the Cantor in reaction to the passage read, and the congregation typically joins in on the refrain. During the homily, the Priest meditates on the readings and reflects on their meaning in the realm of marriage.
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The Rite of Marriage
This part of the ceremony includes:
- Exchange of Vows
- Blessing and Exchange of Rings
- Prayers of the Faithful
During the Rite of Marriage, the congregation stands and remains standing. The wedding vows act as the couple's proclamation of their consent and intent to marry. Traditionally, the vow and ring exchange portion of the ceremony follows standard verbiage involving questions from the Priest and affirmations by the couple. The Prayers of the Faithful are typically read by a family member or friend of the couple and after each prayer, the congregation responds together in affirmation (they might say something along the lines of "Let us pray to the Lord" or "Lord, hear our prayer"). Your Priest might help you choose these prayers or guide you as you write your own.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
This part of the wedding ceremony includes:
- Presentation of the Gifts
- Eucharistic Prayer
- The Lord's Prayer
- Nuptial Blessing
- Sign of Peace
- Communion
During the Liturgy of the Eucharist, friends or family of the couple will offer wine and bread in front of the Priest at the altar while a hymn is sung. The Priest will then pray over the bread and wine as part of the Eucharistic Prayer, which is followed by the Lord's Prayer. After the congregation recites the Lord's Prayer together the Priest shares nuptial blessing as the couple kneels in front of the altar. The wedding party and guests then shake hands with those nearby and say, "Peace be with you," to offer a sign of peace. Finally, as part of communion, the congregation will sing a hymn while the Priest breaks the bread and communion is shared with the couple and then the Catholic guests in the congregation.
Final Blessing
The Priest recites a final prayer while guests stand.
Recessional
Catholic Wedding Program Wording Examples
Read on for a sample double-sided Catholic wedding program to use as inspiration for your own.
Front
Welcome to the wedding ceremony of Jessica Ashley and Michael Christopher.
Saturday, October 16, 2021
St. Mary's Church
Portland, Maine
PRELUDE
Instrumental
PROCESSIONAL "Arioso" by Johann Sebastian Bach
Please stand as the bride enters.
GREETING AND OPENING PRAYER
LITURGY OF THE WORD
The First Reading Genesis 2:18-24
Read by Martha Chapman, Grandmother of the Bride
Responsorial Psalm "The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord."
Second Reading Hebrews 13:1-4a, 5-6b
Read by John Griffin, Uncle of the Groom
Gospel Acclamation "Alleluia"
Homily
THE RITE OF MARRIAGE
Exchange of Vows
Blessing and Exchange of Rings
Prayers of the Faithful
Read by Allen Peters, Friend of the Bride
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Presentation of the Gifts "Here I Am, Lord" by John Michael Talbot
Tessa Burke and Maxwell Eaton
Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord's Prayer
Nuptial Blessing
Sign of Peace
Communion "On Eagle's Wings" by Michael Joncas
FINAL BLESSING
RECESSIONAL "Ode to Joy" by Ludwig van Beethoven
Back
Wedding Party
OFFICIANT
Monsignor Daniel O'Leary
PARENTS OF THE BRIDE
Terrance and Sandra Steele
PARENTS OF THE GROOM
Robert and Martha Griffin
MAID OF HONOR
Elodie Steele
BRIDESMAIDS
Maggie Daniels
Janet Wilson
Alison Griffin
BEST MAN
Tyler Griffin
GROOMSMEN
Connor Burke
James Kennedy
William Moore
RING BEARER
Ethan Griffin
FLOWER GIRL
Sophia Griffin
USHERS
Joshua Garcia, Nolan Davis, Sebastian Miller
Thank You
To our friends and family, thank you for being here to celebrate our union. We feel blessed to have you with us today and in our lives every day.
With love, Jessica and Michael
Where To Buy Catholic Wedding Programs
Some Catholic churches will offer printed programs for your wedding mass, but there are also plenty of ways to get your programs printed with a more designed, custom look. You can search for a local stationer (The Knot Marketplace is a great way to find one) like Lisa Resnek Wyett of Mark Harris Stationers. Additionally, The Knot Invitations also offers editable wedding programs in a variety of designs that can be personalized based on the type of ceremony you're planning.
