Ideas for DIY Wedding Programs That Are Simple and Stylish

Stretching your budget while wedding planning might seem impossible at times. But if you're able to save a few dollars while spending a little more time and energy, then DIY projects may be the way to go. And DIY wedding programs are an easy task to handle in one afternoon. These are the perfect introduction to your wedding day while giving your guests a timeline to follow for the ceremony. It allows you a chance to get creative by including fun tidbits like where you met your wedding party or what special traditions are happening throughout the day.

Plus, if you don't want to start from scratch, customizable options for do-it-yourself wedding programs give you much more leeway than simply ordering a batch online. (Not to mention, templates help give you an idea of what to include on your ceremony program.) We're going to give you all the info you need and even some wedding program examples to help you create inexpensive wedding programs in no time. Let's take a look at some unique DIY wedding programs that guests will be raving about.

In this article:

• Where to Find Inexpensive Wedding Programs
• How Much Will DIY Wedding Programs Cost?
• How to DIY Wedding Program Fans
• How to DIY Newspaper Wedding Programs
• How to DIY Wedding Program Booklets

Where to Find Inexpensive Wedding Programs

If you don't want to totally DIY your wedding programs, you can find cost-effective options elsewhere. The Knot Paper has affordable wedding ceremony program templates in many easy-to-customize designs and colors to fit your theme. Choose between different seasons, foil options and price ranges to make your DIY project even more manageable while still giving this bit of decor a personal touch. (Plus, if you ordered your invitations from The Knot, then you can theme your programs around the same design for a more cohesive look. Sounds like a win-win, right?)

How Much Will DIY Wedding Programs Cost?

This depends on your guest count and what materials you'll be using, but you can expect to spend around $50–$100 total for a DIY wedding program project. Save even more when you purchase items at a discount, during special seasonal sales or by opting for less expensive materials. Using printer paper versus card stock, for example, is a more budget-friendly alternative, and DIY wedding programs with ribbons add an extra elegant vibe.

Pro tip: To learn more about wedding budgets in your area (including program costs) use The Knot Budget Tool.

How to DIY Wedding Program Fans

A wedding program and a fan, all in one? Talk about the perfect multi-use decor. Let's look at the simple steps to crafting this DIY wedding program yourself.

1. Gather your supplies—cardstock, handles, glue/hot glue and any embellishments such as ribbons, stickers, etc. Make sure you have enough fans so each guest gets one, but extras are encouraged for outdoor ceremonies.

2. Design your wedding programs using Canva, Adobe or The Knot templates to get an idea of wedding ceremony order, how to list your wedding party, etc.

3. Before assembly, print and cut out your ceremony programs to fit on the handle (like a popsicle stick or plastic fan stick). To save costs and paper, print multiple programs on a page.

4. If the programs are double-sided, begin gluing the handles on to leave space for guests to read both sides. Let the glue dry before your next step, and ensure it's secured tightly so the handle doesn't break from the paper.

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5. Add personalizations or unique elements, such as your ribbons, stickers, glitter or metallic foil to make the fans stand out.

6. Place them in a display basket with a sign so that your guests will know on the wedding day that these programs are also convenient fans.

How to DIY Newspaper Wedding Programs

Extra, extra, read all about it! One hot new trend in DIY wedding ceremony programs is the newspaper style. This puts your love story on the front page of your very own press, or you can opt for a DIY wedding magazine program to add even more info with a creative spin. Here's how to get started with making your newspaper program:

1. Decide on your format; choose between a traditional newspaper layout or a double-sided program in a newspaper style. (The conventional style will cost more, however, because of printing on multiple pages.)

2. Stock up on paper for this project. To mimic the newspaper style, go with printer paper or newsprint paper. The printer paper will be sturdier and not bleed through the other side, as a note.

3. Create the design in a design suite, such as Canva or Adobe. (If you're not a fan of DIYing this one, then The Knot Paper has a template you can follow.) Some special design elements include a crossword puzzle, word search or trivia.

4. Certain websites may print for you, but if you choose to print at home or at a local store, be sure to print booklet-style on wider paper so that you can fold it like a newspaper.

5. Assemble your newspaper programs and use staples to keep the pages together.

6. As a fun DIY wedding tip, display your newspaper ceremony programs like you would any other paper—on the table wrapped in ribbon.

How to DIY Wedding Program Booklets

You can't go wrong with a classic booklet, and there are plenty of ways to make this style work for any theme. Let's dive into the must-have information for crafting a booklet-style wedding program.

1. Choose your style. Opt for a classic booklet, a smaller pamphlet-style, a DIY booklet that's held together with ribbons—the options are limitless.

2. Gather your supplies for your booklet, including glossy or matte paper, a binding option (glue, staples, ribbons), a hole punch (for ribbon booklets) and scissors (for smaller booklets).

3. If you're printing at home, ensure your printer settings are correct for the paper type and you have plenty of ink.

4. Design your booklet in Canva, Adobe or other design sites to craft the perfect booklet style for your ceremony, including a timeline, thank yous and other necessary information.

5. After printing, begin assembling your booklets by folding the pages and binding them together with your supplies.

6. Add any embellishments or personalizations once the glue has dried or the binding is complete, like glitter accents or special notes.

7. For your wedding day, display the booklets in an easy-to-spot location so your guests can grab one before the ceremony.