order of service?

Our registrar said to call it an Order of Ceremony. It includes the names of the bridal party, the layout of the ceremony and details on songs and readings used. You don't have to have one, and if we do have one, we won't be making it until much closer to the date.

It's pretty much the same as an order of service for a church wedding, but they just change the name so it no longer relates to religion.

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We did an 'Order of the Day' so people knew timings etc, went down a treat!

I'm doing order of the day booklets, First page has the ceremony details, second page as approximate timings for the wedding (I like to know when I'm eating so thought I would let other people know too) Then theres a page with thankyous and the names of the bridal party. Lastly a page with music for the ceremony on in case anyone is interested.

I found it hard to fill the pages though and started to feel like I was just doing it for the sake of it. with a church ceremony you need it for the hymms and prayers and its not really the same. I think it would be enough to have a single sheet of paper that had the ceremony info on. On nice paper of course..... I would have done that I had not painstakingly stamped and printed order of the day on loads of pieces of card to make my booklets before I came to that realisation...

I still haven't decided. I tried to make one but didn't have all the information at the time and when I tried to add it in, it just didn't sit right but then mine was only two pages. I might give it a go again as a booklet and see how I get on!! I'd love to have them because it's another memento of the day and I'd like to explain why we've picked our music and readings so that everyone understands - some are a little bit quirky lol

That spiked my curiosity, what are you having?

Our processional is called 'Better' by Tom Baxter. Boyzone did a version of it a few years ago, but this is the original - OH heard it on the radio one day and phoned me up to insist I get on youtube and listen to it. I sat there with tears rolling down my cheeks because it said everything about us and the way we felt - I really, truly feel that OH saved my life and this song describes just how.

Our song for signing the register is 'First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' but not any of the usual versions. Find it by a lady called Meav on youtube. Her voice is just amazing and i love how ethereal it is. Also, my grandmother was Irish and this version always makes me think of her - I miss her every single day even though we lost her over 20 years ago and I wanted her to have a part in our wedding - even if it was only a small one.

The recessional is 'Anyone else but you' by the Moldy Peaches. It's sung by the two lead characters in Juno which was one of the first films we ever went to see as an official date - it was a pre-showing so we were some of the first to see it and we loved it. Again, the words say everything we feel about each other and its upbeat without being too dancy so we can walk out, but hopefully it will make people smile so we will get some lovely photographs ? Before you look at the words though, please note we are missing off the last two verses or we may well get in trouble lol

Then our reading is Love is...like golf balls. OH is a golfer through and through and I when I found this reading I knew it had to be one. My dad is going to read it as he is one of OH's regular golfing partners and I plan to have dad illustrate the story if possible!!

I don't think I've heard of anyone else having our particular choices which is why I think they're quirky lol

Non-church ceremony here.

We have printed an 'Order of the Day' as a framed poster. Somewhere between A4 and A3 size. Frame was about £3.

It lays out what time the meal is, cutting of the cake, first dance, what time the band starts, what time evening nibbles will be served etc.

People are particularly keen to know what time they are getting food ?

It also means people know where to be at approx what time. eg. not going for a cheeky fag in the grounds when it's about to be the first dance.

I considered a leaflet type thing, but I know most people (including ladies with small clutches) would find that a pain. In this day and age, I think the majority will take a photo of the poster on their phone, and refer to it later if they want a reminder.

Something I recently added to our 'Order of the Day' was that the bride and groom will accept cards and gifts just prior to the wedding breakfast. People want to off-load their cards, and never know when to do this. They don't want to hand it to you whilst you're busy talking to guests etc. So, if you're not having a postbox or the like for cards, it makes sense to give a bit of guidance as to when would be the best time to give them.

We are having a civil ceremony have made order of the day fans ;-)

They just have the timings for the day so guests know what the plan is and will hopefully come in helpful if any of the guests are too hot!

Plus they look cute!

I love those fans! I think we're just going to have a board poster thing put up somewhere prominent as then it can be part of the decor as we'll be having a fee signs around the place. I like to know what's happening and when - especially when I'm going to be fed!

Ooh I love this idea, how are you doing this? Is there a company that does them or are you making them yourself?