DIY Wedding Programs for the Big Day

If you want eye-popping wedding programs, the solution is simple: hire a stationer, calligrapher, printer, or designer to customize them for you. But what if that's not in the wedding budget? It can be stressful realizing you spent your allotted amount on fancy invitations or save-the-dates, and now you're strapped and must do them yourself.

Luckily, DIY wedding programs have come a long way. With the dawn of sites like Etsy, artists now sell their wedding program templates digitally and cheaply. Blogs also provide an invaluable resource for free printables that you can edit and print at home.

Another option for custom wedding programs is to put your design skills to the test and try out free programs to make your own. You can download free fonts and pick and choose any color under the rainbow.

These DIY wedding program ideas will get you started and give you some ideas. Remember, adding small details to a basic wedding program template can make all the difference.

01 of 15

Print Out a Geode-Inspired Program

Lia Griffith

Lia Griffith has a membership option with access to tons of profesionally-created printables, but her blog also has some free options. This geode-inspired wedding program is editable and will look great when it's printed on cardstock.

Watercolor Wedding Programs from Lia Griffith
02 of 15

Cool Off Guests With a Fan Wedding Program

Almost Makes Perfect

One way to add a special touch to a wedding program is by adding some popsicle sticks to create a fan. This idea is especially helpful for outdoor weddings and can be done to virtually any single page program.

DIY Wedding Program Fans from Almost Makes Perfect
03 of 15

DIY a Wedding Program Booklet

Crafting Cheerfully

If you have some scrapbooking skills, you might enjoy making your own wedding booklet programs using a variety of papers and ribbons. Putting each book together will take time, so you might consider this option if you have help or if you have less than a hundred guests attending.

DIY Wedding Ceremony Programs from Crafting Cheerfully
04 of 15

Stack the Program in Layers

The Domestic Domicile

For a long wedding ceremony, your program might be five or six pages. This wedding program template gives you enough space for all the information you want to share. Each page is a different length going from shortest to longest, so browsing is easy.

DIY Wedding Program Templates from The Domestic Domicile

Continue to 5 of 15 below.
05 of 15

Add Some Seeds to a Pouch

Oh So Beautiful Paper

This wedding idea is half program-half favor. If you are creating a wedding program booklet, take the opportunity to add a pouch of seeds your guests can plant. Whenever they see the flower growing, they'll remember your special day. Some people put tissues in this pouch instead.

Seed Packet Wedding Ceremony Program from Oh So Beautiful Paper
06 of 15

Skip the Programs in Favor of a Sign

Berry Berry Sweet

Some couples are opting to do away with wedding programs altogether in favor of large signs placed at the entry of the ceremony location. This idea works well if you are having a shorter service that might only last 10 to 20 minutes.

Wedding Program Sign Poster from Berry Berry Sweet on Etsy
07 of 15

Give Your Guests Some Popcorn to Snack On

Erickson Design

This wedding program idea might not be appropriate if you are getting married in a church. However, if your ceremony is more laid back in nature, fill up the wedding programs with some popcorn and make your guests comfortable.

Wedding Program Favor Bag from Erickson Design on Etsy
08 of 15

Insert Some Confetti Inside the Program

Black Bow Studio

There are a few things guests need to do when they arrive at the ceremony. First, they need to grab a program. Then, they need to find which side they should sit on. Many guests forget to pick up the packet for the final send-off after the ceremony, whether that be a packet of rice, bubbles, or confetti. Make sure as many guests as possible have their confetti by attaching it right to the program.

Printable Confetti Wedding Program from Black Bow Studio on Etsy

Continue to 9 of 15 below.
09 of 15

Find a Template That Will Fold Into a Booklet

Karma K Weddings

If you are printing off long wedding programs on your own, it's important to find a template that can be easily folded into booklets without needing much forethought. Once the booklets are folded, you can add small touches like a ribbon or twine accent tied to the spine.

Wedding Program Folded Booklet from Karma K Weddings on Etsy
10 of 15

Fold Your Program Into a Game

Posie Project

This wedding program is for the brides that don't mind if their guests are distracted during the ceremony. You can teach your guests fun facts about you and give them pertinent ceremony information in this customizable cootie catcher.

Printable Cootie Catcher Wedding Program from Posie Project on Etsy
11 of 15

Create a Fan That Guest Will Want to Save

Wedding Sophisticate

This wedding program is reminiscent of oriental paper fans that are painted with fanciful designs. If you want the best results, consider having a professional print these off and bind them at the bottom. If you want to do it yourself, seek out quality cardstock with a glossy finish so the fan slides in and out easily.

Wedding Program Fans from Wedding Sophisticate on Etsy
12 of 15

Repurpose an Old Window for a Wedding Program Sign

Sand J Bargain Vault

This wedding program sign idea is a fun project for DIYers that enjoy repurposing and salvaging old items. First, find an old window, then turn each frame into a chalkboard. Once that's complete, determine what information is most important for your guests and practice your calligraphy skills.

Wedding Program Sign from Sand J Bargain Vault on Etsy

Continue to 13 of 15 below.
13 of 15

Design a Custom Newspaper Wedding Program

Creative Union Design

One fun thing about weddings is that you can learn more about the couple than you might have known going into it. Couples often share fun facts on their table numbers, but another place to add this information is in a newspaper-style wedding program.

Newspaper Wedding Program Printable from Creative Union Design on Etsy
14 of 15

Use Fabric to Create a Large Banner Sign

Ettie Kim

If a chalkboard is too rustic for your wedding, consider a more elegant sign alternative using fabric. This fabric banner will replace printable wedding programs and be complete with all the necessary information like what time both cocktail hour and dinner start.

Predesigned Organic Calligraphy Banner from Ettie Kim on Etsy
15 of 15

Add a Lace Doily for a Vintage Touch

Anna Lou Avenue

One simple way to add a handmade and vintage touch to your wedding programs is to sew on some lace doilies. Print off a template, then wrap that program in a thicker cardstock to create a book. Next, attach a doily to the edges. If that seems like too much work, you can also purchase these already made.

Mini Sewn Doily Programs from Anna Lou Avenue on Etsy