Do I Put Grandparents on the Wedding Program?

Wedding programs can include the grandparents' names or not.

Wedding programs serve the purpose of guiding guests through the events of the ceremony. Grandparents may or may not be included in the program, depending on their role in the wedding.

Considerations

The purpose of a wedding program is to inform guests about what to expect from the ceremony. Though there are no definitive guidelines pertaining to wedding programs, they can list the names of those in the bridal party, the names of all those who contributed to the weddin, or just the names of the bride and groom's immediate family members. To include, or not include, grandparents' names is a matter of personal choice.

Types

The wedding program should reflect the style of the wedding. If it is a formal affair, the program might list full names of participants, including grandparents, a full date, the location and a detailed synopsis of the ceremony. For an informal wedding, the program might use abbreviated names, such as 'Grandma and Grandpa,' shorthand dates and a simple outline of the ceremony's events.

Misconceptions

The wedding program should not be confused with a wedding announcement or invitation. Whereas the wedding program is given to guests upon arrival at the ceremony, an announcement or invitation allows parents to officially announce the wedding, typically by mail. Formal invitations often list the parents' or grandparents' full names but this is not a necessary component of a wedding program.

References

• Martha Stewart Weddings: Wedding Program
• The Knot: Wedding Invitations-Wedding Announcements