How to Word a Wedding Program for a Ceremony That Includes Stepfamilies

The wedding program acknowledges all family members who participate in the wedding ceremony.

A wedding program's purpose is to acknowledge the members of the wedding party and those participating in the ceremony. When there is a close relationship between the stepfamilies and the bride and the groom, their names and titles are typically written in a particular format in the wedding program.

Instructions

1. List the parents first on the wedding program, since they are typically the first escorted down the aisle. List stepparents on the bride's side of the family in the same section as the parents of the bride:

   Parents of the Bride

   Linda and John Smith (List the bride's mother and stepfather.)

   James and Janet Davis (List the bride's father and stepmother.)

2. Word the wedding program to give close stepparents who are not included in the wedding ceremony an honorable mention:

   Janet Davis, Stepmother of the Bride

   John Smith, Stepfather of the Bride

3. Use basic wording and explain who each person is and their relationship to the bride or groom on the wedding program if there isn't a close relationship to the stepparents:

   The Bride's Parents

   Linda Smith, escorted by her husband John Smith

   James Davis, escorted by his wife Janet Davis

4. If stepsiblings are participating in the wedding ceremony in some capacity acknowledge them accordingly:

   Bridesmaids

   Tina Smith, Stepsister of the Bride

   Or

   Ushers

   Jack Smith, Stepbrother of the Bride

Tips & Warnings

• Each family situation is different; take everyone's feelings into consideration when deciding who to include in your wedding program to ensure a conflict-free ceremony.