Brides are turning ceremony guides into works of art with help from custom designers like Lesley Peterson of Inclosed Studio in Omaha.

“We design programs so that you'll take them home,” Peterson says. “It is a little souvenir. It's too pretty to leave in the pew.”

Creating the program in an unusual shape, putting it in a pocket or making something out of it, like a fan for an outdoor ceremony, enhances the “take home” factor, Peterson says. “It's not just vellum and a ribbon anymore.”

The challenge aspect for couples is deciding what information to include and how to organize that information, Peterson says.

A program should include the bridal couple's names, date and location of the ceremony, ceremony order, members of the bridal party, tributes and explanations of religious and ethnic traditions that may be unfamiliar to the guests.

Details about the wedding party and dedications to loved ones are personal touches that can enhance the entire package, Peterson says. “A note from the bridal couple is something that's really special . . . and fun for guests to read.”

Poetry recitations during the ceremony should be included as well, according to Wendy Paris and Andrew Chesler, authors of “Words for the Wedding: Creative Ideas for Choosing and Using Hundreds of Quotations to Personalize Your Vows, Toasts, Invitations and More.” This enables guests to reflect on your message long after the ceremony.

Another idea from their book: Invite friends and family to share favorite quotes about love and marriage for the program.

“I believe in paper. It conveys so many emotions,” says Nicole Van Hook, co-owner of Paper Panache, a Lincoln printing company. “It does a lot to enhance the wedding because it gives the bride and groom something to give back. I think a lot of people appreciate having something” to remind them of the wedding day.

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