How many orders of service do we need for a wedding?+
One between two guests is the common approach where people share a pew or row, which for 120 guests means around 60. One each is chosen where couples would rather nobody reads over a shoulder. Spares are usually ordered for the wedding party and for keepsakes.
What should be included in an order of service?+
The order of the ceremony itself: entrance, readings, hymns with their numbers, vows, the register signing, and the exit. Names of the wedding party, readers and musicians are normally listed, and many couples add a short thank you at the end.
When should an order of service be printed?+
Late enough that the detail is final, since readings and music often change, but with about a fortnight in hand before the day. The running order is normally checked with the officiant or registrar before anything goes to print.
Should the order of service match our invitations?+
It commonly does. Using the same typeface, paper and colours means the ceremony stationery reads as part of the same set. It is also the piece guests hold longest, so the match tends to be noticed.
Is an order of service needed for a civil ceremony?+
Civil ceremonies are shorter and have fewer set pieces, so some couples use a single card rather than a booklet. Others print one anyway, because guests keep it and it gives readings and music a place to be listed.
What is the difference between an order of service and an order of the day?+
An order of service covers the ceremony itself. An order of the day covers the schedule afterwards — drinks, the wedding breakfast, speeches, dancing — and is usually displayed as signage rather than handed out.
