Here's How to Write The Perfect Baptist Wedding Program

Planning the perfect Baptist wedding can be a stressful affair, so when it comes to figuring out all the details for your wedding ceremony and knowing what to include in your Christian wedding program, you may feel out of your depth. As a major branch of Protestant Christianity, Baptist weddings value the connection between a couple and God. Each Baptist wedding can be very unique since the Baptist Church is home to a diverse group of worshipers. Although all Baptists believe that weddings are the perfect opportunity to bless their union before God, not all churches and ceremonies are the same. Before moving forward with your special day, reach out to the church where you plan on holding your wedding service to get all of your details in order. Certain places are only open to marrying two members of the Christian faith, while others are more flexible. Some churches also offer premarital counseling where a couple can get helpful guidance for their marriage and strengthen their relationship with God.

Whether you're looking to host a traditional wedding or a more modern ceremony, there are a few things you may want to include in your program and subsequently in your service. Depending on your church and officiant, you can personalize your order of service to perfectly represent your relationship.

What To Include in a Baptist Program?

Here's what you'll want to include in your wedding program, in order.

Wedding-Day Information

• Couple's Names
• Wedding Date
• Name and Location of the Church
• Members of the Wedding Party: Parents and grandparents of the bride and groom, maid of honor, best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl, ring bearer and officiant, as applicable

The Marriage Ceremony

• Musical Prelude
• Honoring the Grandmothers
• Seating the Mothers
• Processional
• Service of Worship
• Presentation of the Bride
• Scripture Reading
• Homily
• Declaration of Intent
• Exchange of Vows and Exchange of Rings
• Lighting of the Unity Candle
• Prayer
• Pronouncement of Marriage
• Recessional

Baptist Program Wording Examples

Now that you've got your order of service down and know exactly what you hope to include in your wedding ceremony, here are a few helpful tips when it comes to your wedding program wording. When it comes to personalizing your perfect wedding ceremony programs, many Baptist couples choose to keep their programs short and sweet, including a few words of welcome, the wedding ceremony outline and a note of gratitude.

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Depending on whether you're going for a more traditional or modern ceremony, feel free to start your wedding program off with a short paragraph to help introduce you as a couple and welcome your friends and family members to your special day. It's best to keep your intro from being too wordy and to stick to something meaningful and heartfelt. A few examples of what to say in a traditional Baptist wedding program are:

• "As God by creation made two of one, so again by marriage, He made one of two."
• "The highest happiness on earth is the happiness of marriage."
• "I thank the Lord every day for giving me someone like you to journey through life with."

Your introduction is also a great place to include a favorite verse or to thank your parents or loved ones for their support throughout the wedding planning process. If you choose to finish off your wedding program with a personal note of gratitude, consider including a short thank you to guests for sharing your special day with you, and mention any important details they may need to know for the following wedding reception. A few examples of how to end your traditional Baptist program are:

• We are so honored and blessed to have each of you here this day to witness our wedding and to celebrate with us. It is in God's perfect timing and with His clear calling that we, with great joy, join our lives together.
• We wish to thank our parents who have unconditionally loved us, prayed for us and supported us every step of the way. Outside of our personal relationships with Jesus Christ, they have played the greatest role in leading us and shaping us into the people we are today. This day is more wonderful because of their investment in our lives.
• We would also like to thank our families and friends. From our childhood to today, our memories with you bless us, make us laugh and brighten our days. You are truly priceless treasures in our lives.

With love,
[insert names]

• Thank you to our family and friends for sharing this special day with us and helping us celebrate this next chapter of our lives. As we celebrate our union, we would like to thank you for your love, support and kindness. We ask that you keep us in your prayers as we begin our new life together.

Please join us for a reception dinner directly after the ceremony at [reception name and location].

Where to Buy Baptist Wedding Programs

Once you've figured out what you are including in your ceremony and how best to write up your wedding service programs, it's time for the fun stuff. When it comes to picking out your perfect wedding programs, The Knot is here to help. You can find completely customizable wedding programs on The Knot Invitations that are perfect for any couple. It's easy to create any program regardless of your personal needs and the ceremony you're planning. Whether you're looking for something a bit more traditional or want some programs with a little more pizazz, you'll be able to find the perfect ones to represent your relationship there. Alternatively, if you're more of a DIY couple, many sites offer printable wedding program options that let you handle the whole process yourself if that better suits your needs.