While not a necessary piece of wedding stationery by any means, wedding programs add polish and flair to your wedding ceremony and give guests something to browse while they wait for the proceedings to begin.
Wedding programs are more than simply a guide to your ceremony. A well-planned wedding program can help guests feel like they’re an important part of your wedding instead of just spectators.
Even the most basic wedding program should introduce the bridal party and marriage officiant by name, explain any religious traditions or secular symbols, rituals, or recitations that might be unfamiliar to a majority of your guests, and offer acknowledgements to anyone who played an important role in planning (or paying for) your wedding.
You may want to have wedding programs printed if your wedding will be very long (so guests are prepared to sit through an extended ceremony) or very large (so guests have some idea of who the bridesmaids and groomsmen are).