Get With The Program
November 30th, 2007 @ 4:22 pm by Mrs. Eggplant
Many people instructed me to make half as many wedding programs as guests. They were absolutely right. I had 180 guests at the wedding and I crafted 110 wedding programs, yet still ended up with a handful left over. I remember right before I walked down the aisle, I passed by my basket of wedding programs and saw that it was still half full, which made me very sad. All that hard work and no takers. 
Well, people must have taken them home as keepsakes after the ceremony was over because when our coordinator gave us back our supplies, there were only five programs left!
The process of making our programs was so fun! I edited the graphics in Adobe Illustrator and used InDesign for the page layout, which made everything a breeze. Our family and bridal party all got involved and it was truly a labor of love.
Here, our friends are lovingly helping us assemble everything during the week before the wedding. That’s my dad’s guitar on the right. He loves playing and collecting guitars. I think he has six in his collection so far.
Here, Mr. Eggplant is lovingly punching holes and tying the programs together. Unfortunately he tied them together with all of the pages out of order. 
And here, I am lovingly undoing and fixing all of Mr. Eggplant’s hard work. 
These were the covers of our programs, stamped and embossed.
All of my wedding projects were birthed from previous bees. I knew I wanted to use vellum in my programs but didn’t know how, until I saw Mrs. Emerald’s gorgeous programs. She had the wonderful idea of using vellum as an overlay for her engagement picture. Perfect!
Papa Eggplant took this picture of us. Mr. Eggplant made the shirts for us a long time ago for one of our annual trips to Disneyland. His shirt says “chocolate” and mine, “mango.” Long story, but chocolate mango is a running analogy for us. It was born during a conversation we had while on a date at an ice cream shop. We were eating chocolate and mango gelato flavors at the time.
First spread: Our program included a letter to our guests that opened with, “Dear beloved friends and family, In case you did not know, today, October 20th, 2007 is a national holiday. It’s called ‘The Sweetest Day,’ an occasion that is celebrated every third Saturday in October.” I thought it was so cute that our wedding day happened to fall on The Sweetest Day. We didn’t plan it at all when we booked the date and only found out a few months before the wedding. It was a very sweet surprise that became a mini theme for our candy buffet and favors.
Second spread: The wedding participants.
Third spread: The order of the ceremony. This was a bit hard for me. I had to refer back to many programs from other weddings that I had before creating our timeline. If you guys want a copy of our timeline as an example, let me know and I’ll post it up.
Fourth spread: The song lyrics for our worship selections.
Fifth spread: We had an hour and a half break between the ceremony and cocktail hour. I didn’t want our guests to be bored, so I created a walking map of downtown Palo Alto and listed some things to do. Included were ice cream shops, cafes, and my favorite boutiques. The map actually came in handy because our guests visited some of our recommendations before cocktail hour.
Sixth spread: We gave thanks to all the wedding helpers on the left page. On the right we outlined the order of formal portraits to be taken after the ceremony. Very helpful!
And here is the last page with the back of our shirts. Mine says “loves chocolate” and his says “loves mango.”
Related Posts
97 Responses to “Get With The Program”
Love the Shirts!! Beautiful programs also!
These are GORGEOUS! Quick question though, are your photos just printed in color on regular paper or are they photo paper? And if its regular paper, how is the quality (ie. does it look grainy b/c its regular)?
SOOO lovely! Errr, I was too anal to let anyone help with mine, so I created all 110 programs by myself, hahaha. Looks like yours, made with teamwork, came out fab!!
luv your programs! would you being willing to share your program file for other brides who are not quite as crafty/artsy as yourself to use ie me ;D ?
kim, i can send you the PDF? unless you have inDesign, you won’t be able to open the original template.
i totally love this 
and i wish i would have hired you for my wedding cuz i didn’t do crap. hehe
This is great! I’ll definitely bookmark this when when I’m working on my programs. 
I love the front and back pictures of you two!
Great work Mrs. Eggplant. You inspired me to start working on our programs - Soon. Maybe this weekend…
Beautiful programs! I love that ornate flourish design. I’ve looked all over istock but can’t find that one. Would you be so kind to point me in the right direction? I’ve been searching for hours!
Hi, do you mind if I ask which pattern you used? I know you said it was from istockphoto, but I can’t seem to find it on the website
Have become a bit of a weddingbee stalker, since your invitations are exactly like I want!
snap Tiffany!
Haha lou! Looks like we have similar taste!
lou! I found it! http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/style_and_design/backgrounds/vector_backgrounds/1326236_decorative_ornament_323_vector.php?id=1326236
The flowers that Mrs. Eggplant added are a great addition!
I LOVE your shirts! they are so cute where did you get them made?
scarlet16: the photos were printed on regular paper. well, it was nicer regular paper (presentation paper) so it was thicker than the average copy paper, but the photos turned out just fine.
can you send me the pdf, I have indesign?
oh i like your programs! i may have to snatch a couple design inspirations from you. great job.
Sorry to jump in your wedding bee girl talk, but here’s the vector art we used:
http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup.php?id=1326236
Vector art of that style is pretty easy to find. Sites like istock.com and dreamstime.com are good resources if you are on the hunt for more designs.
Good luck! Thanks for encouraging my wife’s activities. More time on WB.com = more time for Mr. Eggplant to play Wii! =)
Mrs. Eggplant. I LOVE your programs. I was wondering if you are willing to share your template with me. My e-mail is mmboogie107@aol.com. I’ve got less than six months to go…woohoo!!!
Those are BEAUTIFUL programs Mrs. Eggplant! Our wedding date is also The Sweetest Day next year, October 18, 2008 =)
And if it’s not to pushy, I’d also love the PDF so I can show FH what it is I’m looking for with programs; nicole3381@cox.net
Thank you for sharing!
Awwww!! So cute! Our programs were a last minute effort, unfortunately.
Congratulations by the way. It’s cool to see someone who got married the same day as us on here!
Sooooo beautiful! Great job. How did you print your programs? Did you do it yourself or did you take them somewhere?
What a beautiful program!! Really love the pictures you put in
GAH!!!! These are by far one of the best programs that I’ve seen! The pictures of you guys in your Mango and Chocolate are too cute!
WOW! this is breathtaking. Can you share the template with me as well?
so.gr8ful@gmail.com
I plan to do something like this for my mom’s birthday celebration
How did you fade the picture? is your name embossed on the front or is it just the flower?
Hi Miss Eggplant,
can you also please send file to me?
minyoo81@hotmail.com
Hey everyone! I’ll try to send out the file to ya’ll later this week. It’s on my old laptop which is not at the place I’m staying at right now.
HUGE thanks to Tiffany and the Eggplants for finding that image - you have a great eye, I would never have thought that design would work so well, and the flowers were a great addition.
Mrs Eggplant, as a fellow Wii widow, I sympathise - but the more time you spend on here the better for us design-challenged brides! (although why I’m looking at program designs, when I don’t have a venue yet, is beyond me)
I would love the pdf too. Thank you so much!
I was so excited, I forgot to leave my email. LOL It’s jenniferyaj@gmail.com. Thanks.
If you don’t mind, can you send it to me, too?
Thank you! You’re so crafty, I’m so jealous. :/
oops, not sure if I left my email - johnsongailc@hotmailc.om
Please include me that e-mail list!! These are so amazing.
Thanks!!
Ditto!
I am stressing over programs and maps and am on the hunt for templates. If it is a pDF then I will import into Illustrator. THANK YOU!
Audrey@kitandAudrey.com
What a beautiful program! Can you please send me the PDF and original program template at misslisa80@gmail.com? Thank you for sharing!
Hi Mrs. Eggplant
Have you sent out any pdf’s yet? I haven’t received an email so I was just checking:)
Thanks
Could I have a copy of the InDesign file, too?
eccogm@gmail.com
Thanks so much!
This is sooo beautiful! Please add me to the list and email me the PDF as well as the INdesign template at apinkn1@hotmail.com
Thank you sooo much !
I don’t know how you ladies do it. I used to think I was creative but after reading up on the weddingbee I feel completely inadequate. I really do love your work and I would love to create a program similar to your size and style but of course add my own flair to it. I have the InDesign program on my mac, could you be so kind and share your templates with me? I am one of those brides that what to plan and do it myself but need someone to help. This would really help me a great deal. Again, this is some really great stuff
Hi, I love your programs. Can you send me the pdf file? Please.
Thanks!!
I would also love a copy of the PDF file if possible. Thanks!
Laura (at) themeckleys.com
I love how you designed everything yourself. I’m trying to do the same, but where do you have those Vector motif/design images? Did you create them yourself too?
karen
i was googling indesign templates for wedding programs and came across yours! love them! they’re exactly what i was looking for! would you mind emailing me the template (we do have the indesign program)? thanks!
I love your programs too! Will you be able to share the program’s template? meowej-wedding@yahoo.com. Thanks!!
I was looking for inspiration for programs and invites and vcame across yours. they are so beautiful, could you send me the template or pdf as well, please? thanks so much, just love it
Okay, I’m in love with these programs!! They are AMAZING! If possible, could you send me the template/PDF? I have Illustrator, but not InDesign. E-mail is nerdytechwritter at gmail.com
Thanks!
I’d appreciate it if you could send your template in pdf format? To at least get me started, I have no idea how to make a program, seems complicated!!!
karen
Bless your heart having to email your template to everyone. Can you please send the pdf file to me also?!?!?!?!
Tiff
Oops…forgot to leave my email address in regards to a previous comment. It’s emiandtyler@hotmail.com. Either the Indesign or the PDF file will work. Thanks!
Forgot my email address too: ksng@rogers.com
Thanks!
I love your programs and totally stalk your postings. Could you also send me an InDesign copy of your programs? Thanks so much!
email is lauran306@yahoo.com
thanks!
Hi Mrs.Eggplant. We love your program, so creative and much effort went into it. Could you please send us the .pdf ? Thanks so much.
Sherryandstephen@gmail.com
Beautiful programs and you have to seamlessly included all the right elements! If you are still sharing your PDF and InDesign files I would love to receive them. I too have a couple hours inbetween my ceremony and reception and would love to include your idea of a map and walking hints. We are getting married in Chicago one month from TODAY!
Thanks so much for sharing your program!
Hi Mrs. Eggplant! I’d love to use your InDesign program template, it’s adorable!! My email is squishy622 at gmail dot com. Thanks so much! Amy
I never got the email, can you please send your InDesign template to me? I really like them. meowej-wedding@yahoo.com
Or, if anyone got a copy of it, can you please share it with me? Thanks.
Mrs. Eggplant, I love what you did! It’s so pretty! I wish I could be half as motivated as you with my wedding plans and programs. I know you’ve probably already had tons of people ask you for your template… If it’s not too much trouble, can I be another lucky one to get your template too? My email is amy_chang at hotmail dot com. Thanks so much!!!
Mrs. Eggplant, You’re programs are beautiful. I have Indesign and would love a copy of your template so I can use it as a starting point. My email is ctbride2008 at gmail.com.
Many thanks!
Hello,
I love the size of your programs but was hoping to just use plain old MS Word. Any suggestions on how to do so in word for the same size program? Thanks!
ok….maybe MS Word might not cut it the more that I think about it. Can I jump on the bandwagon and request a PDF also? Thanks so much!
Mrs. Eggplant, thanks so much for sharing your program!! It’s so beautiful, and you have inspired me to make my own I know you’ve already had so many requests, but do you mind sending me the template as well? My email address is tongan27@hotmail.com. Again, thanks!!
[...] about it! There are so many great ideas you can do for your wedding programs, but this one from weddingbee.com has to, without a doubt be one of the cutest, most romantic wedding programs I’ve ever [...]
Mrs. Eggplant (or whoever has already gotten this) will you pleeeeeeease send me the template? I do have inDesign so the file would be fine. Wow, this is so great I’d love to have some of the same ideas on mine. My e-mail address is kieranne@hotmail.com and I would REALLY appreciate it. Thank you!!!!
This has got to be one of the cutest designs for programs I’ve seen! Can I get a copy of the template as well? Either from Mrs. Eggplant or anyone who has gotten the template already? My email is localsdgirl@yahoo.com Thanks!
Thanks for sharing! I absolutely love your progams and would love it if you or anyone else who has gotten the template to share with me!! My email is liviayang@hotmail.com
Thanks for sharing! I absolutely love your progams and would love it if you or anyone else who has gotten the template is able to share it with me!! My email is liviayang@hotmail.com
OMG, these are so awesome. I would be so grateful if you or anyone could please send me the template! I have InDesign, Illustrator, all those fun programs. Thanks so much! julie.stewart75@gmail.com
I have a month left til the big day and still no program. These look amazing please share.
cookiekiller01@yahoo.com. Thanks so much!
This looks great! I hate burdening you with another request, but if you could send me your InDesign template also, I’d be so grateful!
Mrs. Eggplant, are you able to share your template? I have indesign. thanks.
I’m pretty late in this discussion, but I ADMIRE your programs!! I’m so not crafty and it will take me hours to figure out how to do this. Could you please forward me your file in pdf and indesign as well? I would appreciate it. my email is amyber972@gmail.com. THANKS SOO MUCH!!
Your programs turned out absolutely gorgeous! If it isn’t too much to ask, would you be willing to send me the .pdf file of them as well? Thanks!
shortstuff_0128 (at) hotmail.com
I love your programs. I know I’m late in this blog, but could you please send me the teamplate and instructions to lcsmith2007@gmail.com?
Thank you!
These are the most amazing programs that I have ever seen. If you dont mind, or anyone who has received the template, could you please email me a copy too. jynx_99@hotmail.com
Thank you!
I love the design of your wedding programs. How did you print the design on the vellum paper and on the pages you wrote on? I love them. Can you please help me with this and also let me know if the size layout matters? We’re trying to put something together and am running out of time. Please help…
Thank you so much.
Oops… I forgot to say. Can you please e-mail me the information templates you used too.
Thanks,
Jennifer
[...] usher passed out the wedding programs that we had worked so hard on. They were definitely imperfect: stamps weren’t centered, paper was [...]
Mrs. Eggplant, not sure if you are checking this post anymore, but I’d love a copy of the pdf for your ceremony program as well! robynbn at gmail dot com
Mrs. Eggplant, if you are checking this post anymore, but I’d love a copy of the pdf for your ceremony program as well! Thanks you!
Stephlf713@yahoo.com
I’m not sure if it’s too late but I would love your pdf template as well
Could you please email me the template for these? The programs I have are adobe photoshop and publisher. Thanks! They are sooo cute!
opps I forgot to include my email address: nay212@hotmail.com
Thanks!
Hi!! I love your programs! I’m not sure if you are still checking this, but if you are, would you please kindly email me a pdf of your program? My email address is rfbkinney@yahoo.com Thank you sooo much!!
I LUV THESE!!!! My wedding isn’t until next year but this is one of the last items on my to-do list. May I also get the pdf? My emails is m_marvette@hotmail.com.
THANK YOU!!!
I LUV THESE!!!! My wedding isn’t until next year but this is one of the last items on my to-do list. May I also get the pdf? My emails is m_marvette@hotmail.com.
THANK YOU!!!
Wow! I am motivated to make my programs now that I’ve seen yours! But I will also need a little direction. Please email me @ onerarerose@gmail.com. Thanks so much!
[...] had high hopes of doing amazing programs like Mrs. Eggplant and Mrs. Tiramisu, but time and energy were not on my side. Our programs were very simple and [...]
Hi. The programs look so great. I know this is a little late, but if you still have a copy of the pdf template, could you (or anyone else) email me a copy? Thanks! shelley3577@yahoo.com
Hey Mrs. Eggplant,
I adore your programs. Definitely love the incorporation of your chocolate-mango story. Like Shelley, I know I’m late, but I was also wondering if I could get a copy of your template? Thank you so much!!!
Sorry, I think an email address would help… here it is, snj1009@gmail.com. Thanks, again!
Hey - these are beautiful! Can I also get a copy of the file? I have both Indesign and Adobe/PDF - billyandnaveen@gmail.com. — THANKS!!!
If anyone has this template, could you please send it to me? I am getting married at the end of November and was looking for something like this for the program.
Thanks!
Mrs. Eggplant, San Francisco
Age and Occupation: 28, Human Resources
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Associate Marketing Manager
Engagement Date: January 19, 2007
Wedding Date: October 20, 2007
Blogging Since: May 31, 2007
Venue: Ceremony at a cement and stained glass cathedral and reception at a boutique hotel ballroom
About Me: I'm a shopping junkie who lives to discover great deals and a craft addict that loves to scrapbook and knit. My profile picture was taken on the day I got engaged which is why my smile is so huge!
i love ur programs! and those shirts are super cute!!