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When Should You Give Out Your Wedding Newspapers?

Your wedding day is filled with a whirlwind of emotions, moments, and of course, a ton of fun activities! If you're looking to add an extra touch of personality and keep your guests informed about the day as it unfolds, a wedding newspaper is the perfect way to do this!


Whether it's filled with quirky anecdotes, a timeline of your relationship, or amusing trivia about the wedding party, it’s an unforgettable way to share your unique love story. But once you've got your beautifully crafted wedding newspapers ready, the next question that always gets asked is 'when should you distribute them?'


Timing is Everything!


the best time to give out your wedding newspapers really depends on your plans, so I'm going to break down all the options so that you can figure out which works for you. This way you can make sure your guests are entertained and informed at the right time and will cherish this unique keepsake.


Women in dresses and fascinators looking at wedding newspapers at an outdoor wedding.

Photo by All you need is love


Wedding Newspapers for Save The Date or Invitations


By Hand


If you want to add to the excitement of your day and plans with your family and friends, you might want to give your Wedding Newspaper Invites or Save the dates to people when you see them. A great way to do this would be at an engagement party. Make sure you protect them in an envelope and add recipients names on the front to avoid confusion.


By Post


If people don't live close to you, pop your wedding newspapers in an A4 envelope and post them.


Pro tip: If you're looking for ideas on what to include in your pre wedding newspapers, check out this blog post full of ideas.


People seated in a wooden chairs, reading wedding newspaper, chatting and smiling.

Photo by Daniel Ackerley


Weekend or Destination Wedding Newspapers


If you're having a wedding with lots of people staying, you might want to include additional activities that you've planned or local tourist information/must-see local spots so that your guests enjoy their free time. I also recommend providing tips for getting to the venue and/or a map if they need to travel off site for any celebrations.


It's personal preference, but these are the best ways to hand your weekend and destination wedding newspapers.


Leave in their Rooms


Leaving Wedding Newspapers in peoples rooms is a great option because they can read it when they arrive and it will keep them informed, as well as the fact they don't need to carry it around with them.


Include in Welcome Bags


Including a Wedding Newspaper in the welcome bags can be a fun, thoughtful way to welcome guests to your wedding weekend and give them a sneak peek of what to expect. It also ensures that everyone gets a copy, regardless of their arrival time or schedule. it's a great way of getting your guests excited for your ceremony and any other plans.


At a Welcome Meal


If you're planning a meal with everyone once they have arrived, you could run though the plans for the duration and then hand out the newspapers with all the details so that everyone knows what is going on, because they will forget!


Wedding programs / newspapers on wooden chairs labelled "Sherwood Forest Times."

Photo by Matt Horan Photography


Wedding Day Newspapers


As Guests Arrive at the Ceremony


One of the best times to hand out your wedding newspapers is as guests arrive at the ceremony. This ensures that everyone has something to do while they're waiting for the ceremony to begin. Whether they're seated in the church, at the venue entrance, or gathered at the pre-ceremony area, your guests can flip through the pages and start getting into the spirit of the day.


The best ways to hand them out are to ask an usher or trusted member of the wedding party to hand them out when people arrive, put them in a basket for people to help themselves or put them on the chairs. Choose whichever works with your plans the best.


Giving your wedding newspapers out at the start of the day allows you to include any important ceremony details—and the days events and timings, this will set the tone for the day, helping everyone feel involved from the very start.


Pro tip: If you not giving one per person to reduce costs, please think about how you will distribute them and give out clear instructions to the person managing this as people will assume it's one each.


A open suitcase with leafy wedding newspapers, framed sign reads "Please take one of our wedding papers," surrounded by lush plants.

Photo by Tom Beynon Photography


During 'Cocktail Hour'


Another great moment to distribute your wedding newspapers is during cocktail hour. While guests sip on their drinks and mingle, they'll appreciate having something fun to keep them engaged. It's a relaxed part of the day, and this gives everyone the chance to read through the paper while enjoying light conversation. Plus, handing them out during this time can help bridge the gap between the ceremony and reception and ensure that no one is left feeling confused about what's to come.


Orange and pink disco themed wedding newspaper on a chair next to vibrant flowers.

Photo by by Rhea Photography


During the Wedding Meal


A great alternative is to hand your wedding newspapers out during the reception— once they are seated at their tables or to place the newspapers on each guest’s plate or in the centre of the table. At this point, your guests will welcome some light entertainment and will appreciate having something to flip through while waiting for the first course or the speeches.


The newspaper can be a great conversation starter, especially if you've included trivia questions, a crossword or fun facts about yourselves or the wedding party. It's also a great time to draw attention to the highlights to come,— whether it's an announcement about the first dance or a personalised thank you note to your family and friends for sharing your day.


Elegant table setting with a wedding newspaper on a wooden table, surrounded by cut fruits and glasses.

Photo by Joanna Bongard Photography


At the Evening Reception


Whilst I always recommend giving out your wedding day newspapers as early as possible, if you're having a lot of evening guests this works well. You may want to design a different newspaper specially for evening guests to give them on arrival so that even though they missed your ceremony, they're still an important part of your day.


You can include a thank you note, photos and your love story so that your guests can look back on after the wedding.


Pro tip: Want some inspiration for tabloid wedding day newspapers? I got you! check out this blog post full of tips, ideas and inspiration.


Person reading a wedding newspaper / program at a table. Text reads "Welcome to our Wedding", with glasses and bottles in the background.

Photo by Naomi Barker Photography


Wedding Thank You Newspapers


By Hand or Post


If you're creating wedding newspapers after your wedding as a way of thanking your guests and sharing your favourite photos, then hand them out to people when you see them or pop them in the post.


At the Celebration Party


If you had a destination wedding or elopement and are having a party to celebrate your marriage, then thank you wedding newspapers can double as an invitation to the party or be handed out at the actual event.


Pro tip: If you're looking for help designing your wedding newspapers, check out this blog post full of tips and inspiration.


People sitting at a table reading wedding newspapers with candles burning on the table.

Photo by Gavin Dickson Photography


Other Things To Consider When Giving Out Your Wedding Newspapers


What Content to Include


This is a very important consideration, because the content you need to include should be relevant at the time they are handed out. Any activities that have happened by the time you hand them out should not be included. EG If you are giving your wedding newspapers out at the meal, you shouldn't include ceremony details because it has already happened.


Avoid Overwhelm


Whenever you decide to hand out your wedding Newspapers, make sure that your guests will have time to read them and not be distracted by other things going on. The whole purpose is to make your guests smile and to keep them informed, so give them the time to enjoy them.


Keep them Safe!


Wedding Newspaper paper is very thin and porous. in other words, they are really easy to rip or damage if not looked after. If you are handing them out when drinks are involved or at a party, I recommend putting them in or also handing out envelopes so that they can be kept in the best condition possible for people to keep forever as a keepsake.


Bride and groom reading a custom wedding newspapers titled "BEST DAY EVER!" in a rustic outdoor setting. Smiling, surrounded by trees and guests.

Photo by Weddings By Charlie Photography


In Conclusion: No Matter When You Give Your Wedding Newspapers Out, They Will Be A Hit!


Whether you decide to hand them out as guests arrive, during the reception, or as a takeaway at the end of the night, there’s no wrong time to share your unique keepsake, I promise your guests will love them! By carefully considering your plans, you will be able to work out the best time for distribution for you and your guests will cherish the fun-filled and heartfelt moments you've shared with them —long after the wedding day has passed.


Man in suit reads "Lucky in Love" wedding newspaper, woman in red lipstick holds his shoulders. Bar setting in background.

Photo by Carmel Teresa Photography


Need Help Designing your Wedding Newspapers?


I'd love to create a bespoke design just for you, the perfect experience for your family and friends and a keepsake they're want to keep forever. have a look at my wedding newspapers info page here.


 

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