1. How to Create an Order of Service for Weddings, Funerals and Events

    An order of service is one of the most personal and meaningful pieces of print you can produce. For a wedding, it guides guests through the ceremony and becomes a keepsake of the day. For a funeral, it provides comfort and structure during an emotionally difficult occasion. For any formal event or ceremony, it demonstrates the care and thought that has gone into the proceedings.

    In this guide, we walk through everything you need to know to design and print a professional order of service — from format and content to paper stock, finishing options and artwork setup.

    Step 1: Choose the Right Format

    The format you choose depends on the length and nature of the event:

    • Single folded sheet (4pp) — the most popular format for orders of service. A single A4 or A5 sheet folded to create four panels: front cover, two inside pages and a back cover. Suitable for most ceremonies and events where the content fits comfortably across four pages
    • Stapled booklet (8pp+) — for longer ceremonies with hymns, readings, prayers and additional content that won't fit on four pages. A stapled A5 booklet feels more substantial and gives a premium impression. See our stapled booklet printing
    • Single sheet — a flat, unfolded A5 or A4 sheet. Suitable for shorter, simpler events where a full booklet format isn't needed

    Step 2: Plan Your Content

    An order of service should include everything guests need to follow and participate in the event. Typical content includes:

    • Front cover — event title (e.g. "The Wedding of…" or "A Celebration of the Life of…"), date, venue and an appropriate image or design element
    • Event schedule — the sequence of proceedings in order, clearly laid out
    • Hymns and songs — titles and, if guests are expected to sing, the full lyrics
    • Readings — the name of the reader and optionally the full text of the reading
    • Prayers — responsive prayers with congregation responses clearly indicated
    • Speeches — names of speakers and their role
    • Key participants — officiant, wedding party, pallbearers, family members and others with a formal role
    • Back cover — a closing message, thank you note, memorial photograph or venue/reception details

    Organise content logically so guests can follow along without confusion. Use clear section headings and leave visual breathing room between sections.

    Step 3: Design for the Tone of the Event

    The design of your order of service should immediately reflect the nature and tone of the occasion:

    • Weddings — elegant, personal and on-theme with the overall wedding aesthetic. Floral motifs, gold or pastel colour palettes, script headings and a photograph of the couple are all popular choices. Premium finishing options such as foil embellishment or velvet lamination are particularly well suited to wedding stationery
    • Funerals and memorial services — respectful, dignified and understated. Soft, muted colour palettes, a meaningful photograph of the deceased, and clean, legible typography. Avoid overly decorative elements that could feel inappropriate for the occasion
    • Religious ceremonies — often traditional in aesthetic, with appropriate religious imagery, symbols or iconography consistent with the faith tradition
    • Corporate or formal events — clean, professional and on-brand. Use company colours, logo and fonts consistent with your other event materials

    Whatever the occasion, prioritise legibility above decoration. Guests of all ages will be reading the order of service, often in conditions that aren't ideal for reading — ensure your font size is generous (minimum 10pt for body text) and your text contrasts clearly with its background. See our guide: Typography and Fonts: Essential Tips for Effective Print Materials

    Step 4: Choose Your Paper Stock and Finish

    Paper stock plays a significant role in the feel and impression of an order of service:

    • Silk or gloss laminated cover — vibrant colour reproduction and a professional finish. Popular for event programmes and corporate ceremonies
    • Matt laminated cover — sophisticated and understated. The most popular choice for weddings and funerals where a quieter, more refined finish is appropriate
    • Uncoated — a natural, tactile feel. Popular for ceremonies with a traditional, organic or less formal aesthetic. Also writeable, which can be relevant for programmes with response sections
    • Premium stocks (Rives Shetland, textured uncoated) — for truly premium wedding or memorial stationery where the paper itself needs to feel special. See our premium stock options

    For weddings and memorial services, we recommend a minimum of 300gsm for covers with a thinner inner stock for booklet formats, or 350gsm for single folded sheets.

    Step 5: Consider Premium Finishing Options

    For weddings and special occasions, finishing options can elevate an order of service from a functional document to a genuine keepsake:

    • Foil embellishment — gold or silver foil on the names, a decorative element or a border. Creates an immediately luxurious impression
    • Spot UV — high-gloss coating on selected design elements against a matt base
    • Velvet lamination — an extraordinarily soft, tactile cover finish popular with premium wedding stationery

    Step 6: Set Up Your Artwork for Print

    Step 7: Proof Check Before You Print

    For an order of service, the proof check is particularly important — every name, time, reading title and lyric needs to be accurate. Errors in a wedding order of service or a funeral programme are deeply felt. Have multiple people review the artwork before approving for print, and check:

    • All names — correct spelling and correct order
    • All times and dates
    • Hymn and reading titles
    • Venue details and any directions or reception information

    See our full proof checking guide for a complete pre-submission checklist.

    Print Your Order of Service in Brighton & Hove

    Dipol Print produces orders of service for weddings, funerals, memorial services and formal events for clients across Brighton & Hove and the wider UK. We offer a range of formats, paper stocks and finishing options to suit every occasion and budget.

    Collect from our print shop at 97 St James's Street, Brighton BN2 1TP or order online for UK-wide delivery. Planning ahead is strongly recommended — particularly for weddings where lead times need to be built into your event timeline. Get in touch and we'll help you plan your order.