How many order of service booklets do you need for a wedding?

Short answer

Order one booklet per guest, plus a few extra for the wedding party, photographers and the registrar. As a rule, count your guest list and add ten to fifteen percent for spares. This covers lost, dirty or forgotten booklets, and gives you keepsakes for those who want them.

The safest number is one per guest, because most people like to follow along, and many will take theirs home as a keepsake. But you also need extras for people who are not guests but are part of the day. The registrar or celebrant usually appreciates a copy, and your photographer may want one for staged photos. Your ushers and bridal party might each want a copy to keep, and sometimes guests bring children or plus-ones who were not counted.

A good approach is to take your final guest count, then add a few extra per table or row. For a wedding of one hundred guests, ordering around one hundred and fifteen is sensible. If you are having a printed order of service for a religious ceremony, the same rule applies. For a civil ceremony, you might need fewer if you are using a board or single cards, but it is still wise to have spares.

Remember that some guests may be late or may drop their booklet, so spares are practical. You can also keep a few unprinted copies at home for your own memory box. If you are unsure how many to order, ask your printer or venue for advice, but never order exactly the guest number. It is better to have a few left over than to run out.