A Fresh Take on Order of Service Booklets

A Fresh Take on Order of Service Booklets

Planning

At Candour, we’ve reimagined the traditional order of service booklet to create a more personal, heartfelt keepsake. In this guide, we’ll show you how to prepare everything needed to craft a beautiful, meaningful six-page booklet that captures the life and story of your loved one.

We have thoughtfully reimagined the traditional order of service booklet to create something even more personal and heartfelt. Our new six-page design blends cherished memories, special touches, and a contemporary, easy-to-follow layout, beautifully capturing the life and story of your loved one.

Traditionally, order of service booklets have been presented as A5 booklets with four pages — the front cover, two inside pages, and the back cover — or as multi-page booklets where each additional sheet of paper adds another four pages. While practical, these formats can become large and cumbersome.

Our six-page format provides the perfect balance, with ample space for images, special words, and ceremony details, without feeling crowded. The booklet unfolds beautifully, inviting guests to naturally engage with the story being shared.

Before we dive into the specifics, we invite you to watch a short video that visually brings this new layout to life. It clearly demonstrates why families find this format such a meaningful upgrade.

Watch the video here:

You’ll also find sample designs below, showcasing layout options from clean and classic to colourful and expressive.

Here's exactly what you'll need to provide:

What to Provide for Your Booklet

1. Front Cover

  • One special photo to feature prominently.
  • Typically, families choose a recent favourite, but any image that captures their personality beautifully is ideal.

2. Two Photo Collage Pages

  • 10–15 images to create rich, engaging collages.
  • Consider candid moments, travel adventures, family gatherings, hobbies, or milestone events.

3. One 'Spare' Page – Personalise Something Special

We’ve included a page designed specifically for your unique touches:

  • Hero image: A breathtaking landscape or portrait with a meaningful caption (e.g., “Where she found her greatest peace”).
  • Poem or quote: Meaningful words reflecting their spirit.
  • Favourite recipe: A cherished family recipe.
  • Letter or message: A special note from grandchildren or family.
  • Timeline: Key milestones beautifully presented.
  • Family tribute: A special prayer or passage honouring their heritage.

This page is your opportunity to deeply personalise the booklet.

4. Order of Service Pages

  • We’ll clearly and thoughtfully format your ceremony details.
  • Simply provide the information; we'll seamlessly integrate it.

5. Back Cover

  • Another meaningful photo, often from earlier years (such as a wedding day, family portrait, or playful candid shot).
  • Contrasting a recent front-cover image with an earlier photo creates a touching reflection of their life journey.

How the Layout Works

When opened, the booklet reveals engaging photo collage pages first—providing an immediate visual introduction.

Another gentle page-turn displays the spare page, centrally placed, perfect for a special hero image or message, alongside clearly structured order-of-service details on the right-hand tab.

Below, you'll find three sample designs we’ve created to showcase this layout. These examples have been developed to demonstrate different creative possibilities and presentation styles. Each booklet we create for families is entirely custom designed to reflect the life, personality, and story of their loved one. These flat-lay previews illustrate how the six-page format can come to life in a variety of ways, helping to inspire your own choices and guide your vision for something truly personal.

Sample 1: Classic and Refined

Design Focus: Clean layout with muted tones and elegant typography.This version is perfect for those who want something timeless and understated, allowing the imagery and words to speak for themselves.

Sample 2: Contemporary and Warm

Design Focus: A modern colour palette with friendly fonts and casual layout structure.This option brings a welcoming, everyday feel—great for celebrating a warm, vibrant personality.

Sample 3: Bold and Expressive

Design Focus: Rich colours, full-page imagery, and strong design accents.Ideal for showcasing big personality, creativity, or cultural flair—this version makes a visual statement while still honouring tradition.

Quick Tips for Sending Files

  • Always use original, high-quality digital photos (not screenshots or social media copies).
  • Physical photos? Professional scanning (like Officeworks) or the PhotoScan app by Google works well.
  • Our secure online portal simplifies uploading—guiding you through every step.

For more detailed tips, visit our guide: How to Share Your Photos with Candour: Everything You Need to Know – Click Here.

Why This Matters

The ceremony booklet isn't just a program—it's a lasting keepsake. It’s something family and friends will cherish and revisit for years. This thoughtful, beautiful format not only honours the ceremony itself but vividly celebrates the vibrant life remembered.

We're here every step of the way, ready to help you create something unforgettable.