Wedding programs and place cards

I don't think programs are a necessity as majority of people are going to throw them out anyway. You could, as you said, have a chalkboard, mirror or signage of some sort at the entrance to the ceremony area indicating the timeline of events.

We aren't doing programs, mainly because it is a surprise wedding, and it is ceremony, then food. haha. Nothing to really lay out for people. We are doing adorable place cards made with ferrero rochers, mainly because it is a long table and are just trying to keep couples, etc. together.

We're entirely skipping the programs. At first, we thought of having it on a board at the venue, but in the end we couldn't see what absolutely needed to be written down.

As for place cards, I would skip them too if it wasn't that our venue requires that we indicate who eats what (since we have 2 meal options). But we are simply placing them at the center of the tables so that people can choose their own places.

Honestly... the only reason I'm doing them is because I work at a print shop and get all printing super cheap!

I think place cards are nice cause it's stops people from possibly fighting over any certain seat at a table... it just makes it easier for the guests I think but again not completely necessary!

Honestly if it's something you're asking "Do I really need this?" to... chances are you really don't hahah! Save a buck where you can! Especially since both those things will likely be tossed by the end of the night.

I'd skip both. You have the order of events somewhere if people want to know (many don't care, they'll just go/do what they are told)... and if you have a seating chart, but aren't specifically ordering people's seats, you don't need the cards.

Lots of extra time/expense when you seem to have everything under control without them!

We are not doing either of these. We are telling people what table to sit at, but not what seat. The only cards we will place will be those that HAVE to sit at a particular place. (MC's, Photographers)

And we will have a chalkboard with the simple times of our event : Ceremony, Cocktails, Dinner, Dance. that kind of thing

Nope! No need! Or at least they aren't necessary IMO for my own wedding. I will be having a sign telling people the order of events like your chalkboard idea. The only reason for having place cards is if you are having a sit down meal with people who have allergies so that the servers know who gets what - otherwise another sign with a who sits where is fine.

I'd personally skip them if I were you. You have a seating chart, so your guests will be able to figure out their seats, and I think programs are unnecessary.