Marriage Announcement Etiquette Guide
Wedding announcements spread news of a joyous couple's recent marriage. They differ from wedding invitations, as recipients do not attend the festivities. Tracy Guth, of TheKnot.com suggests, "If everyone you want to tell about your nuptials is at the wedding, there's no need. But if you have a small wedding or tons of extended family, friends, or colleagues, announcements let people who weren't invited know you made it official."
Other People Are Reading
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Wording
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The weddings hosts announce the marriage. According to Martha Stewart Weddings, "The announcement is traditionally made by whoever is hosting the wedding. If it is the bride's parents, for example, the wording might be, 'Mr. and Mrs. Philip Smith have the honor of announcing the marriage of their daughter, Mary Smith, to Kevin Jones.' Couples who hosted their own wedding may appear as hosts on the announcement. Also include the date and location of the ceremony.
Timing
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Guests receive announcements after the ceremony. Prepare and address announcements for mailing prior to the wedding day, in order to post them quickly on the day before the ceremony or shortly after the wedding day. Time the mailing of print invitations or the distribution of email so they will not arrive prior to the ceremony. It prevents surprise reception guests. In addition, recipients will feel less obligated to send a gift if the wedding already occurred.
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Inserts
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Choose a wedding day photo to include in the announcement. Announcements may include an "At Home" card, which lists the address and names of the couple. While the announcement lists the bride's maiden name, the card addresses the bride by her married name if she adopts her husband's surname, legally or socially. If the announcement incorporates the information, do not include a separate card. Optionally, tuck a small photo of the couple into the envelope as a keepsake. Choose a wedding day photo, rather than a casual snapshot.
Email Announcements
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Restrict email announcements to informal affairs. Printed announcements remain the traditional choice. However, email announcements suffice in certain circumstances. Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette relegates email announcements to the most informal ceremonies, or "especially if you and the recipient are on informal terms." Make sure all intended recipients have an email account. Schedule Internet announcements for post-wedding arrival.
Newspaper Announcements
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List the officiant's name in a published announcement. Newspaper wedding announcements require additional information. Contact the local paper for publication guidelines. Send a wedding announcement and photo if requested. Also submit the names and towns of residency of the parent. Include step-parents if applicable. List the officiant's name. Announcement sections may publish education and employment details of the couple.
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References
- Photo Credit fedi in oro image by claudio from Fotolia.com invitation mariage image by Christophe Thélisson from Fotolia.com american Mail box and freeway sign image by Ashle Whittle from Fotolia.com wedding image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com computer with keyboard and mail image by patrimonio designs from Fotolia.com priest and bible image by Lars Christensen from Fotolia.com
