Wedding announcement wording is one of those comfortable constants. While so many other aspects of weddings, parties, and socializing, in general have morphed, the wedding announcement wording has no grounds for change. Here are a few wording samples you can use with confidence upholding both the highest standards of etiquette and the new norms of our rapidly changing world. The thing to keep in mind is to match the formality of your wedding ceremony.
Who sends the wedding announcement?
Traditionally the parents of the bride send the wedding announcements. This is reflected in the wording. If the couple hosts their own intimate wedding or marries without a large ceremony and wedding guests, they may opt to send announcements on their own.
Who gets a wedding announcement?
Additionally, announcements are only sent when a wedding is particularly small. If you had a large wedding, do not send announcements to those who simply were not invited. It is a reminder they didn't make the list. Therefore, if you had a wedding large enough to include more than your immediate family and a few of your closest friends, wedding announcements are not sent.
How are wedding announcements worded?
Wedding announcements are worded in the third person as a complete phrase, in the same way invitations are formatted. If you are announcing after an intimate wedding, match the formality of your invitations.
Traditional Announcement Wording FORMAL Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Gregory Boles
— or —
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Gregory Boles
INFORMAL Caroline and Andrew Boles
— or —
Caroline and Andrew Boles
— or —
Caroline and Andrew Boles | Modern Announcement Wording Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Gregory Boles
— or —
Caroline and Andrew Boles
Unconventional & Etiquette Savvy Their daughter
— or —
Caroline and Andrew Boles Jacqueline and Joshua Saturday, the sixteenth of May
— or —
Jacqueline Boles and Jonathan Stiller Your love and support as we begin our lives together |
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Do we use titles?
When parents are announcing the marriage of their child, no title is used for the child; however out of respect for the new in-law, a title is used (if formal wording is in play). Keep the formality consistent on the invitation and announcement and among all the pieces.
Is it ‘Honor’ or ‘Pleasure’ of announcing?
The British spelling of ‘honour’ is overkill on an announcement, and not used because the sanctuary where the wedding took place is also not traditionally included. For the traditionally-minded, the ‘honor’ of announcing is considered formal, whereas ‘pleasure’ of announcing is considered less formal.
Who do we send announcements to?
Announcements are sent to those who were not invited to the wedding. They are not sent to people who were invited, whether they attended or not.
Do we include our registry?
Still, no. It’s considered presumptuous to suggest where anyone should buy you a gift.
Do we include our website?
That’s a modern etiquette conundrum. If your wedding was very small—meaning immediate and maybe a few extended family only—a website with photos from your intimate gathering tells a story of a joyful moment where only family gathered, but suggests friends were included in spirit and being brought in afterwards by way of the announcement. If, however, your website is full of images of a party this person was simply not invited to attend, it certainly is in poor taste to include this kind of information.
Can ‘at home’ information be included?
Yes. If you choose to add the couple’s new address to the wedding announcement, simply state ‘our new home’ (if sent by the married couple themselves) or ‘at home’ (if sent by the parents or the couple themselves) on a line, spaced below the announcement information, with your new address situated smartly in keeping with the design of the rest of the card. A separate card designed to coordinate with the announcement can be used instead, but is not necessary.
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