George Boyle
Wedding announcements are a great way to spread the news of your recent nuptials to those who weren't invited or unable to attend. They are typically sent to distant relatives, business associates, or friends who didn't make the guest list due to a small and intimate wedding. Announcements are not expected to elicit gifts and are simply a way to share your joy with others. While some consider it rude to send announcements, others view it as a thoughtful gesture, especially for those unable to attend due to travel or health constraints. Ultimately, the decision rests with the couple, and there are various options to consider, such as newspaper announcements or personalised cards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To announce a wedding |
| Who to send to | Anyone who wasn't invited to the wedding but may wish to hear the news of the marriage |
| Who not to send to | Friends who weren't invited if the wedding had a large guest list |
| Format | Formal or informal |
| Timing | Ideally, the day after the wedding but can be sent up to several months after |
| Content | Names, ages, occupations, hometowns, parents' names, schools, location, date, time of the ceremony, honeymoon destination, etc. |
What You'll Learn
Who to send wedding announcements to
Wedding announcements are meant to spread the news of a recent or upcoming marriage. They are typically sent to anyone who was not invited to the wedding but may wish to hear about it. This could include:
- Distant relatives (for example, a grandmother who is unable to travel and therefore can't attend)
- Business associates or colleagues
- Friends who didn't make the guest list (only if your wedding was small and you couldn't invite a large number of people)
If you had a large wedding (upwards of 100 guests) and simply didn't invite everyone you know, it's best not to send announcements to friends who weren't invited, as it could be perceived as a reminder that they didn't make the cut.
Wedding announcements are not required and some people may feel that they are unnecessary or even rude, especially if they are seen as a way to ask for gifts. However, others may appreciate receiving an announcement, especially older relatives who are not on social media and may not find out about the wedding otherwise.
It's important to note that receiving a wedding announcement does not obligate the recipient to send a gift. It is considered rude to include any mention of gifts or a registry on an announcement card.
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When to send them
Wedding announcements are a great way to spread the news of your marriage to those who weren't invited or couldn't make it to the wedding. They can be in the form of newspaper announcements or mailed cards.
Ideally, wedding announcements should be sent the day after the wedding. This ensures that your friends and family find out about your nuptials promptly. However, it is understandable that many couples go on their honeymoon right after the wedding or are simply too exhausted to think about stationery. In such cases, it is acceptable to send the announcements within 30 days of the wedding ceremony or a few weeks after. If you want to include photos from your wedding day in the announcement, you should send them out two to four weeks after the wedding.
It is important to note that some newspapers have specific requirements and deadlines for submission, which could be three to six weeks before your wedding date. Therefore, it is a good idea to plan ahead and prepare your wedding announcements before the big day so that they can be mailed out promptly.
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What to include
Wedding announcements are a great way to spread the news of your marriage to those who weren't invited or couldn't make it to your wedding. They are typically mailed in envelopes to friends and family and can also be printed in local newspapers. Here's what to include in your wedding announcement:
Basic Information
Start with the basic information about the wedding couple:
- Both partners' full names
- Ages
- Occupations
- Hometowns
Parents' Information
It is customary to include the names, towns of residence, and occupations of both partners' parents. You may also include the names of the maternal and paternal grandparents.
Education Information
Include information about the couple's schools, colleges, and degrees attained.
Wedding Details
Provide details about the wedding ceremony and reception:
- Location
- Date and time
- Officiant's name
- Attendants' names (bridesmaids and groomsmen) and their relationship to the couple
- Description of the wedding dress and bouquet (optional)
Honeymoon Plans
Share your honeymoon plans, if any.
Future Residence
Let recipients know where the couple will live after the wedding, including the address and contact information.
Formatting and Timing
You can choose a formal or informal format for your wedding announcement, depending on the style of your wedding. It is ideal to mail the announcements the day after the wedding, but they can be sent up to several months afterward.
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How to word them
Wedding announcements are a great way to spread the news of your marriage, especially if you had a destination wedding or a small ceremony with a limited number of guests. They are typically sent to those who were not invited to the wedding, or those who were unable to attend. Here are some tips and examples to help you with the wording of your wedding announcement:
Formal Wedding Announcement Wording:
This type of wording is suitable for acquaintances, distant friends, and relatives who were not invited to the wedding.
"Mr. and Mrs. David Smith are delighted to formally announce the union of our daughter, Sarah Smith, to Mr. Michael Johnson, in holy matrimony on the tenth of July Two Thousand and Twenty-Three at St. Mary's Cathedral in New York City."
"Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Gregory Boles have the honour of announcing the marriage of their daughter, Jacqueline Ellen, to Mr. Joshua Louis Stiller, Saturday, the sixteenth of May Two Thousand and Twenty, Ellicott City, Maryland."
Informal Wedding Announcement Wording:
This type of announcement is for close friends and family who couldn't attend the wedding.
"Mr. and Mrs. Thompson take immense joy in announcing the union of their daughter Emily to Alex at the Garden Terrace, New York City, on the 12th of September, 2022."
"John and Eliza Smith request you to share in their joy at the marriage of their son, Jack Alexander, to Mason Jacob Kim, Scranton, Pennsylvania."
Funny Announcement Sample:
Add a touch of humour to your announcement for those really close friends and family who understand your sense of humour.
"Two hearts became one, and it's time to have fun! [Bride] and [Groom] were married on [Wedding Date] at [Wedding Location]! We then danced the night away in a private reception at [Reception Location]. Our new address is [Home Address]."
Elopement Wedding Announcement Wording Example:
If you eloped, be sure to mention that in your announcement so that guests don't feel left out.
"Our new love was celebrated in a private ceremony! [Bride] and [Groom] eloped on [Wedding Date] at [Wedding Location]."
Wedding Announcement Wording for Uninvited Guests:
This type of announcement is usually sent by the parents of the bride or groom to their friends and family.
"Mr. and Mrs. [Name of Parents] are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter [or son], which took place on [Wedding Date] at [Wedding Location]."
Simple and Modern Wording:
A straightforward and modern way to announce your wedding:
"We are delighted to announce that we have tied the knot! [Names of Couple] [Wedding Date] [Location]."
Romantic Wedding Announcement Wording:
Let your announcement reflect the love and passion you feel for each other:
"Two hearts, one love. [Names of Couple] are delighted to announce that they were married on [Wedding Date] in a ceremony as intimate as their love. The adventure has just begun!"
"With joy in our hearts and love that will last a lifetime, we happily announce our wedding, which took place on [Wedding Date]. We are now, and forever, [Names of Couple]."
Destination Wedding Announcement Wording:
If you had a destination wedding, your announcement can reflect the magical and unforgettable setting:
"We tied the knot in paradise! [Names of Couple] joyfully announce their marriage, which took place on [Wedding Date] on the white sand beaches of Maui, Hawaii. Though the setting was far away, you were in our hearts."
Additional Tips:
- It is considered polite to inform close family members, relatives, and friends personally before making any public announcements.
- Announce your wedding well in advance so that invitees have enough time to prepare for the occasion.
- Keep the tone of the announcement clear and excited, aligning with the vibe of your wedding theme.
- Provide correct and clear information about the venue, date, and time to avoid confusion.
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Wedding announcements vs. invitations
Wedding announcements and invitations are two very different things. A wedding announcement is not an invitation, nor is it a Save the Date. The purpose of a wedding announcement is to share the news of your wedding with those who are not invited or unable to attend. It is a way to formally announce that you got married.
Wedding announcements are typically sent to anyone who was not invited to the wedding but may wish to hear the news of your marriage. This could include distant relatives, business associates, or friends who didn't make the guest list due to budget or venue capacity constraints. If you had a very small and intimate wedding, it is more appropriate to send announcements to those who weren't invited. However, if you had a larger wedding with over 100 guests, it is best not to send announcements to friends who weren't invited, as it could be perceived as a reminder that they didn't make the cut.
The timing of sending wedding announcements is also important. Ideally, they should be mailed the day after the wedding to ensure your family and friends find out about your nuptials promptly. However, they can be sent up to several months after the wedding. It is considered poor etiquette to send announcements before the wedding.
The format of a wedding announcement can vary. They can be formal or informal, depending on the style of your wedding. If you are handwriting the announcements, you can phrase them as a letter. For printed announcements, you can choose a design that mimics your wedding's paper goods or opt for something more celebratory.
On the other hand, wedding invitations are sent to those you wish to invite to your wedding. They are typically sent out weeks or months in advance of the wedding to give guests enough time to plan and RSVP. The invitation should include the necessary information such as the date, time, and location of the wedding, as well as any other relevant details such as dress code or accommodation options.
In summary, wedding announcements are meant to spread the news of your marriage to those who were not invited or unable to attend, while wedding invitations are sent to those you wish to invite to your wedding. The key difference is that announcements are sent after the wedding, while invitations are sent in advance to invite guests to attend the wedding.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding announcements should be sent to anyone you want to know about the wedding who won't be present at the event. This could include distant relatives, business associates, or friends who didn't make the guest list.
Yes, it is considered proper to send announcements to people you would have liked to invite but couldn't. Wedding announcements are meant to spread the news of a recent or upcoming marriage and are not an invitation or a save-the-date.
Wedding announcements can be sent as soon as the day after the wedding, but should be sent no later than 3 months after the wedding. Ideally, they should be printed, addressed, and stamped before the wedding so they can be mailed the day after.
The necessary information for a newspaper wedding announcement varies from paper to paper, but generally includes both partners' full names, ages, occupations, and hometowns; both partners' parents' and grandparents' names and towns of residence; the location, date, and time of the ceremony and reception; the officiant's name; and the attendants' names and their relationship to the couple.
Mailed wedding announcements can be formal or informal and should be sent in an envelope rather than a postcard. They can be printed or handwritten and should include the couple's post-marriage names and address.
