Franklin Dean
Wedding announcements are a great way to spread the news of your recent nuptials to friends and family who weren't able to attend the ceremony. They can be in the form of newspaper announcements or mailed cards, and are usually sent out the day after the wedding. In this digital age, receiving a stylish, printed wedding announcement is a lovely way to share in the joy of the happy couple.
What You'll Learn
Newspaper or mailed announcement?
There are two main ways to share your wedding announcement: in the newspaper or by mail. Both are great options, and you can choose to do one or the other, or both! Here are some things to consider for each option.
Newspaper Announcements
Newspaper wedding announcements are a sweet tradition and a good way to inform distant relatives and friends who you may not have the address for. Typically, you would submit a short write-up about your nuptials and include a favourite engagement photo. You can submit your announcement to your local newspaper or the newspapers in your respective hometowns. If you're willing to pay a fee, you can also consider submitting to the Vows section of The New York Times.
Be sure to contact the paper directly to determine their submission requirements, including whether it must be done by mail, email, or online form. Ask about word count and format requirements, as well as any specifications for the included image. Some papers will use the details you provide and have a staff writer compose the announcement, while others will want to receive a complete announcement to print. Most papers require submission three to six weeks before your wedding date, with the intention of running the announcement during the first printing after your wedding.
Mailed Announcements
Mailed wedding announcements are a more personal way to share your news with friends and family who weren't able to attend your wedding. You can choose to send printed announcements from a stationer, or handwritten letters. If you're sending a large number, consider a design that mimics your wedding's paper goods or opt for something more celebratory and fun. The design can be a postcard or a card in an envelope, depending on the formality of your crowd.
Wedding announcements are usually 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 a small wedding. If you had a large wedding and simply didn't invite everyone you know, it's best to avoid sending announcements to friends who weren't invited, as it could be perceived as a reminder that they didn't make the cut.
Ideally, wedding announcements should be prepared before the wedding so they can be mailed the day after. However, they can be sent up to several months after your wedding.
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What to include
Wedding announcements are a great way to spread the news of your recent nuptials or upcoming marriage. They are usually printed, addressed, and stamped before the wedding and mailed the day after. They can be sent to friends and family who were not invited or unable to attend the wedding. Here is what to include in your wedding announcement:
Couple's Details
Include both partners' full names, ages, occupations, and hometowns. You may also include the partners' parents' and grandparents' names, towns of residence, and occupations. You can also mention the couple's schools, colleges, and degrees.
Wedding Details
Share the location, date, and time of the ceremony and reception. Include the name of the officiant and the attendants (bridesmaids and groomsmen) with their relationship to the couple. If you wish, you can also describe the wedding dress and bouquet.
Post-Wedding Plans
Share your honeymoon plans and where you and your partner will live after the wedding.
Wording and Tone
The wording and tone of your wedding announcement can vary depending on the level of formality you wish to convey. For formal announcements, start with the names of the hosts (usually the parents), followed by the marriage announcement, the couple's names, the date, and location. For casual messages, you can be more flexible with the format, but a typical order is the couple's names, marriage announcement, date, and location.
Design and Format
You can choose from various design options for your wedding announcements, such as postcards or cards with envelopes, depending on your preference and the formality of the occasion. You can also opt for photo cards that include your favourite snaps from the wedding or engagement.
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Submission requirements
- Both partners' full names, ages, occupations, and hometowns
- Both partners' parents' names, towns of residence, and occupations
- Both partners' maternal and paternal grandparents' names
- Both partners' schools, colleges, and degrees
- Location, date, and time of the ceremony and reception
- Officiant's name
- Attendants' names (bridesmaids and groomsmen) and relationship to the couple
- A description of the wedding dress and bouquet, if desired
- Where the couple plans to honeymoon
- Where the couple will live post-nuptials
Most papers require submission three to six weeks before your wedding date, with the intention of running the announcement during the first printing after you are married. For example, if the local paper runs wedding announcements on Sundays, it should appear the day after a Saturday wedding. If you get married mid-week, your announcement may be printed a few days after you formally tie the knot.
Contact the paper directly to determine their submission requirements, including whether it must be done by mail, via email, or through an online form. Be sure to ask about word count and format requirements, as well as any specifications for the included image. Some papers simply want the details and will have a staff writer compose the announcement, while others want to receive a complete announcement to print.
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Timing
The timing of your wedding announcement is important to ensure that your loved ones find out about your nuptials promptly. Ideally, you should mail your wedding announcements the day after the wedding. However, they can be sent up to several months after the wedding.
Most newspapers require wedding announcement submissions three to six weeks before your wedding date, with the intention of running the announcement during the first printing after your wedding. For example, if your local paper runs wedding announcements on Sundays, it should appear the day after a Saturday wedding. If you get married mid-week, the announcement may be printed a few days after the wedding.
It's a good idea to have your wedding announcements filled out and addressed before your big day so you can easily post them when you return from your honeymoon. However, if you're sending out photo cards that include pictures from your wedding, this won't be possible. In this case, aim to get them in the mail within a month or so after the wedding.
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Formal or informal?
Wedding announcements are a great way to spread the news of your recent marriage. They can be formal or informal, depending on the tone of your wedding and the nature of your relationship with the recipient.
A formal wedding announcement is appropriate if you're looking to maintain a sense of tradition and formality. This is especially relevant if you had a formal wedding celebration with elements like black-tie attire, gourmet food, and elegant floral arrangements. A formal announcement will typically include the names of the hosts (usually the parents), followed by the marriage announcement, the names of the couple, the date, and the location. It's important to use appropriate wording and maintain a concise, clear message.
> Mr. & Mrs. James Baker
> Dr. & Mrs. Jonathan Kravitz
> have the honor of announcing
> the marriage of their children
> on the eleventh of March
> Two thousand twenty-three
> At the Siasconset Union Chapel
> in Nantucket, Massachusetts
On the other hand, an informal wedding announcement is perfect for a more relaxed and intimate celebration. This approach captures a casual and simple vibe, reflecting a laid-back atmosphere. Informal announcements can be more flexible with the format, but typically include the names of the couple, the marriage announcement, the date, and the location.
> Together with our families,
> on Saturday, November 18, 2023
> in Montecito, California
Ultimately, the level of formality you choose for your wedding announcement depends on your personal preference and the style of your wedding. Whether you decide on a formal or informal approach, make sure to include essential details such as the couple's names, the date, and the location of the celebration.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding announcements are meant to spread the news of a recent or upcoming marriage to those who weren't invited or couldn't attend.
Ideally, wedding announcements should be mailed the day after the wedding. However, they can be sent up to several months after the wedding.
Wedding announcements are typically sent to distant relatives, business associates, or friends who weren't invited due to a small guest list.
The necessary information includes both partners' full names, ages, occupations, hometowns, parents' names, schools, wedding date, location, and time.
The wording depends on the level of formality. Formal announcements follow a specific order, starting with the hosts' names, followed by the marriage announcement, couple's names, date, and location. Informal announcements can be more flexible but typically include the couple's names, marriage announcement, date, and location.
