Making Memorable Wedding Announcements: A Guide To The Perfect Delivery

Wedding announcements are an important part of the ceremony, conveying crucial information to guests. Typically made by the officiant, they cover everything from photo policies and phone reminders to safety instructions and venue-specific details. Couples may also opt for newspaper or mailed wedding announcements, sharing their joy with those unable to attend. These announcements include basic details like names, dates, and locations, along with honeymoon plans and living arrangements. Social media platforms like Facebook offer another avenue to spread the news, allowing couples to post photos and details for extended networks. With templates and customizable options, couples can create stylish announcements that match their wedding theme and personality.

Photo policy

One of the most important announcements to make before or at the start of your wedding ceremony is the photo policy. Most couples opt for an unplugged ceremony, where guests are asked to put their electronics away. This ensures guests can stay in the moment and be fully present to witness your special day. It also ensures that any professional photos aren't ruined by a sea of screens in the background!

> "Today’s ceremony will be unplugged. Please put away any phones, cameras or tablets as the couple has requested no photos or videos to be taken during the ceremony. They are excited to see your smiling faces, not the back of your screens!"

However, if you are happy for guests to take photos, it is still helpful to make an announcement, as with so many unplugged weddings, guests may not be sure what is and isn't allowed.

> "You are welcome to take photos during the ceremony but please do so discreetly and be mindful of the photographer and videographer the couple has hired."

If you are happy for guests to take photos, you may also want to remind them to share their photos with you after the wedding. You could say something like:

> "Feel free to snap away during the ceremony, but please do share your photos with us afterwards so we can see the day through your eyes!"

It is also worth noting that if you are having a professional photographer, they will likely want to capture some moments before the ceremony begins, such as the bride or groom getting ready, or details of the wedding accessories and decorations. It is a good idea to give your photographer a full timeline of the day as early as possible so they can plan their schedule.

Finally, it is standard practice for photographers to include a clause in their contract about their right to use your photos for advertising purposes or on their website or social media pages. If you are not comfortable with this, you can ask the photographer to remove this clause or amend it so that they must seek your permission before posting any photos.

Phone reminders

• Keep it warm and gentle: Start with cordial greetings and use warm and gentle language throughout your message. You don't want to sound pushy or mean. Example: "Hello, dear friend! We are thrilled to be celebrating our special day with you. We just wanted to kindly remind you to RSVP if you haven't already. We can't wait to see you there!"
• Provide clear and concise information: Make sure to include all the necessary details, such as the date, time, and venue of the wedding. You can also include any specific instructions, such as dress code or transportation information. Example: "Hi, the big day is almost here! We're so excited to see you at our wedding on [date] at [venue]. Please remember to RSVP by [date] so we can plan accordingly. Looking forward to celebrating with you!"
• Send reminders for specific deadlines: There are certain deadlines your guests should be aware of, such as the RSVP date, hotel room block deadline, or any pre-wedding events. Send reminders for these deadlines to ensure your guests don't miss out on important information. Example: "A friendly reminder that the deadline to book hotel rooms under our group rate is approaching! The deadline is [date], and rooms are filling up fast. Please book your room soon to ensure you don't miss out. Thank you!"
• Include health and safety guidelines: If you have any specific health and safety guidelines, such as vaccination requirements or mask mandates, be sure to include this information in your phone reminders. Example: "We want to ensure that our wedding is a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. Please note that we will be following COVID-19 safety protocols, including [list safety protocols]. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns. Thank you for your cooperation!"
• Provide a wedding timeline and directions: About a week or two before the wedding, send a reminder to your guests with the schedule for the wedding weekend, transportation information, and directions to the venue. Example: "We're so excited for our upcoming nuptials, and we want to make sure you have all the details! Please find below the timeline for the wedding weekend, along with directions to the venue and important phone numbers. We can't wait to celebrate with you!"
• Give a weather update: Let your guests know about any expected weather conditions and how they can prepare. Example: "A quick weather update for our outdoor wedding! We're expecting sunny skies, but it might get a bit chilly in the evening. Please bring a jacket or wrap to stay warm during the ceremony. See you soon!"

Instructions for after the ceremony

• Tell guests what the newlyweds are doing next. For example, if the couple is leaving, say something like: "The newlyweds are heading out for photos and will rejoin us shortly." If they are staying, you can say: "The newlyweds would love to greet each of you in a receiving line at the back of the room."
• Tell guests what's next for them. For example: "Guests are now invited to join us outside on the lawn for a group photo. Then, we will be moving inside to the mezzanine for drinks and hors d'oeuvres. We will be here for the next hour before moving on to the next part of the celebration."
• Remind guests of any photo or video policies. For example: "Please remember to share your photos with us using our wedding hashtag, #AnnWedsNewton, and allow the couple to post their wedding photos first."
• Thank the guests on behalf of the couple. For example: "Thank you all for celebrating this special day with the happy couple. They are so grateful to be surrounded by their loved ones and look forward to dancing and celebrating with you all night!"

Safety/venue information

Welcome, everyone! My name is [Name], and I am thrilled to be officiating [Bride/Couple's names] ceremony today. We're going to be getting started in just a few minutes, so please take your seats.

Now, I want to share some important safety and venue information with you. Firstly, please ensure that your phones are on silent or switched off. The couple has requested that no photos or videos be taken during the ceremony, so they can stay present and connect with all of you.

If you need to step outside to take a call or use your device, please head towards [location]. Additionally, if you're feeling a bit chilly, feel free to grab one of the blankets located at the back of the hall.

For those of you with little ones, we invite you to sit towards the end of the aisle, so you can easily step out if needed. We also have a kids' room set up that you can access before, during, and after the ceremony.

Finally, please note that the bathrooms are located [location] when you exit through the big doors.

Thank you, and we're excited to celebrate this special day with the happy couple!

Information for parents

If you have invited children to your wedding, there may be some information you need to share with their parents before the ceremony gets started. While you can't specifically ask young children not to cry or have a meltdown, you can provide some helpful resources to minimise any noise or distractions.

"If you have a little one with you, we invite you to sit on the end of the aisle, should you need to step out of the ceremony at any point. A kids' room has been set up that you're welcome to access before, during and after the ceremony."

If you are having an unplugged ceremony and would like to request that guests put their electronics away, the officiant can make the following announcement:

"Today's ceremony will be unplugged. Please put away any phones, cameras or tablets as the couple has requested no photos or videos to be taken during the ceremony. They want to see your smiling faces, not the back of your screens!"

If you would like to allow guests to take photos, the officiant can also make that announcement:

"You are welcome to take photos during the ceremony but please do so discreetly and please don't block the lovely photographer and videographer."

If there is any other information you want the parents of young children to know, you can include it in the wedding programme or on your wedding website. Make sure members of the wedding party and your wedding planner are also aware of the information so they can spread it to guests.

Frequently asked questions