Announcing Your Wedding: A Guide To Making The Perfect Statement

Wedding announcements are a great way to share the news of your nuptials with friends and family. Whether you're opting for a traditional newspaper announcement or modern wedding announcement cards, there are plenty of ways to make your special day stand out. From customisable templates to premium designs, you can choose from a variety of styles, colours, and fonts to create a memorable announcement that reflects your personality as a couple.

Wedding announcement templates

There are many ways to make a wedding announcement, and many templates to choose from. Whether you're looking for a simple and elegant design or something more playful and creative, there is a template to suit your style. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Canva

Canva offers a range of free, customisable, and printable wedding announcement templates. Their templates are easy to use and can be downloaded in high-resolution formats. You can customise your chosen template with their drag-and-drop tools, changing the font style, size, and colour to suit your preferences. You can also add your own photos and graphics to make your announcement more personalised. Canva's templates cater to various wedding themes, including formal, rustic, nature-inspired, garden, and seaside weddings.

Basic Invite

Basic Invite offers fully customisable wedding announcement templates, allowing you to include personal messages, your favourite photos, and even matching wedding colours. They are one of the few companies that let you change the colour of each element on the card with real-time previews. You can select from over 160 colours and 100 fonts to create a unique design. Basic Invite also offers a variety of envelope colours to make a lasting impression on your guests.

Greetings Island

Greetings Island provides free wedding announcement templates that can be emailed, printed at home, or downloaded as a digital image or PDF for printing at a shop. They offer a wide range of designs, from fun and fancy to sophisticated, with customisation options including over thirty fonts and colour choices. Greetings Island also has premium designs available for members, including bridal shower templates, save-the-date cards, and more.

Customising your design

The design of your wedding announcement is a chance to showcase your style and personality as a couple. Whether you're looking for something elegant and sophisticated or fun and whimsical, there are endless possibilities to customise your design. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Choose a Template: Start by selecting a template that speaks to you. This could be a simple design with clean lines and minimal details or a more intricate pattern with floral wreaths, geometric shapes, or vintage-style illustrations. You can find free templates online or opt for premium designs offered by websites like Greetings Island and Basic Invite.

Colours and Fonts: Play around with different colour schemes and fonts to create a unique look. Basic Invite, for instance, allows you to change the colour of each element on the card, offering over 160 beautiful colours to choose from. You can also experiment with various fonts, ranging from classic and simple to fancy and ornate. Combine these elements to create a design that truly reflects your taste.

Personal Photos: Adding a personal touch, such as including your favourite couple photo or a snapshot from your wedding day, can make your announcement even more special. This is a great way to share your happiness and let your loved ones feel included in your celebration.

Customise Text and Details: Include all the essential details, such as your names, the wedding date, and the location of your ceremony. You can also get creative with the wording and add a personal message or a fun quote to make your announcement more engaging. Don't forget to proofread your text for any errors before finalising the design.

Envelope Options: Don't underestimate the power of a well-chosen envelope. Basic Invite offers over 30 envelope colour options to make a lasting impression even before your guests open the announcement. You can also consider adding your guest's addresses to your envelopes for a personalised touch.

By combining these design elements, you can create a wedding announcement that is truly yours. Whether you're announcing your engagement, elopement, or wedding, customising your design will ensure that your announcement is a memorable keepsake for you and your loved ones.

Choosing a card type

Wedding announcements are a great way to share your special day with loved ones who couldn't attend your wedding. When choosing a card type, here are some things to consider:

Design and Style

The design and style of your wedding announcement card should reflect your personality and the theme of your wedding. If you had a rustic, outdoor wedding, you might want to choose a card with a nature-inspired design. If your wedding was more formal and elegant, a classic or minimalist card design might be more suitable. You can also choose from a variety of colours, fonts, and envelope options to match your wedding colour palette and style.

Digital or Print

You can choose to send digital wedding announcements via email, or you can opt for printed cards. Printed cards can be mailed directly to your guests or handed out in person. If you want to include a personal photo, a printed card might be a better option. Digital announcements are usually more cost-effective and can be sent quickly, especially if you're working with a tight timeline.

Customization Options

Consider how much customization you want on your wedding announcement cards. Some card types offer a wide range of customization options, allowing you to change colours, fonts, and even add your own photos. Others might have more limited options, so choose a card type that gives you the flexibility to create your desired look.

Card Size and Shape

The size and shape of your wedding announcement card can also vary. Standard card sizes such as 5" x 7" are classic and easily fit into envelopes. However, you might want to choose a unique shape or size to stand out and create a more memorable impression.

Cost

Finally, consider your budget when choosing a card type. Costs can vary depending on the quality of the paper, the number of cards you need, and any additional customization options you choose. If you're on a tight budget, look for card types that offer affordable options without sacrificing quality.

Remember, your wedding announcement card is a way to share your joy and excitement with your loved ones, so choose a card type that truly reflects your style and celebrates your special day.

Sending to newspapers

If you're planning to announce your wedding in a newspaper, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to understand that this is a tradition that is no longer expected or required. In today's digital age, many couples don't even consider it a priority. However, if you want to follow this cool tradition and create a unique keepsake, here are some steps to guide you through the process:

Share the News with Close Friends and Family First:

Before submitting your wedding announcement to any newspaper, make sure that you've already shared your happy news with your inner circle. You don't want your loved ones to find out about your engagement or wedding by reading the local paper.

Submit Your Announcement Early:

If you're planning to submit your announcement to a popular newspaper, it's best to do so early. There can be long lead times for these publications, and you don't want to miss your desired publication date. Submit well in advance to secure your spot.

Understand the Newspaper's Guidelines:

Each newspaper will have its own set of guidelines and expectations. Take the time to research and understand the submission requirements, including lead time, photo requirements, format, and word count. Abiding by these guidelines will increase your chances of getting your announcement published.

Include All the Necessary Information:

When crafting your wedding announcement, make sure to include all the essential details. This typically includes the couple's full names, ages, occupations, hometowns, parents' names, grandparents' names, schools, degrees, location, date, and time of the ceremony and reception, officiant's name, attendants' names, and a description of the wedding dress and bouquet (if desired). You can also add personal touches, such as your love story, honeymoon plans, and future residence.

Follow the Newspaper's Submission Process:

Once you have drafted your announcement and gathered all the necessary information, submit it to the newspaper according to their preferred method. This could be through an online submission form, email, or even snail mail. Be sure to proofread your announcement for any errors before submitting.

Be Mindful of Costs:

Keep in mind that some newspapers may charge a fee for publishing wedding announcements, especially if it includes a photo. The cost can vary depending on the newspaper, with metropolitan papers typically charging more. If you're on a budget, consider submitting to your local town's newspaper, as they may offer free or lower-cost options.

Photo cards

Wedding photo cards are a great way to announce your marriage to your loved ones. They are also a perfect memento for your guests to cherish forever. Photo cards can be customised to showcase your happiness and love. Here are some tips to help you create beautiful photo cards to announce your wedding:

Choose a Style: Opt for a design that resonates with your personality and wedding theme. Whether it's a rustic, nature-inspired, formal, or beach wedding, you can find a template that matches your style. You can also coordinate your photo card with your wedding colours or other stationery, like save-the-date cards or invitations.

Select a Photo: Choose a favourite photograph that captures the joy of your special day. It could be a picture of you walking down the aisle, a post-ceremony moment, or a romantic stroll in the sun. You can also include a photo collage or a single, gorgeous photo.

Customise Your Card: Many websites offer customisable templates with easy-to-use editors. You can change the font style, size, and colour to make your announcement more personalised. Add your chosen photo and enhance it with graphics or wedding symbols.

Print and Share: Once you're happy with your design, download it or send it for printing. You can opt for high-resolution prints or even order door-step delivery. Share your beautiful photo cards with your guests, and don't forget to save some for yourself as precious keepsakes.

Enjoy creating your wedding photo cards and sharing your happiness with your loved ones!

Frequently asked questions