Lyla Dejesus
Monograms are a popular way to personalise items, especially for weddings. Couples often create a monogram of their initials to be used on wedding invitations, stationery, and other details of the wedding. In addition, monogrammed jewellery has become a big fashion trend, with items such as monogram necklaces, bracelets, and rings being purchased worldwide. Silver flatware, along with other household goods, was traditionally monogrammed with the bride's initials, and this tradition continues today. Silver spoons and forks with engraved initials or monograms are also often given as gifts to celebrate weddings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Items | Silver flatware, utensils, spoons, forks, bracelets, necklaces, rings, cufflinks, hat boxes, linens, and antique sterling strawberry forks |
| Who it's for | Married or unmarried men and women, couples, grooms, brides, children |
| Number of initials | 1, 2, 3, or 4 |
| Order of initials | First name initial, last name initial, middle name initial; for married couples, the bride's first name initial is placed first |
| Size of initials | The last name initial is larger than the first and middle name initials |
| Purpose | Decoration, identification, security, pride, gift, fashion |
| Type of engraving | Block or dot-pricked |
| Type of monogram | Duo-gram, traditional monogram, interlocking monogram, circle monogram, diamond monogram, Roman 4 Line monogram |
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What You'll Learn
Silver flatware and utensils
Historically, silver flatware was bought with a woman's taste in mind, so most patterns were designed for women. Silver flatware was often monogrammed with the bride's initials, and sometimes the couple's married last name. For example, utensils with monograms on the back are turned upside down at place settings, which is considered the "French fashion".
Engraving is usually done by hand with a chisel, which is a meticulous and intricate process, or by machine with a laser or pantograph. Hand engraving is performed at a 45-degree angle, while machine engraving is performed at a 90-degree angle. As a result, hand-engraved work catches the light in a more attractive way and is often considered more desirable.
When considering whether to monogram your silverware, it is important to note that some people believe that monogramming can devalue silver. However, others cherish monogrammed silverware, even if the initials do not match their own. Ultimately, the decision to monogram your silverware is a personal one and may depend on your cultural background, as monogramming is more common in certain regions.
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Monogrammed wedding jewellery
Traditionally, an engaged couple doesn't share the same last name, so they may opt for a duo-gram, incorporating their first-name initials. Once married, they can use their full combined initials. For items belonging to the married woman, the monogram is usually done in the following order: first, last name, middle initials, with the centre initial larger than the two flanking initials. For married men, the order is first, middle, last name initial, with all initials being the same size.
Monogrammed jewellery is a classic, personalised piece that makes a great gift for the bridal party, mothers, or grandmothers. It can be a unique way to commemorate a wedding day and is often passed down as a valuable heirloom.
When considering monogrammed silverware as a wedding gift, it is worth noting that, historically, silver flatware was designed with a woman's taste in mind. By the mid-20th century, it was common for utensils to be monogrammed with the bride's initials. While some people cherish monogrammed silverware, others may view it as a devaluation of the silver's worth. Ultimately, it is a personal preference, and monogrammed silverware can be a beautiful reminder of a family's history.
If you are looking for monogrammed wedding jewellery, many online retailers offer a range of options, including Etsy, Amazon, and Brook & York.
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Couples' monogram formats
Monograms for couples can come in many different formats, with anywhere from one to four letters. The number of letters depends on the style and format of the couple's last name(s). For example, if a couple shares a hyphenated last name or has chosen to keep their original surnames, their single-initial monogram will include two letters. This could be formatted with the first letters of both halves of the hyphenated name, connected by a hyphen (e.g. Schwartzman-Goldberg = S-G), or with an asterisk if they kept their respective surnames (e.g. Schwartzman + Goldberg = S*G).
A three-letter monogram is a classic choice for couples. The first letter of the pair's shared last name would be in the centre, in a slightly larger font, with each of their first initials on either side. For example, Kelsey and Bryan Roberts would be formatted as KRB. If the couple has different last names, then both of those first initials would be displayed larger in the centre, with or without hyphens or asterisks, depending on their preference.
If the couple wishes to follow tradition, the monogram would appear in the order of the husband's first name initial, with the shared last name initial larger in the middle, and the wife's first name initial last. However, if the wife is keeping her maiden name, this would take the place of the middle name initial. For example, Katie Eleanor Valentine marrying Robert Smith could become Katie Valentine Smith, with the monogram KVS.
There are also four-letter monogram options, where the two last names would be the larger letters with smaller first name initials on either side. This style can be a little overwhelming for smaller items. Same-sex couples can follow any of the above rules, and if both partners are keeping their last names, they may use a two-letter monogram side by side or stacked, or a four-letter monogram with the two last names larger.
Ultimately, there is no right or wrong way to style a family monogram, and couples may choose to order the first initials alphabetically or in whichever orientation feels right.
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History of monogramming silverware
Silverware has been a significant part of a woman's contribution to the financial aspect of a marriage. In the past, women could not legally own land or other property, so their lives revolved around the home and family. Silverware was often purchased for them one piece at a time and kept in a "hope chest" along with other household goods.
Monogrammed silverware has been a long-standing tradition, with antique utensils often bearing the monogram of their owner. The practice of engraving sets of spoons and forks was initially only affordable to the very rich. However, from the 1770s onwards, silver became more accessible to the growing and wealthy "industrial age" middle class. This marked a shift in the practice of engraving, with canteens becoming more widespread, and the fashion of engraving initials and crests on silverware taking off.
Engravings on antique silver spoons can reveal a lot about their history and purpose. Before 1730, engravings on spoons were typically given as Christening or baptismal presents to the children of the wealthy, or as wedding presents to married couples. The earliest form of wedding-related engraving featured two pairs of initials. Engravings before 1660 could be found on the back of the bowl or on a flat disc at the spoon's terminal, while from 1660 to 1770, engravings were usually placed on the stem end of the reverse side.
Monogramming silverware for weddings continues to be a popular tradition. Couples may opt for duo-grams, incorporating their first-name initials before marriage, and then using their full combined initials after the wedding. While some people choose to monogram their wedding silverware, others prefer to keep it plain, sometimes due to concerns about devaluing the silverware if they were to sell it in the future.
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Engraving styles and fonts
When it comes to engraving styles and fonts, there are several options to choose from. Engraving is an old printmaking technique where a design is cut into a metal plate. It is a popular way to personalise gifts and merchandise, and there are several engraving styles and fonts that can be used to create elegant and sophisticated results.
Firstly, it is important to consider the type of engraving. The three types of engraving are etching, laser engraving, and hand engraving. Etching involves cutting designs into glass, crystal, or stone, removing a portion of the material and creating marks that reach a depth of about 0.0001 inches. Laser engraving, on the other hand, uses a laser beam to create a cavity on the surface of wood, acrylic, leather, or coated metals. Hand engraving, meanwhile, is a traditional technique that uses a cutting tool called a burin to incise a design into a metal plate.
Once the type of engraving is chosen, the next step is to select the font. Popular fonts for engraving include Roman, Helvetica, Victoria, and Script. Roman is a traditional and professional-looking font with bold, noticeable lettering that is easy to read. Helvetica is a sans-serif font with simple lines and no flourishes, making it a popular choice for men and those with vision issues. Victoria is a fancy yet easy-to-read font that is commonly used for women and special celebrations. Script is an elegant font that is often chosen for formal occasions, such as weddings and anniversaries. Other font options include serif and script fonts, which can give a classic look to engraved items. For a more modern or contemporary appearance, a combination of script uppercase and serif small caps can be used, creating an elegant monogram or lettering design. Additionally, a gothic-inspired font like Gram can add a bold and sharp touch to the engraving.
In terms of monogramming styles, there are a few options to consider. A classic monogram features an oversized last name initial in the centre, flanked by smaller first and middle name initials. A two-initial monogram consists of two letters of the same font size, while a three-same-size-initial monogram has all letters in the same size due to the contemporary arrangement. For unmarried individuals, a single first-name initial is often used, allowing for the addition of a surname initial after marriage. For married couples, duo-grams incorporating the couple's first-name initials can be created, or the couple's full combined initials can be used after the wedding.
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Frequently asked questions
The traditional order for a couple's monogram is the bride's first name initial, followed by the couple's shared last name initial, and then the groom's first name initial.
Silver items can be personalised with initials through engraving or monogramming. This can be done on silverware, jewellery, and other decorative items.
Silver gifts with personalised initials are popular for weddings. For example, you could give a set of monogrammed silverware or a piece of monogrammed jewellery like a bracelet, necklace, or ring.
It is important to consider the font and style of the monogram. Interlocking scripts are popular for weddings, while straight block letters are more common for men's items. It is also traditional to have the last name initial in the centre and larger than the other initials.
