Breaking The News: Crafting Your Wedding Announcement Post-Elopement

There are many ways to announce your elopement to friends and family. You could send out elopement announcements via snail mail or email, or post about it on social media. If you're planning a post-elopement party, you could also send out invitations.

When it comes to wording, you could go for something simple and direct, like We eloped!, or something more creative, like We said yes (alone!). If you're sending out invitations to a party, you could say something like It's time to party!.

There's no strict guideline on how and when to announce your elopement—it's up to you and your partner.

Announcing your elopement on social media

Eloping is a wonderful and intimate way to celebrate your love and get married. If you're choosing to elope privately, you may still want to share your happy news with loved ones who weren't present. Here are some ideas for announcing your elopement on social media:

• Simple and straightforward posts: Keep things simple and direct with posts such as "We eloped!" or "We swapped vows in an intimate celebration on [date]."
• Creative and playful posts: If you want to add a bit of creativity or humour to your announcement, try something like "Love is patient, but we couldn't wait! We decided to say 'I do' before the year was over during a private celebration." or "We pulled one over on y'all and got married last month. Officially the best surprise we've ever pulled off—and now you're in on the fun!"
• Include a photo: Consider sharing a photo from your elopement or a creative shot with a sign that says "We Eloped!" or "Just Married."
• Use a hashtag: Create a unique hashtag for your elopement and encourage friends and family to use it when congratulating you. This will also make it easier for people to find and follow your wedding journey.
• Share a video: If you have a video of your ceremony or a special moment, consider sharing it on social media as part of your announcement.
• Tag your location: Let your friends and family know where you tied the knot by tagging the location in your post.
• Mention your spouse: Be sure to tag your partner in the post and use hashtags related to marriage, such as #justmarried or #newlyweds.
• Thank your loved ones: Don't forget to express your gratitude to those who supported you and shared in your joy, even if they weren't physically present.
• Provide a brief explanation: If you feel it's necessary, you can include a brief explanation for your decision to elope. Something like "We wanted a special, intimate ceremony with just the two of us."
• Invite them to celebrate: If you're planning a post-elopement party, use your announcement to invite your loved ones to join you in the celebrations.

Remember, there are no strict guidelines on how and when to announce your elopement. Do what feels right for you and your partner, and don't stress too much about the response. Your loved ones will be happy for your unity, and there are many ways to celebrate beyond being physically present when you say "I do."

Sending out invitations for a post-elopement party

There are a few things to keep in mind when sending out invitations for a post-elopement party. Firstly, it is important to send out invitations at least six weeks ahead of your party, or longer if many of your guests will have to travel. This will give your guests plenty of time to plan and RSVP.

The text of your invitation should include the following information, in this order:

• Host lines: Traditionally, the parents of the bride hosted the wedding, so their names came first. Now, the couple might host their own wedding, or both parents might host. In the case of elopements, the couple usually hosts their own party.
• Request lines: The next line solicits the recipient's presence at the party. For example, "We invite you to celebrate with us".
• Bride and/or groom lines: In traditional invitations sent by the bride's parents, the bride is referred to by her first and middle names, while the groom is referred to by his full name and title. Of course, you can refer to yourself and your partner in the way that makes you feel comfortable.
• Date and timelines: For elopements, using numerals for the date and time is acceptable.
• Location lines: Write the city and state in full, and include the street address if it would be difficult to find or if the event is taking place at someone's home.
• Reception lines: If your party takes place at a different location, give its address, as well as the time if it does not immediately follow the ceremony. Otherwise, write "reception afterward" to denote that the ceremony and reception will take place in the same location.
• RSVP lines: Place the RSVP request in the lower left-hand corner of the invitation and include the address that guests should use to send their reply. You may also list a wedding website or email address for guests to RSVP to more easily.

• "We eloped! [Name] and [name] got married on [wedding date] at [location]. Now, we'd like you to join us for a celebration of our marriage."
• "We're excited to announce that we got married with a private ceremony and each of you in our hearts. Please join us for a post-wedding celebration."
• "We got married on [date] in [location]—now help us celebrate!"
• "It's time to party! Join us for a post-elopement celebration."

Choosing the right wording for your wedding announcement

Elopement announcements can be as formal or as casual as you like, but they are traditionally sent by mail rather than by email or social media. They can be used simply to reveal the news of your private nuptials or to invite your loved ones to a post-elopement party. Here are some tips to help you craft the perfect announcement.

Wait until you're ready

There are no strict guidelines on how and when you should announce your elopement. If you want to announce it the day after, or a month later, that is completely up to you and your partner. It's important to tell your loved ones when you feel ready.

Include all the right components

Wedding announcements typically include the couple's names, the marriage announcement, the wedding date, and the location of the celebration. For more traditional statements, the hosts' names (usually the parents) are also included.

Concentrate on the order

Wedding announcements often follow a certain order. Formal announcements usually begin with the names of the hosts, followed by the marriage announcement, the names of the couple, the date, and the location. With casual messages, you can be more flexible with the format, but a typical order is: the names of the couple, the marriage announcement, the date, and the location.

Be concise

According to wedding planner Lisa Gorjestani, being concise with your wedding announcement is key. Instead of rambling on, make sure you communicate your message in a straightforward manner.

Examples

Traditional

"Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Pink are pleased to announce the marriage of their children on the first of April, two thousand twenty-two, at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina."

Informal

"We eloped! In Hawaii on May 10th."

Creative

"It finally happened! Amid colorful foliage in Central Park, NYC."

Funny

"Did someone say husband and wife? That's us! We tied the knot on August 13th in a private ceremony for just us two. Thank you for all your love and support!"

Deciding on the tone and level of formality for your announcement

Deciding on the tone and level of formality for your elopement announcement is an important step in crafting your message. Here are some tips to help you choose the right approach:

Consider Your Relationship with Your Guests:

Think about the nature of your relationship with the people you'll be announcing your elopement to. If you have a close, casual relationship with them, a more light-hearted and informal tone may be appropriate. On the other hand, if your relationship is more formal or reserved, you may want to opt for a more traditional and formal tone.

Reflect Your Personality as a Couple:

Your elopement announcement should reflect who you are as a couple. If you're playful and whimsical, feel free to inject some humour and creativity into your wording. If you prefer a more understated approach, a simple and elegant tone may be more suitable. Choose a style that feels authentic to you both.

Match the Tone of Your Wedding Stationery:

If you've already sent out save-the-dates or wedding invitations, consider matching the tone and level of formality of those communications. This creates a cohesive experience for your guests and helps to set the overall mood for your celebration.

Be Mindful of Cultural and Religious Traditions:

If your elopement has cultural or religious significance, you may want to incorporate traditional wording or phrases into your announcement. Respecting and honouring these traditions can be an important part of your message.

Provide Clear and Concise Information:

Regardless of the tone you choose, it's important to provide clear and concise information about your elopement. Include your names, the fact that you've exchanged vows, the date of your wedding, and the location. This ensures that your guests understand the important details of your special day.

Be Mindful of Your Guests' Feelings:

Elopements can sometimes evoke mixed emotions from guests who may feel left out or disappointed that they couldn't be part of the celebration. When deciding on the tone and formality of your announcement, consider the potential impact on your guests. A warm and inclusive tone can help convey your happiness while making guests feel valued.

• Formal Elopement Announcement: "We are pleased to announce the marriage of [name] to [name] on [wedding date] in [location]."
• Informal Elopement Announcement: "Big news: We eloped! [Name] and [name] got married on [wedding date] at [location]."
• Creative Elopement Announcement: "We said yes (alone!). Last month in Boston, we made it official in a private ceremony at City Hall. Thank you for all your love and support over the years!"
• Funny Elopement Announcement: "We pulled one over on all y'all and got married last month in LA. Officially the best surprise we've ever pulled off—and now you're in on the fun!"

Remember, the most important thing is to choose a tone and style that feels true to you as a couple and reflects the joy and significance of your elopement.

Including all the right components in your announcement

The wording of your elopement announcement is crucial to ensure your message is conveyed effectively. Here are some key components to include:

• Couple's Names: This is an essential element, as it identifies who the announcement is about. You can use your full names or just your first names, depending on your preference.
• Marriage Announcement: This is the part where you declare that you have tied the knot. You can use phrases such as "We eloped!" or "We said 'I do'!".
• Wedding Date: Include the date of your wedding to give your loved ones a clear timeline of your nuptials.
• Location of the Celebration: Sharing the location of your ceremony or reception adds context and helps those who weren't present visualise your special day.

Additionally, if you are hosting a post-elopement celebration, you may want to include the following:

• Host Lines: Traditionally, the parents of the couple hosted the wedding, so their names would be mentioned. Nowadays, the couple often hosts their own wedding, so you can include your names as the hosts.
• Request Lines: This is where you invite the presence of your loved ones at your elopement. For formal invitations, you can use phrases such as "the honour of your presence." For more casual events, you might say, "the pleasure of your company."
• Bride and/or Groom Lines: Traditionally, the bride was referred to by her first and middle names, while the groom was referred to by his full name and title. However, you can use any form of address that makes you feel comfortable.
• Date and Timeline: For formal elopements, write out the date and time in full. For more casual elopements, using numerals is perfectly acceptable.
• Location Lines: Include the city and state, and optionally, the street address if it would be difficult to find or if the event is at someone's home.
• Reception Lines: If you're having a separate reception, provide its location and time, especially if it doesn't immediately follow the ceremony.
• RSVP Lines: Include an RSVP request with the address, wedding website, or email address where guests can respond.

Simple and Straightforward:

"We Eloped! We swapped vows in an intimate celebration on October 15, 2023."

Creative:

"Love is patient, but we couldn't wait! We decided to say 'I do' before the year was over during a private celebration in the Hudson Valley. We look forward to celebrating with you soon!"

Funny:

"We pulled one over on all y'all and got married last month in LA. Officially the best surprise we've ever pulled off—and now you're in on the fun!"

Remember, the key is to use language that's celebratory and inclusive, making your loved ones feel like they were a part of your special day, even if they weren't physically present.

Frequently asked questions