Announcing A Mid-Life Wedding: A Guide To Sharing Your Joy

Wedding announcements are a great way to spread the news of your recent nuptials. They are typically printed, addressed, and stamped before the wedding and mailed the day after. They can be sent up to several months after the wedding, especially if you want to include photos from the big day. Wedding announcements are usually sent to distant relatives, business associates, or friends who weren't invited due to budget or venue constraints.

There are two main types of wedding announcements: newspaper wedding announcements and mailed wedding announcements. Newspaper wedding announcements are often published in local newspapers in the couple's hometowns or the town where they currently reside. Mailed wedding announcements are sent directly to friends and family and can be more personalised.

The key elements of a wedding announcement include the couple's full names, the marriage announcement, the wedding date, and the location of the celebration. For more formal announcements, the hosts' names (usually the parents) may also be included.

Announcing your wedding in the newspaper

Newspapers have long been a way to share your wedding news with the world. While it is not mandatory, it is a thoughtful way to spread the joy and excitement with those who could not attend the ceremony.

What to include

Newspapers will usually have a form for you to fill out, but here is a list of information that you should be prepared to include:

• The hosts' names (usually the parents of the couple)
• The couple's full names
• The wedding date
• The wedding and reception location
• The officiant's name
• The names of your parents and grandparents
• Your education and degrees
• Your honeymoon destination
• Where you plan to live
• A brief story of how you met

Submission

Contact the newspaper 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 to compose the announcement themselves, while others will expect you to write it.

Timing

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. If you are submitting to multiple newspapers, you will have to contend with more paperwork.

Wording

The wording of your announcement should reflect the tone of your wedding and other wedding stationery. Here are some examples to inspire your own:

Traditional wording

> Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Pink

>

> Mr. and Mrs. Samuel White

>

> 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 wording

> Together with our families,

>

> on Saturday, November 18, 2023

>

> in Montecito, California

Creative wording

> It finally happened!

>

> amid colourful foliage

>

> in Montego Bay, Jamaica

Sending wedding announcements by mail

Wedding announcements are a lovely way to spread the news of your recent nuptials to friends and family who weren't invited or couldn't attend your wedding. They are typically sent by mail or published in a local newspaper. This guide will focus on the former.

Timing

Ideally, wedding announcements should be printed, addressed, and stamped before the wedding so they can be mailed the day after. This ensures that your loved ones find out about your marriage promptly. However, it is also acceptable to send them within 30 days of the wedding, especially if you want to include photos from your big day. If you're planning to use professional photos, let your photographer know in advance so they can provide you with some sneak peek images.

Mailing List

Your mailing list should include invited guests who were unable to attend, as well as close family and friends who were not invited if you had a small wedding, a destination wedding, or eloped. It's a good idea to finalise your list before the wedding so that you can send out the announcements as soon as possible.

What to Include

A wedding announcement card should include the following:

• The hosts' names (if someone other than the couple hosted the wedding)
• The couple's full names
• The wedding date (spelled out for formal and religious weddings, or using figures for casual weddings)
• The wedding location (city, state, and/or name of the reception hall or ceremony location)

You may also include:

• A description of how you met
• The name of the officiant
• The names of your parents and grandparents
• Your education and degrees
• Your honeymoon destination
• Where you plan to live post-nuptials

Wording

The wording of your wedding announcement can be as formal or informal as you wish. If you are handwriting the announcements, you can phrase them as a letter:

> "Derek and I are so thrilled to announce that we are married! Our wedding was on September 26th at a small restaurant in Petaluma. We celebrated with just a few family and friends (toasting with California wines, of course!) and are heading on a honeymoon to Hawaii in a few weeks. We can’t wait to celebrate with you over the holidays!

> Love, Ashley and Derek"

For a more formal printed announcement, you can use a format similar to a wedding invitation:

> "Mr. and Mrs. James Welch are honored to announce the marriage of their daughter Ashley Michelle to Mr. Derek Scott Jamison Saturday, the twenty-sixth of September two thousand and twenty Petaluma, California"

Design and Printing

You can choose a design that matches your wedding's theme and stationery or opt for something more celebratory and fun. The design can be a postcard or a card in an envelope, depending on your preference and your guests' formality. There are many online templates available, or you can work with a professional designer to create a custom announcement.

What to include in a wedding announcement

Wedding announcements are a great way to spread the news of your marriage to friends and family who were not in attendance at your wedding. Here are the key things to include in a wedding announcement:

The Hosts' Names

If your wedding was hosted by anyone other than the bride and groom, such as the parents, it is considered proper to honour them by including their names in the announcement.

The Couple's Names

The full names of both the bride and groom should be included. If the couple hosted the wedding, the names of the parents can be omitted.

The Wedding Date

For formal and religious weddings, it is customary to spell out the month, day, and year. For casual weddings, you can use figures.

The Wedding Location

Include the city and state of the wedding location, as well as the name of the reception hall or ceremony venue.

The Ceremony and Reception Venues

If the ceremony and reception were held at different venues, include the name of the reception venue.

The Name of the Officiant

The person who officiated the wedding can be included in the announcement.

The Names of Parents and Grandparents

The names of the parents and grandparents of both partners can be included, especially in a newspaper announcement.

The Couple's Education and Degrees

Details of the couple's schools, colleges, and degrees can be added, especially for a newspaper announcement.

Honeymoon Destination

If desired, you can include where the couple is planning to honeymoon.

Where the Couple Will Live Post-Wedding

You can include the couple's new address or mention where they plan to live after the wedding.

A Brief Story of How the Couple Met

A short description of how you met can add a personal touch to the announcement, especially in a newspaper announcement.

Attendants' Names

You may choose to include the names of the bridesmaids and groomsmen and their relationship to the couple.

A Description of the Wedding Dress and Bouquet

If desired, you can include a description of the bride's attire and bouquet.

Wedding Website or Social Media Links

If a website or social media accounts were created for the wedding, include the links in the announcement.

Reception Information

If the reception is not immediately following the ceremony or held at a different location, include the reception details such as location and time.

The above information can be tailored to the desired level of formality and the specific circumstances of your wedding. Wedding announcements can be mailed, published in local newspapers, or shared on social media platforms. It is considered polite to send announcements within 30 days of the wedding, and ideally, the day after.

Wedding announcement wording and etiquette

The wedding announcement is a way to spread the news of your marriage to friends and family who were not in attendance at your wedding. This may be due to budget constraints, travel restrictions, elopement, or other life circumstances. Wedding announcements are usually mailed, published in the local newspaper, or posted on social media.

When to Send Wedding Announcements

Ideally, wedding announcements should be printed, addressed, and stamped before the wedding so they can be mailed the day after the wedding. However, it is acceptable to send them within 30 days of the wedding ceremony, especially if you want to include a photo from the wedding day in the announcement.

What to Include in a Wedding Announcement

A wedding announcement card should include the following:

• The hosts' names (usually the parents of the couple)
• The couple's full names
• The wedding date (spelled out for formal and religious weddings, and in figures for casual weddings)
• The wedding location (city and state, and/or name of the reception hall or ceremony location)

For newspaper wedding announcements, you can also include:

• The name of the ceremony and reception venues
• The name of the officiant
• The names of your parents and grandparents
• Your education and degrees
• Your honeymoon destination
• Where you plan to live
• A brief story of how you met

Wedding Announcement Wording Examples

Formal Wedding Announcement Wording:

"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"

Casual Wedding Announcement Wording:

"We're Crushing on These Valentine's Day Wedding Invites. It's all about red roses, rose-gold foil, and pretty pink palettes for V-Day nuptials.

Kevin & Janelle Saunders

Des Moines, IA

22.15"

Informal Wedding Announcement Wording:

"Mr. and Mrs. Thompson Take immense joy in announcing The union of their daughter Emily to Alex At the Garden Terrace, New York City On the 12th of September, 2022"

Wedding Announcement Wording for Uninvited Guests:

"With great joy, we announce that we were married on Saturday, June 4th, in Austin, Texas. Our painfully small guest list Meant there were many loved ones we were not able to invite. We deeply missed having you there, but you were in our hearts. We missed your presence! We hope to see you soon!"

Creative ways to announce your wedding

There are many creative ways to announce your wedding, from traditional newspaper announcements to social media posts. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Newspaper Announcements

Newspaper wedding announcements are a longstanding way to share your good news with the world. The best part? You don't have to worry about writing a novel to convey your message. Keep it simple and elegant by including the following information:

• The couple's full names
• The wedding date and location
• The name of the officiant
• The names of your parents and grandparents
• Your education and degrees
• Your honeymoon destination
• Where you plan to live
• A brief story of how you met

Social Media Announcements

If you're looking for a more modern approach, social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok can be a fun way to spread the news. Here are some ideas for creative social media wedding announcements:

• Classic Engagement Selfie: Be like Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber and announce your engagement with a simple picture of you and your partner. It's private, intimate, and sometimes less is more!
• The Ring Hand Hold: Take a page from Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner's book and showcase your gorgeous ring with a romantic hand-holding selfie. It's a subtle yet effective way to share your news.
• An Intimate Moment: Capture the raw emotion of the moment you propose or the second after your partner says yes. Olly Murs's announcement is a perfect example of this—a sweet picture speaks a thousand words.
• Use Props: Props can add a touch of creativity and fun to your announcement. Try using balloons, engagement rings, or even a cute "She Said Yes!" banner as a backdrop for your photos.
• Get the Family Involved: If you have children or pets, include them in your announcement! Take them on your engagement shoot or DIY a family portrait with signs that spell out the news.
• Blow Up Some Balloons: Balloons always induce joy and make people want to celebrate. Use silver, gold, or rose gold balloons as a backdrop for your photos, or contact the seller to personalise the wording for a unique touch.
• Post the Actual Proposal: If you're comfortable sharing, why not post the exact moment you popped the question or accepted the proposal? It's a great way to make your followers feel included in the moment.
• Keep it Cute and Candid: A casual, candid announcement can be just as impactful as a staged photo. Try capturing a moment like rowing a boat or walking hand in hand, with your engagement ring subtly on display.

Remember, when it comes to announcing your wedding, the most important thing is to be true to yourself and your partner. Choose a style that reflects your personalities and don't be afraid to get creative!

Frequently asked questions