Announcing Your Wedding Date: The Perfect Timing

Wedding announcements are a thoughtful way to share the news of your marriage with those who couldn't attend the ceremony. While there are no hard and fast rules, it is generally considered best to announce your wedding date a day after the ceremony or within a month if you wish to include a wedding photo. Wedding announcements can be mailed, published in the local newspaper, or posted on social media. They typically include the couple's names, the marriage announcement, the wedding date, and the location of the celebration.

Wedding Announcement Wording

Wedding announcements are a great way to spread the word about your nuptials to friends and family who weren't in attendance at your wedding. They are usually sent within a month of the wedding, and can be mailed, published in the local newspaper, or posted on social media. Here is some wedding announcement wording advice to help you craft the perfect message:

Essential Elements:

• The hosts' names: If your parents or someone else hosted your wedding, include their names in the announcement.
• The couple's names: Include the full names of both the bride and groom.
• The wedding date: Spell out the month, day, and year for formal and religious weddings, or use figures for casual weddings.
• The wedding location: Include the city, state, and/or name of the reception hall or ceremony location.

Additional Elements:

• 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

Wording Examples:

Traditional:

"Mr. and Mrs. [Bride's Parents] are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter [Bride's Name] to [Groom's Name], son of Mr. and Mrs. [Groom's Parents]. Please join us in celebrating their love as they exchange vows on [Date] at [Venue]."

Casual:

"We're married! [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] tied the knot on [Date] in [City, State]. We're so excited to share this news with you and hope to celebrate with you soon!"

Formal:

" [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] are pleased to announce their marriage on [Date] at [Venue] in [City, State]. We are grateful for your love and support and look forward to celebrating with you."

Private/Elopement:

"We did it! We exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony on [Date] in [Destination]. Thank you for your love and support. We hope to celebrate with you soon."

Tips:

• Match the tone and formality of your announcement to your other wedding stationery and the style of your wedding.
• If you're sending announcements to guests who were invited but couldn't attend, you may want to include more details about the wedding, such as the reception hall or ceremony location.
• If you're moving after the wedding, you can include your new address in the announcement.
• For newspaper announcements, include additional details such as the names of your parents and grandparents, your education, and your honeymoon destination.
• For social media announcements, consider posting a few photographs along with your message. Wait at least a week or two after the wedding to post, so that your nearest and dearest receive the news first.

Who to Tell First

So, you're getting married—congratulations! Now, who do you tell first?

Before you announce your wedding to the world, it's important to first inform those closest to you and your family. This includes your parents, siblings, and any other close relatives, as well as your bridal party and closest friends. These are the people who are likely to be most affected by the news and who will be eager to share in your joy.

When it comes to extended family and friends, it's considered good etiquette to send out wedding announcement cards. These can be mailed, published in the local newspaper, or posted on social media. Traditionally, these announcements are sent the day after the wedding, but it's also acceptable to send them within a month of the ceremony, especially if you want to include photos from your big day.

If you're planning on a destination wedding or elopement, it's a thoughtful gesture to send announcements to all close family and friends who were not invited. That way, they know they are in your thoughts and that you want to include them in your happiness.

For those who were invited to your wedding but unable to attend, it's a nice touch to send a personal message or card to let them know you missed them at the ceremony.

So, to recap:

• Tell your parents, siblings, and closest relatives first.
• Inform your bridal party and best friends.
• Send out wedding announcements to extended family and friends, especially those not invited to the wedding.
• Consider sending a personal message to those who were invited but couldn't attend.

Now you're ready to spread the news of your upcoming nuptials with warmth and joy!

Timing

The best time to send out a wedding announcement is the day after the wedding. However, it is acceptable to send them within a month of the wedding, especially if you want to include photos from the big day. Sending them out immediately after the wedding can be challenging, especially if you are going on a honeymoon or are simply too tired after the celebrations. A solution is to ask a close friend or family member to send them out for you the day after.

If you want to include photos from the wedding, you will need to work to a modified timeline of two to four weeks after the event. It is a good idea to prepare in advance by connecting with your photographer before the wedding and letting them know that you would like to use some images for your announcements. You could also ask if they can send you a few sneak peek photos in advance of the full collection.

It is also important to remember to tell those closest to you and your family about the wedding before announcing it on social media.

If you are postponing your wedding, it is best to notify guests as soon as possible. If your wedding is less than two months away, emails, group texts, and social media are the quickest ways to spread the word. If you have more time, you can reprint save-the-date cards and invitations.

What to Include

The content of your wedding announcement will depend on the format you choose. Whether you opt for a mailed card, a newspaper announcement, or a social media post, there are a few key pieces of information that you should include.

The Hosts' Names

If someone other than the couple hosted the wedding, such as the parents of the bride and groom, it is customary to include their names in the announcement.

The Couple's Names

The full names of both the bride and groom should be included in the announcement. If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, there is no need to include the names of their parents.

The Wedding Date

For formal and religious weddings, it is customary to spell out the month, day, and year of the wedding. For more casual weddings, using figures is also acceptable.

The Wedding Location

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

Optional Details

For a newspaper announcement or a more detailed card, you may choose to include:

• The names of the ceremony and reception venues
• The name of the officiant
• The names of the parents and grandparents of the couple
• The couple's education and degrees
• The honeymoon destination
• Where the couple plans to live
• A brief story of how the couple met

Announcing to Close Friends and Family

Before announcing your wedding on social media, it is considered polite to personally inform those closest to you and your family.

Timing

It is considered best to send out wedding announcements as soon as possible after the wedding, ideally the day after. However, it is also acceptable to send them within 30 days of the wedding if you wish to include photos from the event.

Mailing List

Your mailing list for wedding announcements should include invited guests who were unable to attend, as well as close friends and family who were not invited due to budget or space constraints.

How to Spread the Word

There are many ways to spread the word of your wedding date, from traditional mailed announcements to social media posts. Here are some tips to ensure your message reaches the right people and conveys the correct information:

Tell Close Friends and Family First

Before announcing your wedding to the world through social media, it is considered polite to first inform those closest to you, including your family. This ensures that your inner circle hears the news directly from you and doesn't feel left out.

Timing is Key

The best time to send a wedding announcement is the day after the wedding. However, sending it within a month of the ceremony is also acceptable, especially if you want to include photos from the big day. If you're sending physical cards, it's a good idea to enlist a friend or family member to help with this task, as you'll likely be busy on your honeymoon or simply relaxing post-wedding.

Know Your Audience

When it comes to the content of your announcement, consider your audience. If you're addressing older relatives, a formal, traditional approach might be best. For friends and younger relatives, a more casual tone may be appropriate.

Include Essential Information

Regardless of the style of your announcement, there are some key details you should always include:

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

Be Concise

While you may be tempted to gush about all the wonderful details of your special day, try to be concise in your announcement. The main goal is to share the news that you're married, so make that the main takeaway.

Choose Your Medium

You have several options for spreading the word of your wedding date, each with its own advantages:

• Mailed Announcements: This traditional approach allows you to send personalised cards to friends and family, including those who were unable to attend the wedding.
• Newspaper Announcements: A longstanding way to share your news with the world, a newspaper announcement can include additional details such as the names of the wedding party, your education, and your honeymoon destination.
• Social Media: A quick and easy way to reach a wide audience, a social media post is perfect for sharing photos and a brief message about your wedding. Remember to use relevant hashtags and create a dedicated wedding hashtag to collect posts.

By following these steps, you'll be able to craft a thoughtful and effective wedding announcement that spreads the word to your loved ones.

Frequently asked questions