Wedding Announcements And Invitations: Perfect Timing And Etiquette

Wedding announcements and invitations are two different things. Wedding invitations are sent to invite potential guests to your wedding. A wedding announcement, on the other hand, is intended to announce that the event has already happened. Wedding invitations are usually sent out 6-8 weeks before the wedding, while wedding announcements are sent out on the day of the wedding or the day after. It is important to note that if someone receives a wedding invitation, they are expected to send a gift, whether or not they attend. However, if someone receives a wedding announcement, they are not obligated to send a gift but may do so if they wish.

Wedding announcements should be sent after the wedding

Wedding announcements are intended to inform recipients that a wedding has taken place. They are typically sent after the wedding, with some sources recommending sending them out immediately following the ceremony or within a week of the wedding. Sending announcements after the wedding helps to avoid any confusion or miscommunication about whether the recipient is invited to the wedding.

Wedding announcements are often sent to friends and family who were not invited to the wedding, perhaps due to budget or space constraints, to let them know about the change in marital status. They can also be sent to professional colleagues, casual acquaintances, or extended family members to announce a name change.

The wording of wedding announcements is important to ensure clarity and avoid any expectation of an invitation or obligation to send a gift. For example, if the parents of the bride and groom are hosting the wedding, the announcement might say:

> "Mr. and Mr. Bruce Thompson have the honour of announcing the marriage of their daughter Sarah Michelle to Mr. Michael Dean Slater on Friday, the fifteenth of December Two thousand and seven, St. Mary’s Cathedral Bellingham, Washington."

If the couple is announcing their marriage themselves, they might say:

> "Sarah Michelle Thompson and Michael Dean Slater happily announce their marriage on Friday, the fifteenth of December."

Some couples also choose to include their wedding announcement in their local newspaper or submit a short write-up with an engagement photo.

Invitations obligate a gift, announcements don't

Wedding invitations and announcements serve different purposes. Invitations are sent to those who are invited to attend the wedding, whereas announcements are sent to those who are not invited but whom the couple wants to inform of their marriage.

Wedding invitations include the most important information about the wedding day, such as the date, time, and location of the ceremony. They may also include details about gifts, such as a link to a wedding website or a card inserted with the invitation suite that offers specific details regarding gifts. It is considered a faux pas to include a "no gifts necessary" message on the actual invitation. However, it is acceptable to include alternative phrasing, such as "your presence is truly enough, no gifts please."

On the other hand, wedding announcements are typically sent after the wedding, confirming that the marriage has taken place. They are often used when a couple has a small, intimate ceremony and wants to inform loved ones who were not invited. Announcements may also be sent to professional colleagues, casual acquaintances, or extended family members to notify them of a name change.

While wedding invitations come with the expectation of a gift, wedding announcements do not. Sending an announcement instead of an invitation can be a way to avoid overextending financially while still letting special people know about the wedding. However, it is important to note that some people may still choose to send a gift even if they are not invited to the wedding.

To avoid confusion, it is recommended to send announcements after the wedding, as sending them beforehand may be interpreted as a save-the-date or an invitation. Additionally, it is crucial to use clear wording in the announcements to ensure that recipients understand they are not invited to the wedding.

Announcements are for those who don't make the guest list

Wedding announcements are a great way to include those who are not on your guest list. This could be due to budget constraints, venue size limitations, or other circumstances that prevent you from inviting everyone you know. Announcements are typically sent to distant family members, friends, professional colleagues, casual acquaintances, or extended family members who you feel should be aware of your marriage.

Sending announcements to those who are not invited to your wedding is a thoughtful way to include them in your celebration, even if they cannot be physically present. It lets them know that you are thinking of them and that they are still special to you. This can be especially meaningful to people like an older lady from your childhood church who supported you or parents' friends who you don't see often.

When creating your announcements, it is important to use specific wording to make it clear that the recipient is receiving an announcement, not an invitation. This helps to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding. You don't want to give the impression that an invitation will follow or that they are expected to send a gift, although some may choose to do so.

It is recommended to send announcements immediately following the wedding or as soon as possible. Ideally, they should be mailed out the day after the wedding or within the week. This ensures that those who didn't make the guest list are still informed about your special day without any delay.

Remember, announcements should be sent only to those who really need to know about your change in marital status. They are a way to share your happiness with a wider circle while being mindful of the limitations of your guest list.

Announcements can be sent to professional colleagues

Wedding announcements are a great way to inform professional colleagues, casual acquaintances, or extended family members of your nuptials, especially if they were not invited to the wedding due to budget or space constraints. Sending announcements to these individuals is a thoughtful way to include them in your joy and let them know about your new married status.

When creating your announcement list, consider including professional colleagues, such as those you work with regularly or those who have played a supportive role in your career. This is a nice way to keep them informed of your life changes, especially if you have a close working relationship. It is also a good option if you want to maintain a professional image and ensure your colleagues are aware of your new married name.

It is important to note that wedding announcements are typically sent out after the wedding, on the day of or the day after, to avoid any confusion or expectation of an invitation. This timing ensures that your colleagues are aware of your marriage without feeling obligated to attend or send a gift, although some may choose to do so.

When crafting your announcements, consider including details such as your name, your partner's name, the date of your wedding, and the location. You can also include a personal note expressing your well-wishes and gratitude. Here is an example of wording for an announcement:

> " [Your name] and [partner's name] are happy/honoured to announce their marriage, which took place on [date] at [location]."

Remember, announcements are entirely optional, and you should only send them if you feel comfortable doing so. If you have a large number of professional colleagues, you may choose to send announcements only to those with whom you have a closer relationship.

Wording must be clear to avoid confusion

When it comes to wedding announcements and invitations, clear and concise wording is key to avoiding any confusion for your guests. Here are some tips to ensure your messaging is crystal clear:

Be explicit about the purpose

Make it clear whether you are sending an announcement or an invitation. Announcements are typically sent after the wedding to inform recipients of the marriage, while invitations are sent beforehand to invite guests to attend the wedding. Using phrases such as "are happy/honored to announce their marriage" for announcements and "request the pleasure of your company" for invitations can help distinguish the two.

Timing is everything

The timing of when you send your announcements or invitations can also help reduce confusion. Sending wedding announcements on or after the wedding day makes it clear that the event has already taken place, while sending invitations several weeks or months in advance signals that guests are being invited to an upcoming celebration.

Provide clear details

Whether you're sending an announcement or an invitation, include key details such as the names of the couple, the date and location of the wedding, and the time of the ceremony. This information will help your recipients understand the purpose of your communication and avoid any misunderstandings.

Choose your wording carefully

The specific wording you use can also help clarify your message. For announcements, a simple and direct approach is best, such as "Bride and Groom are happy to announce their marriage on Date at Location." For invitations, be explicit in your request for guests to join you, such as "Bride and Groom request the honor of your presence at their wedding on Date at Time."

Consider your audience

Keep in mind who will be receiving your announcements or invitations. If you are sending announcements to distant relatives or acquaintances, they may not be expecting an invitation. On the other hand, if you are sending invitations to close friends and family, they will understand that they are being invited to share in your special day.

Avoid premature announcements

If you are considering sending wedding announcements to certain individuals instead of invitations, be cautious about doing so too far in advance. Sending announcements before the wedding may create confusion and lead people to expect an invitation. It's best to send announcements shortly after the wedding or wait until after your honeymoon to avoid any misunderstandings.

Frequently asked questions