Suggestions for Wedding Announcement Etiquette

Traditionally it is the bride’s parents who announce the wedding to family and friends who were not invited to the wedding.

The bride and groom may choose to send the announcement themselves. These are sent after the wedding, never before. Commonly they are sent the day after the wedding.

If the couple eloped or for some other reason the announcements were not sent right away, it is acceptable to send them anytime within a year from the date of the wedding.

The wedding announcement follows the tone and wording of the invitation. It might go like this:

Mr. and Mrs. John Doe

Have the honor to announce

the marriage of their daughter

Katie Marie Doe

To

William Joseph Smith

On day/month/year

The font and card quality should be the same as the invitations. You might want to include “at home cards”. These have your new name and address on them.

If you are having a small wedding but will have a large reception later, those invitations and announcements should all be separate mailings.

You don’t have to order your announcements at the same time as the wedding, but you can if you want them done on the same paper and style.

One important use of announcements is to send to business associates and clients, patients or customers so that they will have your new name and address.

Relatives and friends who were not invited to the wedding due to space and budget constraints will be thrilled that you thought enough of them to send the announcement.

Some brides hesitate to send announcements because they are afraid the recipients will think it a bid for gifts. Often brides will want to put a no gifts expected message on the announcement. This will make people think that it is a hint for gifts which violates wedding announcement etiquette.

Download and Print Free Wedding Invitations

Go from Wedding Announcement Etiquette to Home of Homemade Free Unique Wedding Invitations

Wedding Ceremony Etiquette / Proper Etiquette for Wedding Invitations / Miss Manners Wedding Etiquette / Wedding Band Etiquette / Wedding Etiquette and Advice / Wedding Invitation Assembly Etiquette / Wedding Attire Etiquette / Wedding Dress Etiquette / Stepmother Wedding Etiquette