Wedding Announcement Etiquette

Weddings are greatly dictated by etiquettes and norms. Right from the engagement to the wedding reception, you have to adhere to the unspoken rules and etiquettes of wedding. In a way, following etiquette is a good idea as you minimize the chances of hurting someone out of ignorance. Since, wedding is such as important occasion of your life, you cannot afford to hurt the sentiments of any of your invitees. You might heave a sigh of relief as soon as you are done with your reception and are ready to head for your honeymoon. But before you merrily get into your getaway car, make sure you fulfill the last of all wedding etiquettes; sending the wedding announcement cards!

Wedding Announcement Etiquette

Wedding announcement is the formal announcement from the couple's side that they are now officially wedded. This is done by sending wedding announcement cards to the concerned individuals.

When to Send
Ideally, one must send the cards within a few days of marriage. There should not be a delay of more than 2 weeks in sending these cards, from the commencement of your marriage. On the other hand, never send them before you are officially married. If you are immediately leaving for your honeymoon after your reception, have someone do the job for you. You may prepare the cards before the wedding and get them ready for the mail. A friend or sibling may drop them in the mail after your wedding.

Whom to Send
Sending wedding announcement cards is entirely optional. Many people mistake these cards for thank you cards and send them to everyone who attended their wedding. One must understand that wedding announcement cards are send to inform the recipient that your marriage has commenced. It does not make any sense to send these cards to people who have already witnessed your wedding ceremony. However, you might send them to people who you invited for the wedding but could not make it. You can also send these cards to your distant relatives or acquaintances whom you did not invite. In short, you can send these cards to anyone who was not invited for the wedding but may have a interest in it.

Should You Include a Photo
Including your wedding photo in your wedding announcement card is not a bad idea. However, you may have to wait for a few days until the wedding pictures arrive. If your wedding pictures are unlikely to arrive in a week or so, you would better send the cards without a picture.

Wedding Announcement Card Etiquette

Wedding announcement cards are designed on the similar lines of a wedding invitation card. Ideally, you should use the same format as you did for the invitation card. If the invitation card was in the name of your parents you should stick to the same norm while sending announcement cards as well. Wedding announcement wording should also be in accordance with the wording of your invitation. You should include the full names of bride, groom, date of wedding and the venue in the wording. Wedding announcement cards should be addressed by hand only. The following template will help you in writing the perfect wedding announcement.

Invitation issued by parents:

"Mr. and Mrs. Alan G. Leigh
have the honor of announcing
the marriage of their daughter
Chloe Ann
to
Mr. Roger William Murray
Saturday, the Sixteenth of July
Two Thousand Eight
St. Mary Cathedral
Chicago, Illinois"

Invitation issued by bride and groom:

"Ms. Claire Marie Wilson
and
Mr. Liam Vince Carter
are pleased to announce their marriage
Saturday, the Sixteenth of July
Two Thousand Eight
Town Hall
Dallas, Texas"

Receiving a wedding announcement card does not necessarily mean that you should send a gift to the newly married couple though, you may, if you wish.