Wording and format for name, at-home cards, and announcement
Thank you for the very useful information included in this previous post:
Quote
"Don't worry about not knowing what to do. Everybody has to experience a first time.
Your wording is close. Your name goes on the first line with 'and' on the second line. Your groom's name would be listed on the third line with fourth line devoted to, "announce their marriage." You would not write 'on' and write out the date on the fifth line: Sunday, the twenty ninth of August. The next line would be Two thousand and four. The last line would list the location--no 'in'.
Name cards inform your colleagues of your new name. You would write: Your current name. Next line: will be changing her name to. Next line: Your new name. Next line: following her marriage. Next line: August 29, 2004.
At home cards inform everyone of your new address and can be included as an enclosure in your invitations or announcements (the same is true with Name cards). Most likely, you would want to include these with your announcements so you could use your new name (if you have chosen to change it). Traditionally you would write: Mr. and Mrs. Your New Name. Next line: after the twenty ninth of August. Next line: New address. Next line: City, State Zip.
Sincerely, Rebecca Black, Etiquette by Rebecca & Etiquette Now"
I have several questions regarding the wording for my items. I will be sending announcements that are send out immediately following an elopment. They will be in a classic, elegant style that is formal and we will be announcing our own wedding. The wording that I have is:
Jane Darling Doe
and
Mr. John Joe Smith
announce their marriage
Saturday, the eleventh of February
Two thousand six
Town, State
I have seen some announcement formats that suggest putting the location between the year and the town. Is this optional? If so, how is the "location" stated? XYZ Resort? Shoreline Beach? Holy Chapel? Or, not at all?
I have also seen the year written as "Two thousand and six". It seems to me that the correct form, with no "and", should be used on a formal announcement but is the "and" form traditionally used for weddings?
Is is correct to use "Mr." before the groom's name and no honourific before the bride's name on the announcement? Is the bride or groom named first?
On the at-home card, would the name be written "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" or "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith"? Since the cards are going with the announcements that are sent after the wedding (instead of before, with an invitation) is it necessary to list "after the eleventh of February"? That date will be in the past by the time the cards are sent with the announcements so can the date be left off, implying that the couple took up residence at the new address at the time of the wedding (or as is sometimes the actual case these days, slightly prior to the wedding)? This would have the added advantage of being able to use extra at-home cards socially and not just for the announcement. This would give the following traditional at-home card format that leaves off the date:
Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
123 Honeymoon Lane
Anytown, Anystate, 12345
On the name cards, what is the correct name format? Again, since it is after the fact, should it be stated as a past event? This would give the following for the name card:
Jane Darling Doe
has changed her name to
Jane Darling Smith
following her marriage
February 11, 2006
Is the full name listed, without honorific, even though the bride is called Jane or Jane Smith (formerly Jane Doe) by friends and professionally? Or is it "Miss Jane Darling Doe" becoming "Mrs. Joe Smith"?
Lastly, what is the correct format for announcements and the at-home and name cards? When purchasing announcements, they are generally sold as invitations with the accompanying extras like inner invitation envelopes and folded notes to be used as RSVP or thank-you cards. Should the announcement be in an inner envelope with a tissue sheet over it? Are the name cards and at-home cards in the traditional calling-card size and format or does one or both use the folded-note format? Should they be placed into inner envelopes? If so, together or individually? Are they stuffed into the outer envelope the same way as an invitation? Or do the announcement and the two cards all float freely inside the main envelope with no tissue or inner envelopes, the latter being used only for invitations?
So many details... thank you in advance for your replies to these many questions.
(This post was
edited by MissTi on Oct 23, 2005, 4:48 PM)
Etiquette Now
WEDDING ETIQUETTE EXPERT
Oct 23, 2005, 6:13 PM
Post #2 of 2
(2690 views)
Re: [MissTi] Wording and format for name, at-home cards, and announcement
[In reply to]
Dear Miss Ti,
Announcements are optional and are only sent to those who really should know that you are married. These do not necessarily have to include the year. Announcements are sent as soon as the couple marries, so it is logical what year it would be.
The location could be included, but it isn't necessary. If you do, think of it as an address. This means that it would be listed before the town.
Although the year is optional, "and" is used on formal invitations and formal announcements when it is used.
Mr. is used before the groom's name, which is below the bride's name. A title is used for the bride if she has a title other than Miss/Ms., such as Dr.
You may use past tense and omit the date for the at home and name cards. These are just little cards to inform those who need to know where you are and what name you now follow. If you want to be known by your husband's name, Mrs. John... list that. If you plan to use your first name, as most of we women do these days, list your first name with no title (unless you are a doctor).
Wedding announcements are like any other card. These can be very formal or simple. There is not just one way to stuff these, although, sending these with two envelopes and tissue seem as bit much for an announcement of an elopement. If the wedding was very formal with a huge amount of guests, this would seem more logical.
Also, if you used inner and outer envelopes, the recipients may at first mistake these for wedding invitations.
All of these cards can be small or large and in any format. Usually, the at home and name cards are smaller. These are typically enclosed in the announcement if not included with the invitation.
Wording and format for name, at-home cards, and announcement
