Announcing a wedding is an exciting moment, and Emily Post’s timeless etiquette can guide you in crafting the perfect announcement. By following her principles, you can create a concise and elegant message that celebrates the union of two hearts while adhering to proper etiquette.
An Emily Post wedding announcement should be brief, yet informative. It typically includes the names of the bride and groom, their parents’ names, the wedding date and location, and a short reception description. The announcement is usually written in the third person and uses formal language. It’s often published in newspapers or sent out as a formal invitation.
For instance, an Emily Post-inspired wedding announcement might read: “Mr. and Mrs. John Smith are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter, Jane, to Mr. William Jones, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jones. The wedding took place on June 10, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church in Anytown, USA. A reception followed at the Grand Ballroom of the Anytown Hilton.”
Emily Post Wedding Announcement Etiquette
Emily Post’s wedding announcement etiquette emphasizes clarity, brevity, and formality. Here are some key guidelines to keep in mind:
- Start with the names: Begin the announcement with the full names of the bride and groom. Use the bride’s full name and her parents’ full names. For the groom, use his full name and the names of his parents, including “Mr.” or “Mrs.” before their last names.
- Indicate the relationship: State the relationship between the bride and groom, such as “daughter” or “son.” If the bride has been previously married, she may want to use her former married name followed by her maiden name in parentheses.
- Include the wedding date and location: Clearly state the date and location of the wedding, even if it has already taken place. For example, “The wedding took place on June 10, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church in Anytown, USA.”
- Provide reception details (optional): If desired, include information about the wedding reception, such as its location and time. For example, “A reception followed at the Grand Ballroom of the Anytown Hilton.”
- Keep it concise: Emily Post advises keeping the announcement brief and to the point. Aim for approximately 50 to 100 words.
Sample Emily Post Wedding Announcement Wording
- “Mr. and Mrs. John Smith are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter, Jane, to Mr. William Jones, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jones. The wedding took place on June 10, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church in Anytown, USA. A reception followed at the Grand Ballroom of the Anytown Hilton.”
- “Dr. and Mrs. Robert Williams are delighted to announce the marriage of their daughter, Susan, to Mr. David Brown, the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Brown. The wedding ceremony was held on August 12, 2023, at the St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. A reception followed at the Plaza Hotel.”
- “Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Garcia are thrilled to announce the marriage of their son, Michael, to Ms. Sarah Johnson, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Johnson. The wedding took place on July 29, 2023, at the Mission San Juan Capistrano in California. A reception was held at the nearby Rancho Las Lomas.”
- “Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Anderson are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter, Elizabeth, to Mr. Michael Carter, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Carter. The wedding ceremony and reception were held on September 23, 2023, at the picturesque Willow Creek Inn in Napa Valley.”
- “Mr. and Mrs. George Harris are delighted to announce the marriage of their daughter, Mary, to Mr. Richard Thompson, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Thompson. The wedding took place on October 14, 2023, at the First Presbyterian Church in Charleston, South Carolina. A reception followed at the Battery Carriage House.”
- “Dr. and Mrs. James Wilson are thrilled to announce the marriage of their daughter, Jennifer, to Mr. Robert Anderson, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Anderson. The wedding ceremony was held on May 19, 2023, at the historic Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. A reception followed in the mansion’s gardens.”
- “Mr. and Mrs. William Jones are pleased to announce the marriage of their son, David, to Ms. Emily Carter, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Carter. The wedding ceremony and reception were held on April 22, 2023, at the beautiful Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas.”
- “Mr. and Mrs. Robert Garcia are delighted to announce the marriage of their daughter, Susan, to Mr. Michael Thompson, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Thompson. The wedding took place on July 15, 2023, at the St. Augustine Cathedral in St. Augustine, Florida. A reception followed at the Casa Monica Hotel.”
- “Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Anderson are thrilled to announce the marriage of their son, William, to Ms. Sarah Carter, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Carter. The wedding ceremony and reception were held on June 3, 2023, at the scenic Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, Virginia.”
- “Mr. and Mrs. George Harris are delighted to announce the marriage of their daughter, Elizabeth, to Mr. Robert Anderson, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Anderson. The wedding ceremony was held on October 28, 2023, at the historic Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston. A reception followed in the hotel’s ballroom.”
Whether you’re composing an announcement for the newspaper, a social media post, or a formal invitation, following Emily Post’s guidelines ensures a respectful and elegant way to share the joyful news of a marriage.
