Additional Trousseau Items
Engagement announcements
These are the formal announcements of you engagement.
Gift received cards
Preprinted cards acknowledging that a gift was received may be sent ahead (never instead of) personally written thank you notes. This allows the newlyweds to wait until after their honeymoon to thank their guests more personally.
Informals
This is the personalized stationery on which to write individual thank-you notes. Order informals with your maiden name for notes written before the wedding (bridal shower and engagement party gifts), and another set with your married name or monogram for notes written afterwards.
Sample Wording
Highly formal: Mrs. Carl Heath Jones
Informal (ladies first): Sally and Carl Jones
Formal: Mr. and Mrs. Carl Heath Jones
Woman Kept Maiden Name (ladies first):Sally Leigh McPerson Carl Heath Jones
Menu Cards
Menu cards provided at the reception describe the dishes you have selected--a nice touch.
Place Cards
If you are planning assigned seating at your reception, put a place card handwritten with each person's name at the place you have designated.
Programs
Guests appreciate an outline to follow along with at the ceremony. It also makes a nice memento of the event.
Save-the-date cards
These preprinted notes are sent at least three months (but preferably six months to a year) before the wedding date and are invaluable if you plan to invite long-distance guests.
Table cards
If you are planning assigned tables for the reception, these cards have a place for you to write the names of each couple or single guest and their assigned table. These should be awaiting everyone on a table at the entrance to the reception. (see also "place cards" above)
Sample Wording
M __________________
______Table No.______
Wedding Announcements
Announcements let you share your news with friends, distant relatives and colleagues that are not invited to the wedding (you can't invite everyone!) They should never be sent to those who have received an invitation to the ceremony or reception and should be mailed right after the wedding (never before.) Your announcement should look and read like your wedding. Instead of requesting the honour of their presence at the marriage...however, you would say "have the honour of announcing the marriage..." The only enclosure would be the "At home" card.