Wording Advice

BIRTH/ADOPTION ANNOUNCEMENTS

• General wording for baby name

  • Use the baby’s full formal name.
  • If the baby is a Junior, general etiquette is to place a comma after the last name and to use “Jr.” instead of “Junior”.
  • If the baby has a nickname you wish to include on the announcement, put the nickname in quotation marks on the line under the baby’s full name. Example:

    Alexander Douglas Hampton, Jr.
    “Alex”

• General wording for date & time

  The date should be listed first, followed by the time. These two items usually go on the same line but if the spacing or the design of the card does not allow this, then we recommend putting the time under the date. Examples:

  January 31, 2010 at 11:30 pm
   
  OR
   
  January 31, 2010
  11:30 pm

• General wording for baby statistics

  The baby statistics should include the baby’s weight with pounds listed first, then ounces which should be rounded up to the nearest ounce. This is followed by the baby’s length in inches. The baby’s weight and length usually go on one line. However, if the design and spacing of the card do not allow this, then the baby’s length may be placed on the line under the baby’s weight. Examples:

  7 pounds, 3 ounces and 17 inches
   
  OR
   
  7 pounds and 3 ounces
  17 inches

• Wording samples

  For your convenience we have provided some wording examples for birth announcements. We also suggest that you browse our birth announcements for additional wording ideas. Of course, these are just examples and you should use whatever wording suits your personal taste and style.

• Wording for babies with no siblings

  We proudly welcome
  Avery Ellen Hamilton
  September 12, 2010 at 11:30 pm
  7 pounds and 8 ounces and 17 inches
  With love,
  Michael and Susan Hamilton

• Wording for babies with siblings

  We proudly welcome
  Avery Ellen Hamilton
  September 12, 2010 at 11:30 pm
  7 pounds and 8 ounces and 17 inches
  With love,
  Michael, Susan and big sisters Sarah and Madison
   
  OR
   
  Sarah and Madison
  are thrilled to announce
  the arrival of their sister
  Avery Ellen Hamilton
  September 12, 2010 at 11:30 pm
  7 pounds and 8 ounces and 17 inches
   
  Proud parents are
  Michael and Susan Hamilton

• Wording for parents with different last names

  Susan Baker and Michael Hamilton
  are pleased to announce
  the birth of their daughter
  Avery Ellen Hamilton
  September 12, 2010 at 11:30 pm
  7 pounds and 8 ounces and 17 inches

• Wording for twins or multiples

  Born on September 12, 2010
   
  Avery Ellen                                           Ashley Sarah
  September 12, 2010 at 11:30 pm              September 12, 2010 at 11:42 pm
  7 pounds and 8 ounces and 17 inches        7 pounds and 10 ounces and 18 inches
   
  With joy and love,
  Michael and Susan Hamilton

• Wording for adoption announcements

  Michael and Susan Hamilton
  are pleased to announce that
  Avery Ellen Hamilton
  Born on September 12, 2010
  was adopted as their daughter
  on September 19, 2010
   
  OR
   
  Avery Ellen Hamilton
  Born on September 12, 2010
  Joined her family on September 19, 2010
   
  With love,
  Michael and Susan Hamilton
   
  OR
   
  Avery Ellen Hamilton
  Born in Beijing, China
  on October 12, 2009
  Welcomed home on September 19, 2010
   
  With love,
  Michael and Susan Hamilton

• When should baby announcements be mailed out?

  Ideally, baby announcements would be mailed out immediately after the birth of the baby. While this is not always possible, you should strive to mail your announcements out as quickly as practical. To make it easier for you to mail your announcements out timely, we offer the option of pre-ordering your envelopes so that you can address the announcements in advance of your baby’s arrival. You will find this “Pre-ship Envelopes” option on the ordering page for the announcement.

PARTY INVITATIONS

• How far in advance should I mail my party invitations?

  Ideally, your invitations should go out about three weeks in advance of your party. Two weeks in advance would be the latest that we would recommend mailing them.

• What is the best way to list the hosts of a party or shower if there is more than one?

  Generally, party hosts are listed in alphabetical order. However, if the event is being held at the home of one of the hosts, you should list that person (or couple) first on the invitation.

STATIONERY/MONOGRAMS

• What is the correct order of initials for a monogram?

  The most common monogram arrangement consists of three letters - a larger center letter, flanked on each side by two smaller letters. For this style of monogram, the larger center letter represents your last name, the letter on the left represents your first name and the letter on the right represents your middle name or maiden name.

  For example, if your name is Ashley Brooke Cooper your monogram would be ACB.

  For a horizontal monogram pattern, in which each letter is the same height, initials appear in the same order as your name - first name, middle or maiden name, and last name.

  For example, if your name is Ashley Brooke Cooper your monogram would be ABC.

• How do I create a joint monogram with my husband?

  A joint monogram for a couple typically consists of a larger center letter representing the couple’s last name flanked on the left by the wife’s initial and on the right by the husband’s initial.

  For example, Ashley & Thomas Cooper would have a joint monogram of ACT.

WEDDINGS & BRIDAL SHOWERS

• Wedding invitations

• Bridal showers