WORDING & GRAMMAR TIPS

BABY ANNOUNCEMENTS

* Baby Announcements should include:
  • Baby’s Name
  • Baby’s Birthdate
  • Baby’s Time (optional)
  • Baby’s Weight and Length (optional)
  • Parents’ Names (can also include siblings’ names)


  • * Wording Suggestions for Baby Announcements:
  • Mary and Steve Davis are happy to announce the arrival of
  • Welcomed with open arms
  • Proud Parents Mary and Steve Davis are happy to announce the arrival of
  • A New Member of our Family has Arrived
  • To Proud Parents, Mary and Steve Davis
  • Welcomed with Love, Mary, Steve and Abbey Davis



  • MOVING/CHANGE OF ADDRESS ANNOUNCEMENTS



    * Moving/Change of Address Announcements should include:
  • Name(s) of Individuals with New Address
  • New Address: Street Address, City, State and Zip Code
  • Phone Number (optional)
  • Email Address (optional)


  • * Wording Suggestions for Change of Address Announcements:
  • Just Moved
  • Our New Address
  • We’ve moved to a New Home
  • We have a New Address
  • New Home
  • The Davis Family has a New Address



  • SAVE THE DATE



    * Save the Date Cards should include:
  • Couples’ Names
  • Wedding Date
  • Place/Location (optional)
  • Invitation to follow


  • * Wording Suggestions for Save the Date cards:
  • Save the Date
  • Please reserve the Date of
  • … are getting Married
  • for our Wedding
  • for the Wedding of
  • for the Marriage of



  • NOTECARDS



    * Titles such as Mr., Mrs., and Ms. Are not usually used on casual personalized notecards.


    * Suggestions for writing notes: (suggestions are based on writings by Emily Post)
  • As stated in Emily Post’s Etiquette book “You don’t have to excel in writing to compose a good note. The best personal notes are conversational, reflecting both your personality and speech”
  • Don’t replace phrases typical of your speech with more formal language.
  • Use contractions.
  • Occasionally, insert the person’s name to add a touch of familiarity and affection.
  • Use punctuation to enliven your writing.
  • Keep it as short as possible. The brief tale is always more interesting than the drawn out one.



  • WRITING THANK YOUS



    * What should be included in a Thank You Note:
  • Express appreciation for the specific gift or kindness.
  • Refer to the intended use for money or gift cards.
  • Show interest in the gift giver, not just the gift.
  • Add some personal information.



  • HOLIDAY CARD GREETINGS



    * (See Holiday > Holiday Card Greetings)


    PARTY INVITATIONS



    * Invitations should include:
  • Name or Names of Hosts (Usually First & Last)
  • The Nature of the Occasion
  • The Date and Time of the Event
  • The Location
  • RSVP or Regrets Only with Phone Number and/or Email
  • Special Information (Maps, Uniform, Bring a Dish, Etc.)



  • BABY SHOWER



    * Baby Shower invitations should include:
  • The Nature of the Occasion (Baby Shower)
  • Who the Party is Honoring, usually the first and last name of Mother-to-Be or Parents-to-Be
  • The Day, Date and Time of the Event
  • The Location/Place Name
  • The Host(s) of the Event
  • RSVP or Regrets Only with Phone Number and/or Email
  • Reply by Date (optional)
  • Special Information (Registry info, Sex of Baby, Nursery Colors, Etc.)


  • * Wording Suggestions for Baby Shower invitations:
  • You are invited to a Baby Shower for
  • Please join us as we shower
  • Please join us for a Baby Shower in honor of
  • It’s a Baby Shower please join us to honor


    BRIDAL SHOWER/COUPLES SHOWER



    * Bridal Shower/Couples Shower invitations should include:
  • The Nature of the Occasion (Bridal Shower or Couples Shower)
  • Who the Party is Honoring, usually the first and last name of Bride-to-Be or Bride and Groom-to-Be)
  • The Day, Date and Time of the Event
  • The Location/Place Name
  • The Host(s) of the Event
  • RSVP or Regrets Only with Phone Number and/or Email
  • Reply by Date (optional)
  • Special Information (Registry Info, Recipe Card, Themed Gift, Etc.)


  • * Wording suggestions for Bridal Shower invitations:
  • Bridal Shower/Couples Shower Please join us to honor
  • You are invited to a Bridal Shower/Couples Shower Honoring/In honor of
  • Please join us for a Bridal Shower/Couples Shower Honoring/In honor of
  • You are cordially invited to a Bridal Shower/Couples Shower Honoring/In honor of
  • You are cordially invited to a Bridal Luncheon for



  • CHILDRENS INVITATIONS



    * Invitations for Children’s Parties should include:
  • Full Name of the Host or Hostess (Child)
  • Nature of the Party (Birthday, Etc.)
  • The Day and Date of the Event
  • The Time of the Event (Be clear about ending times so parents know when to pick up their children)
  • The Location
  • RSVP with your Full Name and Phone Number
  • Add any special requests (Costumes, Etc.)


  • * Advice from Emily Post: “Children’s Invitations should be mailed. Do not hand out invites at school or at extra-curricular activities unless ALL are invited. This includes casual get-togethers and parties.”

    * Wording Suggestions for Children’s Party Invitations:
  • Please join us in celebrating Timothy’s 2nd Birthday
  • Timothy’s 2nd Birthday come help us celebrate
  • Please join us for Timothy’s 2nd Birthday



  • NAMES, TITLES AND GRAMMAR TIPS



    * When titles are used the husband’s name usually comes first:
  • Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Johnson
  • Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Johnson
  • Colonel and Mrs. Joseph Johnson


  • * When a woman holds a professional/elected title and her husband uses a social title, the wording is:
  • Senator Jane Johnson and Mr. Joseph Johnson


  • * Without titles the wife’s name should come first:
  • Jane and Joseph Johnson


  • * Widows usually retain their husbands’ given names unless remarried:
  • Mrs. Joseph Johnson


  • * Names with Suffixes: A comma is usually used to separate only the surname and the suffixes Jr. and Sr.
  • Mr. Joseph Johnson III
  • Mr. Joseph Johnson, Jr.
  • Mr. Joseph Johnson, Sr.


  • * When writing the Family’s names the order should be father, mother, and children’s names (listed from oldest to youngest)
  • Joseph, Jane, Julie, John and James Johnson


  • * When writing The Johnson Family the plural form of the name is not used:
  • The Johnson Family


  • * To show possession by one owner add an apostrophe and the letter s to the owner (even if their name ends in –s)
  • Party at Jane Johnson’s home
  • Come see John Johnson’s new car
  • Julie Johnson’s purple purse
  • James’s blue hat


  • * Do not use an apostrophe when you have a plural that is not expressing ownership, just add -s or -es to the ending.
  • Season Greetings from The Johnsons
  • Love, The Johnsons
  • From, The Adamses


  • * For plurals, more than one, that already end in s; to show ownership just add an apostrophe to the existing letter s:
  • The Johnson kids’ playground
  • The Johnsons’ Beach House

  • Questions or Comments? Contact us at 317-691-1199 or info@mayberrydesign.com