by Elizabeth Watts
Wedding newsletters are used for several reasons. It’s a great way to let people know of your plans ahead of time – before the invitations are sent out. This is especially helpful for those traveling a long distance and need to make arrangements for accommodations. If you are getting married over a holiday weekend, it’s a good idea to send out a newsletter so that family and friends won’t make other plans.
A wedding newsletter made easily on your computer – programs like Microsoft’s Publisher have many templates you can use -- or you can purchase a wedding-specific software program.
What to Include in Your Newsletter
Introduce yourselves as a couple: Tell your visitors and guests the story of how you met and got engaged.
For help writing your wedding tale, see Telling Your Love Story.
Give all the details for the big day:
- Provide a wedding day itinerary with times, addresses, and even directions to the sites. List all those who are expected to participate in each event and when they are needed.
- Put your wedding party newsletter online. Your web site can act like a newsletter that is continually updated so your guests will always know where to look for last-minute details. For those who don’t have Internet access, all you have to do is print out the sections they need to see and mail them.
- Another considerate idea is to provide links to nearby accommodations for out-of-town guests. You can even come up with a list of places guests might want to investigate during a lull between wedding ceremony and reception.
- One bride directed her guests to local attractions such as:
- Barnes and Nobles for the book lovers.
- River Walk for the nature lovers.
- Fox Valley Mall for some shopping.
Include other creative ideas:
- Write a few paragraphs about, "A day in the life of a bride".
- Quote your favorite love poem:
"That done, our day of marriage shall be yours
One feast, one house, one mutual happiness..."
—Shakespeare, "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" (Act V, Scene IV)
- Include pictures of you individually and as a couple, as well as photos of wedding details, such as your location, flowers and favors.
- Use your newsletter to explain wedding traditions you will be incorporating that your guests may not be familiar with. For example, one couple included this description of the Chinese tea ceremony in their newsletter:
"The tea ceremony is a tradition that goes back many, many generations. This ceremony is a symbol of acceptance of the new couple's marriage. Tea is offered to immediate family members who rank higher than the newlyweds. The drinking of the tea symbolizes the acceptance of the marriage. It is a 'toast' welcoming a new member into the family and a 'toast' for celebration."
Whatever you end up including on your wedding newsletter, have fun making it and share this special event in your life with your friends and family.
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