Photo: Dyad Photography
Monograms make everyday items feel personal—even bespoke. Who doesn't want more of that for their wedding registry? Historically, the bride's monogram went on linens, while the groom's was placed on crystal, silver, and barware. But now that no one cares who makes the bed or mixes the cocktails, anything goes!
Which monogram is right for you?
The pros at Haute Papier play out four scenarios for newlywed couple Mackenzie Perrin and James Shepard.
Photo: Courtesy of Haute Papier
1. Classic: Mackenzie is making her maiden name, Perrin, her new middle name and Shepard her new surname.
2. New traditional: She's taking her husband's name and wants to include his first initial, making this design ideal for home items.
3. Preppy: She's dropping her name and taking his. This monogram's interwoven letter style is called a cipher.
4. Contemporary: Mackenzie and James are hyphenating their last names. Sharing is caring!
Get it in writing
The Art of the Monogram's Cynthia Brumback answers our burning questions about how your letters should look:
OMG! What if our married monogram is OMG?
Unfortunate monograms happen more often than you think! An easy way to handle this situation is to reverse the order of the initials so your groom's is on the left and yours is on the right. (That's pretty common in Europe, by the way.) You can also use an interlocking script or layered style that combines letters so they're less discernible and more conceptual—like a married-couple logo!
I love monograms but fear overkill. How do I rein myself in?
My rule of thumb is to have one monogrammed element in any room except the dining room, where it's cool to use different but complementary styles on napkins, glassware, china, and flatware.
What's the most surprising way you've seen a monogram used?
A bride I know embroidered her husband's initials onto her honeymoon lingerie. Rawr!
Clockwise from top left: Tray, $150, Iomoi; Tassel, $40, Clare V.; Coaster, $58 for 50, Haute Papier; Glass dish, $12, C. Wonder; iPhone case, $36, Heisel; Monogram Stamp, $350, Allison R. Banks Designs; Engraved note card, $182 for 25, Crane & Co.; Enclosure card, $145 for 50, Haute Papier; Leather card case, $50, Sakao available at Etsy; Calligraphed envelopes, from $4 each, Fleur de Letters; Stamp, $21 for 20, Zazzle; Lucite letter, $68, C. Wonder; Letterpressed couple's stationery, $150 for 50, Haute Papier; Letter opener, $49, Mark & Graham