Photo: Christian Oth Studio
Monograms are initials, embossed or embroidered on silver, linens, or other items to give them a personal stamp. There was a time when almost every wedding gift bore a monogram when it arrived. However, you probably won't want gifts to be monogrammed until after the wedding. This will give you time to decide if you will keep your maiden name after the marriage, or to design a contemporary monogram that includes both your husband's and your own first initials. So, what etiquette guidelines should you keep in mind as you pick a design for all of your wedding registry items? We found a few helpful ones!
What are my monogram options?
Ask your registry consultant or wedding stationery resource to help you choose an appropriate style and make suggestions. Some general options include a single initial (usually your husband's last name); your first and last initials and your husband's first and last initials; your first initial and your husband's first initial; the initial of his last name, large, at the center, with each of your first initials on either side.
Can I tell guests not to get gifts engraved?
Since most stores have a no-return policy for monogrammed items, it's totally normal to ask guests to hold off on adding their own, especially if you've created a personal monogram. Request on your Wedding Gift Registry list, "Please do not monogram."
What should I do if our joint initials spell out a word?
If your initials create a real word, like JAR, FUN, BAD, ICK, etc., choose a monogram in which the last initial is in the center, larger than the other two: jRa, fNu, bDa, iKc, etc.