Monogram Etiquette

While many women have at one point in their adolescent years written their first name with their "crushes" last name, most of us feel a slight identity crisis when faced with the challenge of changing our names. Its fun to imagine, but when it happens for real, we can't help but feel slight confusion. Nearly a year later and when I am called by my Mrs., I tend to not answer on the first time.

Even though we feel this way, there is definate excitement when recieving your first monogrammed gift. I couldn't help but smile seeing our initials lined out together on a large tote given to me by my sisters the night of our engagement. As I passed over that tote this AM, I recalled how many times people questioned how a monogram should be done, so I figured I'd share this tid bit of advice in the early morning.

The traditional monogram letters should follow like this : The wife's first initial on the left, The first initial of the new (joint) last name in the middle, and the husband's first initial on the right. So when, Christina Henry marries Edward Morris their monogram is as follows : "CME" Many couples opt for different types of monograms as well such as solely using the first initial of the joint last name or using that initial with their entire first names. There are many ways to personalize, but this is the traditional method.

Monogrammed gifts are obviously exciting and always classic ways to decorate and personalize our first homes (i.e. champagne flutes, silverware, picture frames, totes, towels, doormats, jewlery boxes), but monograms also serve as an excellent theme throughout wedding stationary. Using it to personalize invitations, place cards, menus, matches, favors, cake toppers, etc, helps coordinate your wedding and not to mention, highlight your new joining in marriage in a very classy way. The different fonts used also can play a role in the formality of the monograms, allowing less traditional couples to come up with young, modern twists of their own monogram . Many wedding stationary venues will work with you to come up with these unique and personalized monograms. Just be weary; true classic traditionalists argue that the monogram on any stationary prior to the actual marriage should remain with the couples initials seperately. So in our example above it would be either C & E or CH & EM on things such as engagement, rehearsal and wedding invites. Today's more modern couples many times opt out and stick with the joint one throughout.

It is likely many of you already knew this, but I couldn't help but share for those who didn't xo

(Image Credit: Pottery Barn)