Who receives announcements, and when are they sent out?

Printed or handwritten announcements are sent to those left off of the guest list, or to acquaintances or business associates who might wish to hear the news. Announcements carry no obligation to return a gift, and they are never sent to anyone who has received an invitation. Ideally, they should be mailed the day after the wedding but may be sent up to several months later. The traditional wording is in the name of the bride's parents:

Mr. and Mrs. James Welch

have the honor of

announcing the marriage of their daughter

Amy Sue

to Mr. Jonathan Jamison

Saturday, the twelfth of June

two thousand and one

Mansfield, Pennsylvania.