How to Write a Wedding Announcement After Eloping By Tia Martin

Step 1
First, you need to decide if you are going to have a reception for all the people who couldn't attend the wedding. This is a great way to celebrate, without having a formal wedding reception. Once you know this, you can decide whether you are sending just announcements, or announcements/reception invitations.

Step 2
There are many great options for elopement announcements. A good way to share your big moment is to send out an announcement that includes a photo of the two of you on your wedding day. This way people will feel included, and have a memento to keep. These announcements should include the date and location of your destination wedding.

Step 3
There are several great online sites to order announcements from. You can even get great inexpensive photo cards from Walgreen's or CVS, starting as low as $12.99 for 25 cards and envelopes.
You might also check out Etsy.com, where there are tons of graphic designers that will make you something truly unique. You can even post an alchemy request and name your own price.

Step 4
If you decide to have a reception, you'll need to get all those details in place before you send out your announcements. There are several different ways to word these, as long as you make sure people understand that the invitation is to just a reception, and not an actual wedding.

Step 5
Examples of elopement announcements:

The pleasure of your company is requested at the wedding reception of
Alice N. Wonderland to James Earle Jones
Saturday, the twenty fourth of February at three o'clock
Golden Sunset Club House
4444 Lovers Lane
Santa Clause, IN 48596

OR...

Just Married!
Because you've shared in our lives with your friendship and love, we are
very proud to share our happy news.
BRIDE'S FIRST MIDDLE
daughter of BRIDE'S PARENTS
and
GROOM'S FIRST MIDDLE
son of GROOM'S PARENTS
were married in a small/intimate wedding
on DAY the FORMAL DATE of MONTH
YEAR
at FORMAL TIME o'clock in the TIME OF DAY
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE

People prefer elopement announcements, as it holds the recipient to no gift-giving requirements. Traditionally, getting gifts is a perk of having a actual wedding.

Many people will still send a gift in response to an elopement announcement, but there is no obligation.

You should make sure the wording of the announcements stresses that it was a spontaneous wedding, and that no one was invited.

Very often people's feelings are hurt by news of an elopement or destination wedding.

You should try to strongly stress in your announcement that NO ONE was invited, that it was a moment shared by just the 2 of you.