Wedding etiquette for personalized napkins

It's interesting:
"It's a shame, given this is a winter wedding, that the minister wouldn't let Paul and Linda have the pantomime theme wedding they originally wanted. Looking at Paul, I think ‘Puss in Boots’ would have been very appropriate."

The small details in your wedding planning and wedding decor are what will showcase the time and effort you put into your big day. Personalized napkins add a custom touch to your wedding decorations and allow you to add your personality into the decor. How you personalize the napkins, and what type of napkins you opt to customize, will need to be in line with the tone and formality of the wedding.

1. Type of Napkins

   • The napkins that are generally personalized at events such as weddings are cocktail-style paper napkins. These can be customized without putting too big of a dent in your wedding budget. The napkins are generally small, square, folded napkins and can be printed in a variety of colors. Some also choose larger luncheon or dinner napkins. Brides also can opt for a more expensive option of linen table napkins that are embroidered to add a personal touch, if the wedding is formal and the budget allows. No matter what the choice, print the napkins in colors that coordinate with your wedding color palette or select linen colors to complement the rest of the wedding decor.

   Placement

   • Cocktail napkins are casual and should not be placed on the guest tables as a part of the guest place settings. These style napkins are better suited to a specific purpose or type of refreshment. For example, place the napkins on the appetizer buffet table or provide them to the caterer to distribute them with the passed hors d'oeuvres. They are also appropriate on the dessert table, served with the wedding cake or on the bar. Guests can take one of the personalized napkins to accompany their beverage of choice.

     Brides who choose paper luncheon or dinner napkins for use at an informal reception might want to wrap silverware in them and place them at each seat.

   Monograms

   • Monograms are a classic and traditional choice for personalizing wedding napkins. Print the new initials of the bride and groom, such as "JB & MB" on the napkins. To add a soft and lighthearted twist to the monograms, pair the first initial of the groom with the first initial of the bride with a plus sign in the center. For example, "J + M." You also could include the first initial of the bride and groom with the first letter of the groom's, and now the bride's, surname. Another option is to include the bride and groom's first name, along with the first letter of the groom's last name between them. According to WeddingReceptionIdeas.com, if the full last name is not included, it is a matter of preference whose name or initial comes first. If the surname is included, then the bride's name is first.

   Other Personal Touches

   • In lieu of the formal and classic monogram style of personalizing napkins, print a more casual customization. This could mean printing "Megan and Gerald" on the napkins. With just first names included, the bride's name precedes the groom's. If you want to include the last name, such as "Megan and Gerald Smith," the bride's name is first as the groom's first name cannot be broken up from his last name. You also could opt to print the couple's wedding date, the location of the wedding or even the name of the couple's first dance song. Printing a photo of the couple on the napkins will also add a personal and eye-catching touch.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: last name, your wedding, bride groom, bride name, first initial, with first