Informals

Informals are small, fold-over notes that have a woman's full social name centered on the front. They are always ecru or white and are always engraved in black ink. To deviate from this format is to create something other than an informal. Informals were originally used for invitations to informal events, responses to informal events, reminders, and gift enclosure cards but not as thank-you notes.

When used as wedding thank-you notes, informals read, "Mrs." followed by the name of the groom. Since the informals will be used by the bride only, "Mr. and Mrs." should not appear on them. Informals that have "Mr. and Mrs." on them are appropriate only for informal invitations issued by both husband and wife.

Can the engraving plate I use for my "Mrs." informals also be used for "Mr. and Mrs." informals?

Yes, since in most cases the "Mr. and" can be omitted. In fact, it is a good idea when ordering "Mrs." informals to order an engraving plate with "Mr. and Mrs." for future use.

I am keeping my maiden name. How should my informals read?

Despite their name, informals are rather formal notes. Therefore, they normally require the use of a title. Unfortunately there is no appropriate title for a married woman who uses her maiden name. "Miss" is not appropriate because it indicates that you are not and have never been married. "Mrs." is only correctly used with your husband's name, and "Ms." is not considered acceptable on social stationery. Your only option, therefore, is to use your maiden name without a title.

I am keeping my maiden name and my fiancé will be writing some of our thank-you notes. How should our informals read?

Although wedding thank-you notes are written on behalf of two people, only one person actually writes the note. Therefore, only one person's name properly appears on informals. If your fiancé will be writing some of the thank-you notes, he should do so on his own stationery.

Is it proper for us to use our first name on informals?

Since informals are actually formal notes, the use of first names on them would create "informal" informals. If you would like to use first names on your notepaper, you should use less formal stationery such as a colorful note or correspondence card.