Monograms in weddings really took off in the nineties, when receptions started to grow sleeker and more personalized. Today, they're still a very big trend.
In some weddings, they're a grace note sprinkled here and there. In others, they've become the actual theme.
And what’s not to love about monograms?
They’re elegant, understated, versatile, and a dramatic visual
reminder of your new life together.
Ways to Rock your Monogram
Getting an actual replica of a custom-designed monogram isn't always easy. But if you're willing to let that slide, you can find a monogrammed version of just about anything you'd ever imagine in weddings.
Like what? Well, stationery, ranging from save-the-dates and sticker seals to custom postage stamps. And in bridal attire, you'll find them on bouquet wraps, garters and handkerchiefs, and embroidered onto gowns, inserts or trains.
Ring bearer pillows are a popular way to bring monograms into the ceremony. So are unity candles, programs, guest books, floral wreaths or door banners, and even tears of joy packs.
And the reception? You could conceivably add them to head table linens and chair covers, place cards and dinner menus, cocktail napkins, matchbooks and coasters, bottled water or custom-labeled wine.
And that's not to mention hand fans and paper parasols, specialty lighting, cakes and cake servers, and any number of favors ranging from monogrammed cookies to petits fours and personalized mini-notepads to shot glasses. Plus, don't forget those personalized bridesmaid totes!
More Monogram Hot Spots
Couture Cakes
Of course, the wedding cake (being such a fabulous focal point) has seen a lot of monogram action over the years. Favorite treatments: embossed in icing, 'glued' on in
chocolate or gumpaste, hand-painted with food coloring, or everyone's favorite: in the form of spectacular cake toppers.
Hot toppers come in clear acrylic and wood, chrome and silver-plate. Some are elaborately covered in colored crystal rhinestones. Some rise to the heights of "cake jewelry." Some are embellished with a nest of free blooms or flower petals, while others stand alone. And some couples choose just one letter to represent their new shared name, while others use all three.
But I Need More, More, More!
Okay: showcase your monogram in a backlit, elegant ice sculpture. Engrave it on toasting flutes. Hang pretty white wooden letters from the church door from ribbons in your
wedding colors. Stamp away on luminary bags,
out-of-town gift bags and
favor box lids.
But How Do I Get a Monogram?
You make it! Many brides find they can “roll their own”
using Microsoft Word
or PowerPoint. If you’ve played around
but don’t like the results, call on an arty friend who routinely uses Photoshop or Illustrator.
Design Your Monogram in Microsoft Word
Choose Insert ->
Textbox. Type and format the letter the way you like it.
Do this three times. Now click on all textboxes and choose Format->Textbox.
Choose Color: No Fill (so you can overlap
letters) and Line: No Line. Select all letters,
right click, and choose Group to lock in the arrangement. You can
now copy your image into Microsoft Paint and save in several formats,
such as JPEG.
Design Your Monogram in PowerPoint
You’ll want to "Insert Text Box" to create
your letters. Once you have a letter to your liking, select it and
copy to create two more. Format them to your specifications.
When
you’re done, select all the letters, right-click,
and choose Grouping->Group. Now you can click
on your image and right-click for "Save as Image." PowerPoint
lets you save directly in a variety of useful formats like JPEG,
PNG and TIFF. Or, watch this quick, simple how-to video.
Designing Details
The bride’s initial usually goes first in a monogram. When the bride
takes the groom’s last name, the order is: bride’s first
initial, shared last initial (usually larger), groom’s first
initial.
If the bride keeps her name, one option's a four-initial
monogram (bride’s first, bride’s last, groom’s
last, groom’s first). Or just join the couple’s first
names (Jenny & Mike).
Great Free Spots for Fancy Fonts
DaFont
Chank
Abstract Fonts
Instant Coffee Cup
1001 Free Fonts
Maxing Out Your Monogram
You've got your own now — it's hot. Naturally, you want to slap it everywhere. Where to start? Here are some popular options.
Monogram Wreaths and Banners
You can make beautiful free-hanging wreaths in the shape of your letters using wire, styrofoam
or
green floral foam, and silk flowers ... or even moss. You can
also cut a heavy fabric like canvas or muslin into letters for your base, and
hot-glue or sew silk flowers.
Rubber Stamp It
The custom monogram stamp is
so very useful. Need a completely personalized design? Just get a super-high quality image of your monogram (try a friend who's a whiz at Photoshop or Illustrator), and get something 'bespoke' for minimal moolah at a
place like this.
Aisle Runners
This is a really big-impact way to use a monogram. And plenty of online vendors are happy to whip one up — or you can do it yourself. Here's how to start:
Have a sewing machine? Great, you can buy and hem the length of fabric you need for next to
nothing. Now, gather some fabric paint, a pencil, an exacto knife and card stock.
Then, decide where you want to place the monogram. Some runners
feature it at the bottom, where the procession begins. Others choose the top, near the altar, or right in the middle. Some use all three!
Now print out your monogram and blow it up to life-size on a copying machine.
If your fabric's on the sheer side, you can now trace your
monogram directly onto the fabric with pencil. Fill in with fabric
paint, and you’re done.
Otherwise, tape the enlarged monogram onto the cardstock and cut
out the shape with an exacto knife. Trace inside your new template
lightly with pencil. Fill in with fabric paint. Follow the same
procedure to make your own monogrammed table runners, or even chair
covers.
Dance Hall Days
Fun lighting effects are some of the most dramatic ways to trot out a monogram. Specialists can project yours on the dance floor, or train it on the wall with theatrical uplights.
To project a monogram, you (or your lighting crew) need a custom metal plate called
a “gobo,” which you can easily find online for about $100.
The tricky part: once made, you'll then need special lights equipped with a pattern holder to use it. Sometimes your DJ or even your venue can either offer these, or help you find a source.
A Few Last Notes on Monograms
The Hidden Rules
It’s actually considered premature to use your couples monogram before
you’re married. So, the reception’s clearly
a green light, but you might want to skip using monograms on your invites.
As for the ceremony, that's sort of a Ms. Manners gray area. Some brides
uphold the spirit but not the letter by putting their monogram in a subtle spot, like a garter or inside the dress.
Of course, the final decision is really up to you. Want to use yours on the very first piece of stationery? You've got plenty of company.
The Balance of Beauty
Now
that you have some ideas for using monograms in your wedding,
remember: the essence of elegance is restraint. You don't want it to look like a letter bomb went off, so choose a few features ... then stop.
You Might Also Like ...
The New Black and White Wedding
A Fifth-Avenue Style Aqua Blue Wedding
A Diamond Theme Wedding
Trade Ideas
How are you using monograms in
your wedding? Trade ideas, upload pics ... and ask the hard questions, below!
Tags: 
June 20th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I love this website, it was very helpful with my recent wedding on May 31, 2008. My new lastname SHINE and SPARKLED.
June 17th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
I’m very frustrated, I tried following the direction on the powerpoint video, but I can’t hightlight all the boxes to save as a picture. I hit the control button , right clicked and clicked on grouping and then group, but the group isn’t highlighted. What should I do?
May 12th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Does anyone know where to get a free monogram done?
April 29th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Hi Debbie, you see this done both ways but the correct way is to put this bride’s name first, this is a holdover from chivalry and a very good one.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:40 am
what is the correct wedding mongram brides 1name on left or right,last name in center ex. sue & dan edwards s d e
March 1st, 2008 at 12:33 am
HELP! PLEASE! I can’t get the fonts that I download to work in PowerPoint? I tried following the directions on the website that was provided in the video, but I can’t seem to get it to work? Where am I going wrong?
January 8th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
where do you get the monogram lights
December 6th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Hello Stephanie,
Select all three letters by pressing the CTRL key while clicking on the letters with your mouse. Then, right click on any of the letters and select grouping them group. Finally right click again on the letters and select save as from the drop down. Save file type as a JPEG.
December 1st, 2007 at 4:28 am
I need help!!! I just got Powerpoint 2007and I am attempting to follow the powerpoint directions to create a monogram. I can’t select the three letters so that I can save them as a picture. If anyone can help me i’d greatly appreciate it.
August 29th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
www.webpagepublicity.com/free-fonts-s7.html
has it for free
August 29th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
hi im kinda new here, but everytime i clink on the links they don’t work, actually im trying to get the font sheer elegance for free, does anyone know where to get it?
June 14th, 2006 at 9:14 am
I love the Monogram theme idea - it is so simple and elegant. Brides magazine had an article in the May/June issue about a company called Wonderful Wedding Graffiti that makes custom monograms that you can use on the walls, chairs, favors, cars, and anywere you can think of! They are so easy to use and most places will let you use them because they don’t damage the walls at all!!! They look like they are painted right on to the wall - it’s amazing!! I posted some pics on my wedding blog - check it out: budgetdreams.wordpress.com/2006/06/13/hot-new-wedding-trend-wedding-graffiti/