Weddings — and the celebrations that surround them — are always an exciting time for everyone in a family. They’re a way to begin a new adventure together as a new couple, borrowing important family and cultural traditions and creating new traditions. Monograms are an age-old tradition that are getting a modern refresh in today’s weddings. They’re a unique way to meld two families together, honoring surnames, ushering in new names and celebrating brand-new beginnings. 

Wedding Monograms Etiquette 

Etiquette surrounds monograms, so it’s no surprise that when choosing a special monogrammed item for the big day, it’s important to follow decorum. Tradition states that that it is not appropriate for engaged couples to use the groom’s last name for monograms. This means that if you want to use a monogram for invitations and save-the-date cards, you’ll want to use what’s called a “duogram,” which is a combination of the bride and the groom’s first (or last) names. Once married, it’s alright to use the traditional monogram, but remember the “ladies first” rule: the bride’s name should always come first. For example, use the bride’s first name initial (left), the groom’s surname initial (middle) and the groom’s first name initial (right).

Five Great Monogram Gift Ideas 

For wedding gifts, monogrammed items are always welcome. They’re a thoughtful way to honor the bride and the groom’s new name and the new chapter of their lives together. Marleylilly has great monogrammed gifts for brides and grooms, so check out our selection and experiment with monogram styles and scripts with our exclusive preview tool. We’ve put together five great gifts here that we think any couple will love!

#1: Monogrammed Suitcases 

Oh, the places they’ll go! Get them ready for the honeymoon in style with personalized bags. Our monogrammed suitcases make great gifts for both brides and grooms, and you can have the entire wedding party chip in and order a set for the couple to celebrate this special occasion! Check out all of our luggage and weekender styles, bags and backpacks. 

#2: Monogrammed Wine Tool Set 

Do the newlyweds love wine? Then they’ll really love our Monogrammed Wine Tool Set, made with genuine leather. This four-piece set includes a corkscrew, a stopper, a decanting pourer with a stopper and a drip collar, all nestled together inside a sophisticated leather box. 

#3: Monogrammed Sherpa Blanket 

For chilly nights cuddling in front of the fireplace or when watching television, the new couple can snuggle up under our Monogrammed Sherpa Blanket, available in two colors: Soft Gray or Ivory. Don’t miss our other monogrammed blanket styles, too!

#4: Personalized Cooler 

For the couples who spend their weekends at the beach, on a boat or camping, they’ll love our selection of personalized coolers. With several different styles and a wide range of sizes, they’ll love to take this insulated bag with them — wherever they go.

#5: Personalized Wood Cutting Board 

Our Monogrammed Wood Cutting Board is not only a practical and functional gift, but it also looks great on display. This fine-grained wooden board features the couple’s initials. Whether they’re chopping up vegetables for a nightly dinner or arranging an elegant charcuterie tray for a game night, they’ll love to pull out this sophisticated, generously sized cutting board.

Marleylilly: Your Source for Great Wedding Gifts 

Don’t miss our other great gifts, including monogrammed housewares, monogrammed drinkware and monogrammed travel accessories — all which would make fantastic wedding gifts for a new couple! Browse the Marleylilly website for a huge selection of great monogrammed items.

Whether they’re used in sorority houses or in houses of royalty, it’s no secret that monograms are a perfect way to put a personal stamp on anything from stationery to clothing. New to monograms? Unsure about the ins and outs of monogram etiquette and want to learn more about how to choose the right monogram? You’ve come to the right place! 

What is a Monogram?

Let’s start off with the basics. A monogram is a personalization technique that uses an individual’s initials — usually the first letter of one’s first, middle, and last name. A monogram can either be engraved, embossed, embroidered, stamped, or etched onto the surface of an item. 

How Do I Order the Initials of a Monogram?

The order of the letters has a lot to do with the size of the monogram, the monogram’s style, and the item being personalized. A monogram that features a larger middle initial font always follows the traditional initial placement of the first name’s initial (left), the surname's initial (middle), and middle name's initial (right). For example: Kimberly Ann Jones would be “kJa.” This can look a little out of order to those who aren’t familiar with monograms.

One-Letter Monograms

If you choose, you can opt for a monogram with one letter. This can be either the first letter of a person’s first name or the first letter of a surname. Adding a monogram with one letter is also great for an item that is limited on space — or if you’re unsure of someone’s middle name. At Marleylilly, we take the guesswork out of your monogram placement. When you click the green Personalize button on our customizable items and enter your first, middle and last name initials, we’ll arrange the letters so that they’re perfect. Our exclusive preview tool allows you to see the end result, too, so there are no surprises.

Monograms for Married Couples 

For couples, monogram etiquette calls for the ladies first: at many weddings, therefore, you’ll see monograms that include the first letter of the bride’s name (on the left), the first letter of the groom’s surname (in the middle) and the first letter of the groom’s first name (on the right). For a newly married woman, tradition states that using her maiden name is always appropriate. Instead of using a traditional first name, last name, middle name setup, you can always opt for the first initial of her first name (left), the first letter of her married name (in the middle) and the first letter of her maiden name (on the right). Before the wedding ceremony, however, monogram etiquette states that it is not appropriate to use the groom’s last name. 

Want to use a monogram for save-the-date cards or wedding invitations? Opt for a “duogram,” which is a melding of the bride and the groom’s first names. When using a duogram, don’t forget the “ladies first” rule — the bride’s name should always come first.

How Do I Use Monograms? 

Monogram initials can be printed in several different styles and are a great way to personalize a gift, to add a special touch on clothing or make a piece of jewelry extra meaningful. At Marleylilly, we offer monogram styles in an intricate traditional Interlock design or in Master Circle Script — both add a fancy flourish to your monograms. Other designs include Octagonal, Fishtail, Round Block, Curly, Vertical and Brantford. Unsure about which monogram is right for you? You can play with different colors, fonts and styles with Marleylilly’s unique preview tool to find out which option is the best for you. 

Other Monogramming Considerations 

It’s important to consider who you’re purchasing these monogrammed items for. Make sure the monogram style fits their personality and lifestyle. For example, for someone who prefers no frills, you may choose a more straightforward monogram style, such as our Round Block, Octagonal or Brantford styles. When you’re looking for a monogram for a man, perhaps for an overnight bag or a toiletry bag, a single monogram or a no-nonsense monogram style is also a popular choice.

Marleylilly: Your Source for the Monogram Lifestyle 

Have more questions about monogramming or need help choosing the perfect monogram item? Don’t hesitate to give us a call! We’re always happy to help you choose a fantastic, thoughtful item. We have everything from gifts, clothing, shoes, bags and accessories. Check out our Bestsellers and What’s New for popular looks that you’ll love. For the sports fans in your life, don’t miss our Marleylilly Collegiate line for officially licensed looks from some of your favorite college teams.

New to monogramming? For monogramming novices, the biggest source of confusion is often the order of the initials in a monogram. At Marleylilly, we’ve made it our mission to bring back this tradition and give it a fresh new spin.

Marleylilly: New Trends; Classic Style

On our website, you’ll find classically sophisticated items blended together with exciting new trends. Although these items may appeal to different types of individuals, one thing is the same: the monogram. Read on to learn more about how to properly order the three initials on a monogram. Then, dive in! Choose your favorite monogrammed gift, clothing item, shoes and accessories for yourself — or for a friend or family member. Marleylilly is the best place to find these unique items that will be cherished.

Classic Three-Initial Monograms 

Many of our monograms feature the classic three letter monogram style; you’ll notice that the middle initial uses a larger font. With this monogram order, the middle initial is always the first initial of an individual’s surname (S=Smith). This middle initial is sandwiched between one’s first name (on the left) and one’s middle name (on the right). For example: Melanie Anne Vincent would be written as “mVa.” This three-initial monogram is appropriate for everyone from children to adults, unmarried or married.

Modern Three-Initial Monograms 

You’ll also find that monograms with three initials can also be the same font sizes (the middle letter will not be larger). When this monogram style is an option, it is appropriate to use the placement as first name (left), middle name (middle) and last name (right). For example, Melanie Anne Vincent would be “MAV.”

Engagement Monograms 

Because monogramming is a tradition, there are many traditional etiquette “rules” that go along with monograms. When monogramming for engagements or for save-the-date cards before the wedding ceremony, it goes against tradition to use the groom’s last name in the traditional classic three-initial monogram. When an engaged couple uses monograms in correspondence that leads up to a wedding, a “duogram,” or a combination of the couple’s first name (or surname) initials, is more appropriate. For example, Todd Vincent and Melanie Smith would be “T/M” or “V/S.” 

Wedding Monograms

Monograms are making a comeback in weddings, and many couples are using monograms in post-wedding ceremony functions. Whether they’re using embossed napkins, monogram place settings and monogram party favors, there is a right and a wrong way to order monograms in a wedding. In monogram etiquette, it’s important to remember “ladies first.” With the wedding monogram setup, you’ll want to use the bride’s first name initial (on the left), the groom’s surname initial (middle) and the groom’s first name initial (right). For example: Todd and Melanie Vincent would be written “mVt.” 

One-Initial Monogram 

Of course, you can always simplify the three-initial monogram and use just one initial. This is great if you’re unsure of someone’s middle name or if space doesn’t allow for the classic three-initial monogram. When you opt for the one initial monogram, you can choose to use the initial of either an individual’s first or surname. 

Monogram Script Styles 

Marleylilly offers a great selection of monogram script styles. We also offer our exclusive preview tool, which allows you to experiment with the different monogram script styles and embroidery colors to determine which is your favorite, or which is the most appropriate for the gift you’re creating. From our intricate Interlock or Master Circle Scripts and straightforward Octagonal, Fishtail or Round Block Scripts to the youthful Curly or Vertical Script, there is a monogram script style that’s perfect!