We shouldn't play favorites, but truth be told, baby announcements are our favorite thing to print. Not only do we get to design gorgeous paper in our favorite hues, we also get to meet tiny babies. We've seen a lot of sweetness during our fifteen years of announcing little ones and we've learned a lot along the way.
Here we've put together the top five questions, and more importantly answers, we get about how to prepare, design and enjoy making this special keepsake you'll want to tuck away and save forever.
1. How soon do you have to get your baby announcements out after the birth of your baby?
Traditional etiquette says you have up to six months from the birth of your baby to send an announcement. That said, if your announcements go out a little later than that, we’re pretty sure friends and family will understand you’ve had your hands full.
2. Would you recommend designing and laying out your baby’s announcements prior to baby’s arrival so that you don’t have to worry about it when you have a newborn? What is the timeline for getting announcements designed and printed?
We recommend preparing the announcement before your baby arrives. We consult with our moms-to-be on the design and have her select a favorite before the big day. That way once the little one is here, we can simply fill in the blanks like name, weight, etc. and get started on the printing right away. Then the new parents can have their announcements in hand within two to three weeks. Having a list of names and addresses, purchasing stamps and addressing your envelopes before baby arrives can also help expedite the process.
3. Is it still important to get announcements printed in the digital age? Why?
A baby announcement is more than just a way to share good news, it is a keepsake. It can be the first page in your baby book or the first baby photo on your mantle. New grandparents, aunts and uncles do not want to open an email, they want to pass a tangible sentiment around their office or brunch circle and show off their new pride and joy with style. So yes, we think it is very important to make paper announcements, especially in this digital age.
4. What type of information do you recommend including on baby announcements? Should you always include height and weight, etc.?
At Sugar Paper we think a baby announcement should reflect a family’s personality. Is your family more formal and traditional or casual and humorous? These distinctions should help you decide what information to include on your announcement. Less formal announcements will simply include baby’s name (and gender if not obvious by the name or design), birthdate, time, weight and height. More formal announcements could include place of birth, both parents’ full names, name of siblings and possibly even grandparents. Regardless of which way you go, if there is a baby web site it should be placed discreetly towards the bottom of the announcement.
5. Should you have professional photos taken for your baby announcements?
Newborn photography can be tricky. Baby’s mood, location, lighting and props are just some of the factors to be considered in order to get a good shot. That’s why we think it is worth it to hire a professional photographer who specializes in newborn photography, which has become its own genre in recent years. Not only does it improve the presentation of your announcement, but it will bring you joy again and again. The first few weeks of your baby’s life fly by, and it would be a shame to miss the opportunity to properly document it. Also, we guarantee you will never tire of looking back at them.
Our best advice is to enjoy the process, don't over think it, and if you can-sleep when the baby sleeps-it helps!
