The Right Way to Do Monograms

Ever since moving to the south in 2000 I’ve developed an obsession for monograms.  I’ll never be one of those people who has a monogrammed car decal or a full set of luggage with a monogram (unless of course it’s a full set of Louis Vuitton)  but I do love monograms for linens, personal items, decorative accessories and some furniture.

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Because I hyphenate my last name and still use my middle name,  I always run into issues with how my monogram should appear.  If you are in the same boat or if you’ve ever questioned the right way that monograms should be developed I thought I share a little monogram etiquette with you.

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Monograms make great wedding and anniversary gifts and any monogrammed item you give to a couple should include the bride’s first initial (first letter of the monogram), the surname of the couple (middle letter of the monogram) and the groom’s first initial (last letter of the monogram).  I know, I always place my husbands initial first but when it comes to traditional monograms, the ladies take first place. Also, traditionally the bride and groom’s first initial are a smaller font than the surname initial but this is not a firm rule.

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The example above could represent Kelly and Brandon Kline.

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The example above could represent Rebecca and David Martin.

When giving a gift to a single woman the monogram should include her first (first letter of the monogram) , middle initial (middle letter of the monogram) and last initial (last initial of the monogram). This example could represent Kathryn Haley Davis.

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If the woman is married the monogram should include her first initial (first letter of the monogram), maiden name (last letter of the monogram)  and married initial with the married initial as the center initial. This is how I do monograms with my hyphenated last name, leaving my middle initial out. This example could represent Eileen Lewis-Hunt.

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When it comes to monograms for men the traditional format is the first, middle and last initials in that order with the font the same for all letters. It is however more common these days to use the surname initial as the middle initial with a  smaller font for the first and last initials.

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The example above could represent Ryan William Adams.

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The example above could represent Nathaniel Scott Mitchell (last name).

I love monograms for babies and kids and pretty much the same monogram formats that you use for adults apply to kids.  If the gift giving occasion or the gift items are more traditional than the first initial, surname initial and last initial is an appropriate format. If the item is more casual in nature using the first initial, middle initial and last initial in that order and all in the same font size is ok.

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Monograms are a great way to add a personal touch to your décor and these days they are showing up on all types of items.

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And don’t forget single letter monograms.  Always classic and always stylish.

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p.s. Monograms are an easy DIY project too!

When it comes to monograms, are they on your love it or leave it list?