How to Create Engagement Announcements

Announce your engagement with class and style.

Your recent engagement provides the opportunity for you and your new fiance to create your first formal announcement together to represent the two of you as a united couple. However, before you can announce your joyous news to the world, you will have to complete a few steps. Determine whether you want to provide your friends and family with individual announcements or if you want to publicize your engagement in a newspaper. Use the correct etiquette, wording and style to create a beautiful engagement announcement.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Photo or word processing program
• Picture
• Paper
• Printer
• Vellum
• Ribbon
• Newspaper or guests' addresses

Instructions

Engagement Announcements For Friends and Family

1. Open a photo program such as Photoshop or a word processing document. Pick an existing announcement template or decide on how you want your information to lay out. For example, decide if you will use a picture and where you want the picture to be on the page.

2. Create a text box where you will type the relevant information. Include information such as the future bride and groom's names, parents' names, church home, wedding date if decided and date of engagement.

3. Include other personal information as desired. Include information about where the couple met, where the engagement occurred, how long the couple has been dating, whether they have any children or a personal quote of significance to the couple.

4. Highlight all the text and right click. Click on "Font" and scroll through the list of available fonts. Choose a romantic styled font but one that is easily legible. Change the font size so that it is at least 12 point.

5. Upload a photo from a digital camera, scan in a picture or use an existing saved image. Position the photo in the desired location by dropping the photo in the appropriate spot.

6. Insert paper into your printer. Use decorative paper for a romantic look or card stock for a thicker announcement. Print the announcement.

7. Add decorative touches to the announcement. Glue a piece of vellum paper over your announcement for a high-end look. As an alternative, print your announcement on the vellum paper and glue on top of your picture. The translucent nature of the vellum paper allows the recipient to see the information on top of the vellum and underneath it. Add colored ribbon and tie a bow at the top of the announcement.

Engagement Announcements for Publication

1. Open a word processing document. Upload a picture of both you and your new fiance. Place the picture at the top of the page by dropping it into the document and moving its location by dragging the mouse. As an alternative, include a hard copy picture of a formal engagement photo in the envelope you will send to the newspaper.

2. Type an introduction based on who is paying to place the announcement or who is revealing the announcement to the world. Type the bride's parents' names and the fact that they are announcing their daughter's engagement to the groom if this is the case. Type the bride and groom's names and that they are announcing their engagement if they are announcing the information themselves.

3. Type all relevant background information into the document. State who your parents are if you have not yet included this information. Describe your educational backgrounds and current professional positions. Include the date of the wedding if known or the approximate month or season when the wedding will take place.

4. Highlight all the text and right click on "Font." Change the font to something simple such as a Times New Roman or Arial font. Do not add borders, decorations or additional images as these will not be included in the newspaper publication.

5. Send the announcement to your local newspaper. Submit the announcement for publication soon after the engagement and at least four months before the wedding date.

Tips & Warnings

• Many wedding photographers will complete a free engagement photo shoot if you book their services for the wedding. Inquire about this option before paying a separate photographer.

• Remember that print space is limited in newspapers, so arrange your announcement so that the most important information occurs at the beginning of the announcement in the event that part of it gets edited out. Do not send out engagement announcements as a ploy for gifts. Avoid sending announcements to people you rarely see or who you will not likely invite to your wedding.

References

• The Knot: Engagement To-Dos: Engagement Announcements 101
• A-Wedding Day.com: FAQ About Printing Your Own Wedding Stationery
• Printable Wedding Invitations Guide: Another DIY Engagement Announcement Using Microsoft Word
• Your Wedding 101: Announcing Your Engagement
• Your Wedding 101: How to Make Engagement Announcements
• Grooms Groove: All About Engagement Announcements

Resources

• One Heart Weddings: How to Write a Newspaper Engagement Announcement