How to Write Engagement Announcements in the Paper
Once you're engaged, you want everyone to know. While you may have called, tweeted, texted and put information in your Facebook status already, you also want to acknowledge this special moment in the traditional way: a newspaper announcement. Given today's informality and complex family relationships, coming up with the right phrasing can be a little daunting.
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Instructions
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Preparation
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Decide if you want an engagement portrait and have it taken before writing the announcement. People enjoy seeing pictures of young couples in love, so consider it even if you're camera-shy. An engagement photo does not require the tremendous effort (or price tag) that wedding photos do. A basic, affordable, professional portrait is sufficient.
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Decide which newspapers should carry your announcement. If either of you have parents who live in other towns, or significant connections to other communities, ensure you include those papers.
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Contact each paper to obtain its engagement announcement policy and form. You can generally find the contact information or instructions in the paper, on its website or by making a phone call.
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Fill out an announcement form provided by the newspaper staff, mail it with a copy of your photo and relax.
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List important information: your names, hometowns, current or future city of residence, occupations and places of employment, high school and college information and the names of all parents and stepparents, as well as their cities of residence. If you know the date, month or just the season of your wedding, include it on the list, as well as the wedding venue, if known.
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Ask the bride's parents (who traditionally host the wedding) if they want to write the announcement. If the groom's parents live in another city, ask the same of them. Important family occasions, such as weddings, can bring many hidden expectations, so avoid inadvertently offending anyone.
Begin the Announcement
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Decide who will announce the wedding and write from that point of view. Because the bride's family is the wedding host, write the newspaper article with them making the announcement. For example: "Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ford are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Ruby Heloise, to Mr. Douglas Ice, of Summitville, Indiana."
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Write the announcement with you and your future spouse announcing the event. For instance: "Marianne Surber and Ralph Petry, both of Parker City, Indiana, are pleased to announce their engagement." This beginning is common if you are older, or have not lived at home for years.
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Address any stepparents or correctly list any divorced parents. Try these examples: "Ms. Diana Van Eyck, of Brazil, Indiana, and Mr. John Higgs , of Seelyville, Indiana, would like to announce the engagement of their daughter, Sarah Jane Higgs..." or "Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Gottschalk, of Yorktown are happy to announce the engagement of their daughter, Julia Mariah Gottschalk, to Mr. Thomas Cannon, of Newburgh. Mr. Cannon is the son of Mrs. Malvina White and Mr. Hugh Cannon, both of Evansville."
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Address deceased parents. If both parents are deceased, a close relative can make the announcement (or you can write it using their names); or you can choose to announce the engagement yourself. For example: "Rachel Elisabeth Andre, daughter of Mrs. Nancy and the late Michael J. Andre, is to marry Mr. William Morris..." or "Mr. and Mrs. James Westphal would like to announce the engagement of their granddaughter, Elspeth Kirk, daughter of the late Henry and Ruthanna Kirk..."
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Address your children. If either of you have children, you might want to be a little creative. Example: "Heather and Katie Kennedy and Seth and Brandon Reynolds, are please to announce the engagement of their parents..."
Conclusion
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Add the rest of your personal information. This typically includes your occupations, education and planned place of residence. For example: "Miss Gottschalk graduated from North Vigo High School in 1997 and obtained her degree in nursing from Indiana University in 2001. She is currently a registered nurse at Regional Hospital. Mr. Cannon graduated from Muncie South High School in 1995 and earned his degree in education from Purdue University in 1999. He teaches chemistry at Wilson Middle School."
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Add the planned wedding date, or at least the month, so prospective guests can mark their calendars.
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Clip it out, once the announcement has been printed, and save it in your wedding album.
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Tips & Warnings
Whether you're writing your own announcement or sending in newspaper forms, print clearly or type to avoid confusion.
Proofread, proofread, proofread!
If you wish to include a photo, don't send an informal snapshot. It will not show up well in the newspaper. If cost is a concern, get the smallest professional package available or use a coupon.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
