So, you’ve gotten engaged. Congratulations! Your next step is to announce it to the world, but what’s the best way to do it? In the age of social media, breaking the news to your friends and family requires a little planning. Fortunately, a few tips can help you craft the perfect engagement announcement and choose the best communication methods.
Enjoy the Moment
When you’re newly engaged, it’s only natural to feel like you want to shout the news from the rooftops. Nevertheless, Martha Stewart Weddings writer Sarah Grossbart reminds readers to pause and savor the moment before picking up your phone or hopping online. After all, you’ll need time together as a couple to bond as well as form a game plan for letting everyone else know about your nuptial plans.
Notify Your VIPs First
Before you send out announcements or post on social media, it’s a good idea to inform your inner circle. In a February 2017 Wedding Wire article, writer Kim Forrest suggests reaching out to your immediate family and closest friends first. They probably won’t be surprised to hear about your engagement if you’ve kept them in the loop about your personal affairs, but it’s courteous to give them the heads up before spreading the news to your social circle.
Make the Most of Social Media
For your social media announcements, Brides writer Jaimie Mackey advises composing shorter posts. Mackey suggests that you keep your text to two lines or less and include the best pic from your photo sessions. Martha Stewart Weddings mentions that you can hire a professional photographer, especially if you’re placing your announcement on Instagram. Caroline Utz also discusses a few creative ideas you can incorporate into your post, but it’s ultimately up to you to design a unique message.
Should You Put a Ring on It?
Will your engagement photo prominently feature your ring? While ring selfies are popular on Instagram, Sarah Grossbart advises in her Martha Stewart Weddings piece that you can opt not to focus on yours at all or simply include it as a subtle detail. Natural sunlight helps craft a striking effect, reflecting on your ring’s stone with eye-catching sparkle.
A Few Words About Print and E-Cards
Meanwhile, don’t forget that print and e-cards are still excellent options to spread the word. You’ve got some leeway on how you design the announcements, since they needn’t be as formal as your wedding invitations. Even so, The Knot adds that you can use your mailing as an opportunity to preview possible stationery and style options. It’s also a chance to fine-tune your guest list as well as collect and confirm contact information before you ship your final invites.
Tips for Newspaper Announcements
The practice of publishing engagement announcements in local newspapers has not died out. You’ll still find some smart advice to guide you, especially with etiquette pointers on how to compose your text. The Spruce’s Nina Callaway offers several helpful things to keep in mind:
- Ask your newspaper’s staff about publication guidelines, deadlines, and fees.
- Most announcements include details about each couple's careers, educational backgrounds, and their parents’ names.
- if your parents do not live in the same city as you, you can also include their hometowns.
- Don’t worry about including an exact wedding date. In fact, it may be wise to omit this detail so that your homes are not targeted by thieves. Instead, you can simply mention the season in which you’re tying the knot.
Social norms and etiquette customs have changed over the last few decades. However, engaged couples still benefit from an organized approach when announcing their plans to marry. Wise choices in language, messaging, and communication channels are essential when you’re breaking the news to your social circle in 2019.
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