Franklin Dean
Wedding stories in the New York Times are featured in the Weddings and Celebrations section, which has been a part of the newspaper since its debut issue in 1851. Couples can submit their wedding stories for consideration, and the Weddings editor, LeAnn Wilcox, chooses which stories to publish. The New York Times does not charge a fee for publishing wedding stories, but space is limited, and publication is not guaranteed. The stories are written, fact-checked, and edited according to the editorial standards of the newspaper.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Publication Day | Sundays in the New York and Northeast editions only |
| Submission Deadline | At least six weeks before the wedding |
| Submission Fee | None |
| Submission Format | Typed |
| Submission Content | Full names of the couple, date, time of day, residences, occupations, how the couple met, names of parents and their occupations, name of the person who will sign the official certificate, noteworthy awards, charitable activities, and special achievements |
| Publication Guarantee | No |
| Publication Frequency | Every Friday online at nytimes.com/weddings and in the Weddings pages of the Sunday Styles print section each weekend |
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What You'll Learn
Anyone can submit a wedding announcement for free
Wedding announcements in the New York Times, also known as Mini-Vows, are a detailed account of a couple's love story and wedding. Anyone can submit a wedding announcement for free by filling out the Wedding Feature Submission Form online. The Weddings editor, LeAnn Wilcox, and her staff then choose which submissions to publish.
All submissions begin as possible announcements, which are pithy write-ups based on what couples say about themselves. A few are then selected to become slightly longer Mini-Vows or fully reported Vows features. The Mini-Vows are published online and in print within two weeks of the legal ceremony.
The New York Times receives many more submissions than they can publish, especially during busy weeks in June, September, and October, which have sometimes yielded up to 200 submissions for just 35 announcement slots. The Weddings editor reads them all and keeps an eye out for distinguishing features, such as an interesting job, a unique meeting story, or a surprising coupling.
Couples who are selected for a wedding announcement are often those who have an interesting or unique story to tell. For example, couples who have overcome health crises together, who have a unique or humorous meeting story, or who have incorporated their values into their wedding in a meaningful way.
Anyone wishing to submit a wedding announcement should do so at least six weeks before the scheduled legal wedding ceremony.
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The Weddings editor chooses which stories to publish
Wedding stories in the New York Times are now known as Mini-Vows and include a detailed account of a couple's love story and wedding. Anyone can submit an application online, from which the Weddings editor, LeAnn Wilcox, and her staff choose which stories to publish.
Wilcox and her team read through all the submissions, looking for distinguishing features such as interesting jobs, unique meeting stories, or surprising couplings. The submissions are first considered as possible announcements—brief write-ups based on what couples say about themselves. Some of these initial announcements are then expanded into longer Mini-Vows or fully reported Vows features.
The Weddings section has a long history in the New York Times, dating back to its debut issue on September 18, 1851, which featured the wedding of Sarah Mullett and John Grant, who were both from prominent families. For over a century, the section primarily featured weddings of privileged society figures. Today, the Weddings editor chooses stories based on a range of criteria, including interesting jobs, unique meeting stories, and noteworthy awards or achievements.
Couples can submit their weddings for consideration by following the instructions on the New York Times website. Submissions should be sent at least six weeks before the scheduled legal wedding ceremony, and they must be typed and include specific information such as the full names of the couple, their addresses, schooling, occupations, and the date and time of the wedding. While the New York Times does not charge a fee for publishing wedding announcements, they cannot guarantee publication due to limited space.
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Wedding announcements are now called Mini-Vows
Wedding announcements in the New York Times are now called Mini-Vows. The change in name also comes with a change in content. Mini-Vows will include a detailed account of a couple's love story and their wedding, instead of focusing on biographical details. The Mini-Vows section will also feature stories of commitments that are not necessarily associated with marriage. The Times's Weddings editor, Charanna Alexander, explained that the goal of the evolved Weddings section is to explore what it means to be committed in 2022, whether or not that includes marriage.
The Mini-Vows section is not entirely new. It previously existed as an installment in the Weddings section, but it gained prominence during the coronavirus pandemic when there were fewer weddings to announce. Editors started to print more Mini-Vows, and in 2022, it was announced that the wedding announcements would now be known as Mini-Vows.
The Mini-Vows section aims to be more diverse and inclusive, featuring couples from different racial and cultural backgrounds. The common thread in all the Mini-Vows stories is that the couples share moments of transition where they have to overcome something together, such as long-distance relationships or the loss of family members. The new Mini-Vows also has a simplified submission form that focuses more on the couple's love story.
The New York Times has been publishing wedding announcements since its debut issue on September 18, 1851, when it announced the marriage of Sarah Mullett and John Grant, who were from prominent families. For more than 100 years, the Weddings section primarily reported on the nuptials of elite and privileged society figures. The Mini-Vows section marks a shift towards more diverse and inclusive content that explores modern relationships and commitments.
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Couples are choosing more adventurous wedding settings
Wedding traditions are being reimagined as couples embrace adventurous elements in their celebrations. While brides and grooms were once compelled to conform to the trappings of traditional weddings, modern couples are increasingly expressing their individuality. They are choosing to incorporate bold, unique, and edgy components when planning their weddings, including adventurous wedding settings.
Couples who like to push the envelope are opting for adventurous locales to impart their unique spin on their weddings. For instance, if you and your partner love hiking or being in nature, a breathtaking mountain venue could be the perfect setting for your special day. Or, if you're a beach-loving summer type, you can exchange vows just steps away from a dreamy ocean or lake.
Adventurous wedding venues cater to thrill-seeking, fearless couples who want to add a sense of spontaneity and excitement to their celebrations. While the idea of "adventure" varies for everyone, there are now a variety of unique celebration locales to choose from.
Couples can also put a new spin on traditional elements like wedding attire and cakes. Brides can add color and texture to their gowns, incorporating sequins, bold embroidery, shorter hemlines, or any other adventurous fashion style they desire. Grooms can opt for a black suit or any combination of colors and styles to make a dramatic impression. As for the cake, couples can make it tastier by incorporating their favorite flavor combinations instead of the traditional white cake with white buttercream.
If you're interested in sharing your adventurous wedding story in the New York Times, you can submit an application online. The Weddings editor, LeAnn Wilcox, and her staff choose from the submissions, with some couples receiving a Mini-Vow feature or a fully reported Vows feature. The Mini-Vows include a detailed account of your love story and wedding and are typically published online and in print within two weeks of the legal ceremony.
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The Times requires detailed information about the couple
The New York Times has a long history of publishing wedding announcements, dating back to its debut issue in 1851. Today, couples can submit their wedding stories for consideration through an online application process. While The Times does not charge a fee for publishing wedding announcements, it requires detailed information about the couple to be included in the submission.
The Times has specific guidelines for the information that must be included in a wedding announcement submission. Firstly, the submission must be typewritten and include the full names of the couple, the date, and the approximate time of the wedding. This information is crucial for the fact-checking and editorial process that The Times undertakes for each announcement.
In addition to the basic details, The Times also requests information about how the couple met. This can include unique or interesting aspects of their relationship, such as a surprising coupling or a distinctive meeting story. Information about the couple's residences, occupations, and any noteworthy awards or achievements is also welcomed. If applicable, the residences and occupations of the couple's parents should be provided, even if the parents are no longer living.
For weddings, The Times requires the name of the person who will sign the official certificate. This information is essential for legal and factual accuracy. The Times may also consider the couple's educational background and any notable achievements or awards they have received. While not all couples will have Ivy League educations or prestigious occupations, providing this information can add depth to the announcement.
The Times' wedding announcements are a long-standing tradition, and the publication receives numerous submissions each week. Couples should submit their applications at least six weeks before their scheduled legal wedding ceremony to be considered for publication. While The Times cannot guarantee publication, it carefully reviews each submission and selects those that stand out.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the New York Times does not charge for publishing wedding stories.
Anyone can submit an application online, from which the Weddings editor and her staff choose. You can submit your wedding for consideration here.
Your request must be typed and include the full names of the couple, the date of their event, the approximate time of day, their addresses, schooling, occupations, and how the couple met.
Ideally, the New York Times would receive your submission for review at least six weeks before the scheduled legal wedding ceremony.
Marriages are reported online at nytimes.com/weddings every Friday and in the Weddings pages of the Sunday Styles print section each weekend.
