Lyla Dejesus
Wedding announcements in The New York Times are as old as the newspaper itself. The debut issue of the newspaper, on September 18, 1851, featured a single line announcing the wedding of Sarah Mullett and John Grant, both from prominent families. For more than 100 years, the section remained the preserve of privileged society figures. That began to change in 1992 when the first Vows column was written, featuring couples with diverse sexual orientations, races, socioeconomic backgrounds, and ages. In 2022, the Weddings editor, Charanna Alexander, announced that the section would be expanded to include stories of commitments that are not necessarily associated with marriage, reflecting the changing nature of relationships and commitment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History of Wedding Announcements | Wedding announcements in the New York Times are as old as the paper itself. The debut issue of the newspaper, on September 18, 1851, featured a single-line wedding announcement. |
| Criteria for Selection | Couples from prominent families were initially the focus. Since 1992, the section has expanded to include people with more diversity in sexual orientation, race, socioeconomic background, and age. |
| Submission Process | Anyone can submit an application online, from which the Weddings editor and their staff choose. |
| Types of Announcements | All submissions begin as possible announcements, with some progressing to Mini-Vows or fully reported Vows features. |
| Number of Submissions | Busy weeks can yield up to 200 submissions for 35 announcement slots, while quieter weeks, like Christmas, may have only a handful. |
| Selection Criteria | The Weddings editor reads all submissions, looking for distinguishing features such as interesting jobs, unique meeting stories, or surprising couplings. |
| Recent Changes | The New York Times has announced that its "Weddings" section will evolve to "tell stories of commitments that are not necessarily associated with marriage." |
| Rationale for Change | Editors have observed a decline in traditional marriages and an increase in alternative forms of commitment. They aim to explore and reflect the changing nature of commitment in modern times. |
| Historical Coverage | The Weddings section has historically covered a certain elite segment of society, including the famous, educated, wealthy, and powerful. |
| Impact of Changes | Critics argue that the New York Times is demoting traditional marriage to one among many interesting arrangements, failing to provide an accurate picture of what marriage looks like in the 21st century. |
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What You'll Learn
Anyone can submit a wedding announcement
Wedding announcements in The New York Times are as old as the paper itself. The debut issue of the newspaper, on September 18, 1851, featured a single line announcing the marriage of Sarah Mullett and John Grant, who were both from prominent families. For more than 100 years, the section remained the preserve of privileged society figures.
That began to change in 1992 when Lois Smith Brady wrote the first Vows column, a feature that describes "how couples got from dating to 'I Do'". Since then, the section has expanded to include people with more diversity in sexual orientation, race, socioeconomic background, and age.
Busy weeks in June, September, and October have sometimes yielded up to 200 submissions for just 35 announcement slots, compared with only a handful for an average Christmas week. Ms. Wilcox reads them all, looking for distinguishing features such as an interesting job, a unique meeting story, or a surprising coupling.
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The Weddings editor chooses which submissions to publish
Wedding announcements in The New York Times are as old as the newspaper itself. The first-ever issue of the newspaper, published on September 18, 1851, included a wedding announcement, which at the time was a single line proclaiming the union of Sarah Mullett and John Grant. Both were from prominent families, and for more than 100 years, the section remained the preserve of privileged society figures.
That began to change in 1992 when the first Vows column was written, a feature that describes "how couples got from dating to 'I Do'". Since then, the section has grown and changed, expanding to include people with more diversity in sexual orientation, race, socioeconomic background, and age.
The Weddings editor, Charanna Alexander, and her staff choose which submissions to publish. Anyone can submit an application online. All submissions begin as possible announcements—brief write-ups based on what couples say about themselves—while a few go on to become slightly longer Mini-Vows or fully reported Vows features.
Busy weeks in June, September, and October have sometimes yielded up to 200 submissions for just 35 announcement slots, compared with only a handful for an average Christmas week. Regardless of the number, Ms. Alexander reads them all, keeping an eye out for distinguishing features: an interesting job, a unique meeting story, or a surprising coupling.
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The Weddings section has been discontinued
The New York Times has decided to discontinue its Weddings section, marking a shift in focus towards "telling stories of commitments that are not necessarily associated with marriage". This decision comes amidst changing societal trends, with a decline in traditional marriages and a rise in alternative forms of commitment.
The Weddings section has a long history at the New York Times, dating back to its debut issue on September 18, 1851, when it announced the union of Sarah Mullett and John Grant, both from prominent families. For over a century, the section primarily featured marriages within privileged society circles. However, in recent years, it has evolved to include couples with diverse backgrounds, including variations in sexual orientation, race, socioeconomic status, and age.
Despite these efforts, the Weddings section has faced criticism for lacking class diversity and not accurately representing the changing landscape of marriage, particularly among working-class Americans. Editors of the section have acknowledged the shift in societal trends, noting that "a lot of people are not getting married and are not committing in that traditional sense". Instead, they observe that people are starting families and creating homes in non-traditional ways, and the newspaper aims to explore and celebrate these diverse forms of commitment.
While some readers may be disappointed by the discontinuation of the Weddings section, the New York Times is adapting to the changing interests and lifestyles of its audience. The newspaper will continue to share stories of commitment, love, and relationships, reflecting the diverse and evolving nature of human connections in the 21st century. This decision underscores the New York Times' commitment to staying relevant and inclusive in its coverage of personal and societal trends.
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The Vows column was introduced in 1992
Wedding announcements in The New York Times date back to the newspaper's debut issue on September 18, 1851, when it proclaimed the union of Sarah Mullett and John Grant, who were both from prominent families. For over a century, the section remained dedicated to the nuptials of privileged society figures. This changed in 1992 with the introduction of the Vows column by Lois Smith Brady, a freelancer who has covered around 300 weddings for the publication.
The Vows column marked a significant shift in the wedding announcements of The New York Times, making them more accessible and diverse. It featured stories of couples from various backgrounds, showcasing the diversity in sexual orientation, race, socioeconomic status, and age. The column provided an opportunity for a broader range of couples to share their unique journeys, from dating to their wedding day.
Lois Smith Brady, the inaugural writer of the Vows column, played a pivotal role in shaping this new direction. Through her writing, she highlighted the diverse and captivating stories of couples from all walks of life. The Vows column not only presented the traditional aspects of weddings but also delved into the personal narratives that led each couple to their special day.
The introduction of the Vows column in 1992 was a landmark moment for The New York Times, reflecting a more inclusive and modern approach to wedding announcements. It opened the doors for a wider audience to see themselves represented in the pages of the renowned publication. By embracing diversity and celebrating love in all its forms, the Vows column has left an enduring impact on the way weddings are portrayed in the media.
While the Vows column was a groundbreaking addition, it is important to note that The New York Times has continued to evolve its approach to wedding-related content. In 2022, the newspaper announced that its "Weddings" section would expand its scope to include "stories of commitments that are not necessarily associated with marriage." This shift reflects the changing social landscape and the diverse ways people choose to commit to one another.
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The Mini-Vows column is also a feature
Wedding announcements in The New York Times are as old as the newspaper itself. The debut issue of the newspaper, on September 18, 1851, featured a single line announcing the marriage of Sarah Mullett and John Grant, both from prominent families. For more than 100 years, the section remained the purview of privileged society figures. That began to change in 1992 when the first "Vows" column was written, featuring couples with more diversity in sexual orientation, race, socioeconomic background, and age.
The Mini-Vows column captures the unique and heartwarming stories of couples from all walks of life, showcasing the diversity and changing nature of relationships in the 21st century. It offers readers a glimpse into the lives of others, celebrating love, commitment, and the many forms these can take.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, The New York Times still does wedding announcements. Wedding announcements in the Times are as old as the paper itself, with the debut issue on September 18, 1851, featuring a single-line wedding announcement.
Anyone can submit an application online, from which the Weddings editor and their staff choose. All submissions begin as possible announcements, with a few going on to become longer Mini-Vows or fully reported Vows features.
You can submit information about your wedding and celebration announcements on The New York Times website.
Mini-Vows are longer announcements that go beyond a pithy write-up based on what couples say about themselves. They are chosen by the Weddings editor, who reads all submissions and looks for distinguishing features like an interesting job, a unique meeting story, or a surprising coupling.
