George Boyle
Wedding announcements are meant to spread the news of a recent or upcoming marriage. They can be in the form of newspaper announcements or mailed announcements. Traditionally, the bride's parents paid for the wedding and were the hosts, so the wedding invitations were issued in their name. However, nowadays, the wedding expenses are often shared between the bride's and the groom's parents, or the couple may pay for it themselves. In such cases, it is common to include the names of both sets of parents on the wedding invitations. The format of the invitation can vary based on the financial contributions of each set of parents.
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What You'll Learn
Newspaper wedding announcements
Wedding announcements are a means of spreading the news of a recent or upcoming marriage. Newspaper wedding announcements are a modern adaptation of a religious tradition that stretches back centuries. Between 1215 and 1563, couples were required by the Catholic Church to give notice of their intent to marry, allowing their communities to object and prevent invalid marriages.
Today, newspaper wedding announcements are no longer a societal expectation, and many couples do not consider them a priority. However, it can be a fun tradition to follow and makes for a great keepsake. Most newspapers require submissions three to six weeks before the wedding date, intending to publish the announcement during the first printing after the wedding. For example, if the local paper runs wedding announcements on Sundays, it should appear the day after a Saturday wedding.
Newspapers usually charge a fee for publishing wedding announcements, which can vary depending on the publication. Some local town newspapers may offer free placements, while larger publications, such as the Chicago Tribune, can charge upwards of $1,800. Announcement size and photo inclusion may also incur additional costs.
When submitting a wedding announcement to a newspaper, it is essential to include critical information such as the couple's full names, ages, occupations, and hometowns, and wedding date and location. Some newspapers may also request information about the couple's parents, love story, and wedding plans. It is crucial to follow the specific format and word limit requirements of the publication.
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Mailed wedding announcements
Wedding announcements are a way to spread the news of a recent or upcoming marriage. They are typically sent after the wedding to anyone who was not invited but may wish to hear the news of the marriage, such as distant relatives, business associates, or friends who didn't make the guest list. Sending mailed wedding announcements is a more formal way to spread the news of your wedding, especially to older friends and family who are not active on social media.
There are several options for the design of mailed wedding announcements. You can choose a design that matches your wedding's paper goods or opt for something more celebratory and fun. The design can be a postcard or a more formal card in an envelope. It is recommended to prepare the announcements before the wedding so they can be mailed the day after, but they can also be sent up to several months after the wedding.
If you are sending a large number of announcements, consider using a printed option from a stationer. You can also submit your wedding announcement to the Vows section of The New York Times or other newspapers, but keep in mind that they may have specific submission requirements and may not publish every announcement received.
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Who to announce at the wedding reception
Wedding announcements are meant to spread the news of a recent or upcoming marriage. They are usually sent to anyone who was not invited to the wedding but may wish to hear the news of the marriage, including distant relatives, business associates, or friends who didn't make the guest list.
Now, when it comes to announcing the wedding party at the reception, there is no one "right" way to do it. It often depends on local customs, personal preferences, and the dynamics of the couple's family. Here is a suggested order that is commonly followed:
- Parents of the Bride: If the parents are single, divorced, widowed, or remarried, there are different ways to introduce them gracefully. For example, "Mrs. Sally O'Neil, mother of the bride."
- Parents of the Groom: Similar to the bride's parents, introduce them by name and role. For example, "Mr. Philip Rios, father of the groom, in the company of his wife, Ms. Anna Harrington."
- Flower Girls and Ring Bearers: They can be introduced by name or simply by their role.
- Bridesmaids and Groomsmen: The wedding party can be introduced individually or as a group. Make sure the announcer knows how to pronounce everyone's names correctly.
- The Bride and Groom: Traditionally, the couple is introduced as "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the last name of the groom. However, many couples now opt for more progressive options, such as using both partners' full names or just their first names, especially if the bride chooses to keep her maiden name.
Remember, this order is not mandatory, and you can customise it according to your preferences. You can choose to introduce only the wedding couple or include the entire wedding party. The key is to ensure that the DJ, band leader, or emcee is well-informed about the details and that everyone's names are pronounced correctly.
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Who pays for what in the wedding
Traditionally, the bride's family is expected to cover most of the wedding expenses. This includes costs such as the bride's dress, invitations, cake, photographer, and venue. However, in modern times, these traditions are becoming less common, and couples are finding new ways to distribute the financial burden of a wedding.
Nowadays, there is no official rule dictating how wedding expenses should be divided. The three most common approaches are: both families evenly splitting the bill, both partners contributing a portion of their own money, or the couple paying for everything themselves. LGBTQ+ couples, in particular, often opt for these alternative methods as the traditional model does not always apply to them.
Many couples today are choosing to pay for their weddings themselves, as they are getting married later in life and are more financially established. This allows them to maintain their independence and allocate funds to the aspects of the wedding that are most important to them. In some cases, couples may also choose to pay for the wedding themselves if it is their second marriage or if their parents cannot afford to contribute.
If family members do offer to contribute, it is important to have open and honest conversations about finances and budgets. It is also crucial to manage expectations and not rely on promised funds until they have been received.
While the financial aspect of weddings can be challenging to navigate, there is no right or wrong way to distribute costs. Ultimately, the decision is up to the couple and their families to determine what works best for their unique situation.
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Engagement etiquette
First of all, congratulations! Now, it's time to share the good news with your loved ones. But who do you tell first? And how do you spread the word? Here are some tips to navigate the exciting but sometimes tricky world of engagement etiquette.
Who to Tell First:
According to traditional etiquette, the bride's parents should be the first to know about their daughter's engagement. It is considered thoughtful to tell them in person, if possible, as they will likely want to share this special moment with you. If they live far away, a phone call is the next best option. If your parents are divorced, it is considerate to inform them separately, ideally without too much time between conversations to avoid any hurt feelings.
Next, share the news with your family members, including siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins, before posting anything on social media. It is important that immediate family and in-laws hear the news directly from you and not via the internet. If you have children from a previous marriage, it is recommended to tell them even before your parents, giving them the space to react honestly and helping them adjust to the change in family dynamics.
Announcing Your Engagement:
The traditional engagement party is hosted by the bride's parents, and it is customary for the father of the bride to propose the first toast to the happy couple. However, friends and other relatives may also choose to host a celebration. The engagement party is typically an intimate gathering, and guests invited to this party are usually also invited to the wedding.
Nowadays, sharing your engagement on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook has become the standard. When posting, it is considered good etiquette to refrain from close-ups or multiple photos of the engagement ring, as this may come across as bragging. It is also advised not to discuss the cost, carat size, or any other details of the ring publicly.
Save-the-Date and Wedding Announcements:
Once you have finalized your wedding date, it is considerate to informally reach out to your close friends and family to ensure the chosen date works for them, especially if you are planning a destination wedding. A "save-the-date" card is then sent out to guests, informing them of the date and location and letting them know that a formal wedding invitation will follow shortly.
After the wedding, it is customary to spread the news of your marriage through mailed wedding announcements or newspaper wedding announcements. Mailed announcements are typically sent to those who were not invited to the wedding but may wish to hear the news, such as distant relatives, friends who were unable to attend, or business associates. Newspaper announcements are usually submitted three to six weeks before the wedding, with the intention of being published shortly after the wedding date.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding announcements should include both partners' full names, ages, occupations, and hometowns, as well as both partners' parents' names, towns of residence, and occupations.
Wedding announcements traditionally come from the bride's parents, but nowadays, they can also come from the groom's parents or both sets of parents.
Wedding announcements can be mailed to friends and family or submitted to the local newspaper. Mailed announcements can be printed on postcards or enclosed in envelopes, depending on the level of formality desired.
Wedding announcements are typically sent out the day after the wedding. However, they can be sent up to several months after the wedding, and newspaper announcements may be published a few days after the wedding if it takes place mid-week.
