Junior Rasmussen
The New York Times has a long history of covering weddings, dating back to the first wedding announcement in 1851. The Times has strict requirements for wedding announcements, including specific details and photographs. The process involves an intensive fact-checking period, and only around 20% of applications are selected for publication. The weddings featured in the Times tend to represent a certain elite segment of society, including the famous, educated, wealthy, and powerful. While the newspaper has expanded its coverage to include more diverse weddings, there has been criticism regarding a lack of class diversity. The Times has also been known to cover wedding-related topics such as bridal fashion trends.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Publication Date | Typically published within two weeks of the wedding, but can be up to six weeks after the ceremony |
| Section | Sunday Styles section |
| Submission Deadline | Applications must be submitted at least six weeks in advance |
| Submission Format | Typed, never written by hand |
| Submission Requirements | Full names of the couple, addresses, phone numbers, date and location of the wedding, approximate time of day, and photographs |
| Selection Criteria | Social currency, including prestigious careers, notable schools, and interesting backgrounds or stories |
| Diversity | Expanded coverage of same-sex weddings and weddings that add to the section's racial and ethnic diversity |
| Photographs | Formal portraits of the bridal couple, the bride alone, full-length images of the bride in her wedding gown, and informal pictures of the couple in attractive settings |
| Audience | Readers interested in social class, intellectual and economic achievement, and elite society |
| Additional Content | Bridal Fashion Week trends, including options for the engagement party, honeymoon, and other events |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The history of wedding announcements in the New York Times
- How to get your wedding featured in the New York Times?
- The requirements for wedding photos in the New York Times
- The social class, intellectual and economic achievement signalled by wedding announcements in the New York Times
- The New York Times' coverage of same-sex weddings
The history of wedding announcements in the New York Times
Wedding announcements in the New York Times have a long history, dating back to the 19th century when reports of weddings became a regular feature of newspapers. By the 1880s, society journalism was well established, and society reporters were a common fixture at major bridal events in New York. While old-money families may have publicly denounced these write-ups, they needed the publicity to maintain their social standing.
The first wedding announcement in the New York Times, then known as the New-York Daily Times, appeared on September 18, 1851. It announced the marriage of "JOHN M. GRANT, Esq., of Jamestown, to SARAH, daughter of Hon. JAMES MULLETT of Fredonia." By 1865, up to twenty couples per issue were submitting matrimonial announcements to the Times, though these were largely from "plebeians," those outside the upper crust of New York society.
Over the years, the Times wedding section has been criticised for its lack of class diversity, predominantly featuring elite, educated, wealthy, and powerful couples. In 2009, the Times defended the section, noting that it had expanded its coverage to include more same-sex weddings and racially and ethnically diverse couples. In recent years, the Times has also added new types of images to be included with wedding announcements, such as full-length images of the bride in her wedding gown and informal pictures of the couple in attractive settings.
Despite these changes, the Times wedding announcements continue to signal social class and intellectual and economic achievement. The process of being selected for a wedding announcement remains highly competitive, with only one in five applications making the cut. Couples must submit a lengthy list of precise information, including full names, addresses, phone numbers, the date and location of the wedding, and more. The Times then conducts an intensive fact-checking and interview process before granting an announcement spot.
Planning a Gay Wedding: Budget-Friendly Tips and Tricks
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$12.99 $15.99
How to get your wedding featured in the New York Times
The New York Times has discontinued its wedding section, but that doesn't mean your wedding can't be featured in the newspaper. Here are some tips to increase your chances of getting your nuptials noticed by the publication:
Have an Interesting Backstory: Couples with unique or captivating stories are often featured in the Times. This could include an unexpected pairing, such as two people with very different careers or backgrounds, or a creative way they met.
Location, Location, Location: While the Times has featured weddings that took place outside of New York, having a connection to the city increases your chances of being noticed. This could be as simple as one member of the couple being from the area or having dated there at some point.
Elite Credentials: The Times has a history of covering weddings of the elite, including the famous, wealthy, and powerful. If you or your family have notable careers, social status, or attended prestigious schools, this could be an angle the Times might find interesting.
Diversity and Inclusion: While the Times has been criticized for a lack of class diversity in its wedding coverage, they have made efforts to expand their coverage to include same-sex weddings and increase racial and ethnic diversity. If your wedding contributes to this diversity, it could be of interest to the Times.
Timing: Keep an eye on the timing of your submission. Weddings are typically published about two weeks after the event, with digital articles released a few days before the print version.
Section Placement: Your wedding feature could appear in the Style section or the now-discontinued Vows section, which previously included couples from all over with a variety of backgrounds and locations.
Remember, these are guidelines based on previous features, and the Times may choose to cover your wedding for a variety of reasons. Each couple's story is unique, and you never know what might capture the interest of the editors.
Planning a Wedding: When Is the Right Time?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The requirements for wedding photos in the New York Times
The New York Times has discontinued its wedding section, which traditionally covered a certain elite segment of society—the famous, educated, wealthy, and powerful. However, the newspaper has published wedding photos in its digital and print versions. Here are the requirements to get your wedding photos featured in the New York Times:
The Couple
The Times has been known to feature couples with good or interesting jobs, parents with notable careers, or those who attended prestigious schools. The couple's backstory and how they met can also be interesting angles for the newspaper. While the publication has primarily covered elite couples, it has also featured couples without Ivy League degrees and from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Location
The New York Times has published weddings that took place outside of New York, such as in Maine. However, there seem to be more articles about couples with a connection to New York City, whether one or both partners are from the area or dated there at some point.
Timing
The article is usually published about two weeks after the wedding. It is released digitally first, and then in print in the Sunday Times' style section.
Photography
Although specific requirements for wedding photos are not mentioned, it is safe to assume that the New York Times would expect high-quality, visually appealing images that capture the essence of the couple's special day.
Navigating Wedding Guest Lists: Who Gets a Plus One?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![ARTESORI Premium Wedding Vow Book for Her & Him, Soft Touch, Gold Foil, 28 Lined Pages, Wedding Vow Books His and Hers, Wedding Essentials, Wedding Registry Ideas, His and Hers Gifts [Ivory & Black]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71X4pKgPtNL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The social class, intellectual and economic achievement signalled by wedding announcements in the New York Times
The New York Times has long been known for its wedding announcements, which often feature elite members of society, including the famous, wealthy, and powerful. While the newspaper has expanded its coverage over the years to include same-sex weddings and couples from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, it has been criticised for a lack of class diversity. The weddings section has been accused of catering to a specific elite segment of society, promoting a particular image of marriage that may not be accessible or desirable to all.
The weddings featured in the Times often signal a certain level of social class, intellectual achievement, and economic success. Couples with prestigious careers, such as lawyers, doctors, or those working in finance, have been known to grace the pages of the Times' wedding section. The newspaper also tends to feature couples with interesting or unique backstories, such as those who met in unusual ways or have notable pedigree schools or prestigious jobs.
While the Times has made efforts to include couples from a range of backgrounds, the majority of their wedding announcements still cater to a specific demographic. This is not necessarily a conscious decision on the part of the newspaper but rather a reflection of the submissions they receive and the broader societal trends regarding marriage. It is important to note that the Times has also faced criticism for promoting an outdated view of marriage that may not align with the modern understanding of commitment.
The economic achievement signalled by wedding announcements in the New York Times is often subtle but nonetheless present. For example, the newspaper might feature couples with prestigious careers or those who can afford lavish celebrations in desirable locations. While the Times has made some efforts to include couples from a range of economic backgrounds, there is still a perception that the weddings featured signal a certain level of financial success or stability.
In conclusion, the wedding announcements in the New York Times have long been associated with a certain level of social class, intellectual achievement, and economic success. While the newspaper has made some strides towards diversity, it continues to face criticism for promoting an exclusive image of marriage that may not be accessible or desirable to all readers.
Save the Dates: Sending Sweetness or Stress?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The New York Times' coverage of same-sex weddings
The New York Times has a long tradition of covering weddings, with its wedding announcements inspiring fierce competition among brides and grooms. The Times has stringent requirements for wedding photographs and bridal portraits, and the process of being granted an announcement spot involves an intensive period of fact-checking and interviews.
In 2002, The New York Times began listing same-sex unions in its wedding section, reflecting the growing trend towards public celebrations of commitment by gay and lesbian couples. Since then, same-sex couples have been featured every week, and the number grew even higher once same-sex marriage was legalized in 2015. The Times has also expanded its coverage to include more racial and ethnic diversity in its wedding announcements.
The requirements for wedding photographs for same-sex couples are similar to those for heterosexual couples. Traditional photographs include formal portraits of the couple, as well as individual portraits of each partner. The Times has also added new types of images, such as full-length images of the couple in their wedding attire and informal pictures of the couple in attractive settings.
While The New York Times has been criticized for a lack of class diversity in its wedding announcements, the newspaper has featured a range of couples, including those with Ivy League degrees and those from working-class backgrounds. The Times has also covered the legal and political debates surrounding same-sex marriage, such as the efforts by Republican lawmakers in some states to urge the Supreme Court to overturn its 2015 decision that established same-sex marriage as a national right.
Candlelit Wedding Tables: How Many Candles Are Needed?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
To get your wedding featured in the New York Times, you must hand-select a wedding announcement for inclusion in the Sunday Styles section of the paper. You must submit your application at least six weeks in advance, and the wedding will be featured within six days of the ceremony. The application must include a long list of precise information, including the full names of the couple, their addresses, phone numbers, the date of the wedding, the location, and the time of day.
The New York Times requires formal portraits of the bride and groom, as well as the bride alone. They have also recently added full-length images of the bride in her wedding gown and informal pictures of the couple in attractive settings. All images should be of professional quality.
The New York Times has traditionally featured elite couples from high society, including the famous, educated, wealthy, and powerful. However, in recent years, they have expanded their coverage to include more same-sex weddings and weddings that add racial and ethnic diversity.
