Junior Rasmussen
Wedding announcements in The New York Times have been around since the newspaper's debut issue on September 18, 1851, when it announced the marriage of Sarah Mullett and John Grant, who were both from prominent families. For more than a century, the section was reserved for privileged society figures. However, since 1992, when Lois Smith Brady wrote the first Vows column, the section has expanded to include people with more diversity in sexual orientation, race, socioeconomic background, and age. Anyone can submit an application online, and the Weddings editor and her staff choose which couples to feature.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | Wedding announcements in the New York Times date back to the debut issue of the newspaper on September 18, 1851. |
| Submission Process | Anyone can submit an application online, from which the Weddings editor and her staff choose. |
| Types of Announcements | All submissions begin as possible announcements, with some becoming Mini-Vows or fully reported Vows features. |
| Content | Announcements may include how couples met, their backgrounds, and the evolution of their relationship. |
| Examples | Gin Venuto and Shauna Miller met on a dating app in 2022; Kara Rosenberg and Sam Karp met on a trip to Vietnam in 2016 and later reconnected on a dating app. |
| Diversity | The New York Times has expanded its coverage to include couples with diverse sexual orientations, races, socioeconomic backgrounds, and ages. |
| Submission Volume | Busy weeks can yield up to 200 submissions for 35 announcement slots, while quieter weeks, like Christmas, have fewer submissions. |
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What You'll Learn
Anyone can submit an application online
Wedding announcements in the New York Times have been around since the newspaper's inception in 1851. Initially, these announcements were reserved for prominent families and privileged society figures. However, in recent years, the section has evolved to become more inclusive, featuring couples with diverse sexual orientations, races, socioeconomic backgrounds, and ages.
Anyone can submit a wedding announcement application to the New York Times online. The process is straightforward and accessible to all. Couples can share their stories and have the chance to be featured in the renowned publication. The Weddings editor, LeAnn Wilcox, and her staff then choose from the submitted applications. It's important to note that there is a high volume of submissions, especially during busy wedding seasons in June, September, and October, so not all applications will be selected.
The first step is to visit the New York Times website and find the wedding announcement submission page. Here, couples will find a form to fill out with their information. This form typically includes basic information such as the couple's names, wedding date, and location. It may also include additional questions about the couple's story, how they met, and any unique or interesting details about their relationship.
Couples should aim to make their submissions stand out by highlighting what sets their love story apart. This could be how they met, a unique proposal, a non-traditional wedding, or any personal touches they plan to incorporate into their big day. Including meaningful details and sharing their authentic journey from dating to "I do" can increase their chances of being chosen.
It's important to note that the New York Times receives a high volume of submissions, especially during popular wedding seasons. On busy weeks, there can be up to 200 submissions for only 35 announcement slots. Therefore, couples should submit their applications well in advance of their wedding date to increase their chances of being selected. Submitting during less busy times of the year, such as around Christmas, may also improve their odds.
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Announcements are pithy write-ups based on what couples say about themselves
Wedding announcements in The New York Times have been around since the newspaper's inception. Initially, these announcements were reserved for prominent families and society figures. However, over the years, the section has evolved to include couples with diverse backgrounds, including variations in sexual orientation, race, socioeconomic status, and age.
The process of getting a wedding announcement in The New York Times starts with submitting an application online. The Weddings editor, LeAnn Wilcox, and her staff then choose from these submissions. All submissions begin as potential announcements, which are concise and witty write-ups based on the couples' descriptions of themselves and their relationship. Some of these are then expanded into Mini-Vows or full-length Vows features. Competition for a spot can be fierce, with busy weeks yielding up to 200 submissions for just 35 announcement slots.
The Mini-Vows feature delves into how couples first met, providing a glimpse into their initial connections. For example, Chambers Moore and Tom Moore's story began in a journalism school radio class, while Gin Venuto and Shauna Miller's first date in 2022, arranged through an app, ended in a "blurry silence where time stood still." These write-ups offer a brief yet captivating snapshot of a couple's journey, often including unique details that make their story stand out.
The New York Times also showcases couples with unique wedding themes, locations, and traditions. Some couples opt for adventurous settings, steering clear of traditional venues, while others incorporate numerologists, lip print readers, or spirit guides into their ceremonies. The newspaper also highlights couples who prioritize health and mindfulness or those who choose to support charitable causes through their wedding registries and celebrations. By featuring diverse couples and their stories, The New York Times wedding announcements provide a modern and inclusive perspective on love and marriage.
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Couples who reflect their values through their weddings
For many couples, their wedding day is an opportunity to reflect their values and showcase what matters to them. This can be done in a variety of ways, from the location and theme of the wedding to the inclusion of specific rituals or traditions.
Some couples might opt for an adventurous setting that reflects their love of travel or the outdoors, while others may choose a more intimate and low-key affair that emphasizes their commitment to family and close friends. For instance, Leron Rogers and Chinyere Gonzalez exchanged vows in Jamaica after 17 years together, a decision influenced by her children.
Couples who prioritize health and mindfulness in their daily lives might incorporate wellness practices into their wedding day. For example, Kara Ladd-Blum included a morning meditation and a bridal blessing before her wedding ceremony. Similarly, some couples may create "do not play" lists for their weddings, reflecting their personal or political values through music.
In some cases, couples might choose to work with a spirit guide or practicing witch for their ceremony, indicating a spiritual or mystical value system. Others may opt to support charitable causes close to their hearts by restructuring their registries or celebrations to benefit those organizations.
Additionally, couples can reflect their values through the inclusion or exclusion of certain traditions. For instance, a couple might decide to share their wedding pledges privately or in written notes, prioritizing intimacy and authenticity. Ultimately, the reflection of values in a wedding is a highly personal process that varies from couple to couple.
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How to get a wedding announcement in the New York Times
Wedding announcements in the New York Times have been around since the newspaper's inception in 1851. Initially, these announcements were reserved for prominent families and privileged society figures. However, the Times has evolved to include individuals with diverse sexual orientations, races, socioeconomic backgrounds, and ages.
Anyone can submit an application online for a wedding announcement in the New York Times. The Weddings editor, LeAnn Wilcox, and her staff then choose from these submissions. All submissions begin as potential announcements, with staff crafting pithy write-ups based on what couples share about themselves. A few are then selected to become more in-depth Mini-Vows or Vows features.
The Mini-Vows column shares brief stories of how couples met, with a focus on the unique and intriguing aspects of their relationships. For instance, the New York Times has featured couples who met on dating apps, at journalism school, or even at a Pride event. These stories offer a glimpse into the diverse and captivating journeys that lead people to their life partners.
To increase your chances of getting a wedding announcement in the New York Times, consider submitting your application during less busy times of the year. According to the Times, busy weeks in June, September, and October can yield up to 200 submissions competing for only 35 announcement slots, while an average Christmas week sees far fewer submissions. So, timing your submission strategically might enhance your chances of being selected.
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The history of wedding announcements in the New York Times
The New York Times has been publishing wedding announcements since the mid-19th century. On September 18, 1851, the New-York Daily Times, as it was then known, published the first piece of content that can be identified as a wedding announcement. The announcement read: "In Trinity Church, Fredonia, on the 15th, inst., by Rev. T.P. Tyler, JOHN M. GRANT, Esq., of Jamestown, to SARAH, daughter of Hon. JAMES MULLETT of Fredonia."
By 1865, as many as twenty couples per issue were submitting matrimonial announcements to the Times, which gave only the barest of details. These were typically plebeians, as the paper already had a practice of reporting on society and royal weddings, setting trends for years to come. For example, in 1840, British newspapers reported on Queen Victoria's wedding to Prince Albert, including details of her cream satin dress embellished with Honiton lace and orange blossoms. This influenced fashion trends, as before this, most women chose coloured wedding dresses, and only those with the money and wherewithal to keep their clothing clean wore white.
By the 1880s, society journalism was well established, and society reporters attended every major bridal event in New York. Wedding announcements became a way for New York society families to publicly signal their wealth and priorities, even as they may have privately eschewed such write-ups.
Today, the Times continues to publish wedding and celebration announcements, and couples can submit information about their nuptials for publication.
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Frequently asked questions
Anyone can submit an application online, from which the Weddings editor and her staff choose.
You can submit your application online via the New York Times Wedding Feature Submission Form.
All begin as possible announcements—pithy 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, while an average Christmas week will have only a handful.
Wedding announcements in the New York Times are as old as the paper itself. The debut issue of the newspaper, on Sept. 18, 1851, also debuted “Weddings”.
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