Rhiannon Hendricks
Wedding announcements in The New York Times have a long history dating back to 1851, when they were used to publicly signal a family's wealth and priorities. Today, the announcements, now known as Mini-Vows, feature diverse and inspiring love stories from couples with unique backgrounds and interests. The submissions include details about how the couple met and their wedding, with some couples choosing to share their wedding pledges in intimate ways. The Mini-Vows are published online and in print within two weeks of the legal ceremony and are a fun way to learn about different nuptials and love stories.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First wedding announcement | 18 September 1851 |
| Latest wedding announcement | 10 January 2022 |
| Submission deadline | Six weeks before the wedding |
| Publication date | Within two weeks of the wedding |
| Publication day | Friday |
| Publication format | Online and print |
| Section | Sunday Styles |
| Submission information | Detailed account of the couple's love story and wedding |
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What You'll Learn
How to submit a wedding announcement to the New York Times
The New York Times has been publishing wedding announcements since its debut issue in 1851. Anyone can submit an application online, and the newspaper actively seeks couples with interesting, inspiring, and diverse love stories. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to submit a wedding announcement to the New York Times:
- Login or Subscription: To submit a wedding announcement, you will need to log in to your Times account or subscribe to the Times.
- Submission Timing: The New York Times requests that you send in your announcement at least six weeks before the wedding. While they sometimes consider submissions received after the deadline, they give preference to those received first.
- Content and Format: Wedding announcements, now known as Mini-Vows, include a detailed account of your love story and wedding. The focus is on the day the couple is to legally marry, and the reports are written, fact-checked, and edited according to the editorial standards of the New York Times.
- Publication: Wedding announcements appear online at nytimes.com/weddings every Friday and in the Weddings pages of the Sunday Styles print section each weekend. Mini-Vows are typically published online and in print within two weeks of the legal ceremony.
- Submission Form and Process: The New York Times provides a Wedding Feature Submission Form on their website. You can click on the "submit your wedding for consideration" link and follow the instructions closely.
Please note that the New York Times does not charge for placement, but they cannot guarantee the publication of your announcement.
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The history of New York Times wedding announcements
The history of wedding announcements in the New York Times goes back to the 19th century when reports of weddings, parties, and social affairs became a staple of newspapers. By the 1880s, society journalism was well-established, and society reporters were a common sight at major bridal events in New York.
The first piece that can be identified as a wedding announcement in the New York Times, then known as the New-York Daily Times, was published on September 18, 1851. It announced the marriage of "JOHN M. GRANT, Esq., of Jamestown, to SARAH, daughter of Hon. JAMES MULLETT of Fredonia." The announcement was brief, providing only the most basic details of the union.
Over time, the wedding announcements in the Times became more than just a listing of names and dates. They served as a way for New York society families to publicly signal their wealth, status, and priorities. The announcements often included details about the bridal gown, the guest list, and the social standing of the families involved. For example, the wedding of Jennie, a cousin of Louis Comfort Tiffany, was noted not only for the financial settlement she received but also for the wealth of her new husband, Mr. Tiffany.
While the Times has discontinued its earlier practice of listing engagements, the wedding announcements remain a significant milestone for many couples. Couples from anywhere in the world can submit their announcements, and the Times welcomes submissions from marriages of all orientations. The announcements celebrate love, commitment, and the diversity of New York City and beyond.
However, some readers have noted that the wedding announcements in the Times have evolved from being primarily news-focused to becoming more akin to fashion and lifestyle reporting. The announcements have become longer, but they may provide fewer basic facts about the couple, such as their ages, occupations, or family backgrounds. Despite these changes, the New York Times wedding announcements continue to be a time-honored tradition, capturing the attention of readers worldwide.
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Couples with interesting, inspiring, and diverse love stories
The New York Times wedding announcements, now known as Mini-Vows, are a cherished tradition for couples wanting to share their love stories. The announcements have evolved from simple notifications in the classified section to a highly anticipated segment featuring elaborate narratives, stunning photographs, and recognition of the happy couple. The NY Times accepts wedding announcements from couples worldwide and from marriages of all orientations.
Janine James and Nasaria Valadez
Janine James and Nasaria Valadez planned their wedding for 11/11, a date that held symbolic meaning for them, even before they had officially proposed to each other.
Robert Conner and Maggie Steffens
Robert Conner was determined to see Maggie Steffens, an Olympic gold medalist, again after meeting at a party. He was willing to travel hundreds of miles to make it happen.
Leron Rogers and Chinyere Gonzalez
Leron Rogers and Chinyere Gonzalez exchanged vows in Jamaica after being together for almost 17 years. Their decision to make it official was encouraged by her children.
Gin Venuto and Shauna Miller
Gin Venuto and Shauna Miller met on a dating app in 2022, and the end of their first date was described as "a blurry silence where time stood still."
Maria Aguado and Salvador Salazar
Maria Aguado and Salvador Salazar, who bonded over their shared Venezuelan upbringing, were introduced by a mutual friend.
These stories showcase the diverse and inspiring journeys that couples go through before their wedding day. They offer a glimpse into the unique and intimate moments that lead to a lifelong commitment.
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How to get your wedding featured in the New York Times
The New York Times has been publishing wedding announcements since its debut issue in 1851. For a long time, these announcements were reserved for couples from prominent families, but this changed in 1992 when the first Vows column was published, featuring couples from a wider range of backgrounds.
Anyone can submit an application for their wedding to be featured in the New York Times, and the Weddings editor, LeAnn Wilcox, reads all submissions. The key to being selected is having a distinguishing feature, such as an interesting job, a unique meeting story, or a surprising coupling. The Times is looking for couples with interesting, inspiring, and diverse love stories that reflect the world around us.
When submitting your application, it is important to include as many interesting details about yourself and your partner as possible, such as your jobs, where you went to school, and how you met. It is also important to apply well in advance of your wedding date—ideally, at least six weeks before the scheduled legal wedding ceremony. Keep in mind that rejection is common, and selection is based on a range of factors, including the number of submissions for a given week.
If your wedding is chosen to be featured, it will typically be published online and in print within two weeks of your legal ceremony. Your feature will include a detailed account of your love story and wedding, and it will appear in the Weddings pages of the Sunday Styles print section and online at nytimes.com/weddings every Friday.
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The role of wedding announcements in society
Wedding announcements are a way to share the news of a recent or upcoming marriage with people who were not invited to the wedding. They are typically sent to those who were not invited to the wedding but may wish to hear about the marriage, such as business acquaintances, colleagues, and distant family. While social media has made it easier to share such news, wedding announcements remain a way to include everyone in the celebration, especially those who may not be active on social media platforms.
Traditionally, wedding announcements were published in local newspapers, with couples choosing to announce their weddings in the papers of their hometowns and the town where they currently reside. Nowadays, many couples opt for more modern methods, such as submitting their stories to online publications or sharing their news via social media. However, newspaper wedding announcements are still sought after, with publications like The New York Times featuring wedding stories in their Mini-Vows section. These announcements include detailed accounts of the couple's love story and wedding, providing an intimate glimpse into their lives.
Secondly, wedding announcements can act as a form of documentation, providing a record of the wedding for posterity. They often include important details about the couple, such as their names, ages, occupations, and backgrounds, as well as information about the wedding itself, such as the location, date, and time. This information not only informs readers about the event but also becomes a part of the couple's personal history, which they can look back on and cherish in the future.
Lastly, wedding announcements can have a social and cultural significance. They can reflect the values, traditions, and trends of the time and provide a glimpse into societal norms and expectations surrounding marriage. For example, the decline in newspaper wedding announcements may be indicative of the decreasing popularity of traditional media in favour of digital platforms. Additionally, the increasing emphasis on “interesting, inspiring, and diverse love stories” sought by publications like The New York Times showcases a shift towards celebrating unique and representative narratives that resonate with a wider audience.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding announcements are now known as Mini-Vows and include a detailed account of the couple's love story and wedding. Couples should submit their news at least six weeks before the scheduled legal wedding ceremony. Mini-Vows are typically published online and in print within two weeks of the legal ceremony.
The New York Times is actively seeking couples with interesting, inspiring, and diverse love stories that represent and reflect the world around us.
The first wedding announcement in the New York Times was published on September 18, 1851, in the New-York Daily Times. Wedding announcements have historically been used by New York society families to publicly signal their financial and social status.
Marriages are reported online at nytimes.com/weddings every Friday and in the Weddings pages of the Sunday Styles print section each weekend.
The New York Times asks that couples submit their wedding announcements for review at least six weeks before the scheduled legal wedding ceremony.
