Announcing The Reverend's Nuptials: A Guide To Crafting A Heartfelt Newspaper Wedding Announcement

Newspaper wedding announcements are a fun way to share your special day with friends, family, and strangers. While it is no longer a societal expectation, it is a great way to follow a long-standing tradition. When writing a wedding announcement for a reverend, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to check the specific requirements and guidelines of the newspaper, including word count, format, and any fees that may be involved. The announcement should include basic information such as the names of the couple, the date and location of the wedding, and the name of the reverend officiating the ceremony. It can also include details about the couple's occupation, education, and future plans, such as the honeymoon destination and where they will reside after the wedding. Here is an example of a traditional wedding announcement for a reverend:

> Richard and Emily Gilmore are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter, Lorelai, to Luke Danes, son of William and Marjory Danes, on June 3rd at the Gazebo with the Reverend officiating. A private reception was held at The Dragonfly Inn immediately following the ceremony.

Announcement timing

It is important to get your wedding announcement to the newspaper well in advance of your wedding. The exact timing will depend on the newspaper you have chosen. For example, The New York Times requires submissions at least six weeks before the wedding, whereas The Oklahoman only requires eight days' notice. It is a good idea to check the website of your chosen newspaper for their specific guidelines and deadlines.

Most newspapers have a lead time of two to three weeks and will publish your announcement two to three months before your wedding. It is also worth noting that some newspapers will edit your announcement for content and style, so it is a good idea to submit early in case there are any issues or changes required.

If you are planning to announce your engagement, it is customary to do so around six months before the wedding. This will allow enough time for any friends or family who were unable to attend the wedding due to travel or financial constraints to make the necessary arrangements.

Newspaper choice

When it comes to choosing a newspaper for your wedding announcement, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it is customary for couples to publish their wedding news in their hometown newspapers as well as the town where they currently reside. This is a great way to share the news with friends and family who couldn't attend the wedding.

If you want to stick to tradition, you could opt for a local newspaper. However, if you want to reach a wider audience, you could consider a national newspaper. Keep in mind that announcing your wedding in multiple newspapers will result in more paperwork.

It's also important to note that some newspapers may charge a fee for wedding announcements, especially if you want to include a photo. This fee can vary significantly depending on the newspaper. For example, a placement in the Chicago Tribune starts at $1,800, while a local town newspaper may be free of charge.

Before making your decision, be sure to check the guidelines and requirements of each newspaper, as they may have specific word counts, submission deadlines, and formatting preferences. Some newspapers will also provide templates to help you craft the perfect announcement.

• The New York Times: Requires submissions at least six weeks ahead of the wedding.
• The Oklahoman: Requires announcements to be submitted at least eight days prior to publication.
• The Chicago Tribune: Charges a fee of $1,800 for wedding announcements.

Information to include

The information you include in a newspaper wedding announcement for a reverend will depend on whether you are writing an engagement or a wedding announcement.

For an engagement announcement, you should include:

• The names, ages, hometowns, and occupations of the couple
• The degrees, colleges, and schools attended by the couple
• The names and hometowns of the couple's parents
• The names of the couple's paternal and maternal grandparents (optional)
• A photo of the couple
• The location and vague timeframe of the wedding (month or season is standard if you don't want to list a specific date)

For a wedding announcement, you should include the above, plus:

• The date and location of the wedding ceremony and reception
• The names of your attendants and their relationship to you, if applicable
• A description of the wedding dress and bouquet (optional)
• The name of the officiant
• Where you plan to honeymoon
• Where you will live post-nuptials
• A wedding photo

You can also include the following in either an engagement or wedding announcement:

• A description of the wedding, including the bride's gown and the wedding colours
• Information about the honeymoon
• How the couple met

Formatting

Newspapers will usually have specific formatting requirements, but you can also decide whether to start your announcement with the couple's names or the parents' names.

If you start with the couple's names, you can write:

> " [Couple's names] are pleased to announce their marriage on [date] at [location] with [officiant's name] officiating. A private reception was held at [location] immediately following the ceremony."

If you start with the parents' names, you can write:

> " [Bride's parents' names] of [hometown], [state], announce the engagement of their daughter [bride's name] to [groom's name], son of [groom's parents' names] of [hometown], [state]. [Couple's educational and professional details]. A [month] wedding is planned."

Announcement structure

The structure of a wedding announcement will depend on the style you choose to write it in. You can either have the couple announce their marriage themselves or have the bride's parents make the announcement. Here is an example of each:

Traditional option:

[Parent's names] of [parent's location] are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter, [daughter's name], to [partner's name], son of [partner's parents' names] of [partner's location]. [Daughter's name] is a graduate of [name of school] with a [degree name] in [degree subject]. She is the [owner/occupation] of [place of work]. [Partner's name] is a graduate of [name of school] with a [degree name] in [degree subject]. He is the [owner/occupation] of [place of work]. The couple was married on [date of wedding] at [location] with [name of officiant] officiating. A private reception was held at [location] immediately following the ceremony. After a honeymoon trip to [honeymoon location], the couple will continue to reside in [location].

Modern option:

[Daughter's name] and [partner's name] are pleased to announce their marriage on [date of wedding] at [location] with [name of officiant] officiating. [Daughter's name] is the daughter of [parent's names] of [parent's location]. She is a graduate of [name of school] with a [degree name] in [degree subject]. She is the [owner/occupation] of [place of work]. [Partner's name] is the son of [partner's parents' names] of [partner's location]. A graduate of [name of school], he is the [owner/occupation] of [place of work]. After a honeymoon trip to [honeymoon location], the couple will continue to reside in [location].

General structure tips:

• Check the newspaper's guidelines for specific formatting, word count, and content requirements.
• Include the names of the couple, the date and location of the wedding, the name of the officiant, and the location of the reception.
• You may also want to include a description of the wedding, information about the honeymoon, and where the couple will live after the wedding.
• Keep the announcement concise and proofread it for any errors.

Submission process

The submission process for a newspaper wedding announcement will vary depending on the newspaper. It is important to check the guidelines of your chosen newspaper, as they will likely have specific requirements for content, length, format, and submission deadlines.

Most newspapers will require you to submit your announcement at least a few weeks before the wedding. For example, The New York Times requires submissions at least six weeks in advance, while The Oklahoman only requires eight days' notice. It is best to submit your announcement as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

You will need to gather all the relevant information for the announcement, including:

• The names, ages, hometowns, and occupations of the couple
• The couple's educational background, including degrees, colleges, and schools attended
• The names and hometowns of the couple's parents
• The names of the couple's paternal and maternal grandparents (optional)
• The date and location of the wedding ceremony and reception
• The names of the wedding attendants and their relationship to the couple (if applicable)
• The name of the officiant
• A description of the wedding dress and bouquet (optional)
• The honeymoon destination
• The couple's plans for where they will live after the wedding
• A wedding photo (optional)

Some newspapers may also ask for additional information, such as how the couple met or their future plans. It is a good idea to check with the newspaper beforehand to ensure you have all the necessary information.

Once you have gathered all the information, you can start writing the announcement. Most newspapers will have specific guidelines for word count, format, and content, so be sure to follow these instructions carefully. You may also need to submit your announcement in a specific format, such as a Word document or PDF.

Finally, submit your announcement to the newspaper according to their preferred method and deadline. This could be via online submission, email, or snail mail. Be sure to proofread your announcement for any errors and to check that it follows the newspaper's guidelines.

Frequently asked questions