Crafting The Perfect Wedding Engagement Announcement: A Step-By-Step Guide

how to write a wedding engagement announcement

There are many ways to announce your engagement, from formal announcements to casual, personal ones. Here are some ideas to get you started:

- Formal announcements: These are usually made by someone other than the couple and are a traditional way to share the news.

- Digital declarations: Use social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok to share your engagement with your followers. You can post a classic ring selfie, a photo of the proposal, or even a video of the moment.

- Surprise party: If you don't want to share the news online, invite your friends and family to a party and announce your engagement there.

- Mail announcements: Send postcards, notecards, or photo announcements to your loved ones. This old-fashioned way of spreading the news is sure to bring excitement to your pen pals.

- Personalised message: Customise your announcement to reflect your relationship, such as writing it on a chalkboard if you're both teachers or using props that hint at your engagement.

Characteristics Values
Timing It's best to wait until you've personally told your family and friends before making a public announcement.
Announcement Style Formal announcements are traditional and made by someone other than the engaged couple. Modern couples may opt for more casual, personal announcements.
Props Props can be used to do the talking for you. For example, a mug with "I said yes" written on it or a sign that says "Say yes!".
Photos Consider including photos in your announcement, such as a classic ring selfie, a photo of the couple, or a picture of the proposal.
Social Media Social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are popular choices for sharing engagement news.
Audience Consider who you want to reach with your announcement and choose the appropriate platform(s).

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Social media announcement

How to Write a Wedding Engagement Announcement for Social Media

Savour the Moment

Before you rush to share the news, savour the moment with your partner. Take a few hours or even a few days to bask in the excitement of your engagement.

Tell Your Loved Ones First

Before posting on social media, be sure to personally notify your closest friends and family members. Start with your immediate family, such as your parents and siblings, either in person or through a video call. Then, share the news with your closest friends and extended family members.

Decide on Your Announcement Strategy

Announcing your engagement on social media is common, but it's not mandatory. Discuss with your partner what you both feel comfortable sharing. If you decide to post, consider whether you want to include a photo, such as a proposal snapshot, a ring selfie, or a celebratory champagne toast.

Avoid Oversharing

While it's exciting to share your news, be selective about the details you post. Avoid giving away too much information about your wedding plans, especially if you're only inviting a select group of people. Keep the specifics for your wedding website and invitations.

Personalise Your Announcement

Customise your engagement announcement to reflect who you are as a couple. Get creative with props, backdrops, or even include your pets in the photo. If you have a unique story or a meaningful location, incorporate it into your post.

Consider Your Audience

If there are certain people you don't want to know about the engagement, ensure your post's privacy settings are adjusted accordingly. Additionally, if you had a small wedding and didn't invite everyone you know, avoid sending announcements to friends who weren't invited, as it may be perceived as a reminder that they weren't included.

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Formal announcement

A formal wedding announcement is a great way to share your news with friends and family who were not in attendance at your wedding. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft the perfect formal announcement.

What to Include

There are several essential elements to include in a formal wedding announcement:

  • The couple's full names
  • The marriage announcement
  • The wedding date
  • The celebration location

Depending on the formality and circumstances of your wedding, you may also want to include:

  • Host names (if someone other than the couple hosted the wedding)
  • The name of the officiant
  • The names of the couple's parents and grandparents
  • The couple's education and degrees
  • Honeymoon destination
  • Where the couple plans to live
  • A brief story of how the couple met

Timing

It is considered proper etiquette to send out wedding announcements as soon as possible after the wedding, ideally within 30 days. If you plan to include photos from the wedding day in your announcement, aim to send them out within two to four weeks.

Examples

Formal Wedding Announcement

Mr. & Mrs. James Baker

Dr. & Mrs. Jonathan Kravitz

Have the honor of announcing

The marriage of their children

On the eleventh of March

Two thousand twenty-three

At the Siasconset Union Chapel

In Nantucket, Massachusetts

Wedding Announcement Card Wording for Parents Hosting

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Smith Have the Pleasure of announcing the marriage of their daughter Janelle Smith to Kevin Saunders on Saturday, the Twentieth of June Two Thousand and Fifteen Berkley, California

Wedding Announcement Card Wording for Casual Weddings

Just Married 06.22.15

Kevin & Janelle Saunders

Des Moines, IA

Wedding Announcement Card Wording for Formal and Religious Weddings

Brittany Peterson and Jeff Berringer are pleased to announce

Their Marriage

Saturday, the Second of October

Two Thousand and Fourteen

Berkeley, California

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Announcing to close friends and family

Announcing your engagement to your close friends and family is a special moment and there are many ways to do it. Here are some ideas to help you share your happy news:

In-Person

If your family and friends don't know about your engagement or don't have many details, a great way to break the news is in person. Surprise them with a visit and pop the question, "Excuse me, but does this ring make me look engaged?!" and watch their faces light up with excitement. This is a wonderful way to see their reactions and share the moment together.

Digital Face-to-Face

For those friends and family who live far away or have busy schedules, technology offers a great solution. Use video calling platforms like FaceTime, Skype, or Facebook Live to connect with your loved ones and share your engagement news. This way, you can still see their reactions and hear their well-wishes, even if you can't be physically together.

Social Media

Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok have become popular avenues for sharing engagement news. You can opt for a classic hand-holding picture, a ring selfie, or even a professional photoshoot. If you want to add some creativity, consider using props, balloons, or your pets to spice up your announcement. You can also use filters, sound bites, and music clips to make your announcement more engaging and fun.

Snail Mail

Sending postcards, notecards, or photo announcements is a charming way to spread the news. It adds a personal touch and gives your loved ones something tangible to display or keep as a memento. If your engagement falls around the holidays, you can combine your engagement announcement with festive greetings, killing two birds with one stone!

Phone Call

A simple phone call can be a heartfelt way to share your engagement news, especially with those who may not be active on social media or live too far away for a visit. Call your loved ones and let them know about your upcoming nuptials, and don't forget to ask about their lives too!

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to announcing your engagement. Choose the methods that feel most comfortable and authentic to you and your partner. Enjoy this exciting time and savour the joy of sharing your news with your close friends and family!

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Choosing a photo

Capture the Magic Moment

If you have photos from the moment of the proposal, consider using one of those shots for your announcement. It will add a touch of authenticity and spontaneity to your announcement. Whether it's a candid snap taken by a friend or a secretly filmed video by a professional, these photos will capture the raw emotions and excitement of the moment.

Showcase the Bling

An engagement ring selfie is a classic choice for a reason. It's a simple and effective way to announce your engagement, with the ring taking centre stage. Find an interesting backdrop, such as a scenic view or a colourful wall, to make the photo more visually appealing. You can also get creative by having your partner stand in the background with the ring in the foreground or by capturing a close-up of your hands holding each other with the rings in focus.

Include Your Pets

If you have furry family members, include them in your engagement photoshoot. It will not only make for adorable photos but also showcase your whole family dynamic. You can have them pose with a sign announcing the wedding or simply capture them snuggling up with you and your partner.

Get Creative with Props

Props can add a fun and playful element to your engagement photos. Consider using mylar balloons to display your wedding date or a cute quote. If you're both sports enthusiasts, use sports equipment like baseball gloves and balls or customised jerseys to announce your big news. For a more low-key approach, head to your favourite coffee shop and have the barista write "fiancé", "Mr." or "Mrs." on your cups for a creative announcement.

Choose a Scenic Location

The location of your photoshoot can enhance the visual appeal and significance of your engagement photos. Opt for scenic backdrops like a beach, a snowy mountaintop, or a rooftop with a city skyline view. If you're adventurous, consider heading outdoors to capture your love for nature and each other. Go on a hike, climb rocks or kayak together while your photographer captures these special moments.

Remember, the key is to choose a photo that reflects your personality and relationship. Whether you opt for a professional photoshoot or a candid snap, make sure it showcases your happiness and excitement for this new chapter in your lives.

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Wording the announcement

There are a few key things to consider when it comes to wording your wedding engagement announcement. Firstly, it's important to decide on the tone you want to convey. Are you looking for something formal and traditional or would you prefer a more casual and light-hearted approach? The wording of your announcement should reflect the overall style and formality of your wedding.

Formal Announcement

For a formal wedding engagement announcement, you may want to include the following information:

  • Full names of the couple
  • Names of the parents or other hosts of the wedding
  • Date and location of the wedding
  • Name of the ceremony and reception venues
  • Name of the officiant
  • Educational background and degrees of the couple
  • Honeymoon destination
  • Future residence of the couple

"Mr. and Mrs. James Baker

Dr. and Mrs. Jonathan Kravitz

Have the honour of announcing

The engagement of their children

Brittany Peterson and Jeff Berringer

On the second of October

Two thousand and twenty-three

Berkeley, California"

Casual Announcement

If you're looking for a more casual and relaxed announcement, you can be more creative and playful with your wording. Here is an example:

"We're tying the knot!

Brittany and Jeff are thrilled to share that they are engaged!

Save the date for a celebration of their love on the second of October in Berkeley, California.

Can't wait to party with you!"

Newspaper Announcement

If you're submitting your announcement to a newspaper, you may need to include additional information such as the names of the couple's parents and grandparents, the couple's educational background, and a brief story of how they met. Here is an example of a newspaper wedding engagement announcement:

"Mr. and Mrs. Bob Smith are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Janelle Smith, to Kevin Saunders. Janelle is a graduate of Harvard University and is currently working as a marketing manager. Kevin is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Saunders and is a software engineer at TechCorp. The couple met through mutual friends and fell in love over their shared passion for hiking. They are planning to tie the knot on the twentieth of June in Berkley, California."

Social Media Announcement

When announcing your engagement on social media, you can be as creative and personal as you like. You can include a photo, such as a selfie, a picture of the ring, or a snapshot of the proposal. Here are some ideas for social media captions:

"He put a ring on it! Thrilled to announce our engagement. #engaged #love #ringfie"

"Just said yes to my soulmate. Can't wait to spend forever with you by my side. #engaged #love #forever"

"She said yes! We are over the moon to share that we are engaged. Stay tuned for more details on our upcoming celebration. #engaged #love #proposal"

Frequently asked questions

It's a good idea to savour the moment with your partner before sharing the news with the world. Take a few hours or even a few days to bask in the excitement of your engagement. Once you tell your loved ones, they will be thrilled to shower you with well-wishes.

Before sharing the news on social media, be sure to notify your closest friends and family members. Start with your immediate family, such as your parents and siblings. If you can't see them in person, give them a call or surprise them with a video call. Then, share the news with your closest friends and extended family members.

There are several ways to announce your engagement, including social media posts, engagement photoshoots, personalised stationery, or even a surprise party for your friends and family. You can also send formal engagement announcements to your friends and family via mail or submit a write-up to your local newspaper.

The main purpose of a wedding engagement announcement is to share the good news with those who weren't present at the proposal. Include essential details such as the couple's full names, the wedding date, and the location. You may also want to mention the hosts' names (if someone other than the couple hosted the event), the name of the officiant, and the names of the bridal party.

Yes, there are many creative ways to announce your engagement! You can incorporate your pets, use a creative prop such as a ""She said yes!" banner, or even get a temporary tattoo of your engagement date. If you're a gamer, you can use the digital landscape of your favourite game to proclaim your engagement. Or, you can spell out the news with Scrabble letters or mylar balloons.

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