How to Announce & Celebrate Your Engagement
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After the happy couple has decided to get engaged, it is time to announce it. Start spreading the news. But how are you going to tell your world about the wonderful news?
Engagement etiquette covers a lot of territory from planning to popping the question, to engagement ring etiquette, and bridal shower gift etiquette. To make matters even more confusing the practical guidelines for engagement have not only changed somewhat with the times but also have unique cultural variations to consider. So, let’s tackle this one step at a time.
Proposal Planning
Step one is planning to propose. Customarily the father of the bride would be consulted about this decision. However, with divorces, same-sex marriage, and other twists of modern reality that process may simply not work. If the father-in-law to be isn’t available for whatever reason, then the next best sensible thing is going to another member (or members) of the family. It’s very considerate and sets the tone for your entire future relationship with these people. Help them feel involved from the get-go.
Proposing
Step two is proposing. Modern proposals aren’t always the stereotypical, one knee bent request. People put up lit message boards, go on TV, sneak rings into Champagne glasses, etc. If we return to the proactive foundation of respect and consideration for engagement etiquette, what you do at this moment needs to be meaningful above all else. Choose words that reflect your relationship, consider your timing, and presentation does count. You can be as creative as you wish so long as you keep your partner’s tastes and comfort zones in mind.
The bride’s parents should first be told then followed by the groom’s parents. After that is done, the wedding couple may wish to let the whole world know about their wedding. Announcing wedding engagement through the press will be a thing of the past nowadays, as couples may prefer to call their friends and families personally. But if you would like to have the formality of announcing wedding engagement through the press, it is also important to follow up with a call to verbally tell it to your relatives and close friends. For the couples that are involved in a second marriage, they should inform their children first if they have any, then their former spouses, followed by their parents.
Engagement Ring
Next on the list will be the wedding engagement ring, it is a seal or an emblem of a betrothal or a signal to tell other men to back off. For cautious men, they will ask their fiancées to select their wedding ring right after the proposal, but that will spoil all the fun and romance, don’t you think. It will be a girl’s dream to have a romantic proposal if you will present the proposal ring at the same time, a little surprise and romance to top it off.
At the time of engagement, a ring is not always necessary, particularly if you feel uncertain about your partner’s tastes. You can always go shopping for a ring together and find the perfect token that commemorates this moment. Oh, and the old saying that rings should cost two months salary is also no longer a rigid standard in engagement ring etiquette. In fact, if your partner really doesn’t like rings then maybe a necklace is the way to go. Remember that you’re about to enter a long-term relationship. Don’t go heavily into debt – that only leads to greater premarital stress. Choose something that suits your budget and your lifestyle together. This is a good rule of thumb for wedding etiquette too!
Telling the Family
Now comes the fun part – telling the rest of your family and friends. Once the person has said, “yes” then you can share the news with both sets of parents. If there is an extended family involved from your parent’s other marriages, make sure they hear the news from the two of you personally. Second-hand information can lead to hurt feelings. If you have any previous marital partners, they should also be among the first to hear about your news.
One hint: never announce an engagement during a celebration for someone else. A person’s birthday party or wedding should be focused on them. Engagement etiquette definitely says – don’t steal their thunder. Wait, and if need be send out newspaper announcements that can reach people you may not otherwise be able to contact.
Engagement Party
At this point, you might consider an engagement party. It’s customary for the bride to leave her engagement ring off until this affair. Parents of the bride offer speeches, as does the groom-to-be. A toast to the future bride is welcome. Financially speaking this party can be co-hosted by both sets of parents to ease the overall cost.
Following this basic engagement etiquette guideline should help everything flow more smoothly. Best wishes to the two of you for a long and happy relationship.
Engagement Announcement Samples
Below are some examples of wedding engagement announcements :
Mr. XXXXX and Miss YYYYY
XXXXX and YYYYY are delighted to announce their engagement.
For those who have a Title to carry, it will read like…
Doctor XXXXX and Miss YYYYY
We are pleased to announce the engagement of Doctor XXXXX,
VVV University, son of Mr. and Mrs. XXX of ___town, ___city and YYYYY, only daughter of Lieutenant and Mrs. YYY of ___town, ___city.
If the bride’s father has passed away, it should read…
We are pleased to announce the engagement of Mr. XXXXX,
VVV University, son of Mr. and Mrs. XXX of ___town, ___city
and YYYYY, only daughter of Mrs. YYY and the late Mr. YYY of ___town, ___city.
And if the bride’s mother has passed away, it should read…
We are pleased to announce the engagement of
Mr. XXXXX, VVV University, son of Mr. and Mrs. XXX of ___town, ___city
and YYYYY, only daughter of Lieutenant YYY and the late Mrs. YYY of ___town, ___city.
If the bride’s parents are divorced, it should read…
We are pleased to announce the engagement of
Mr. XXXXX, VVV University, son of Mr. and Mrs. XXX of ___town, ___city
and YYYYY, only daughter of Lieutenant YYY of ___town, ___city
and Mrs. YYY of ___town and ___city.
If the bride’s parents are divorced and the mother has re-married, then it should read…
We are pleased to announce the engagement of Mr. XXXXX,
VVV University, son of Mr. and Mrs. XXX of ___town, ___city
and YYYYY, only daughter of Lieutenant YYY of ___town, ___city and Mrs. PPP of ___town and ___city.
And to announce that the wedding has taken place already…
Mr. XXXXX and Miss YYYYY
The marriage took place on the 10th June at the Church of Our Savior, Brooksville, of Mr. XXXXX, son of Mr. and Mrs. XXX of Brooksville, and Miss YYYYY, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. YYY of Williamshire, Grenville.
It can all be simplified by the following…
Mr. XXXXX and Miss YYYYY
The marriage took place in Brooksville on 10th June between Mr. XXXXX and Miss YYYYY.