Announcing Your Engagement
Announcing your engagement properly is important if you want to avoid etiquette mishaps. In order to set a date, people such as parents and close family members will need to be consulted. Also, if the special people in your life aren't informed in a timely manner, it can lead to hurt feelings. It's important to share your news as soon as possible.
Who to Tell First
According to the rules of etiquette, the bride and groom should tell their parents of the bride first. A visit is then paid to the parents of the groom. If one set of parents is going to be hurt because the other set of parents are told first, perhaps it would best to tell all parents together. The only exception to this is if either the bride or groom have a child from a previous relationship, in which case that child should be told first. Once parents are told, it's best to tell close family members such as sisters and grandparents so that no one is left out. Announcing your engagement is a personal matter but tact is called for when it comes to telling those closest to you.
Engagement Announcements
If you'd like, you can send out engagement announcements to the rest of your friends and family alerting them of the happy news. It's considered improper etiquette to have elaborately engraved cards printed up, as the recipient can become confused as to whether it's an announcement or invitation. Instead, announcements can be printed out on special computer paper or even hand written, depending on your budget. Engagement announcements aren't mandatory, but they're a nice way to spread the news without having to call everyone you know.
Newspaper Announcements
Newspapers spread news quickly.
If you'd like, you can announce your engagement by placing the information in the newspaper. In addition to announcing the engagement and giving any pertinent details regarding the proposal, the newspaper announcements will list the bride and groom's occupation, schooling, and the occupations of their parents, among other things. It often includes a photo of the couple.
Digital Announcements
Today, engaged couples aren't limited to paper announcements only. If a couple's family is largely online, then choosing a digital card to announce the news is acceptable. Websites like 123Greetings and Blue Mountain offer engagement cards for free. However, if some family members or close friends are not online, it is important to give them a quick phone call before you click "send" on that card. This way, no one gets the news late.
Social Networking
Depending on which social networking giant you use, you could deliver the news in one quick text. On Twitter post a quick message like, "It's official, he popped the question." Use Facebook to share photographs, a special video link or a text message. Not only will your friends get the message quickly, but their friends will, too. If you want to restrict the access to your announcement then adjust the privacy settings on your social networking account. Avoid putting up any references to wedding registries when announcing your engagement, as this is an etiquette faux pas.
Personal Websites
Sign up for a free blog account at Blogger or WordPress. This is a fun way to chronicle your relationship from the engagement to the wedding. Send email links to your contact list directing them to the site. For fun, place a teaser text in the email's subject line like "Chris and Evan... Can It Be True?" Use a free blog or wedding website to show your couple "personality" and keep your loved ones informed about upcoming wedding related events.
Engagement Parties
Like newspaper announcements, an engagement party is purely optional. If it's the bride and groom's wish, the big news can be a surprise only to be revealed after the guests have arrived. Engagement parties can also be thrown as a celebration after the news is announced. In some cultures, an engagement party is a necessary part of the wedding festivities.
Engagement in Snapshots
This fun announcement is similar to the personal website, only it is done in pictures. In order to use the snapshot announcement you'll need the help of a photo sharing website like Shutterfly. This is especially moving if he popped the question in an unusual way and had help with the photos. Alternatively, the couple could "relive" the moment snapping photos of one another as they re-enacted the proposal. The snapshot option is good for couples who are creative and prefer to share the big news with few words. A picture is worth a thousand words, after all.
Rent a Billboard
Expect to field a few phone calls once the community sees this announcement. Post the happy news in a big way buy renting a standard or digital billboard. The headline could read, "She Said Yes!" or "Coming Soon...Mr. and Mrs. Joe Smith."
Chocolate Messages
Here's a sweet idea. Enlist the help of the Chocolate Pen. This company customizes messages on chocolate candy bars and mails them. Share the news in a unique way by mailing your family members these tasty announcements.
Share Your Joy
Announcing your engagement will bring a lot of attention to you and your sweetheart. Don't share the news until you are ready to receive compliments and answer questions. Share your joy with your loved ones and get ready for the most exciting time in your life.
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