Guidelines for Writing Wedding and Engagement Announcements

Announcements - When to Submit to Newspapers

Many newspapers have a section for engagement and wedding announcements. There may be a fee for this service, as some newspapers consider announcements as display advertising. Engagement announcements should be supplied to the newspaper once you have told relatives and close friends about your plans to marry. Wedding announcements should be submitted as soon after the ceremony as possible. Check in advance with the editors of your local newspapers for exact requirements and deadlines.



Personal Announcements

Wedding announcements are sent out in the bride's parents' name, and should be sent to friends and acquaintances that were not invited to the wedding. Mail them immediately after the wedding.



Newspaper Announcements

If you will be submitting an announcement to more than one newspaper, check with each paper individually as each has it's own style. Some papers ask brides to fill out a standard form, ask if they will either fax or mail it to you. Others may offer guidelines for writing the notice. For wedding announcements, some may want confirmation that the wedding has actually taken place before they'll publish the news. Some papers charge a fee; others will print your announcement at no charge. If your local paper does not supply wedding announcement forms or guidelines, type the announcement, double-spaced, on an 81/2" x 11" or A4 sheet of white paper. In the upper right corner, list your name, address and daytime telephone number(s), or those of someone in your family who can be called for verification and additional details. Include the date you'd like the announcement published. Sunday is a popular day for wedding announcements and your news might not appear until a couple of weeks later depending on the newspapers receipt of announcements. Keep a photocopy of the information you send in case the original announcement is misplaced. You might also need to compare it to the published version.

Photographs in Wedding Announcements

Be sure that your photographer supplies you with a 5" x 7" or 8" x 10" glossy, black and white print of your bridal portrait to include with the announcement. Not all newspapers will accept color photos. Pictures in soft focus may not reproduce well. Place a label with a typed line of identification to the photos back, in case it gets separated from the wedding information. Do not expect your photo to be returned. If possible, hand deliver your announcement and photo to the newspaper office. If you must mail it, package it carefully and place a piece of cardboard in with the photo to protect it. Your local office supply store may carry photo mailers made of cardboard and are mail ready.

Photography links

Information to Include in Wedding Announcements

Provide as much of the following information to the paper as you find applicable:

bride's full name
bride's parents' name and town of residence
bride's parents' occupation
bride's maternal and paternal grandparents
bride's school and college
bride's occupation
 groom's full name and town of residence
 groom's parents' name and town of residence
 groom's parents' occupations
 groom's maternal and paternal grandparents
 groom's school and college
 groom's occupation
date of wedding
location of wedding and reception
names of bride's attendants and relationship, if any, to bride or groom
names of groom's attendants and relationship, if any, to bride and groom
description of bridal gown
description of attendants' gowns
name of officiant
name of soloist
where couple will honeymoon
where couple will reside after wedding
include unusual details of the wedding day, for example, "the couple left for their honeymoon in a horse and carriage" or "200 butterflies were released by guests as the couple walked down the aisle".

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