Engagement 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.


Newspaper Announcement Guidelines

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. 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, 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 Announcements

Generally you do not include photographs in an engagement announcement. If you were however going to do this, here are the guidelines for photographs in wedding announcements. It would be appropriate to follow these guidelines in most cases.
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.


Information to Include in 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 school and college
bride's occupation
 groom's full name and town of residence
 groom's parents' name and town of residence
 groom's school and college
 groom's occupation

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