Announcing Your Engagement

There are a few steps to announcing your engagement.

With today’s social media, ie Facebook and blogging, I believe that it is important to notify some people in person first before you have a Facebook status update.

1.      Tell your parent and close family members (brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles, and grandparents)
2.      If you have children, talk to them first. It may not be a good idea for them to find out through someone else.
3.      If you have children outside of the marriage, or if you have been married before it may be a good idea to talk to the other parent or ex-spouse.
4.      Normally engagement announcements are not mailed out, but if that is something you are interested in, why not? Remember, you do not have to go so far as to decide your wedding invitation style right now… Also, this is an extra feature, others can find out via word of mouth an engagement party invitation.

Then next step is to announce your engagement in your hometown, or where your parents live. You can also announce it where you live. Contact your local paper to see what deadlines, policies and fees exist.  Check out Precise Events' client resources for Philadelphia announcement requirements.

When preparing written announcements and wording for the engagement party invite, traditionally the bride's parents announce the engagement. If the parents are divorced, either parent can make the announcement but both parents should be mentioned in the article.  If one parent is deceased, the word "late" should precede any mention of their name.  If both parents are deceased, the announcement can be made someone who is like a parent to you.

Well, enough of the technical stuff! Enjoy this moment and being engaged to the love of your life!
Congrats!

{Olivia}

What's Up With: Engagement Parties

Often I am asked about engagement parties so I have a few tips for etiquette and ideas!

Traditionally the parents of the bride host the engagement party but in this century virtually anyone close to the bride and groom can be the host.

When thinking about who to invite the traditional guest lists usually include close family and friends, and have a limited amount of people in attendance. It is important to remember that no matter the tradition, you can have whatever you want. Be sure to have space for all the people invited to be able to socialize comfortably. Don’t overdo it. The wedding will come and you can invite everyone you know, but the engagement party is normally more intimate. One of the most important rules that couples often forget is that they should only invite those who will also receive an invitation to the wedding.

Gifts at an engagement party are not required but some guests may choose to bring something. It is extremely tasteless to include registry information on any invitation. Registry info should be passed along by word of mouth or on a website. Most people who bring gifts will bring monetary gifts, bottles of champagne or wine or other drink.

Some people think that you have to have activities planned for an engagement party. You could play a party game or two that centers around love, how well the couple know each other, or even a bashful picture slideshow of the couple when they were younger. The purpose of the party is primarily to mingle and have the separate families get to know one another better. Take advantage and try to introduce people to others whom they do not know.

Congratulations and happy planning!

{Olivia}