8 Engagement Announcement Tips

Britt
December 9, 2009

A Facebook update or e-mail message is how most people find out about engagements these days. Yet, if you've recently become engaged, you can more formally share the good news, by mailing an engagement announcement card.

If you're planning to send out an engagement announcement here eight detailed questions and answers to help you develop your content and design:

1. Who should send out the engagement announcement?

Traditionally the announcement is sent out by the bride or the bride's family. But it is also OK to bend the rules and have the groom's family or the engaged couple send out the card.

2. Who should receive the announcement?

Be careful to only send the engagement announcement to folks who will be invited to the wedding.

3. Where do I start?

First think about whether you'll have a very traditional, formal wedding or a less formal event and let that inform the engagement announcement's format and wording.

4. What do I write?

Unless you are having a very traditional and formal affair, there's no need to be stuffy (Dr. and Mrs. Burt Baccarach of Beverly Hills announce ...). Casual wording (Kate and Jim are getting hitched!) works fine, too. For sample engagement announcement wording for a variety of situations check out TheKnot.com's suggestions.

5. How can I design a classic looking engagement announcement?

For a traditional design, use thick, matte greeting card stock and an envelope. On the outside of the card, print the couples' names in script font add a foil stamp to the font and to a thin border around the edge of the card. Inside, use the same script font, but in black and keep the background white or ivory.

6. What if I am more like Carrie Bradshaw than Emily Post?

If you want a more casual, fun announcement then postcards are a great choice. Try using a black-and-white photograph of the couple on the front. If you already have a wedding website, you can include a link to the website on the back of the card, along with a few lines of simple text.

7. Can I invite recipients to an engagement party via an engagement announcement?

If family and friends are throwing an engagement party then the engagement announcement card can easily double as an invite to the party. Take care to include an RSVP channel such as a telephone number, e-mail address or response card.

8. Do I have to let recipients know when the wedding will take place?

It's fine to send out an engagement announcement card without announcing the date of the event. If the wedding date is already known, then the engagement announcement can double as a save-the-date card. Insert a custom-printed, heart-shaped sticker into the announcement with the couples initials and wedding date on it. This way recipients can literally save the date by sticking it on their calendars as a reminder!

Anonymous's picture
January 07, 2016 03:21 am #

[...] 2. Make an announcement For some recipients, the engagement party invitation may be the first time they’re hearing the happy couple’s news. If there are several guests who only know the bride or the groom, then its always a good idea to make a formal announcement within the invite. The announcement should tell guests a little more about the union, i.e. how the couple met, what they do for a living, where they are from and who their parents are and where they live. For more tips on engagement announcements, see this related post. [...]

Anonymous's picture
January 07, 2016 03:21 am #

[...] wedding save-the-date card is sent out after a formal engagement announcement and before a formal wedding invitation. So, the save-the-date card is a way for couples to be [...]

Anonymous's picture
January 07, 2016 03:21 am #

[...] Wedding Invites Passport-themed Wedding Invites Wedding Invites on TheKnot.com Shower Invites Engagement Announcements Engagement Party [...]

Leave a Reply

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.

What is the PsPrint Blog??

The PsPrint Blog is a resource for graphic designers, freelancers, small business owners and fans of print marketing. You'll find helpful techniques on printing everything there is to print, including business cards, postcards, brochures, stickers, invitations, greeting cards, door hangers, magnets and more. The PsPrint Blog shares creative ways to improve your design and layout skills, and useful tips for marketing your business in any medium. We also like to have a little fun, sharing design inspiration and spotlighting some our favorite customers' printed pieces in our "Hot Off the Press" series.