8 Engagement Announcement Tips

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!