Engagement Announcements As Part Of Wedding Plans

When a couple becomes engaged, one of the first things they usually do is tell everyone they know about their pending marriage. Initially, the engagement announcements typically consist of phone calls to relatives and friends, but many couples will also send out more formal engagement announcements to those they plan to invite to the wedding. Although, most of the time the couple may not have set a date for their wedding, they simply want people to know they have agreed to be married at some time in the future.

Depending on the family and their culture, engagement announcements are sometimes made during a formal setting and, although the practice is somewhat limited, having a church leader make engagement announcements during a service is a tradition in some families, although most families are aware before the announcement is made. In some religions, the announcement known as wedding banns, offers church members the opportunity to express their concerns about the impending nuptials.

In rare circumstances, the engagement announcements are not made until just a few days prior to the wedding, if the couple fears their may be trouble with the families accepting the pairing. Some religions however, require a set time frame from the date of the engagement until the wedding day.

Ancient Religious Established Time Frame

During the year 1215, religious leaders established a time element establishing a time limit on weddings. The couple was required to wait through the duration of the time limit before getting married to allow the church leaders as well as the families to insure the couples' planned marriage was in the best interests of all concerned. Once engagement announcements were issued, the waiting period began. It also allowed the church ample time to properly instruct the couple on the duties of the man and wife once they were married.

In modern western society, engagement announcements are usually publicized in the local newspapers within the areas that the families reside. While it mainly an informational announcement, it can also serve to inform other interested parties of the pending wedding plans. It is also a custom to publish information after the wedding to inform all friends and acquaintances that the marriage took place.

Similar to wedding invitations, engagement announcements can be formal or more relaxed depending on the couple as well as their budget. The announcement may also hint about the future arrangements without suggesting that the recipient can plan on being invited to the wedding or the reception.