There are a variety of ways that you can announce your engagement. One of the most popular ways is sending out traditional engagement announcements. Sending out engagement announcements is more voluntary these days, but it is a nice touch, a reminder of more formal times. If you do decide to use formal announcements there are some things you need to keep in mind. This is an added expense so if you have a tight budget you may choose to announce your engagement in a different manner. If you do want to go forward with the announcements, you will need a completed wedding list as an early stage. Everyone who will be invited to the wedding must get a formal announcement, if later you decide to add people to the wedding invitation list these people could be hurt or angry they did not get an announcement as it will look as though you did not originally intend to invite them to the wedding.

Even though you do not have to follow specific written guidelines for the announcement you will need to convey the message of your engagement.

Engagement Announcements just need to convey the message that you are engaged, they do not need to follow specific guidelines. However most engagement announcements fall into two categories, formal or informal. If you are going to use formal wording in your engagement announcements you would need to include the parent's names.

For instance:

Mr and Mrs Jonathon Berkely are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Sara Jillian Berkely, to Justin Mark Thomasson, son of Mr And Mrs David Thomasson. An October Wedding is planned at St Paul's Church, Lewisville.

Or:

Mr and Mrs Timothy Smythe and Mr And Mrs Stefan Adele are pleased to announce the engagement of Annabelle Ann Smythe to Jememy Mason Adele. An April Wedding is planned at St Peter's Church, Springfield.

However, many people are now opting for informal announcements, especially if they are older or paying for the wedding themselves. Informal announcements do not mention the parents.

For instance:

Alexis Ann Scott and Bradley Christopher Michaels are happy to announce their engagement. A January Wedding is planned.

Or:

We are ready to spend eternity together. We are delighted to announce our engagement.

~~Jessica and Victor~~

Keep in mind that you may also need to use alternative wording if the parents are divorced.

For instance:

Instead of using Mr and Mrs Kevin Dunbar you would use Mr Kevin Dunbar and Ms Rachel Valet.

It is also perfectly fine to include the names of step parents as long as you identify them as such. Finally there is no reason not to mention a diseased love on such as saying Mrs Jessica Holmes and the late James Holmes are pleased to announce?.

Finally please remember to send out the announcements promptly after the engagement is announced and do not forget to be careful with the words you do choose, make sure people understand this is an engagement announcement, not a wedding invitation.

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