I’m Finally Engaged!

March 28, 2008

Before you start thinking about your wedding invitations, please give some thought to your engagement announcement. Here’s an excerpt from my book on this topic:

You can mail out formal engagement announcements. Basically, you go to a specialty paper store and buy something simple, yet fun. Go home to your computer and type up the announcement and print them at home. That’s the most practical way to do it. Or, you can get fancy and have them professionally printed. Be sure to check with the parents first to make sure you include all of the appropriate people on the mailing list. I don’t want to get too confusing here, but the engagement announcement is different from the wedding announcement. The engagement announcement can go out to whomever you like. But the wedding announcement is more limited. Most couples will send wedding announcements to the people they would like to invite to the wedding, but can’t. You shouldn’t send announcements to people that received invitations, even if they did not come, and people that receive them are in no obligation to buy you a gift. But if they do, you’re not obligated to return it to them.

The engagement announcement can be short and sweet–“Betty Jo Bride and Joe Bob Groom would like to announce their engagement on (insert date here).” You can get into more detail about how it happened, like this one–“Betty Jo Bride and Joe Bob Groom are happy to announce their engagement. On a recent weekend away in the Hills, Joe Bob got down on his good knee, and asked Betty Jo to be his bride. Of course, she said ‘yes’ and we just wanted to let ya’ll know.” Or, you can make it completely honest, even if it may offend some people. Like this one–“Joe Bob finally broke down and decided he could no longer get the milk for free, so he and Betty Jo are gettin’ hitched!”

If you plan to send out engagement announcements, it has been said that it is bad etiquette to include the statement, “No gifts please.” The reasoning behind this is that it may be bad form to assume that people are thinking about buying you a gift in the first place.

If you do decide to create your own announcements (and/or invitations too!) a good place to start is VistaPrint.com! At Vista Print, you can design and write your own announcements and they’ll print and mail them for you! It’s really easy and when you use my link, you’ll save 30% plus get free shipping on any order over $50! Try them out - you can create your announcement and see how it will look before you buy anything.

So, go! Announce it to the world, you’ve been waiting for this moment! And don’t forget to take advantage of this special offer from Vista Print just for my readers!

30% Off Plus Free Shipping on Orders over $50 at VistaPrint.com!

Don’t forget to buy my book!

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