Engagement

Wedding Articles

Wording for Newspaper Engagement Announcement

What should be included in the engagement announcement?

Some newspapers follow a brief format, yet some papers use a more informal style and will include more information and may even interview the couple. The basic format includes full names with courtesy or professional titles; city and province of residence if different than the newspapers hometown; highest level of education of the couple; and their current employment.

Basic Wording by the Bride's Parents:

Mr. and Mrs. Ken Parker of Toronto, Ontario announce the engagement of their daughter, Kathy Anne Parker, to Jason Alexander Blacksmith, son of Dr. and Mrs. Adam Blacksmith of Vancouver, British Columbia. Ms. Parker, a graduate of University of Toronto, is a teacher at Willowmill Heights in Toronto, Ontario. Mr. Blacksmith, a graduate of University of Toronto, is a teacher at Andrew Adams Collegiate Institute in Toronto, Ontario. A September wedding is planned.

When Parents are Divorced:

Divorced parents are never listed as a couple but as separate individuals with their current legal names and places where they live. Usually the mother makes the announcement unless the father is the custodial parent then he may make the announcement. If your other biological parent wasn't involved in raising you, then there is no need to mention him or her in the announcement.

Ms. Kelly Johnson of Toronto, Ontario announces the engagement of her daughter, Kathy Anne Parker, to Jason Alexander Blacksmith...Ms. Kathy Anne Parker is also the daughter of Mr. Ken Parker of Toronto.

If the grooms' parents are divorced:

Mr. and Mrs. Ken Parker of Toronto, Ontario announce the engagement of their daughter, Kathy Anne Parker, to Jason Alexander Blacksmith, son of Mrs. John Thompson of Calgary, Alberta, and Mr. Adam Blacksmith of Vancouver, British Columbia.

If the brides and grooms parents are divorced:

Mrs. Samuel Jones announces the engagement of her daughter, Kathy Anne Parker, to Jason Alexander Blacksmith, son of Mrs. John Thompson of Calgary, Alberta, and Mr. Adam Blacksmith of Vancouver, British Columbia. Miss Parker is also the daughter of Mr. Ken Parker of Vancouver, British Columbia.

Unless the stepparent is an adoptive parent or the natural parent is not part of the bride or groom's life, they are not mentioned in the announcement.

When Divorced Parents Make an Announcement Together:

If both the divorced parents of the bride to be want to make a joint announcement, they need to be listed by their current names and places of residence.

Mrs. Kelly Johnson of Toronto, Ontario and Mr. Ken Parker of Hamilton, Ontario announce the engagement of their daughter, Kathy Anne Parker, to...

When one of the bride's parent is deceased:

Mrs. Kelly Johnson of Toronto, Ontario announces the engagement of their daughter, Kathy Anne Parker, to...Miss Parker is also the daughter of the late Ken Parker.

When one of the groom's parent is deceased:

Mr. and Mrs. Ken Parker of Toronto, Ontario announce the engagement of their daughter, Kathy Anne Parker, to Jason Alexander Blacksmith, son of Dr. Adam Blacksmith of Vancouver, British Columbia and the late Mrs. Sandra Blacksmith.

When both the bride's parents are deceased:

If both of the bride's parents are deceased, a close family member may make the announcement.

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Parker of Toronto, Ontario announce the engagement of their granddaughter, Kathy Anne Parker, to...Miss Parker is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Ken Parker (or the late Ken and Kelly Murphy Parker.)

When the couple makes the announcement:

In cases where the couple is sponsoring their own wedding, in case of remarriage or is they don't have close family, a couple may choose to make their own announcement.

Ms. Kathy Ann Parker and Mr. Jason Alexander Blacksmith (or Kathy Ann Parker and Jason Alexander Blacksmith) of Toronto, Ontario are pleased to announce their engagement. (This may be followed by information about the couple or their parents.