Announcing Your Engagement

The first step towards getting married is the formal announcement of the engagement. There are several ways in which it can be announced—publicly, in the Press; personally, by means of notes; and verbally, at an engage¬ment party—or by all three means.

THE PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT

The press announcement should be worded somewhat as follows:

BROOKMAN—WALTERS

An engagement is announced, and a marriage will shortly take place, between Alan Everett Brookman, son of Mr. and Mrs. S. Brookman, of 18, Pont Square, Westminster, and Rosemary Ann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Walters, of Oak Cottage, Bramfield, Gloucester.

Both surnames are sometimes omitted, or the terms "only son," "second son," "elder son," "younger son," or "eldest son," in the case of the man; and "youngest daughter ," "younger daughter," "elder daughter," "only daughter" or "second daughter" in the case of the girl, included.

In the event of either or both parties being widowed, this would be indicated in the announcement, e.g.: The engagement is announced between Alan Everett Brookman (widower), of 18, Pont Square,Westminster, and Rosemary Ann Smith (widow of the late Commander John Smith, R.N.), of Oak Cottage, Bramfield, Gloucester.

The surname of the fiance* is always given if he holds commissioned rank in one of the Services, together with his rank, e.g.: Commander John Pelham, R.N., or Lieut.-Colonel Alan Everett Brookman, The Rifle Brigade. In the case of an army officer, his regiment is added. Titles and awards may be mentioned.

An announcement of this kind would be suitable for the " Forthcoming Marriages " columns of The Times or Daily Telegraphy but a longer announcement might be sent to the local newspapers concerned, mentioning the schools attended by the engaged couple, their family background, businesses, etc.

Divorced Parents

Where the parents of the bridegroom are divorced, the wording of the announcement could be as follows:

The engagement is announced between Alan Everett Brook man, son of Mr. S. Brookman of 18, Pont Square, Westminster, and Mrs. Brookman of Dublin, and Rosemary Ann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Walters, of Oak Cottage, Bramfield, Gloucester.

Where the bride's parents are divorced, the situation is necessarily more complicated. Sometimes in such cases, the engagement is announced by only one parent. This is quite wrong, for the names of both parents must appear in the announcement. A divorced parent's name might be omitted, if, for example, the bride was adopted by her step-father and bore his name. In this case the engagement would be announced by the mother and step-father.

Dead Parents

If the bride's mother is dead, the newspaper announcement will refer to " the late Mrs. Walters." If neither parent is living, another relative—an aunt or uncle—or perhaps a guardian will announce the engagement, in which case the bride will be the daughter of "the late Mr. and Mrs. J. Walters." If the bride's father has remarried, the "late" Mrs. Walters is not mentioned, as the stepmother takes her place. In this case, Mr. and Mrs. J. Walters would announce the engagement of "Mr. Walters's daughter."

NOTES

The engagement may be announced by means of notes written to relatives and friends, before or instead of an announcement in the Press or at a party.

In this case the prospective husband and wife should compile a list of all friends and relatives who are to be notified, and then write a brief note to each. This note might be worded as follows:

Oakfields,
Burslem.

My Dear Aunt,

Since last I wrote, a very important event has taken place. Last night Jack asked me to be his wife, and I consented, and now we are engaged!

Jack is a very nice man. He is tall and good-looking, has charming manners, and has (he says) loved me "for years." But you have met him, haven't you ? I am too excited to write any more now, so, With love to Uncle,

Your affectionate niece,
Dorothy

It is usual for friends to congratulate only the man, but an aunt might congratulate the girl without impropriety.

To the Bride

Whitby Lodge,
Harrow.

My Dearest Dorothy,

May I congratulate you with all my heart upon your engagement. Jack is certainly a charming man, and I think you are a very fortunate girl to have secured such a good husband. Where do you intend to settle down?

Tell me all about it when you write—and soon, for we are anxious to hear how it happened. Uncle Ted sends his kindest regards to you, and wishes you every happiness, now and in the future. With all my heart, I enter into your happiness, and remain ever, dearest

Your loving aunt,
Kate

Another Example

1, The Greenway,
Stockington.

Dear Dorothy,

We are not surprised but we are certainly delighted to hear your good news.  Jack is a fine—and very lucky!—man. We send you both every good wish for your future happiness.

Yours sincerely,

Eileen and Ken

To the Bridegroom

Leyton Lodge,
N. Finchley.

Dear Jack,

Allow me to be among the first to congratulate you upon your engagement to Dorothy Hopkins. We are very pleased to think that you have the prospect of so much happiness before you.

We know your fiancee, and can heartily compliment you upon your choice.

The girls are excited about the news, and want to know when "the event" is to be. My wife will write for herself and the girls, but I cannot resist the temptation of personally sending my good wishes.

Yours sincerely,
Edgar Duffield

A More Intimate Letter

Moss Dale,
Bickley.

My Dear Jack,

I am really delighted to hear of your engagement, and hasten to send you my warm congratulations. The longer I live, the more certain I am that married life is best!

My wife would like to call at once on your fiancee, and I hope you will bring her to lunch and introduce her to us at the earliest possible moment, so that I can congratulate her in person upon the admirable judgment she has shown in her choice of a husband.

Yours ever,
Walter Lowe

It is important to remember to post all the notes announcing the engagement at the same time.