ANNOUNCING YOUR ENGAGEMENT
The news of your engagement is really big news so you’ll
want to share it with the world—but, without hurting
anyone’s feelings. Here is a suggested order for
telling your family and friends.
Your Childeren
If either of you have children, they should be told
even before you tell your parents. It makes the child/children
feel important, and lets them know that you respect
and love them before anything or anyone. If your child
is
very young, it might be a good idea to tell him/her
in the presence of their other parent. Both of you can
explain to them that this marriage will not make you
love them any less. This meeting will reinforce to the
child that
they are, and will always be, a part of your new life.
Your parents.
If they are divorced, depending on your relationship
with them, you may opt to tell the one you are closest
to
first. If your parents are still good friends then you
can arrange to tell them together. The same rules apply
to
the groom’s parents. In the event neither of your
parents have met your future spouse, or they are not
too fond of him/her, you may want to tell them alone.
This will enable them to respond in a truthful manner
and ask any questions or attempt to resolve any pre-conceived
notions they may have about your
significant other.
Extended Family.
Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and even very close
friends should be next in line. If either of you has
been married before, out of courtesy, you should at
least write your ex-spouse a note about your engagement.
If you are still cordial, it wouldn’t hurt to
tell them in person or over the phone.
The Public.
After all of your family and close friends have been
told, you can begin to have announcements made to your
church family and/or to the members of any organizations
you belong to. If your job has a newsletter, you can
ask to have your engagement printed in there also. You
may also want to send a picture of both of you and announce
your engagement in your newspaper.
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