How to Announce Your Engagement in 2020

So your significant other popped the question! Now comes the tricky business of telling those important to you about the major update in your life. Given the soaring cases of COVID-19 in the U.S and Black Lives Matter protests around the globe, it is also wise to be aware of wedding announcement etiquette for 2020. While a wedding is one of the best distractions a family could celebrate during a crisis, it is important to be grateful for what you have and not overshare right now (you can celebrate your excitement together between the two of you!).

What follows are some tips and tricks on how to announce your engagement in 2020 while being cognizant of current events.

Sending another email maybe triggering during month 456,789,901 of remote working, but crafting a fun and lightweight email to send to your family and close friends is super sentimental. Opting for the email method also keeps the big reveal within your small circle if you are not ready to tell your third-aunt-once-removed or pre-school crush (could make things awkward).

Not to mention, sending in an email rather than sending something in the mail saves time, money, and paper (the big three). A few things to keep in mind when you and your partner sit down to brainstorm the best email of your life: make sure all of the addresses are correct, reread for typos, and consider attaching a few photos you just know your grandma will appreciate.

However, that is not to stay that posting on Instagram is an entire no-no. Like we said, sharing exciting news is a distraction many are craving during the current news cycle. So, if you want to go more public with your engagement, post a #tbt photo from your first day, a snapshot of your love during the lockdown, or a candid from the proposal.

You could let the photo speak for itself, or craft a caption to perfection. Keeping it short and sweet may be the move, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a plethora of options out there. Consider quoting from your favorite film, TV show, or book, or be more humourous. Before you post, have an open conversation with your partner about any drama that could ensue by posting in terms of how your followers will respond. Using the “Close Friends” feature on Instagram will allow you to filter who views your post if you want to tell your immediate friends and family members before the world and prevent falling down the rabbit hole of oversharing about the wedding details.

If you want to go outside of the box, consider posting a boomerang on your Instagram or Facebook story, or even going on live on Instagram so your family and friends can join the IGTV and share their congrats in that specific comment space.

Speaking of going live on social media platforms, what about coordinating a Zoom call with your family and friends? Similar in impact to writing a personal email, sharing your engagement over Facetime or Skype will make the announcement more intimate. Obviously, it would be ideal to be able to break the news in person, but zooming is perhaps the closest thing we have right now during the health emergency. The good news is that you can invite friends and family you wouldn’t normally be able to tell in person.

If technology is not your game, or you would rather have an intimate phone call with your parents or best friends about the proposal, just give them a classic phone call! This act may seem dated, but surprising a loved one with a phone call on any day is a mood booster, not to mention when you are about to drop news about your engagement. Calling those you and your partner want to notify also keeps the news in your inner circle which avoids any drama and balancing sometimes tricky social media etiquette.

If you aren’t on social media or don’t feel comfortable sharing your engagement in this way, opt for an announcement in your local newspaper! You can contact your publication of choice by phone or email and inquire about the process for submitting your engagement announcement. It can be tricky to write your own announcement while abiding by all of the guidelines, but most follow a similar format and often are written from the bride-to-be’s parents’ point of view. However, this phrasing can be reworded based on the structure of their family. 

No matter which format you choose to announce your engagement, remember to be sensitive to the current times and be grateful for the love you have in your life.