The story behind wedding announcements: History, etiquette, and modern trends

Wedding announcements are more than a note to friends and family. They provide a lens that focuses on social history, etiquette, and evolving traditions. From medieval church banns to Instagram posts today, these declarations tell a story about how society has marked one of life’s most celebrated moments. Today's post delves into the fascinating journey of wedding announcements, their etiquette rules, and how they’ve adapted to the modern age.

 

History of Wedding Announcements

The tradition of announcing marriages dates back centuries, long before save-the-date cards, printed invitations, or social media existed.

• Medieval Europe: In many communities, couples’ intentions to marry were publicly declared in churches on three consecutive Sundays. These “banns of marriage” provided an opportunity for anyone with legal or religious objections to speak up. Back then, society was largely illiterate, and this practice provided an essential public form of communication.
• Heralds and Nobility: Among aristocratic families, marriage announcements were often delivered by heralds, high-ranking officers of a monarch or nobleman. These formal proclamations weren't just about love. In fact, love might not be a factor at all. They signaled information about social alliances, inheritance, and status.
• The Printing Press Era: The advent of the printing press offered a new way to publicly record matrimonial unions. Because of newspapers, printed marriage announcements came about in the 17th and 18th centuries. These announcements were initially a privilege of the wealthy, who could afford the cost of printing their names and lineages in local papers.

By the 19th century, etiquette guides formalized the style and wording of announcements, often detailing the family lineage of both the bride and groom. Newspapers became the standard medium for the broader public, while handwritten and engraved announcements remained a mark of prestige.

 

Etiquette of Wedding Announcements

The shift from pre-wedding notices to post-wedding announcements happened gradually over several centuries:

17th–18th Century Newspapers

• As printing became common, newspapers began publishing wedding notices.
• By the late 18th century, most announcements were post-wedding rather than pre-wedding.
• The focus shifted from legal or community obligations to social recognition and prestige.

Victorian Era (19th Century)

• Engraved announcements mailed after the wedding became fashionable among middle- and upper-class families.
• Including the date and venue after the ceremony allowed families to celebrate the union and broadcast their social status. 

  

Modern Trends in Wedding Announcements

Today, the way couples announce their marriages reflects changes in society, technology, and personal style:

• Digital announcements: Social media, email, and wedding websites allow couples to share news instantly with friends and family worldwide. Some even combine photos, videos, and interactive elements.
• Design and personalization: Many couples now choose custom designs, illustrations, monograms, or keepsake-quality stationery to reflect their personalities. Minimalist and eco-friendly designs are increasingly popular, and sites such as Canva provides a wide range of customizable templates with an intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
• Blending tradition and modernity: Some couples honor tradition by sending printed announcements while also posting online, merging historical etiquette with contemporary convenience.

 

Why Wedding Announcements Matter

Wedding announcements are more than a formality. They:

• Connect communities: Historically, they informed communities of a major life event.
• Reflect social customs: The format, wording, and medium show societal values across centuries.
• Preserve memories: Whether printed or digital, they serve as keepsakes of a milestone moment.

Even in the digital age, announcements continue to honor the balance between sharing news and celebrating personal milestones with style and intention. 

From church doors and town criers to newspapers, engraved cards, and Instagram posts, wedding announcements have evolved alongside society itself. They combine history, etiquette, and creativity, offering couples a meaningful way to celebrate and share their marriage. Understanding their origins enriches the modern tradition, reminding us that even a simple announcement carries centuries of social and cultural significance.

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History and Meaning of the Father–Daughter Wedding Dance

The tradition of a father and daughter sharing a dance is a cherished moment across many cultures. While it is now most widely recognized at weddings in Western society, the practice has a rich history rooted in symbolic rites of passage, family alliances, and cultural celebrations.

 

The father–daughter wedding dance is one of the most sentimental highlights of a wedding reception. Today, it’s seen as a touching way for a bride to honor her relationship with her father (or a father figure). But this tradition has a long history that reveals how weddings once reflected family duty, social order, and transition.

From “Giving Away” to Dancing Together

The roots of the father–daughter dance lie in European customs of the 18th and 19th centuries. At that time, weddings were often less about personal romance and more about family alliances and social status. Formal balls were a central feature of upper-class society, and etiquette guides emphasized the father’s role in presenting his daughter.

For example, the Victorian handbook The Habits of GoodSociety (1859) describes how dances followed strict rules of propriety. Fathers frequently danced with daughters first before introducing them to their husbands or other partners. The act was not just sentimental—it symbolized guardianship and the formal transition from one household to another.

The Symbolism of Transition

The dance originally echoed the broader ritual of a father “giving away” his daughter during the ceremony. In many traditions, the father would begin the dance with the bride and then step aside for the groom, symbolizing the transfer of responsibility and blessing.

Similar practices appeared in debutante balls, where young women were formally presented to society. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica’s entry on debutantes, fathers often danced first with their daughters before allowing other men to join them on the dance floor, reinforcing the idea of protection and transition.

 

Modern Evolution

By the 20th century, particularly in the United States, the father–daughter dance had shifted in meaning. Weddings became less about family contracts and more about personal celebration. The dance transformed into a moment of love, nostalgia, and gratitude.

Today, the father–daughter wedding dance is often customized with personal touches:

• A favorite childhood or meaningful song (see Brides.com’s overview of the tradition).
• Any dance style, from classic waltz to upbeat swing, or even choreographed routines.
• Inclusion of stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, or close family friends when a father isn’t present, reflecting modern family structures.

  
Why It Endures

Even though its original meaning was rooted in social formality, the father–daughter wedding dance has endured because of its emotional power. It marks a moment of connection between generations, a pause in the whirlwind of celebration where father and daughter acknowledge their bond and the transition into a new chapter of life.

 

What began as a ritual of duty has become one of the most heartfelt and personal traditions in modern weddings.

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Photo credits: Bart, wikimedia.org

Why Do Grooms Wear Boutonnieres? The History and Meaning Behind the Tradition

When you picture a groom on his wedding day, one classic detail often stands out. A small, elegant flower pinned to his lapel. This floral decoration, known as a boutonniere, might seem like just a pretty accessory, but it carries a rich history and meaningful symbolism that dates back centuries.

 

What Is a Boutonniere?

A boutonniere (pronounced boo-ton-yehr) is a small floral arrangement, typically worn on the left lapel of a suit or tuxedo. Traditionally, it’s worn by the groom, his groomsmen, and sometimes close family members or honored guests. Though modest in size, the boutonniere holds a big place in wedding traditions worldwide.

 

Serwalin Champagne Rose Corsage and Boutonniere Set

Ancient Origins: Flowers as Symbols of Protection and Love

Roots of the boutonniere tradition stretch as far back as ancient civilizations. Warriors and soldiers often adorned themselves with herbs, flowers, or sprigs believed to ward off evil spirits and protect them in battle. These floral tokens were seen as charms of good luck and courage.

 

Medieval Romance: Wearing the Lady’s Colors

By medieval times, the boutonniere took on a more romantic meaning. Knights would wear their beloved’s chosen flower or colors pinned to their armor or clothing before heading into battle. This act was a public display of devotion and a way to keep their love close, even amid conflict.

From Battlefields to Ballrooms: The Wedding Tradition Emerges

As warfare gave way to courtship and celebration, the boutonniere evolved into a decorative accessory for formal occasions, especially weddings. By the 19th and 20th centuries, wearing a boutonniere became a refined way for the groom to signify his special role and connection to the bride.

 

Modern Boutonnieres: Style, Symbolism, and Unity

Today, boutonnieres are carefully selected to complement the wedding’s color palette and floral arrangements. Often, the groom’s boutonniere echoes elements of the bride’s bouquet, symbolizing their unity and shared journey. Beyond tradition, it’s also a stylish detail that adds a touch of elegance and personality to the groom’s attire.

 

The next time you see a groom sporting a boutonniere, you’ll know there’s more to that little flower than meets the eye. It’s a living tradition—rooted in history, romance, and symbolism—that continues to bloom beautifully on weddings everywhere.

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Thanks so much for being part of our success.

 

Image credits: pickpik.com, picryl.com