Just when did we start taking engagement photos? And has it always been a big deal?
After several hours of trying to find any historical facts on engagement photos, everything that came up pertained to “Engagement Announcements.” I was shocked to find out that announcing one’s engagement dates all the way back to 1215, when Pope Innocent III decreed that, any couples intending to marry had to formally announce their intentions–you can also thank him for introducing the engagement ring.
This spiraled into mostly verbal announcements and family letters, as well as engagement parties.
Fast forward to the Victorian Era (1837-1901), where etiquette books where written just on how to properly announce your engagement. You could tell your relatives, but couldn’t announce it to the public until a day before your engagement party. At that time, a representative of the bride’s family wrote to the local newspaper giving the engagement information and requested a photographer come to the house. During this time the majority of photographs taken were just of the bride-to-be. It wasn’t until the 1920’s that you see couples being photographed and in the paper.
Placing a photo in the paper was typically reserved for high society only. All other announcements where simply a short write up of the couple and who their parents were. Your local newspaper offered a section for engagement announcements which remained popular through the 1990’s.
The New York Times started announcing engagements with their very first one on Sep. 18, 1851. This trend continued for one hundred and forty-three years. It wasn’t until Jan. 2, 1994, when they posted a notice saying they would discontinue this section of the newspaper due to space issues.
It seemed that engagement announcements became a thing of the past, until the early 2000’s. Engagement photos are back on the rise!
Instead of announcing it in the local paper, couples are getting professional photos done, for private invitations or save-the-dates. Taking selfies and blowing up your social media with announcing your engagement is fun and a good way to share in your excitement with others, but I would highly recommend getting some professional photos taken. These can be transformed into save-the-dates, a great sign in guest book, and just wonderful pictures to have displayed around the house.