WOW **SWH ADDED Wording an Engagement Announcement in the Newspaper

How about something like:

The family of Susie Ann ____ is proud to announce that Susie is engaged to be married to Joe ____.

And if you wish, you can say that Joe is the son of Mr. and Mrs. ____, or Mrs. ____, or whoever, from wherever he's from.

Then you can say a little about the couple (where they're working, what schools they graduated from, where they will live, etc).

I know about those small town papers. My FIL's town mentions that the Bridge Club met (all 6 members of the club) and who ultimately won, and that they enjoyed a fine snack of cheese and Ritz crackers. And that Mrs. ____ got a post card in the mail from her daughter who is traveling in New York City. There are 185 people in the town. It gives a lot of people a sense of community, and the news cheers a lot of people.

I would put Mr and Mrs Doe announce the engagement of Suzie Q and Joe Schmo.No explanation needed.No need to mention bio dad unless he's planning to help pay for and arrange the wedding

I'm sorry this is going to come out harsh, but are you always this drama filled?

We all know you hate your child's bio-dad. Your husband stepped up to the plate. He's her dad. Don't take that away from him. He raised her, right? I wouldn't list "step dad", from my POV? He's DAD.

Why not just state:

Mr and Mrs Doe happily announce the engagement of Jane Smith to John Daily. They will be married on December 21st at Woodbridge Catholic church. They will be residing in Hawaii after their marriage.

If your daughter graduated college, why is she an A1C instead of an officer? You said she went through the ROTC program and if that's the case? She should be a commissioned officer in the USAF.

i don't even think my parents did one for me. Lol. They both are remarried to different people. When we did the invitation we just wrote something like " together with their families " and then our names . It doesn't need to be formal. Simple is best.

I wasn't aware that newspapers still did engagement announcements.
I got married in 1989 and I don't recall anything about an announcement - but then we were coordinating between 3 different geographical areas (New York, Virginia and Connecticut) so it wasn't a priority on our list of things to do.
Many just announce via Facebook.

At any rate, your situation is covered here:

"If a Remarried Parent is Hosting With a New Spouse

Ms. Janet Jones and Mr. Timothy Chapin announce the engagement of Ms. Jones's daughter Jane Doe to Jack Smith…. Ms. Doe is also the daughter of John Doe of San Francisco. "

https://www.theknot.com/content/engagement-announcements-101

I guess my 2 cents is...if you see the wedding announcements in the paper every week then use them as your example if you are so concerned about it.

Otherwise, just write it how you want it. I like what Gamma said as a good example. I don't think anyone will call you up and question your wording. If so, that person needs something better to do with their time. LOL

So, you get upset when people point out inconsistencies with your information?

I see no bitter people who answered. You had good answers. Move on.

Google it! There is plenty of precedent for you. You don't have to struggle, and I wouldn't. I would also make sure your daughter is happy with your choice. This is her engagement and you want her to be happy with what you've decided.

I'm so confused. Why are you making this so difficult? What does your daughter want?

If your daughter graduated college, why is she an A1C? She should be a 2LT or a 1LT with her degree. Why do you even mention her rank in the paper anyway? Is her rank part of her marriage?

I would use the KISS method and state: We proudly announce the engagement of Jane Doe to John Smith. They will be married in July at the Church of Faith.

Woodbridge is NOT rural, nor is it mid-west. So You don't live in NJ? Got it.

We didn't have ours in the paper, although my sister did - so I would just check with your daughter first of course to see if she's up for it. Sometimes they put a picture in too - although I don't know if anyone does that any more (that was back in the 80's for my sister).

I like the ideas below of just saying "the family of" - keep it simple, short and sweet.

Ask your daughter if she wants you to put in the announcement and how she'd like it worded. I didn't make any announcement when my older daughters got engaged. Their choice.

When in doubt I pull out my updated Emily Post book I got for my wedding, lol.

It is probably online now somewhere on how to word it properly with step-dad.

That way in the small town paper they will know that you used the correct etiquette. THEY always know...so double check with Emily. :-)

I would assume that "Susie" doesn't go by her step dad's name? If so that's not her legal name unless she's been to court and had it legally changed?

So if you put this.

"Mary Doe Smith and John Smith would like to announce the engagement of Jane Doe to Joe Blow..."

lol, then all your bases are covered. By putting your name that links her to you it shows you're her mother and that this guy is her step dad.

Would your daughter enjoy having the announcement be from all the parents? Maybe call bio dad and ask if he wants to be a part of it. If you include dad you might start a positive ball rolling where all the parents unite for the wedding of their daughter.

I always thought the couple did that, not the parents. Well when they still did that, these days the kids do it all differently. Instead of a newspaper they just send out save the date cards or announcement cards followed by save the date.

Per your what happened, I live in the midwest, my parents didn't announce our wedding, we did. My daughter didn't announce her wedding nor did we. That just isn't how they do it anymore. Why do you ask questions just to turn around and lecture us about what you see as our ignorance?

Just put in the announcement...it'll make you happy. How about: Mr and Mrs M. happily announce the engagement of Jane M. to John Daily. They will be married on December 21st at xxx...
You could even say "announce the engagement of their daughter to xxxx". Just check in with your daughter first to see if she likes the wording. It's no big deal. I wouldn't worry too much about it because who would complain?

Your husband is her step-father. Since her bio dad is not in the picture he is her Dad. No need to add step. "Mr and Mrs John doe wish to announce the engagement of theit daughter to

Word the announcement any way you want. It really doesn't matter, especially if the community accepts him as her Dad.