Our Favorite Engagement Announcement Cards to Start Spreading the News

Getting engaged kicks off an exciting new era in your life. But before you fully embark on your wedding planning journey, you'll have to decide how to spread the happy news. That likely includes FaceTimes, phone calls and Instagram hard-launches. While physical declarations may seem like a dying art, we believe that sending loved ones an engagement announcement card is a wonderful way to share your relationship update. After all, who doesn't love receiving snail mail?

While sending engagement announcement cards certainly isn't required, a physical message is a sweet way to keep your favorite people in-the-know about your upcoming nuptials…and to show off those amazing proposal pics. Below, we've outlined the basics of engagement announcement cards, such as what details to include, when to send them and who to put on the mailing list. We even rounded up a collection of trendy and timeless designs you can shop right now, including a few fully customizable picks from The Knot Invitations.

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In this article:

• What Is an Engagement Announcement Card?
• The Best Engagement Announcement Cards to Shop Now
• Engagement Announcement Card Etiquette Rules & FAQs

What Is an Engagement Announcement Card?

An engagement announcement card is exactly what it sounds like: a physical card or message that formally declares your engagement. Not to be confused with a save-the-date, an engagement announcement card can be sent before you have a wedding date locked in. The purpose is simply to share that you and your partner are engaged.

Following your proposal, you'll probably have a contingency of VIPs you're likely to tell first: parents, siblings, best friends, close relatives and potentially even some colleagues. Good news travels fast and often spreads via text, phone call or FaceTime, but a tangible engagement announcement card is something you can send to make everything feel even more official. Think of it like the modern version of a newspaper engagement announcement. While the thought of publishing your engagement news in the press may seem outdated, sending a "We're engaged" announcement card is a thoughtful way to give a personalized update to your nearest and dearest.

The Best Engagement Announcement Cards to Shop Now

With thousands of templates on the market, we've curated a list of the very best engagement announcement cards you can buy now. Most are fully customizable, which means you can tailor the details to be as specific or personalized as your heart desires.

The Knot Newspaper Card

Photo: The Knot

Hot off the press! We love this newspaper-inspired stationery from The Knot Invitations, which puts a modern spin on a traditional printing press announcement. While it's technically a save-the-date card, the template is fully customizable—so instead of using the headline "Save Our Date!" you can edit it to say "We're Getting Married!" or "We're Engaged!" In the text below the photos, add a note that a formal date and additional updates will be shared soon.

The Knot Refined Monogram Card

Photo: The Knot

Elegant and timeless, this elevated engagement announcement card puts your monogram on full display over one of your favorite engagement photos. If you're sending it before your date is confirmed, update the text to note that a date will be announced imminently.

The Knot Modern Photobooth Card

Photo: The Knot

Film strips are having a moment, which is why we love this modern photobooth card. With this custom design, your favorite proposal pics will be arranged in a film strip layout, which you can modify with your own wording to announce your engagement.

The Knot Merrier Year Holiday Card

Photo: The Knot

If you got engaged at the start of proposal season, send out holiday or Christmas card engagement announcements. This festive layout features the phrase "Merrier This Year" over your favorite photo of the two of you. Pro tip: Save one card for yourself to display as holiday decor.

The Knot Custom Design Portrait Card

If you're the creative type, design your own engagement announcement card with The Knot's custom portrait template. The sky's the limit when it comes to sharing the news; just upload your own creation to make the cards feel ultra-personalized and tailored to you.

Minted It's a Date! Card

Photo: Minted

Not sure what words to use for your engagement announcement card? This design takes the guesswork out of it with a pre-written message that alerts guests of your happy news while promising more details in the near future.

Zazzle 'Forever Has a Nice Ring to It' Announcement Card

Photo: Zazzle

Love a good pun? If so, this witty engagement announcement is right up your alley. Pair it with one of your favorite ring selfies for a piece of happy mail your VIPs will be thrilled to receive.

Minted Stacked Initials Card

Photo: Minted

Once you've received images from your engagement photoshoot photographer, put your favorite one on full display with this sleek announcement card.

Zazzle Just Got Engaged Photo Announcement Card

Photo: Zazzle

It doesn't get more straightforward than this "We're Engaged" announcement card. With a photo on the front and a brief message on the back, it's got everything you need to spread the word before you're ready to finalize the details for your save-the-dates.

Minted Classic Touch Card

Photo: Minted

Show off your favorite engagement photo with this engagement announcement postcard from Minted. If you have more to say than what's on the pre-designed layout, add a custom backer or interior to include additional photos and a more detailed message.

Zazzle We're Engaged Announcement Card

Photo: Zazzle

Don't have engagement photos yet but can't wait one more second to share the news? Consider this minimalist engagement announcement card…no imagery required. With a beautiful dusty blue background (perhaps the first of many "something blues" in your future), this simple stationery features plenty of space to share all the swoon-worthy details from your proposal.

Engagement Announcement Card Etiquette Rules & FAQs

Still have a few questions about sending engagement announcement cards? Read up on our answers to the most common FAQs and etiquette rules, like when to send them, who should receive them and if they're even necessary at all.

Do you need to send engagement announcement cards?

The simple answer is no, you don't need to send engagement announcement cards. These announcements are totally optional, but they can be a fun addition to your wedding stationery suite if your budget allows. That said, an engagement announcement card is a great opportunity to share details about the proposal or your relationship as a whole. This is especially true for extended family members who may not already be familiar with the story about how you and your significant other met and began dating. Including proposal snaps, engagement session photos, personal anecdotes or a relationship timeline can help build momentum for your wedding day.

Not to mention, these cards can also serve as beautiful souvenirs you and your partner will cherish forever. After all, save-the-dates may be classic for making that "first impression" of your wedding style, but an engagement announcement card only adds to the excitement.

Who should get an engagement announcement card?

Engagement announcement cards are a little more nuanced than an engagement announcement post on social media. While TikToks or Instagram posts will go out to anyone and everyone on the algorithm, take a bit more care when deciding who to send physical cards to. Think of your mailing list like an engagement party guest list: You don't want to send a card to anyone who won't be invited to your actual wedding. Sending an engagement announcement card indicates that a save-the-date and formal invitation will follow, so if you don't intend on inviting that recipient to your wedding, they may be confused when they receive an engagement announcement but no invitation.

One exception to the rule is if you'll be eloping or with a small group of family members. In this scenario, sending an engagement announcement card is a thoughtful way to include extended family and friends on this exciting moment in your life, especially if it's explicitly clear that your wedding will be a private event.

When should you mail engagement announcement cards?

While there isn't cut-and-dry timing for when engagement announcement cards should go out, you'll want to get them in the mail a few days or weeks after getting engaged. In other words, send them as soon as possible. You'll probably be sending save-the-dates in the near future too, and engagement announcements should be received first.

Plus, sending engagement announcements first comes with an added perk that'll assist later in your wedding planning process. If you decide to send out formal paper engagement cards, you can use this time to start collecting mailing addresses for your future wedding invitations and other prewedding events, like your bridal shower or wedding shower. Your future self will thank you.