ALTHOUGH every couple will have some doubts and last-minute jitter, most go through with the wedding. Knowing that a mild case of nerves is perfectly normal, however, shouldn’t stop either person from calling off the wedding if serious doubts exist.
A broken engagement is painful for everyone involved, but it is far less painful than an unhappy marriage. If the engagement has not been formally announced, you can simply pass the word to a few close friends who will tell other people. A detailed explanation is not required-indeed none is necessary- and tactful friends will not press for one. You need only say that you have broken up. Why you have made such a decision is strictly your own business.
If the engagement has been formally announced in the papers, a brief announcement to the effect that it is now broken is in order. It usually reads:
Mr. and Mrs. George Harrison announce that the engagement of their daughter Jane Ann and Mr. Paul Jeffrey De Rose has been ended by mutual consent.
If the wedding invitations have been sent, a printed announcement must be prepared and mailed as soon as possible, it there is time before the wedding. (If there is no time, the announcement must be made by telegram and telephone.) A formal announcement could be worded as follows:
Mr. and Mrs. George Paul Harrison
Announce that the marriage of their daughter
Jane Ann
To
Mr. Paul Jeffrey De Rose
Will not be taken place
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A telegram could be worded: “ The marriage of our daughter Mary Ann to Mr. Paul Jeffrey De Rose will not take place. Mr. and Mrs. George Paul Harrison”
As soon as the wedding is called off, notify all suppliers, such as the baker, the florist, and the photographer; also notify the clergyperson and others involved.
Occasionally a wedding is postponed, due to illness on the part of the bride, groom, or close family member. Guests may be telephoned or sent telegrams if time is short, or, if there is time, printed announcement may be sent. It should read:
Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Miller
Announce that the marriage of their daughter
Carrie Elizabeth
To
David Burns
Has been postponed form
Saturday, the sixteenth of June
Until
Saturday, the twentieth of August
At two-thirty o’clock
St. Elygius Church
Chicago
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When there is a death in the family, a large wedding may be postponed, in which case the above announcement is sent. A large wedding that is postponed due to a death in the family may still take place privately before the immediate family. Under such circumstances, the announcement would read:
Mr. and Mrs. James Daley
Regret that they are obliged to recall
The invitation to the marriage of their daughter
Andrea Sue
To
Michael Tibaldi
Owing to the death of Mr. Tibaldi’s father
Mr. Frank Daniel Tibaldi
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To this can be added the following lines:
The ceremony will be held privately
In the presence of the immediate family.
