Wednesday, February 15, 2006

To Delay Or Not To Delay An Engagement Announcement?

Wedding Rivalry writes:

We have a son, who is 34 years old, engaged to be married to a 29 year old woman. They plan to be married on June 10, 2006. Our son delayed his marriage proposal to his fiance for a month, because of her brother's wedding in September, 2005. Our son did not want to detract attention from her brother's wedding. Now, his sister, who is 36 years old, is about to be engaged to a man, who is 39 years old. Should she delay her engagement announcement until after her brother's wedding? Or, on the other hand, should the announcement be delayed at all? Our son and his fiance are upset over his sister's impending announcement of her engagement before he gets married. He and his fiance strongly feel it will diminish the attention that she deserves as a bride. HELP!

Dear Wedding Rivalry:

Ordinarily I would say that your daughter's engagement announcement would only enhance rather than detract from the excitement surrounding your son's planned June wedding by providing it with an added layer of celebration. However, given how strongly he and his fiance feel about the announcement's diminishing their own moment in the matrimonial spotlight--and strictly from a priority point a view, it would seem that an actual wedding takes precedence over an engagement--I think perhaps it would be best if your daughter accommodates the wishes of her brother on this one by temporarily delaying the announcement.