Good Form in Engagement Etiquette

Those who invite engaged couples to their houses should make a point of sending them down to dinner together and of doing all in their power to show that they recognize and approve of the engagement.

An engaged girl should write to her personal friends to tell them the news, while her mother writes to older relatives and friends. Letters of congratulation in answer to these should be written as soon as possible.

Young girls do not write to their men friends to congratulate them on an engagement. They either congratulate them personally or not at all.

It is considered extremely bad form for engaged couples to be too demonstrative in public. They should try to be as natural and unaffected as possible, so as to avoid causing embarrassment to others.

The engagement ring should always be worn once it has been placed in position. It is useful as a friendly warning to any unwary and over-susceptible admirers.

Those who invite engaged couples to their houses should make a point of sending them down to dinner together and of doing all in their power to show that they recognize and approve of the engagement.

A girl may dance practically as often as she pleases with her fiancé, although, of course, she will do well not to forget entirely all her old friends in this respect.

It is the girl's privilege to ask any friends she likes to act as her bridesmaids, but it is an understood thing that some relative of the bridegroom shall be among the number.

Friends of a bridegroom who are unacquainted with the bride's family send their wedding presents to him, and he forwards them to the bride's mother, so that they may be on view with the other presents on the wedding day. – The Trinity Journal, 1914

🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

1930’s Etiquette Advice

“If you are inviting friends who have visitors staying with them to your house it is usual to include the visitors in the invitation except in the case of a dinner, when you need not necessarily do so. It is not necessary to call on them first, as they are only asked out of compliment to their hostess.” – Two little girls dressed in their Easter Sunday best , standing in front of their new home in their new neighborhood, circa 1931

Etiquette Notes for Women of 1931

If you return to live in a neighborhood again after a long absence call on all your friends without waiting for them to call on you first.

If you are inviting friends who have visitors staying with them to your house it is usual to include the visitors in the invitation except in the case of a dinner, when you need not necessarily do so. It is not necessary to call on them first, as they are only asked out of compliment to their hostess.

If at a dinner party there is one extra lady the hostess generally goes in by herself, following behind the last couple.

A hostess should always allow a visitor to enter the carriage before her when going for a drive.

When an engagement is announced write your congratulations or give them in person to the prospective bride and bridegroom as soon as possible. — Imperial Valley Press, 1931

🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia