It's that time of year again! The holidays are over...so what am I talking about? Engagement season! Most guys (about 40%) propose from November through February, and that's good because once January hits, nothing else exciting is happening.
 
As a new bride-to-be, of course, you want to shout this news from the rooftops.

This is where an engagement announcement comes in (and changing your Facebook relationship status doesn't count!) There are a number of ways to make your news public: you can publish an announcement in your local newspaper or mail a printed card to your friends and family. But...really? Mailing a formal, paper engagement announcement often requires too much patience for someone used to sharing all news instantly and electronically. Recently, I have been receiving this type of information from friends in the form of an email or text which, while instantaneous, is neither chic nor seems to communicate the importance of my friends' news. How then does the modern bride announce her engagement with the style and importance it deserves, but the instant gratification she desires? Enter Paperless Post.
 
Paperless Post is an online stationer where a bride can design an engagement announcement (or a save the date or invitation, for that matter) that achieves the look, texture and experience of custom printed stationery - but can be delivered to her loved ones all around the world electronically. Not only are they eco-friendly and chic, but Paperless Post announcements also save time and money. For a busy bride-to-be, all of this essentially means that Paperless Post announcements are stress and hassle-free - they offer all the good qualities of paper, with all the good qualities of email. As an added bonus, recipients can reply instantly with private messages, wishing the happy couple well!
 
Keep in mind, there are a few rules of etiquette (because it's good to be aware of rules, then you can bend them to your liking).

Traditionally, someone other than the happy couple sends engagement announcements, usually the parents of the bride-to-be. These days, however, there are no hard and fast rules about that. Couples should choose to do what best reflects them. Additionally, for traditional announcements, the basic wording includes full names with the courtesy of professional titles, city and state of residence. Again however, as traditions relax, a less formal announcement conveying the sender's enthusiasm for the news can be appropriate to send to close friends and family.  Here are some examples:

 
Etiquette aside, this is your moment and you should announce it in a way that best expresses you and your fiancé. With Paperless Post you have the option to be green, chic and sophisticated.
 
I am so thrilled to be guest blogging on Green Bride Guide, so stay tuned for my upcoming posts covering the other types of wedding-related correspondence. This will include Save the Dates, invitations for bridal showers, bachelorette parties, rehearsal dinners and the wedding itself! And if you think you're off the hook after the big day, then think again. That's when it's time for thank you notes, and I'll be covering those too.

Written by Alexa Hirschfeld, Co-founder of Paperless Post

Alexa Hirschfeld is co-founder of Paperless Post, an online stationer that offers digital Invitations, Save the Dates, and Announcements that achieve the look, texture adn experience of receiving custom-printed stationery...without the environmental damage. The company launched in April '09 and in only a few months, users have send over 1 million pieces of Paperless Post mail. The company seeks to redefine the tradition of stationary by combining the best of paper (aesthetics) with the best of email (efficiency in terms of cost, time and the environment.)