By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
What's The JamWhat's The Jam
  • Home
  • Latest News
    • UK News
    • World News
  • Super ViralHot
  • Lifestyle
    • Health and Fitness
    • Photography
    • Property
  • Humor
  • Celebrity
  • Weird
  • Videos
  • All Topics
    • Babies and Kids
    • Celebrity
    • Comedy and Humor
    • Documentary and Reportage
    • Fails
    • Health and Fitness
    • Holidays and Travel
    • Influencers and Models
    • Latest Videos
    • Life Hacks
    • Lifestyle
    • Nature and Wildlife
    • Pets and Animals
    • Photography
    • Property
    • Real Life
    • Sport
    • Strange and Bizarre
    • Super Viral
    • UK News
    • World News
Search
  • Health and Fitness
  • Holidays and Travel
  • Nature and Wildlife
  • Pets and Animals
  • Photography
  • Babies and Kids
  • Comedy and Humor
  • Fails
  • Real Life
  • Strange and Bizarre
  • Submit News
  • Customize Interests
  • Bookmarks
  • Newsletter
  • Who Are We
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Write For Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact
© 2023 What's The Jam. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: ‘I’m an etiquette expert – this is why you should NEVER say congratulations to a newly-engaged couple’
Share
Notification Show More
Aa
What's The JamWhat's The Jam
Aa
  • News
  • World
  • Viral
  • Funny
  • Weird
  • Celebrity
  • DIY
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Videos
Search
  • Home
    • News
    • World
    • Super Viral
    • Videos
  • All Topics
    • Babies and Kids
    • Celebrity
    • Comedy and Humor
    • Documentary and Reportage
    • Fails
    • Health and Fitness
    • Holidays and Travel
    • Influencers and Models
    • Life Hacks
    • Lifestyle
    • Nature and Wildlife
    • Pets and Animals
    • Photography
    • Property
    • Real Life
    • Sport
    • Strange and Bizarre
  • Quick Links
    • Customize Interests
    • Bookmarks
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of use
    • Write For Us
    • Advertise
    • Contact
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Write For Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact
© 2023 What's The Jam. All Rights Reserved.
An etiquette expert advises against saying 'congratulations' to newly-engaged couples, suggesting it can imply an achievement rather than a mutual decision. Instead, express happiness or best wishes.
Lifestyle

‘I’m an etiquette expert – this is why you should NEVER say congratulations to a newly-engaged couple’

Grace Donohoe
Last updated: 2024/10/22 at 6:38 PM
Grace Donohoe
Share
4 Min Read
Alison Cheperdak. (Jam Press/@elevateetiquette)
SHARE

An etiquette expert has revealed why you should never say “congratulations” to a newly-engaged couple.

Alison Cheperdak is an expert in all things prim and proper.

She regularly updates her social media followers on how one should conduct oneself at social gatherings.

But one of her latest videos has ruffled some feathers, racking up over 100,000 views.

- Advertisement -

READ MORE: Brit mum who named son LUCIFER dressing him up in devil’s costume for Halloween

“Saying ‘congratulations’ can imply that the engagement is an achievement,” Alison told What’s The Jam.

An etiquette expert advises against saying 'congratulations' to newly-engaged couples, suggesting it can imply an achievement rather than a mutual decision. Instead, express happiness or best wishes.
Alison Cheperdak. (Jam Press/@elevateetiquette)

“As if one partner ‘won’ the other, rather than a mutual decision to build a life together.

“It’s more appropriate to say: ‘I’m so happy for you both’ or ‘Best wishes.’”

Alison explained that this etiquette actually dates back in time.

- Advertisement -

She said: “Traditionally, it was suggested that it was appropriate to say congratulations to the groom but not to the bride.

“To say congratulations to a bride was to express surprise that she found love.

“The idea is to avoid making marriage seem like a prize or a goal that must be achieved, as it should be based on love and partnership.

- Advertisement -

“It’s also about treating both members of a couple equally.

“It can suggest that one person is lucky to have secured the other, which can feel transactional rather than a celebration of mutual love.

“While getting married is significant, achievements are typically efforts that require skill or accomplishment, like a career milestone or completing a personal goal.

“Marriage is a shared life decision that represents love and commitment, not a task accomplished.”

Alison, from Washington DC, US, said that framing marriage as an achievement suggests work ethic is the key to finding love when in reality, it’s not that simple.

She said: “Express excitement without the connotations of congratulations.

An etiquette expert advises against saying 'congratulations' to newly-engaged couples, suggesting it can imply an achievement rather than a mutual decision. Instead, express happiness or best wishes.
Alison Cheperdak with her Husband. (Jam Press/@elevateetiquette)

“Congratulations should be reserved for accomplishments such as graduating, landing a new job, or reaching a personal milestone – moments that reflect individual effort and growth – which will look different for different people.”

But not everyone shares Alison’s take.

Nicole said: “I am shook over this – I thought congratulations was synonymous with “I’m elated for you” or “I’m happy for you”. This feels nitpicky imo.”

Social media comment on the post of An etiquette expert advises against saying 'congratulations' to newly-engaged couples, suggesting it can imply an achievement rather than a mutual decision. Instead, express happiness or best wishes.
Social media comment on the post. (Picture: Jam Press)

Christina quipped: “Le sigh, we’re overthinking now.”

Another user said: “I think that’s called overthinking.”

Someone questioned: “How about when people say congratulations on a new car? THIS I find so strange. Especially if they have crazy-high payments.”

Social media comment on the post of An etiquette expert advises against saying 'congratulations' to newly-engaged couples, suggesting it can imply an achievement rather than a mutual decision. Instead, express happiness or best wishes.
Social media comment on the post. (Picture: Jam Press)

But a few agree.

One user added: “I agree! I just say I’m happy for the couple.”

READ MORE: ‘I’m 30 and my husband turns 60 next year – people spew hate at us and his family called me a gold digger’

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • X

Have a story to tell? Hello@whatsthejam.com
TAGGED: couple, shocking, Video, wedding

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
[mc4wp_form]
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link Print
Share
What do you think?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Sleepy0
Angry0
Dead0
Wink0
Previous Article A mum has gone viral after her three-month-old baby, Messiah, shocked the family by clearly repeating words in a conversation with his sister. Watch shocking moment newborn has CONVERSATION with eight-year-old sister
Next Article Luke Jerram's 30ft inflatable moon deflates twice due to storm damage in Somerset, cutting short the popular outdoor installation that had attracted over 10,000 visitors. Giant inflatable moon BURSTS after storm wreaks havoc on ‘astonishing’ 30ft artwork
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected

235.3k Followers Like
69.1k Followers Follow
11.6k Followers Pin
56.4k Followers Follow
136k Subscribers Subscribe
4.4k Followers Follow
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Latest News

A rare 2020 McLaren Speedtail with just 71 miles, violet finish, £81k roof scoop and 250mph top speed is up for auction at £1.45m through RM Sotheby's.
Rare three-seater supercar with top speed of 250mph goes on sale for £1.45m
World News 2 July 2025
Teen stuns prom crowd by arriving in a coffin to confront bullies, making dramatic entrance with undertaker dad to prove their cruel words mean nothing.
Teen arrives at school prom in COFFIN to ‘teach bullies lesson’
UK News 2 July 2025
Iconic 1986 Ford Sierra Cosworth with just 27,742 miles hits auction for £95,000 - over double its original value - thanks to pristine condition and one cherished owner.
Iconic Ford Sierra goes on sale for £95,000 – double what it was originally worth
UK News 2 July 2025
Texas man obsessed with British culture dreams of swapping sunshine for Greggs, Wetherspoons and rainy days as he battles visa delays to move to the UK permanently.
‘I’m American but I was meant to be English’
Real Life 2 July 2025

You Might also Like

Teen stuns prom crowd by arriving in a coffin to confront bullies, making dramatic entrance with undertaker dad to prove their cruel words mean nothing.
UK News

Teen arrives at school prom in COFFIN to ‘teach bullies lesson’

2 July 2025
Texas man obsessed with British culture dreams of swapping sunshine for Greggs, Wetherspoons and rainy days as he battles visa delays to move to the UK permanently.
Real Life

‘I’m American but I was meant to be English’

2 July 2025
Woman stunned after Too Good To Go haul from Asda includes 7 lettuces and 13 salad bags, leaving her kitchen overrun and prompting doubts about using the app again.
UK News

Woman’s horror as £4.40 Too Good To Go box is full of LETTUCE

2 July 2025
Woman dubbed 'bird lady' after over 100 birds invade her roof during UK heatwave, leaving her trapped indoors and comparing the ordeal to a scene from Home Alone 2.
UK News

Woman tortured by hundreds of birds as entire flock gathers on her roof

2 July 2025
Woman bravely fights off e-bike thief in Hyde Park as London faces surge in violent ride-by robberies with public calling for action against rising crime rates.
UK News

Exotic plant native to Mexico spotted on roundabout… in Ramsgate

2 July 2025
Brad Pitt flips tacos and topples a meat spit in viral skit with F1 movie co-stars and Mexican chefs, as fans go wild over the fun-filled promo in Mexico.
Celebrity

Hollywood A-lister knocks over giant meat skewer while making tacos

1 July 2025
Scared cops film spooky woman in white coat and stockings standing still in Mexico City alley with hair covering face as video sparks eerie reactions online.
Strange and Bizarre

Scared cops encounter eerie woman in street at night

1 July 2025
Sniffer dogs swap drugs for Platypus detection in Australia - trained pups ride paddle boards to track endangered species in remote waterways for vital conservation work.
Pets and Animals

Paddle-boarding dogs circle pond to protect endangered platypus

1 July 2025
//

What’s The Jam is your one stop website for the latest viral and weird news from around the world.

 
Have a story to tell? Hello@whatsthejam.com

Quick Link

  • Customize Interests
  • Bookmarks
  • Write for Us
  • Newsletter
  • About Us

Top Categories

  • UK News
  • World News
  • Latest Videos
  • Lifestyle
  • Super Viral

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

[mc4wp_form]

What's The JamWhat's The Jam
Follow US
© 2023 What's The Jam. All Rights Reserved.
Go to mobile version
adbanner
AdBlock Detected
Our site is an advertising supported site. Please whitelist to support our site.
Okay, I'll Whitelist
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?