Engagement rings can be traced back to Anglo Saxon history, when the gift of a ring became a token of promised love. The circular band became a symbol of eternal love and unity, and in later years the diamond, because of its composition, became a sign of the strength of never-ending love. We can trace the custom of a wedding band back to the Egyptians who presented their brides with circlets of hemp or rush. The ring pillow has its origin with the pillow that traditionally carried the coronation crown to royalty. The tradition has evolved as a symbolic way to prominently present the most precious of gifts.
Marriage announcements are a custom that date back almost a thousand years.
In the past, the purpose of an announcement was to give the members of the community an opportunity to object to the marriage, either because the prospective bride or groom was already married, already betrothed, or for some other justifiable reason. The tradition of a best man has its origin with the Germanic Goths, when it was customary and preferable for a man to marry a woman from within his own community. As you might guess this was not a one-person operation, and so the future bridegroom would be accompanied by a male companion who would help. The role of the best man evolved. By 200 A.D. his task was still more than just safeguarding the ring.