Do you send out announcements before or after

Definitely afterward. Otherwise it looks like you're announcing you're having an event that they aren't invited to. Worst case scenario, some may interpret this as an invitation, and that could get really awkward.

Afterwards only. Before is like talking about an event to which people are not invited. Announcements are perfectly acceptable, if a bit of a rarity these days in the world of social media and instant communication. Also some will inevitably seem them as a gift grab, though they aren’t.

After. Before is “Hey, we’re going to do an awesome thing but don’t want you around!” After is just “Hey, we did an awesome thing!”

They are sent after the wedding takes place.!