Whether you're celebrating your first or your 50th, an anniversary announcement in the newspaper is the perfect way to share your love with the world. Announcements are also a great way to spotlight the anniversary of loved ones like your parents. Share the important details and fun little extras to make the announcement special and personal.

Before creating your anniversary announcement, review the guidelines for the selected publication. Newspapers may have certain requirements for the information you include in the announcement. Check on the deadline for submitting the information if you want it published on a particular date. Some newspapers plug the anniversary information into a standard template while others let you create your own announcement, so check before starting. This research phase is also the time to check on the cost of publishing an anniversary announcement in the paper. Some newspapers print announcements free of charge. You may have to pay a fee if you want to include a photo.

It's important to have all the necessary information before you start writing the piece. If you're creating an announcement for your own anniversary, that information should be easy to gather. If you're writing it for another couple, you may have to do a little digging to find details for the anniversary newspaper announcement.

Common information in an announcement includes:

• Names of the couple
  
• Wife's maiden name if she took her spouse's name
• Hometown
• How long the couple has been married
• Date and location of the wedding
• Information on the couple's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren if applicable
• Employment information, present or past, if the couple is retired
• Any other information you want to share

If the announcement doubles as an invitation for an anniversary celebration, include those details as well. Include the date, time and location if you want people to attend the celebration. Another common option is a card shower where friends of the couple send anniversary cards. For this option, include the mailing address for the cards.

Now it's time to put your information into an announcement. You can choose a basic option by simply sharing the details. For example, you might start by writing, "Jane and Sam Smith of Norwalk are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary on September 1. They were united in marriage on September 1, 1987, at the First United Methodist Church in Norwalk." Continue with additional details. This is the traditional way of sharing anniversary information.

If the newspaper allows you to create your own announcement, you can get creative with the wording. Consider the personalities of the couple when creating the draft. If they're a fun-loving couple who enjoys humor, you might say something like, "Jane Smith has been putting up with Sam Smith's antics for 30 years, and they're still going strong. Their journey started way back on September 1, 1987, when a young Jane and Sam said, 'I do.' They didn't know what life had in store for them, but it's been an amazing 30 years full of kids and recently, a sweet little grandbaby."

Once you get the basics down, consider adding a few extras. A photo of the couple is a nice addition to the print announcement. Consider adding one photo from the wedding day in addition to a current photo.

Another option is to include a quote about love or a special message directly to the couple to add a sentimental and personal element to the announcement. You might include a famous quote about love enduring. You might also share how the couple's love makes you feel. For example, if you're writing an announcement for your parents, you might talk about the impact of their love on your life.