Gottlieb&Sons

Congratulations, you are engaged! Now it's time to spread the news about your pending nuptuals in print.

Couples have been putting their wedding announcements in the newspaper long before Facebook took over the world. Having your wedding photograph printed in the newspaper is an honor and still a hot commodity in today's world as a sign of prestige to make it into a newspaper's weddings section, and couples clamor for the opportunity.

Wedding announcement are typically a formal write-up published in local or national newspapers that shares the details of your nuptials. The requirements may vary from paper to paper, but the intention is the same for them all: getting your good news out into the world!

While you may already know which newspapers you want to print your announcement, it's best to do your research. Maybe you only want to go local -- or just national. Once you've narrowed down your selections, get a list of requirements from the newspapers right away. You need to know the word limit, picture size, deadlines and fees.

Different publications also require various details to be included in their announcements, so be informed before you start writing. Not only do you have to provide extensive background information on the newlyweds and their parents, but there are very particular requirements about photographic submissions as well.

We have pulled together a few easy tips to follow for submitting wedding details and images to newspapers

Instructions for Submitting Your Wedding Announcements

1. Select one or two newspapers in your region to which you will submit your wedding information. You'll probably choose a local paper from your hometown and your spouse's (especially if you and your mate's families live in different cities). You might even consider a national newspaper or choose to publish an announcement in your college newsletter.

2. Ask if there is a standard form for you to fill out that will cover the basic details. For many newspapers, all you have to do is submit your information and your announcement will be published, but this is not the case for brides wanting ink in the New York Times - the ultimate wedding annoucement in the Sunday Styles section.

3. Provide relevant details such as your wedding date, location, the bride's maiden name, your parents names and city of residence and where you will live once you are married.

4. Consider including the names and cities of residence of your wedding attendants and where you will go on your honeymoon.

5. Add background information such as where you each grew up, where you went to school and where you now work.

6. Include a daytime and evening phone number in case the editor has any questions or wants more information.

7. Include a photograph with your name and phone number on the back. Ask the paper what size and quality of photograph they prefer. Some accept only black and white, while others will take color.

8. Provide a stamped self-addressed envelope if you want your photograph back. (Since photographs can easily get misplaced in the newsroom, it is best to send a copy, not an original.)

Below is a list of several popular newspapers across the country for sumbitting wedding annoucements:

New York/New Jersey/Pennsylvania area:

Daily News

The New York Times

The Philadelphia Inquirer/Philadelphia Daily News

Star-Ledger (New Jersey)

New England area:

Boston Globe

Boston Herald - To receive form, call (617)786-7026 or (800)972-5070.

Cape Cod Times

Southeast area:

Baltimore Sun

Miami Herald - Contact (305) 350-2111 for submission form.

St. Petersburg Times - Wedding forms can be obtained by calling 1-800-333-7505, ext. 8215.

The Washington Post

Midwest area:

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel publishes both engagement and wedding announcements in the classified section and online. They charge $99 for a 5 line ad with color photo plus publication online. 

Chicago Tribune

Chicago Sun-Times - For instructions to place a wedding announcement call (312)321-2345.

Detroit Free Press

Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)

Southwest area:

Alabama/AL.com

The Arizona Republic

The Dallas Morning News - Contact (214) 977-8408 for instructions on how to submit announcement.

Houston Chronicle

West Coast area:

Los Angeles Times

The Oregonian

Sacramento Bee - In addition to using the form online, you can also call (916)321-1326 for more information.

The San Diego Union-Tribune

San Francisco Chronicle

San Jose Mercury News - To have a submission form sent to you, call the Celebrations Coordinator at (408) 920-5984, or email celebrations@mercurynews.com.

The Seattle Times

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Several magazines and websites also spotlight photos from real weddings. Check out our list of top bridal outlets that accept submissions:

Brides (local and online at brides.com)

The Knot

Martha Stewart Weddings

Wedding Style Magazines

Style Me Pretty

100 Layer Cake

Once Wed

Ruffled

Brooklyn Bride

Sources for article:

- TheKnot.com - "Wedding Announcements: Contacts at Major Papers." March 18, 2009. (http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/planning-a-wedding/articles/wedding-announcement-contacts.aspx

- Martha Stewart - "Announcements - the Engagement." (http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/announcements-the-engagement)

- eHow - "How to Submit a Wedding Annoucement to a Newspaper." (http://www.ehow.com/how_7196_submit-wedding-announcement.html)

- Massachuttes Wedding Guide - "Engagement/Wedding Annoucements." (http://www.maweddingguide.com/planning/tasks/engagement.htm)