Real Life Wedding Planning

Know how to get a marriage license?  The other day I wrote a post about making sure your marriage is legal when you have a destination wedding.  You also need to be sure you do what it takes when you have your wedding at home in the United States.   Check with the local government in the area in which your wedding will take place, often a city or county clerk’s office, and find out what you need to do to get a marriage license.

Just so you are prepared, here are some basic requirements for most states in the US:

• Age – must be 18 years of age or older
• Apply in Person – both the bride and the groom must be present
• Blood Test and Medical Exams – most states have done away with this, but check
• Fees – vary according to state, bring cash in case they don’t accept checks
• ID – driver’s license, passport, birth certificate
• Previous marriages – if one of you has been married before, bring a divorce decree or death certificate to prove you are no longer married
• State residency – you might need to be residents of the state
• Waiting period – ther may be a three to five day waiting period
• Witnesses – Usually two are required, the best man and maid or matron of honor are perfect witnesses

Many government offices have information on getting licenses on their websites so check there first and follow their rules.

Your officiant will need to sign your marriage license, ask if he or she will also mail it for you after the wedding.

Planning a destination wedding outside the United States?  Before you leave, make sure you know the requirements the destination country has in order for a marriage to be legal.  Requirements might include a residency of anything from 24 hours up to seven days, birth certificate, passport, or a blood test taken in their country. Check US rules also to assure your wedding in a foreign country is legal when you return.

Actor Bruce Willis married model Emma Heming at his home in Parrot Cay in the Turks and Cacios Islands on March 21.  They had a second civil ceremony in a friend’s home when they returned to Los Angeles to make sure their marriage was legal.

Reality stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, of  the television show, The Hills, got married in a secret ceremony in Mexico on November 20, 2008 but it turned out their marriage was not legal.  They never obtained a marriage license nor did they follow some of the other requirements Mexico has that makes a marriage legal.  They later went to have a civil ceremony during an episode of The Hills but canceled to have a big wedding in the future, or so they said.

You can get help planning your destination wedding from wedding planners here in the United Sates or in the distant county, just make sure they are familiar with all the rules.

Get great wedding planning ideas from singer Natasha Bedingfield’s March 21 wedding to filmmaker Matt Robinson.  Natasha gave information about her event to Us Weekly magazine.

Here are the ideas you can steal:

• Have a sunset ceremony, on a hillside with a view of the ocean.  Natasha’ s was at the Church Estate Vineyards in Malibu, the same place singer Fergie married actor Josh Duhamel.
• Spinkle the aisle at an outdoor wedding with rose petals.
• With a simple wedding dress, feel free to have a fancy hairstyle.  Natasha wore a custom designed Vera Wang gown and styled her hair long, using hair extensions and slightly curled.
• For an outdoor wedding, be prepared for the wind and anchor your veil tightly to your head.  Natasha had to trouble holding her veil down.
• Walk down the aisle to the song “What a Wonderful World”.
• Colors were peach and purple.  The bridesmaids’ wore purple, short and sleeveless dresses.  The flower girls wore ivory dresses with purple sashes.  Reception linens were purple with centerpieces of peach roses and ivory candles.
• Have fun, at the reception there were prizes for the best dressed couple and the couple who traveled the farthest.

Keeping Track of Wedding Planning Ideas

Get great wedding planning ideas but forget some of them before you can get out your pen and paper?  This was happening to me until I got a small MP3 recorder that I clip to my clothes and even put on my night stand.  When I get an idea, I just record it. Later, I upload it into my computer and jot down my ideas in the appropriate places; my calendar, a client file, my notebook of wedding planning ideas or my journal. This way, I don’t lose any of my “brilliant” ideas.

You can also use a digital recorder that you wear on a cord around your neck.  Below are  links to a digital recorder and the MP3 recorder/player that I use.

Television show "Get Married" offers wedding planning tips from professionals.

Get great wedding planning tips every weekday from Lifetime Television’s program, Get Married.  The show stars event designer extraordinaire Colin Cowie and television reality star Deanna Pappas with tips on all aspects of  planning a wedding and being a beautiful bride.  Today’s show featured the latest couture wedding dresses along with comments from the renown wedding gown designers, ideas on handling wedding mishaps from top event planners, and information on ways to save money on your wedding.

Check the Lifetime television listings to find out when the show airs in your area or go to GetMarried.com to watch the programs on the web.

A book of your wedding photos would make a great gift for parents, the wedding party and you.  Go to blurb.com and find out how you can make them at reasonable prices.  The book doesn’t have to have only wedding photos, make one that includes photos from your engagement party, shower and bridesmaids’ luncheon.  Or one that includes the story of your relationship from beginning all the way to your honeymoon.  Invite family and friends to share their photos too and make your book a fun group project.