Marriage License Is More Than A Piece of Paper

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Marriage License Is More Than A Piece of Paper

Monday, October 9th, 2006

Before my husband and I finally decided that we’d had enough of the wedding planning and eloped, we checked into what is required to apply for a marriage license. We found a really helpful website, www.usmarriagelaws.com, that told us everything we really needed to know about each state’s laws to obtain a marriage license. The site gives you the fees and requirements as well as phone numbers and locations that you need to contact. I was very happy to see that my state no longer requires a blood test. Needles don’t thrill me.

Before we got married, we lived together for 2 years. We had been a couple for 3 years prior to that and although my husband was the one who ultimately proposed, he didn’t see what the big deal was about being married. In his eyes, if we were committed to one another, we didn’t need a marriage license to prove that. In my opinion, that simple piece of paper was a huge deal and I was starting to really want to have one of those in my possession. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust him or I thought he had plans to leave, but I wanted to know that we had taken that extra step.

Once you’re married, it is not as easy to just split up. Sure, divorce makes it pretty easy these days and they can get quite nasty, but when you aren’t married, you can just announce your “break up” and walk away. At least when you’re married, you should have a stronger sense of commitment and work harder to maintain it. At least, that’s the ideal thing to do. To many people nowadays, that marriage license doesn’t mean anything to them. I find that very sad and heartbreaking. I’m not getting married to get divorced. If I had any doubts of my chosen partner, a marriage license would not even exist. I wouldn’t take that huge step if I didn’t want to work to maintain its meaning.

We ended up eloping to Jamaica simply because the wedding plans were starting to become more of a nuisance than a joy and the costs were starting to scare us entirely too much. We married on the beach in Jamaica and came home with a marriage license that had cost us quite a bit less than it would have in our hometown. Do I suggest eloping? Of course not. I’m simply saying that eloping saved us quite a bit of grief and money and we still ended up having that marriage license in our hands. I’m not one of those people who hang their marriage licenses on the wall for all to see, it’s hidden away in our safe so as to not get damaged or lost. But, I know exactly where it is, and what it means.

Posted in Engagement, Family, For the Wedding, Living Together, Marriage, Others, Party, Personal, Special Events, Travel | No Comments »

Variety of Wedding Guest Books

Thursday, September 21st, 2006

Long after the wedding is over, the cake has been eaten, and the honeymoon is a distant memory, you will still have your wedding guest books as mementos of your special day. Many couples have more than one, but they come in different types. There is the traditional book that the guests sign when they come for the ceremony, and some choose to have a second type at the reception. This is more common for those who have smaller ceremonies, and then invite more friends and family for the reception only.

The most common type of wedding guest books can come in an array of colors, but the most common color is white. These are displayed with a pen, and guests sign their names, and sometimes add their addresses. These can be personalized with the name of the bride and groom on the front, along with the date and place of the ceremony.

The second kind of wedding guest books aren’t really books at all, but they serve the very same purpose. They are a reminder of everyone who shared your special day with you. This kind, however, can be more personal. A friend of mine had this at her wedding, but she didn’t know about it until the reception. Her maid of honor choose a large scrapbook, and placed pictures of the bride and groom from various times in their relationship on the front and on some of the pages. Guests could then sign the book, and leave a message. She had great fun reading what each guest had to say, and it was a great reminder of everyone who came, many of whom she doesn’t get to see very often.

This can also be accomplished with a large poster board and a photo of the couple. Space is limited, but guests can write a message on the poster board, or simply sign their names. You won’t find this in many places that sell wedding guest books, but a few companies have started offering pre-made versions for couples to use at their reception. If you like the idea of convenience you can buy one of these, or to save money, it might be fun to make your own.

As with most things, wedding guest books can be found in many places. If you can’t find what you are looking for locally, go ahead and search online. You may be surprised at the variety available, and some of the special touches that can be added. While you are shopping, don’t forget to get a quality pen to go with your book.

Posted in Engagement, Family, For the Wedding, Honeymoon, Marriage, Others, Party, Personal, Special Events, Wedding Anniversary | No Comments »

Choosing the Perfect 50th Anniversary Gift

Monday, September 18th, 2006

Several months ago, I opened up my mailbox and sighed. Holding in my hand was an invitation to my best friend’s parents’ 50th wedding anniversary party. I have known my best friend and her family for almost 30 years, so I am very close to all of them. There is no way I would miss such an important occasion, but yet, the idea of shopping for a 50th anniversary gift didn’t thrill me. I’m not a fan of shopping for presents like that. This is a very special milestone for them, I knew that I couldn’t just get them a generic present. I gave my RSVP with absolutely not a clue what would be appropriate 50th anniversary gift for such a wonderful couple.

I hit the mall in search of something unique. Other than the usual picture frames and candles, I came up with nothing. I mean, what do you get as a 50th anniversary gift for a couple who practically has everything? I didn’t want to buy them a gift that you can buy for anyone at anytime. I wanted something meaningful and special. That was easier said than done.

Finally, after some advice from co-workers, I came across a website that just thrilled me. The site www.seniorstore.com had a huge selection of ideas that cater to 50th anniversary gifts or any occasion presents for seniors. There were some really unique presents that I put some serious thought into. There were beautiful poems, books from the year of their marriage, photo albums, and even a gift basket with a collection of items from the year of their marriage. To me, a personalized basket was such a wonderful idea. It had some wonderful memorabilia in it and for only $100, it was the perfect 50th anniversary gift! I was very proud for having found it.

The party was very emotional and tons of fun. They got some wonderful gifts, but I was absolutely thrilled when their eyes lit up upon opening my gift basket. I knew that that the gifts inside the basket would bring help them bring back some past memories and possibly create some new ones as well. My best friend told me that she’d had a really hard time trying to come up with a special 50th anniversary gift for them, and was envious of the present I’d purchased. I told her about having found the site and some of the other ideas that I’d gotten from looking over their offerings. All you need is some creativity and not only can you find the perfect 50th anniversary gift, but you can create some presents that will be appreciated for any occasion. My parents have a few more years before their milestone, and I bet I know where I’ll be purchasing their 50th anniversary gift as well.

Posted in Gifts, Others, Party, Personal, Special Events, Wedding Anniversary | No Comments »

Outrageous Bachelorette Gifts Ideas

Friday, July 7th, 2006

If you have ever been to a bachelorette party, you know what goes on! This should be the time when you have absolutely the best fun before the big day arrives. Sure the wedding shower, rehearsal dinner, and all that shopping is fun too, but nothing competes with the bachelorette party and all those crazy bizarre bachelorette gifts. Everything from wild lingerie to sex toys is totally acceptable; if you don’t bring something a little outrageous you will be viewed as frigid and cast away from the party in disgrace! I’m just kidding of course, but this is a time for the bride to be to relish in all those outrageous bachelorette gifts that she can use in her transition as a married woman!

If you are going to be the hostess, you get to have fun first by checking out all the great party supplies available online. You can get help planning your party by checking out various websites like www.bachelorettesuperstore.com or www.bachelorette.com for all your party needs. Lots of different naughty themes to choose from, which are available separately or in party packs containing invitations, envelopes, paper plates, and napkins. These are all essential bachelorette party supplies and the naughtier the better. Don’t forget the naughty games like the classic pin the tail on the fireman, or party favors like Dicklets’ or other penis shaped items. If you are attending the shower, you can shop online for great bachelorette gifts like blow up dolls, novelty items, honeymooner survival kits, fundies, hand cuffs, sex toys, and just about anything else you can think of. Just make sure your gift is all in fun and good natured; it doesn’t have to be in good taste, just sexy and humorous.

Since alcohol is usually associated with bachelorette parties, a bar or lounge is not a bad place to have the party. If there is a private party room available, you have a variety of options. The most popular of course is to invite a male stripper to approach and seduce the unsuspecting bachelorette and embarrass her to death in front of her friends and family (who may be embarrassed too!). The bachelorette must endure this before she can proceed with opening the bachelorette gifts. There is an unwritten rule about bachelorette parties having to be naughty enough to keep the bachelorette and all the guests laughing the rest of the night with all those nasty dirty fun little bachelorette gifts!

Do not hold anything back. Have fund, be outrageous and go crazy! Bachelorette party is the time to get really wild.

Posted in Engagement, Family, For the Wedding, Gifts, Others, Party, Personal, Special Events | No Comments »

Save the Date Announcements for Special Events

Sunday, June 25th, 2006

Save the date announcements are a great vehicle for informing friends and family about a special occasion that you would like them to share with you. Many of your potential guests will find the information useful if they have it in advance. The save the date announcements help your future guests to make plans for your event. They also help you make plans for your special event as well.

Part of the difficulty in organizing a special event is deciding on a time and a place for the occasion. The save the date announcements can be prepared weeks or even months in advance. This will help you solidify your time and place and this will help your guests organize their time around your party.

Some guests really appreciate having a lot of notice in advance before attending a party or special event. Many of your guests may have to travel some distance to attend your ceremony. These attendants benefit from knowing the details about the occasion months ahead of time. They can purchase airline tickets at lower rates or make sufficient sleeping arrangements with relatives or friends. Both of these will save them money. You can include phone numbers of hotels and links to flight scheduling sites in your save the date announcements.

Now that you have your date, time and place for your occasion, you can concentrate on a theme for the event. Many of the people attending the party may be very impressed if you use the save the date announcements to introduce the theme. For example, you may want to throw a summer luau. You may find Hawaiian-themed cards to send to your guests.

The theme can be carried over right into the luau if you plan ahead. You can use the response cards from the announcements to make seating arrangements at the party. Save the response cards and place them on the table where each guest will be seated. The cards will help you keep track of the number of guests and they will help your organize seating arrangement.

Having a theme in mind before sending the save the date announcements will help you stay organized enough to float through the nerve-racking planning stages. You may also include a list of activities that you are planning right in your announcements. This helps your future guests decide what to wear and it gives them some insight to the general mood of your special day.

Posted in Engagement, Family, For the Wedding, Gifts, Marriage, Others, Party, Personal, Special Events, Wedding Anniversary | No Comments »

Archive for the ‘Others’ Category