Marriage License Is More Than A Piece of Paper

Archive for the ‘Personal’ Category

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 »

Attractive Plus Size Mother of the Bride Dresses

Tuesday, September 12th, 2006

You want to look your very best on your daughter’s wedding day. The dieting and the hard work you put into your appearance in the months before the special day have paid off but you still need a gown that has a little extra room. Plus size mother of the bride dresses are not very difficult to find but attractive gowns for large women can be a real challenge to locate.

Many bridal stores offer plus size mother of the bride dresses but the selection is usually quite limited. You may find that you have a handful of gowns from which to choose and none of them are visually appealing. Many of them can be quite uncomfortable and some plus size mother of the bride dresses actually make you look heavier than you actually are.

There is little cause to fret. There are some alternatives to the traditional bridal shop for your needs. One of the hottest places to look for plus size mother of the bride dresses is Anna Brooks. This online store offers the largest selection of large size gowns in an array of colors and styles. You don’t have to wear a tent at your daughter’s wedding to feel comfortable.

Anna Brooks recognizes that comfort does not have to mean that you have to wear something frumpy or unflattering. The site offers a handy size chart that helps you determine how to fit yourself. The various styles that the Anna Brooks site offers are suited for different body types and the models they use for their beautiful gowns are larger women who provide a realistic representation of what the plus size mother of the bride dresses will actually look like.

Larger women tend to choose black or well, black as the color for their formal wear. However, you really don’t need to choose this slimming color for your plus size mother of the bride dresses. Color is one of the most attractive elements in the gowns offered. My mother chose a striking red number that really helped her make an entrance while making her look sharp and sleek.

What I really loved about the plus size mother of the bride dresses offered by Anna Brooks was the tailored edges, quality construction and excellent materials. My mother’s red gown appeared to be a two-piece outfit but it was one convenient piece that provided comfort as well as extra coverage. Plus size mother of the bride dresses don’t have to be frumpy. Visit Anna Brooks to find out for your self.

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

How to Find Cheap Bridesmaid Dresses

Thursday, August 31st, 2006

Everyone knows weddings are expensive endeavors and this doesn’t stop with the bride and the groom. Chosen attendants often carry the cost of throwing showers, stag nights, and purchasing their wedding attire. Thankfully, there are ways to cut costs for attendants, and one is by allowing them to find cheap bridesmaid dresses.

One of the biggest complaints about bridesmaid dresses is that they can normally only be worn once, and when they cost over two hundred dollars or more, that’s huge hit to the savings or checking account. What some fail to realize is that there are ways to get cheap bridesmaid dresses that will not look cheap, and can be used again and again. Many brides are so busy they chose a style and color, and leave the arrangements up to their bridesmaids. A smart bridesmaid should ask the bride to allow them to search for the dresses, and give the bride the final choice.

Cheap bridesmaid dresses are everywhere; it just takes some time to search for them. Quite often the bride sees something on the rack and falls in love with it, and this can be a huge mistake. Quite often these dresses are full price, and that price can be painful.

Ask to see the discount selection. Most bridal stores have these, though they are no advertised very often. These dresses are normally one or two seasons old, but still new and beautiful. If you aren’t concerned with keeping up-to-date with the latest wedding fashions, this is a great way to find stunning and cheap bridesmaids dresses.

Many also fail to take the time to look online. While the selection may be limited, it’s possible to find fashionable, yet cheap bridesmaid dresses. Sometimes it is just a matter of taking a few hours to sit down and do a thorough search.

Don’t rely on the bridal industry in your search for cheap bridesmaid dresses. Just because something isn’t designed to be a bridesmaids dress, don’t mean it won’t work, and work well! Many major department stores have beautiful dresses that are marked down at the end of the season. You can often find these in various sizes and at a much lower price, and best of all, they can be worn again.

One last option is one that will take some time, so it won’t do for a wedding that is coming up quickly. Go to your local fabric store and search through the patterns they have available. You may find the perfect style and look for the wedding. If you know someone who can sew well, the dresses may cost no more than the price of the pattern and the price of the fabric.

These are a just a few options that can help you in your search for cheap bridesmaid dresses. Remember, just because the price is cheap, it doesn’t mean the dress will look cheap. Allow your bridesmaids to buy more inexpensive dresses and they will a love you for it. It may even allow them to spend a little more on your wedding gift.

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

Archive for the ‘Personal’ Category