The months and days leading to your special day will be forever cataloged in your memory. This should be one of the most exciting and enjoyable times in your life, but can often take a turn to areas of overwhelming stress. It all depends on how you plan and execute, and who is there to help you!
The Planner
If you’re already overworked with your day-to-day responsibilities, consider hiring a professional wedding planner. After all, coordinating, making the best choices and juggling it all with style is their specialty. The guidance and expertise they provide will surely lift a weight from your shoulders, allowing you to concentrate on enjoying the process of it all, without the pressure. Not to mention, their cool, calm presence, attention to detail and supervision on your big day will literally seem priceless. Of course, your mother and maid of honor are rock stars, but a talented wedding planner can seem like superwoman at times (think Jennifer Lopez in the Wedding Planner.) They’ve done this at least a hundred times, and have preconceived notions of possible hick-ups, and the tools to fix them on the spot. If you have the resources and budget to hire a planner, do your research! Read up on client reviews and conduct interviews to find a planner that you connect with and enjoy being around. After all, they will be a big part of your special day. Also consider requesting references from recent brides to get a better idea of the functionality and personality of your planner.
The Bride
If you are the best person to plan your wedding, keep this magazine tucked under your arm as you explore the many helpful businesses in our area. When planning a big event, organization is key. Use our calendars and checklists to keep you on track and to avoid missing any details. Devote a notebook and record everything wedding related, to have easy access to any contact numbers or information you may need. If you are blessed with extremely helpful, crafty and creative friends and family, take advantage of them! There are so many moving parts of wedding planning and you wouldn’t want to overwhelm yourself with them all. When it comes to passing the torch on specific tasks, just be sure to keep communication clear, calm and open to avoid any misunderstandings. Whichever planning route you choose, don’t forget to love the process. Time spent running errands, choosing colors and surfing the internet for inspiration are all special moments leading to your special day. Don’t let tunnel vision take over, or you will miss out on special moments that should last a lifetime. Breathe, and take it all in, for this is one of the most special times of your life!
The Marriage License
In the state of California, the County Clerk issues both public and confidential marriage licenses. You must marry within 90 days of the issue date of the license, or it will not be valid, and you must purchase another one. According to the California Department of Public Health, the marriage officiate or authorized individual who performs the marriage ceremony is required, by law, to complete the marriage license and return it to the County Recorder’s Office within 10 days of the event, for registration. Blood tests are not required to obtain a license, but both parties must appear in person and bring valid picture identification to the County Clerks Office to apply for the license. If you have been married before, you must know the specific date of divorce, and reasoning (some counties require documentation of divorce, others do not.)
Changing Your Name
After receiving your marriage license, there are a few easy steps leading to your new last name. Start with the Social Security and Department of Motor Vehicles, from there, change credit cards and any others you wish. Here are officials and agencies that must be notified of your name change status:
The Bank (Checking, Savings and Loans)
Bills (Utilities, Car Payments, Etc.)
Insurance (Home, Vehicle, Health and Life)
Motor Vehicle Registration
Passport
Voter Registration