Someone popped the question, and someone else responded with, “Yes!” Now what? Planning a wedding is one of the most stressful life events to prepare for. Planning to marry requires paperwork, scheduling and triplechecking everything. Before setting up food tastings and trying on gowns, couples should communicate with one another about how they picture their big day. The below checklist includes the major points couples should review before making any wedding commitments.
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Determine your budget While we all want our dream wedding ceremonies, the reality of paying for all the bells and whistles may cause reconsideration. Speak with your partner about the limit you (or your parents) are willing to shell out, the absolute “must haves” and the compromises necessary to stay within your fiscal plan. This amount may affect the date, location and type of your wedding ceremony.
Pick a wedding date All of your arrangements will be contingent upon the day you set as your wedding. Picking the date may depend on the availability of the location where the couple wishes to wed. Couples may also consider symbolic anniversaries, ideal seasons or dates that most guests can accommodate.
Select the location An ideal venue for a wedding is one that is accessible, is available on your date, can accommodate your guest count and works with the theme of your wedding. For example, couples with a set date like Christmas may want to choose an indoor location in case of snow. Considering factors like the ability to drink or smoke, handicap accessibility and special dietary restrictions (like vegan and kosher food) is very important when planning the celebration for you and your guests. Couples with small budgets may consider a ceremony at the courthouse.
Apply for a wedding license To marry legally in the United States couples must apply for a license to wed. In some states, there are waiting periods for acquiring a marriage license. Almost every state’s wedding license has an expiration date, so it is important for couples to plan to apply for a license within the set limit before their nuptial date.
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Book the officiant To obtain a legal marriage certificate, the intended spouses must have a state-recognized officiant to perform the ceremony. Whether the wedding is a religious or civil ceremony, the officiant has particular responsibilities, including submitting the license for certification. Check with your state’s rules about who is legally acceptable.
Sign prenuptial agreements : Though not mandatory, prenuptial agreements can protect the assets of the bride and groom. While no one wants to think about a divorce while planning a wedding, this paperwork may help couples organize their assets and debts. Prenuptial agreements are a practical solution to the current over-50-percent divorce rate.
Pick your witnesses While wedding ceremonies can have dozens to hundreds of guests, one or two will be lucky enough to be official. Most states require one or two witnesses on the wedding license submission. Since the officiant is responsible for filing, he or she should be aware in advance regarding whose signatures will be on the paperwork.