Courthouse Wedding Ideas

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Mary P Karnes

No one says you have to go all out and have a major bash for your wedding. What about a “Courthouse Wedding?” There are many advantages, number one being the low cost to either the parents of the couple or the couple themselves.

There are rules/protocol to follow, however. According to bashcorner.com, there are many:

“Court house weddings are best suited for couples who are planning to either marry secretly or spontaneously without enduring the hassles of planning for a wedding. These weddings are not elaborate as a normal wedding. Marriages are conducted in a simple way with few friends and family members present.

The courthouse venues are also very small and can accommodate only friends who will also serve as witnesses. It is necessary that you know how to have a court house wedding, the laws and the regulations that govern such a wedding and also the requirements. Counties might differ in their requirements although the basic necessities and rules remain the same throughout.

luckymag.com

All types of marriages have to be registered, including court house weddings, in the office of the registrar. If you are planning for a marriage in your residential state then apply for a license in your local county office. In case the marriage will be conducted away from the home state still you need to apply in the county house of your state.

An identification proof is required, which can be your social security number, driving license or any other proof that has been issued by a federal office. A fee for availing the license has also to be submitted with the application form. This fee varies from county to county. Usually, the fee has to be paid in cash. Other requirements include documents that support the dissolution of the previous marriage. Some of the counties require the submission of blood test reports for particular ailments like Thalasemia and HIV. A witness might be needed to be present at the time of submission of the application form.

ikgift.com

This is the period between the submission of the application and the issue of marriage license. The waiting period is usually three days in most counties. You can also cancel the application within these three days. Once the license gets issued you are free to marry within one to six months of the date of issue.

Once all the requirements have been arranged for, look for a witness who is above eighteen years of age. Submit your marriage license to the registrar and proceed with the ceremony. At the end of the ceremony, the witness, registrar and the couples need to sign the marriage license for certification of the marriage in the court of law.”

bvaphoto.com

And remember, there are lots of beautiful dresses that are more in keeping with a courthouse venue. Just notice the ones above! And if you desire a dramatic photo to immortalize your day, you can always choose a scene like this blog’s last picture…

Fun Bridal Shower Ideas

Posted on April 26, 2015April 27, 2015 by Mary P Karnes

Looking for some fun bridal shower ideas? KK, in the photo above, just enjoyed her bridal shower. Fun was to be had, and some adorable, creative ideas were on display. The ideas were not mine, but I love to share! Below is the most thoughtful gift. Debbie, my daughter Maggie’s mother-in-law, was one of the first to hear of KK and Tyler’s engagement.

She immediately began planning KK’s shower gift. Every month, a year before the party, she gathered items for that season’s holiday, i.e., in July, for the “4th of July” celebration, she gathered an American flag and sparkers. In October, for Halloween, a “trick or treat” bag, etc. It was a labor of great affection, and I know KK and Tyler will enjoy and appreciate this gift for years and years to come. Much like Christmas ornaments become “old friends” when they reappear year after year, so will these holiday items.

Next up, and this was a total surprise, was the delightful, thoughtful, creative, lavender favor you see in the next photo. Our dear friend and new family member, Cindy, (Maggie’s new aunt by marriage), gifted us the night before the shower with these – one for each guest! It was all about symbolism. KK and Tyler were engaged while fishing at his family’s lake house – hence the tiny red and white fishing lure attached. The tiny engagement ring tied to each favor represented KK’s own lovely engagement ring. The candle scent was “Blue Summer Sky” as she was engaged in the summer and will marry then as well.

In the next photo, you see the entire tray of favors… Cindy! How long did this project take you?

One of the best things about getting married? The new family you will acquire. Robert’s family has been a joy to us, and Tyler’s family is lovely as well. You can never have too many people to love you!

Photos: Mary P Karnes photos

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Slow Motion Wedding Booth

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Mary P Karnes

Have you read, seen, or experienced the new thing making the wedding circuit these days? It’s the “Slow Motion Wedding Booth.” It replaces the “Photo Booth” at weddings and events, which apparently is now passé. Photo booths are awesome! My friend had photo booth hire Coventry come and do a photo booth for her party and she loved it. It’s funny how quickly things change…in just a year, the NEW entertainment “flavor of the month” at weddings is the “Slow Motion Booth.” How does it work? Well, you’re filmed with a few friends in a booth, much like the traditional photo booth, doing regular things – tossing confetti, twirling, etc. Then the camera slows, and all of a sudden, the confetti flutters down in slow motion — cool! A tv monitor is set up outside the booth, and guests can view you in real time. The down side, you don’t get a souvenir to take home, as you do in the old “photo booth”. The bride and groom get a dvd of their guests in the booth, however. If you’re interested in seeing how it works for yourself, click on the photo below from youtube.com KK will have one one of these new fangled things at her reception — I’m pretty excited to see for myself how it works.

Do you need wedding entertainment? I don’t think you necessarily do. But it makes the event more fun, and can break the ice when you throw lots of people together who in the beginning of the evening may not know each other – but may be new friends by the end of the night…

Thanks to Rob and Maggie’s friends in the picture above who are the “Models” from their wedding photo booth. 🙂

Innovative Wedding Invitations

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Mary P Karnes

Would you consider one of these innovative wedding invitations? The can above is

adorable. It even comes with it’s own instructions. Here’s the drill…Select the wording for your invitation, the “can company” inserts the invite and seals the can. You then mail the can in the box provided to your guests. They “Pop” it open upon receipt, and save the tin can to attach to your “get away car” after the reception. Sound like more trouble than it’s worth…that’s what I was thinking….

The “bride and groom invite” is my favorite among this group. I think it’s cute while still being classic. Planning a destination wedding with a beach theme? Then the “Flip Flop” invites are for you! If your wedding’s formal…you may want to reconsider. Upon receipt the guest realizes immediately your wedding will be a relaxed affair…

I love, love this “pop up church” wedding invitation. The only downside, think of the cost per invite. I’m sure they’re not cheap… not to mention the extra postage charge! Feeling a little playful? What about the “Spinner Invitation” below? While cute, I think it would be more in keeping with a bridal shower or bachelorette party. Whatever you decide, allow time for shipping, printing, (reprinting for possible misstates!), and the time consuming addressing and stuffing of the envelopes. If you chose to have a calligrapher address your invitations, his/her time must be factored in as well.