The Original Runner Company Sale!
The Original Runner Company, used by many from average budget to celebrities, is running a sale for up to 25% off! We thought we’d post this so you can take advantage. Hurry! It’s only good until December 15th.
Rules for a Happy and Healthy Marriage
As much as we love planning weddings, we understand the big day is not nearly as important as the relationship formalized in the wedding 
ceremony. It is key to make sure your relationship is healthy and that the communication lines are open. Before you get married, set some rules and boundaries together as a couple. Barbara Bartlein, M.S.W., author of Why did I Marry You Anyway? suggests a list of rules to write down. Every relationship is different so feel free to add any rules you both can agree on.
- We agree not to raise our voice when we’re upset with each other.
- We will try to say one positive comment to each other every day.
- We will agree not to go to bed angry.
- We will make efforts to connect every day.
- Neither of us will storm out during an argument.
- We will not make disparaging comments about the other’s friends or families.
- We will believe each other and give the benefit of the doubt.
- We will keep our marriage the top priority in our lives.
- We will apologize to each other, even when we think we did nothing wrong!
Bartlein notes, “engaged couples should spend at least as much time working on their relationship a they do on wedding planning.” We couldn’t agree more! During the wedding planning process, pick a day during the week that you are not allowed to discuss wedding plans. Use that day to just truly enjoy each other without all the stress of planning your special day. Your marriage will be stronger for it!
photo by Paul Ernest Photography
Choosing Your Wedding Day – Avoid the Holidays?
Since Christmas is this week, it has me thinking about dates. (Specifically how little time I have left to prepare, but that’s another story!) Many, many brides become engaged over this holiday season, from Christmas to New Year’s Day, and one of the first questions they are presented with is “When will you get married?” Such a simple question, but what thought it requires! Before finalizing your wedding date, consider some of these calendar dilemmas.
Holidays can give you three day weekends to choose from, which make it much easier to hold a celebration on a Sunday and possibly save a few dollars on your wedding costs. However, travel and accommodations can be more expensive for you and your wedding guests, plus some wedding vendors will up charge their services to accommodate for time away from their families. It also might adversely affect your guest list if your guests traditionally spend that weekend on vacation or with family, and choose to stick with their traditions versus attend your wedding. Some of these holiday weekends include:
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Jan 18, 2010 & Jan 17, 2011
- President’s Day – Feb 15, 2010 & Feb 21, 2011
- Memorial Day – May 31, 2010 & May 30, 2011
- Labor Day – Sept 6, 2010 & Sept 5, 2011
- Columbus Day – Oct 11, 2010 & Oct 10, 2010 (Since this date is 10/10/10, some couples may choose it, even though it is a Monday, to make their date more memorable.)
Holidays that are sure to increase your costs would be:
- Valentine’s Day – February 14th (Sunday for 2010 and Monday for 2011) – Floral costs for your wedding will be much higher!
- New Year’s Eve – December 31st (Friday for 2010 and Saturday for 2011) – Wedding venues often charge more for this day.
Religious Holidays will often either dictate restrictions on wedding ceremonies at the appropriate place of worship or may affect your guests availability:
- Palm Sunday – March 28, 2010 & April 17, 2011
- Easter Sunday – April 4, 2010 & April 24, 2011
- Passover – March 30, 2010 & April 19, 2011 (begins at sunset the night before)
- Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) – Sept 9, 2010 & Sept 29, 2011
- Yom Kippur – Sept 18, 2010 & Oct 8, 2011(begins at sunset the night before)
- Hanukkah – Dec 2, 2010 & Dec 21, 2011 (begins at sunset the night before)
- Christmas – December 25th (Saturday for 2010, Sunday for 2011)
- Kwanzaa – December 26th (Sunday for 2010, Monday for 2011)
photo by Kate Mefford Photography
Some choose Christmas, or a date close by, to take advantage of the many holiday decorations venues already have to help save money on decor. Be aware that if you choose a Saturday during December, your costs may be higher due to the holiday season, but weekdays and Sundays will be lower. Other holidays to be aware of when planning:
- April Fool’s Day – April 1
- Mother’s Day – May 9, 2010 & May 8, 2011
- Father’s Day – June 20, 2010 & June 19, 2011
- Halloween – October 31st
- September 11th
- Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day – December 7th
Just an FYI, 9/10/11 is going to be very popular, so if you want it, book it as soon as you can!
Finally, keep in mind special sports days and watch for big convention days in your area. For example, Super Bowl is on Feb 7, 2010, and watch for March Madness dates in 2010 that might affect your big day. Here in McKinney, we always keep an eye out for local festivals in case a bride’s venue is on the historic square. Parking becomes very limited and traffic can be a nightmare for guests trying to find your reception. It is always your choice as to whether you choose a holiday for your wedding, just remember how it affects you and your guests and we’re sure you’ll make the best decision!
Are there any other dates that you have found won’t work as your wedding day for 2010 or 2011? Which ones and why?
Choosing Your Officiant
One unexpected challenge when planning your wedding can be choosing your wedding officiant. With most of the focus going to planning the reception and making it an event to remember, couples sometimes forget about the importance of selecting someone to officially seal the deal.
The first step to finding your perfect officiant is to decide what kind of ceremony you want to have. Do you want a more traditional ceremony? Do you want it non-religious or religious? You could have what some call a “romantic” ceremony meaning the wording and vows are based on you and your fiance and are hand crafted for you specifically. (Also, based on the chosen religion, your officiant’s title could be wedding minister, reverend, father / priest, pastor, etc. We use officiant to generalize.)
Maybe you and your fiance were raised in different religions and aren’t sure how to choose which one to get married in? Don’t rule out the possibility of custom creating a ceremony combining traditions from multiple religions. I was recently visiting with Reverend Arianna Gray and she was telling me of a ceremony she performed where she combined a Christian ceremony with Muslim traditions. Remember anything is possible, you just have to find the right officiant to help you.
To begin, try starting by asking friends and family for recommendations and referrals, and start doing your own research online. Check websites such as The Knot and Wedding Wire , see what kind of reviews they are getting. If they have a website check it out, get a feel for that officiants style and personality, learn all you can about them, and make sure they’re certified and experienced.
Second, schedule a consultation. Come prepared with questions and concerns regarding your ceremony. If you have certain family or religious traditions you want to include, make sure to talk about them and ask if they know how to perform them. If not, are they willing to learn about the custom?
Remember you’re looking for a “love match”, don’t settle for someone just because they are in your price range and available. Your officiant is one of the most important people in attendance, they are the ones presiding over the ceremony and saying the words that actually pronounce you man and wife.
My personal advice to brides and grooms-to-be is that while it is important to think about your guests and their comfort, ultimately this is you and your fiancé’s wedding and the ceremony should be how you want it to be.
New Marriage License Fee
As of September 1st, the state portion of your marriage license fee in Texas will double, from $30 to $60. However, to encourage health marriages, the state legislature will allow you to skip on this fee if you take a marriage prep course either provided by the state, or through your church. (You’ll still have to pay the county portion, usually around $11.) The course must be at least an eight hour program providing help with connumication, conflict resolution and the benefits of marriage. For more information, check with your county clerk’s office.
New law … free marriage license
Effective September 2008, Texas counties will waive the marriage license fee (ranges from $31 – $41 cash depending on the county) IF the couple takes an 8 hour pre-marital preparation course that covers important marital skills and issues, such as conflict management and communication. The course must be taken within 12 months prior to applying for the license. While I’m not a fan of the state getting involved in marital manners, I think taking a class before marriage is a GREAT idea, if for no other reason that starting conversations couples may not think to have before walking down the aisle. Go Texas!
It Burns!
At a rehearsal tonight, the bride had great timing as they were each practicing placing the wedding ring on their loved one’s ring finger and the minister was giving the cue “and after you’ve placed the ring on his finger, he says…” The bride yelled “it burns, it burns!” I just love wedding rehearsals with laid back couples. 