www.AbsoluteWeddingStore.com
2.16 million US marriage licenses were filed in 2006, according to the National Vital Statistics Report. What a powerful piece of paper. Without a license, your marriage won't be legal. Educate yourselves early about state and county requirements, which can vary greatly.
Call your county clerk's office ASAP to make sure you have time to gather paperwork necessary for the application. Depending on the state, the paperwork may include notarized birth certificates and blood tests.
Fees and waiting periods differ among the 50 states. In Wisconsin, couples must wait six days after applying to get their license and pay from $50 to $115, depending on the county. Wyoming duos, in contrast, have no waiting restrictions and everyone pays $25.
Most licenses are issued at the time of application. Double check this with your county clerk's office, and be sure to take your state's waiting period into account before deciding when to apply. Just don't do it too early - in some states (Hawaii, Delaware, Wisconsin), licenses are valid for only 30 days after issuance.
Apply yourselves. In most states, the prospetives bride and groom must apply for a marriage license together, in person. No proxies or stand-ins are allowed unless a waiver is granted. They apply at a municipal agency, usually the county clerk's office, in the town where they live. Out of state duos should apply in the town where they plan to wed.
To make your union legal, your wedding officiant must sign your license and file it with the appropriate government agency - like the county clerk's office or the department of health - and he must do so within a specified period of time. Check to make sure he knows the state laws before you jet off on your honeymoon.
Looking for a one-stop resource on license requirements? Click on usmarriagelaws.com, where you'll find info on applying and filing for licenses in all 50 states. The file isn't sanctioned by the government, so some listings may be out of date. Call your county clerk's office (phone numbers are listed on the site) for the official scoop.
Monday, July 28, 2008
How to Negotiate With Wedding Vendors
HOW TO GET WHAT YOU WANT
brought to you by AbsoluteWeddingStore.com
If the new "IT" at the boutique are tagged $1000, that's what you'll pay - no exceptions - unless you're patient enough to wait for a sale or wait until it's no longer "hot". With wedding vendors like florists, caterers and photographers, however, there's often room for negotioation. Do it early in your discussions and well before signing any contract.
Do your homework first. Have a set budget and know the average prices in your area.
Set priorities. Instead of dickering over low-cost items (boutonnieres), concentrate on reducing the price of big-ticket items (centerpieces). Know what you want - are you hoping for a monetary discount or some freebies? Which one is your priority: quality or pricing?
Stay clam. A savvy customer uses facts, common sense, and good manners - not screams or tears - as bargaining tools.
Disagree nicely. Whatever happens, be courteous. Being rude and belligerent will get you nowhere.
Put everything in writing. Make sure any verbal agreements are added to your final wedding contract, or your vendor might come down with negotiation amnesia.
KNOW WHEN TO HAGGLE
Sometimes, as in the case of Saturday-night weddings, the prices are pretty firm. Other times, the discounts are easier to come by, such as when:
- a wedding vendor is starting out and needs to build buzz.
- you're buying something in bulk, such as multiple cases of wine.
- you're getting married in the off-season, on an off day, or at an off time.
- the wedding vendor can handle more than one wedding in a day (like florists or photo studios with big crews).
- your wedding is a month away and a wedding vendor is still available. If you don't book him, chances are, no one else will.
SAY WHAT?
Some tips on talking the talk.
Don't say: "My budget is $2,000. What can you do for me?"
Say: "I love your style, and I think your photos are incredible. I'd like to see if we can work something out on my budget."
Bottom line: Don't bring up an exact dollar amount right away. Vendors are more likely to bend over backwards for someone who truly values their work.
Don't say: "I've got to have orchids at my wedding, but these prices are crazy!"
Say: "I love the look of orchids. Are there any alternatives that cost less?"
Bottom line: Be flexible, and the vendor will come up with creative ways to give you the look you want.
Don't say: "This isn't going well. Maybe I should call my dad, the attorney."
Say: "This isn't what I had in mind, but I appreciate your ideas and your taking the time to discuss them with me."
Bottom line: If the wedding vendor really wants your business, he may reconsider. Making nice has rewards!
NO-REGRETS WEDDING PHOTOS
How to get wedding shots you really want:
1. Give your photographer a list of people you want in each posed photo (do this ahead of time).
2. Appoint a "gatherer" from each family to round up the relatives you want in posed photos.
3. Ask your bridesmaids to remove their watches before taking photos. Timepieces often look clunky with formal clothes.
4. Take group pictures before the wedding ceremony - and before everyone stars drinking and dancing (and sweating). Make an announcement at the rehearsal dinner informing the bridal party and family members what time to arrive. If you want to start shooting at 2:30, tell them to arrive at 2:15.
5. Tell the photographer who to take direction from at the wedding (you, the groom, or another family member).
6. For candid photos, tell yor photographer if she should focus only on close family or shoot all the guests.
7. ID your nearest and dearest by having them wear a flower.
8. Clearly state what you don't want - for example, just a few photos of your nieces and nephews - not dozens.
9. For small weddings, don't assume that your photographer will get every important shot. Give her direction - or you may wake up the next morning without a photo of you and Mom.
10. Pity the groom's family, chances are you won't be seeking their input on centerpiees, invites or much of anything else. But you should consult with them about whom they'd like in their family shots, and if there are any special pictures they want. Ask for a list a month before the wedding.
Most modern wedding photography is about capturing candid moments, but posed shots are an important chronicle of the day - think of them as visual history. Keep the number to a minimum, wrap it up in 40 minutes, and get on with the fun. Posed situations can include:
Bride and groom
Bride with maid of honor
Bride with bridesmaids
Groom with best man
Groom with groomsmen
Ring bearer and flower girl
Entire wedding party
Bride and groom with bride's parents
Bride and groom with bride's family
Bride and groom with groom's parents
Bride and groom with groom's family
Bride and groom with both sets of parents
brought to you by AbsoluteWeddingStore.com
If the new "IT" at the boutique are tagged $1000, that's what you'll pay - no exceptions - unless you're patient enough to wait for a sale or wait until it's no longer "hot". With wedding vendors like florists, caterers and photographers, however, there's often room for negotioation. Do it early in your discussions and well before signing any contract.
Do your homework first. Have a set budget and know the average prices in your area.
Set priorities. Instead of dickering over low-cost items (boutonnieres), concentrate on reducing the price of big-ticket items (centerpieces). Know what you want - are you hoping for a monetary discount or some freebies? Which one is your priority: quality or pricing?
Stay clam. A savvy customer uses facts, common sense, and good manners - not screams or tears - as bargaining tools.
Disagree nicely. Whatever happens, be courteous. Being rude and belligerent will get you nowhere.
Put everything in writing. Make sure any verbal agreements are added to your final wedding contract, or your vendor might come down with negotiation amnesia.
KNOW WHEN TO HAGGLE
Sometimes, as in the case of Saturday-night weddings, the prices are pretty firm. Other times, the discounts are easier to come by, such as when:
- a wedding vendor is starting out and needs to build buzz.
- you're buying something in bulk, such as multiple cases of wine.
- you're getting married in the off-season, on an off day, or at an off time.
- the wedding vendor can handle more than one wedding in a day (like florists or photo studios with big crews).
- your wedding is a month away and a wedding vendor is still available. If you don't book him, chances are, no one else will.
SAY WHAT?
Some tips on talking the talk.
Don't say: "My budget is $2,000. What can you do for me?"
Say: "I love your style, and I think your photos are incredible. I'd like to see if we can work something out on my budget."
Bottom line: Don't bring up an exact dollar amount right away. Vendors are more likely to bend over backwards for someone who truly values their work.
Don't say: "I've got to have orchids at my wedding, but these prices are crazy!"
Say: "I love the look of orchids. Are there any alternatives that cost less?"
Bottom line: Be flexible, and the vendor will come up with creative ways to give you the look you want.
Don't say: "This isn't going well. Maybe I should call my dad, the attorney."
Say: "This isn't what I had in mind, but I appreciate your ideas and your taking the time to discuss them with me."
Bottom line: If the wedding vendor really wants your business, he may reconsider. Making nice has rewards!
NO-REGRETS WEDDING PHOTOS
How to get wedding shots you really want:
1. Give your photographer a list of people you want in each posed photo (do this ahead of time).
2. Appoint a "gatherer" from each family to round up the relatives you want in posed photos.
3. Ask your bridesmaids to remove their watches before taking photos. Timepieces often look clunky with formal clothes.
4. Take group pictures before the wedding ceremony - and before everyone stars drinking and dancing (and sweating). Make an announcement at the rehearsal dinner informing the bridal party and family members what time to arrive. If you want to start shooting at 2:30, tell them to arrive at 2:15.
5. Tell the photographer who to take direction from at the wedding (you, the groom, or another family member).
6. For candid photos, tell yor photographer if she should focus only on close family or shoot all the guests.
7. ID your nearest and dearest by having them wear a flower.
8. Clearly state what you don't want - for example, just a few photos of your nieces and nephews - not dozens.
9. For small weddings, don't assume that your photographer will get every important shot. Give her direction - or you may wake up the next morning without a photo of you and Mom.
10. Pity the groom's family, chances are you won't be seeking their input on centerpiees, invites or much of anything else. But you should consult with them about whom they'd like in their family shots, and if there are any special pictures they want. Ask for a list a month before the wedding.
Most modern wedding photography is about capturing candid moments, but posed shots are an important chronicle of the day - think of them as visual history. Keep the number to a minimum, wrap it up in 40 minutes, and get on with the fun. Posed situations can include:
Bride and groom
Bride with maid of honor
Bride with bridesmaids
Groom with best man
Groom with groomsmen
Ring bearer and flower girl
Entire wedding party
Bride and groom with bride's parents
Bride and groom with bride's family
Bride and groom with groom's parents
Bride and groom with groom's family
Bride and groom with both sets of parents
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wedding Set Revisited
This item is available at AbsoluteWeddingStore.com.
Every wedding has a theme. It can be a color, place, a season. Choosing a theme is easy (well, relatively), choosing wedding items to adhere to chosen theme can be a little bit time consuming. That's why we present to you the wedding reception sets. Our wedding reception sets are available in a variety of themes, and they typically include:
1. Bridal Garter
2. Champagne Flutes
3. Cake Knife and Server
4. Unity and Taper Candles
5. Flower Girl Baskets
6. Ring Pillow
7. Wedding Guest Book
8. Wedding Pen Set
Buying them as a set saves you money as well - we offer up to 20% discount on them. All of the items in the wedding theme reception set are assembled from the same materials and embellishments, and they create a wonderful theme.
At the wedding ceremony, the wedding theme is created by the uniformity of the flower girl basket, unity candles and ring pillow with the same theme.
As the event progresses into the reception, a guest coming into your reception area will first sign their name into the wedding guest book with the matching pen set, then the bride and groom will cut their cake and make a toast with the matching wedding champagne flute and cake server set.
The wedding theme is observed in the use of wedding items set from beginning to end. What's more, we throw in FREE personalizations for wedding cake servers and knife sets (valued at $15). So if you're planning a theme wedding, visit our wedding theme set items here.
Available wedding theme sets are:
Asian
Autumn/Fall
Beach & Sea
Bronze Elegance
Butterfly Jewels
Calla Lily
Chocolate & Strawberry
Fairy Tale
Floral Fantasy
Irish Celtic
Lily of the Valley
Ocean of Love
Platinum by Design
Red Roses
Religious
Green Thymeless
Western
Winter Wonder
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