Day #15 - Making it Official

The marriage license is the most important piece of paper that you will ever obtain and sign during the wedding planning process.  Below are the guidelines for obtaining a marriage license in the Greater Chicago area:

• You must be 18 years or older to marry without parental consent
• No blood test or health tests required
• Both parties must be present with the proper forms of identification (drivers license, certified birth certificate showing birth date or passport) 
• If you have been married before, your divorce degree will be required
• You can get the license same day and it's valid for $60 days
• YOU MUST GET THE LICENSE IN THE COUNTY YOU MARRY.  The fee will vary from $15-60.
• Click to link for locations nearest you to obtain your marriage license -  http://www.cookcountyclerk.com/aboutus/hours_locations/Pages/VitalRecords.aspx

Until next time...WEDologize!

Photo credit - www.vsphoto.com

Finally Married...What Is Next?

So the special day that you have been planning for months has come to an end.  What is there to do now that you have had the wedding of your dreams and returned from your honeymoon?  Check out the to-do-list below for some helpful tips:

• Make sure all vendors have been paid.
• Open gifts and cards and keep records including the item (or cash amount), the guest's name and mailing address.
• Hand write personal thank you notes.
• Have your wedding gown cleaned and preserved.
• Have your wedding bouquet preserved.
• Check in with the photographer and videographer regarding review dates.
• Prepare and freeze top layer of your wedding cake to eat on your one year anniversary.  Curious how to package it properly, check out our blog on how to save the top tier.
• Begin working on changing your last name.  Need to know where to begin, check out this blog post on going from Miss to Mrs.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - Image Makers Photography)
***repost from 10/17/12

Things Couples Tend To Forget

Wedding day is extremely hectic and fast pace...even with a wedding planner on your team :)  While planning your fabulous wedding day, there are some things that tend to get left out or go unnoticed until the day you say "I Do".  Check out the list below and add these simple tasks to your to-do list or to the to-do list of one of your wedding party members.

• Bring the marriage license to wedding rehearsal.  Do not wait until wedding day to reveal this VERY important document to the officiant.
• Make sure to put the final payment and gratuities in sealed envelopes with the vendors name noted.
• If your make-up artist is not staying with you the entire day, make sure to have a small handbag that includes lipstick and/or lip gloss, plus face or translucent powder.  
• Bring comfy shoes to change into during the dance portion of the wedding reception.  It's better to have them onsite and not need them than to have blisters on your feet.
• Assign someone the task of transporting your wedding gifts home.
• If you have not checked into your wedding night suite prior to the ceremony, make sure to bring your overnight bag to the reception.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - Ven Sherrod Photography)

Making it Legal

Many of the early summer couple are at the stage where they need to apply for a marriage license. Below are the details for making this fabulous day you have planner...LEGAL.

• You must be 18 years of age to apply for a marriage license.


• Both parties must be present and will have to show proper identification.


• In Illinois, no blood test or medical exam is required.


• You can apply for licenses Monday through Friday and sometimes on Saturday's if noted by the office.


• Depending on the county, the marriage license will cost a one time fee of $15-50, in cash.


• The license is valid 60 days from the date of application.

Below are some locations:

Cook County

118 North Clark Street

Chicago, IL 60602

312.603.5656

DuPage County

County Clerk

421 North County Farm Road

Wheaton, IL 60187

630.682.7035

Will County

County Recorder

302 North Chicago Street

Joliet, IL 60431

815.740.4615

More information can be obtained at http://illinois.usmarriagelaws.com/

Until next time...WEDologize!