Monday, January 24, 2011
Wedding Insurance
Wedding Insurance is an insurance policy that covers your wedding and financially protects you against misfortune and mishap. This can include anything from a family death, mother nature and even the dreaded cold feet. Insurance itself is quite reasonably priced and the basic policy costs between $125 to $500 (this can cover you anywhere between $500,000-$1 million), which is a small price to pay for you and your family to enjoy your wedding planning worry free. We have provided some links below which are quite known wedding insurance companies:
Custom Wedding Toast
Friday, January 21, 2011
Inside Weddings Winter 2011
Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay
I have to share some amazing photos with you but the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay was truly heaven on earth! I was just taken aback but it’s natural beauty. We had the most amazing tasting with the Ritz Staff and the desserts, drinks, lollipos were all out of this world. There are very few things that really impress me and this location is beyond words. I highly recommend it to anyone in the Bay Area but really to anyone looking to do a destination wedding in Cali.


Unique Registry
Today while flipping through a bridal magazine, I saw MoMA Design Store Gift Registry. What a novel idea? Here is a place where you can register and not have all the same items your other friends have. They present modern, classic, innovative pieces from around the world.
I loved the Inside out Champagne Glasses and the Hug Salt and Pepper Shakers (which I just ordered BTW).
They have store locations in NYC or go to MoMASTORE.ORG/REGISTRY. The best part about this is every purchase you make (or someone else makes on your behalf) supports The Museum of Modern Art.
Take a look at their website and you will see how much they have to offer.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Steps to Getting Married in New York
STEP 1: You must apply for a marriage license at any town or city clerk in the state.
Both the bride and groom must appear in person, no proxies.
The ceremony cannot take place within 24 hours from the exact time the license was issued.
The license is valid for 60 days, beginning after the day it is issued.
The fee is $35-$40
A Marriage License issued in New York can be used anywhere within New York State but cannot be used outside New York State.
When you apply for the marriage license you must bring with you proof of age and identity. Accepted documents are:
- Birth Certificate
- Baptismal Record
- Naturalization record
- Census Record
AND One of the Following:
- Driver’s License
- Passport
- Employment Picture ID
- Immigration Record
A blood test is not required to obtain a marriage license in New York.
STEP 2: Have the ceremony. Destination weddings are great but if you are concerned with the legality of an out of country marriage it may be beneficial to have a civil ceremony. Here are the steps to follow to having a civil ceremony:
You can attend the local City Clerk’s office to have a civil ceremony.
No appointments or reservations required.
The ceremony is performed during normal business hours.
Bride and groom must appear together with the same identity information used to obtain the marriage license.
Have your marriage license.
You must have at least one witness, over the age of 18 and they must bring proper identification.
You will receive a Certificate of Marriage Registration that is the official document for your wedding.
Congratulations!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Planning Trip in Puerto Rico
It's been a while since our last wedding in Puerto Rico and we are so glad to be back! Last week we had our planning trip with our wonderful couple Nina and Vinay that will be getting married at The Ritz Carlton in San Juan this April.
We had one of the best planning trips as every vendor was so nice. They were all extremely helpful. What really surprised us is the amount of Indian vendors that are already in the island-which makes our jobs so much easier.
Puerto Rico is such a great place for Destination Weddings. It's only a short flight from NY and you don't have to worry about bringing a passport! Though the local language is Spanish almost everyone is fluent in English. Even better you don't have to worry about currency exchange as like us they use the dollar.
We can't wait to be back in April for the wedding!
Changing Your Name
Although we live in a modern society, the questions still arises for new brides, and sometimes grooms, if they should change their last name and how to go about doing it. Some change their last name because of tradition, may be easier when you start having children and for mailing purposes to be addressed the same last name, and some want to feel more united to their spouse.
Whatever your reason for changing your last name, it can be a confusing and overwhelming experience if you don’t know who to contact and what to do. Here is the basic information for anyone interested in changing their last name:
Change your name after the wedding and honeymoon. If you change your name before make sure you have all the proper documents, like your passport, has your new name when you travel.
Have a Certified Marriage License with for your appointments and records.
Contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 to change your name. There is no cost, so if anyone tries to charge you it is a scam.
Go to the DMV in person. Bring your Certified Marriage License and new Social Security Card.
When you have completed these changes you can make other name changes with other institutions. Call them to see their requirements.
-Friends and family
-Employers/payroll
-Post office
-Phone company and other utilities
-Banks and other financial institutions
-Credit card companies
-Schools and alumni associations
-Voter registration
-Passport
-Mortgages and leases
-Wills
-Insurance policies
-Magazine subscriptions
If you decided not to change your name because you want to keep your identity or to keep your family name, that is acceptable as well. However, you may still be addressed and Mrs. Smith by some, but don’t let that bother you if you decide to keep your last name.



