Wedding and Planning Tips

Changing your Name in Florida

1. Visit this site: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FY/FY04500.pdf
2. Download the SS-5 form from the Social Security site:  http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf
3. Go visit your local SS Office.  Don't forget the certified copy of your marriage license.  Find a SS Office here: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/FOLO/fo001.jsp
4. Next step is the DMV.  Make an appointment before you go wait in line for hours http://www.dmvflorida.org/fl-dmv-appointments.shtml.  Also make sure you have all the correct proof you'll need.  Check here for what you'll need: http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/faqkeys.html
5.  Next is a trip to the bank to change your name, etc.

TheKnot's Name Changing Article: http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/planning-a-wedding/articles/name-change-101.aspx

1. Negotiate for both your photographer and videographer to have unlimited time so you can have them there for getting ready to send off.  Even though lots of the reception dancing is the same, if you are having a sparkler exit, you definitely want them there for that.  Choosing which 8 hours they will be around to shoot, isn't fun.

2. Spend extra money to make your sweetheart or head table spectacular - the nicest linens, the best candles, chargers, napkin rings, etc. This table will be in all your pictures so make it shine.  

3.  Chavari chairs and nice linens are worth it.  End of story.  Silver lined plates were worth it too.  I had no chargers, but having the bread plate on the table under the napkins made the tables fill in and pop.  

4.  Cute menus really add a nice touch to table settings.

5.  Enjoy your wedding day.  You don't want to have a thing in the world to do except enjoy your day with the people you love most.

6. I spent lots of time to tie ribbon to a match book, and then tie two sparklers together for my send off.  Total PITA project.  I could have totally just taken the sparklers out of the boxes, handed out some lighters, and it would have been useful.  

7. Welcome Gift bags were a nice touch... personalized water bottle labels and total PITA (well, it might have turned out better if we checked the size of the water bottle before buying them to make sure the labels fit.  Yeah, I recommend you do that)

8. Take random moments to look around and take it all in.

9.  Don't forget to order food trays and bring chips and dips and drinks for getting ready.  A mimosa and champagne for toasting is a nice touch too.

10. Bring straws so while you are getting ready you can takes sips of water.  

11. Introduce the whole wedding party and the parents of the bride and groom when you enter the reception room.  We just introduced Dave and I, and I regret that.  I think my mom was little bummed that her and my dad didn't have a formal introduction.  

12. A DOC is a MUST.  Don't skip this.  END OF STORY.

13. Take bridal portraits, wedding party photos, and immediate family photos before the wedding.  After the wedding, take the whole wedding party photos and family photos with the bride and groom quickly, then take bride and groom photos for the rest of cocktail hour.  We finished photos with about 10-15 minutes to spare and Dave and I were able to enjoy yourselves next to an amazing koi bond and bamboo trees.  A great time to relax and enjoy ourselves before the big party began.

14.  Enjoy dinner.  Period.  Sit down and eat.  

15. Work every table.  Talk to everyone.  (It also helps to have a big RD so I didn't feel so bad if I only got to spend a little amount of time with people, because I got to see them on both nights)

16. Pick a picture or inspiration board and stick to it.  Then recreate and call it a day.  It will save on the meaningless, pointless, mind numbing choices you have to make.