Marriage Laws

Marriage Laws are different for each state. Make sure to contact your local city office for more information. 


Virginia:

Legal age is 18, under 18 must provide notarized consent from parent or legal guardian. No blood test required. Both in party must apply in person. Know the complete full names of both parents, including mother's maiden names. License is issued in the city where the bride or groom reside. Valid immediately up to 60 days. $30 fee (cash only).

North Carolina:

Legal age is 18, under 18 must provide notarized consent from parent or legal guardian. For applicants under 21 a birth certificate is required. No blood test is required. Both in party must apply in person, or have a notarized document explaining why the other person is absent and a copy of his/her signature. The county may have an affidavit for you to fill out, sign, and return, obtained from the rester of deeds office in any county. In addition to ID bring your Social Security Card or proof of Social Security number. Valid immediately up to 60 days. $50 fee (cash only). 

West Virginia:

Legal age is 18. If either of you are under 18 years of age, you must have the consent (in person) of a parent or guardian. No blood test is required immediately. Valid up to 60 days. $36 fee (cash only) may vary from county to county.

Washington D.C.:

The minimum age for marriage is 18 years or 16 years with the consent of a parent or guardian. Proof of age for the applicant's must be shown at the time of application and may be demonstrated by driver's licenses, birth certificates, passports, or similar official documents. A blood test is not required. $35 fee for application and $10 for license (cash or money order). The $35 application fee is waived for couples who are registered in the District as domestic partners. By DC law, three full business days must pass between the day of application and the day that the license can be issued. Confirm what day you can pick up your license before leaving. Marriage license has no specified time frame.

Bridal Shower

There's no better way to honor a bride-to-be than with a bridal shower. Traditionally, a shower is a party for the bride and her closest female relatives and friends, where she is "showered" with love, good wishes, and gifts. 

Who is in charge?:

Traditionally the maid of honor always throws the wedding shower -- unless there are unusual circumstances. However, times have changed and whoever would like to host the party may.

Guest List:

Whether your hosts are inviting 18 guests or 80, the invites should go out a month to six weeks in advance. The guest list is usually comprised of the bride's closest friends and relatives. Ask her to make up her guest list and get it to you as soon as possible. 

Location:

You can be as creative as you want about where to have the shower. Keep in mind that party spaces get booked early in busy seasons, like during the holidays. Showers are sometimes hosted at someone’s house, but often they are held at a larger bridal shower venue. 

When:

 Usually a bridal shower takes place anywhere from 6 weeks to 2 weeks before the wedding. However, it's important to take into consideration what's going on in the bride's life! I have seen showers Saturday or Sunday but it can be whenever works!

Theme:

You want things to flow. Think about your bride, and her style and choose an appropriate theme. A theme shower is especially suitable for brides who have already accumulated many of the housewares that tend to be given as gifts at traditional showers. 

Tea Party

Round the Clock Party

Bling Party
Garden Party

Spa Party

Coffee and Desert Party

Wine Tasting and Cheese Party
 Breakfast at "Tiffany's" Party
French Flair Party

Italian Get-A-Way Party

There are so many theme's you can choose from just remember to think about your bride, and her style. 

Favors:

One way to make your bridal shower one that guests will remember is to give them a token of thanks for attending. Choosing the right favor is important, not just to serve as a reminder of the party, but to complete the theme. The best favors are fun and decorative, even designed to bring a touch of satisfaction to your guests for years to come. 

Traditions:

1. The tradition of the groom showing up with flowers just before his fiancee opens the gifts is back.

2.Making a bouquet out of the shower gifts' ribbons and bows and using it as a stand-in for the real one at the wedding rehearsal.
3.  One traditional game is to have guests divide into teams of two or three. Each team is given a roll of toilet paper, and with one team member as the model, they must each design a wedding dress out of toilet paper. The bride-to-be chooses the winner.

Bridal Expo's

Great Bridal ExpoSunday, November 11, 201212:00pm to 3:00pmPhoenix Convention Center111 North Third Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Finest Bridal ExpoSunday, November 18, 20122:00pm to 5:00pmThe Founders Inn and Spa5641 Indian River Rd.Virginia Beach, VA 23464
Great Bridal ExpoSunday, November 18, 201212:00pm to 3:00pmAnaheim Convention Center800 W. Katella Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92802
Great Bridal ExpoSaturday, November 24th, 201212:00pm to 3:00pmHyatt Regency Downtown5 Embarcadero Center
San Francisco, CA 9411



Great Bridal ExpoSunday, November 25th, 201212:00pm to 3:00pmFairmont Hotel San Jose170 South Market Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Great Bridal ExpoSunday, January 6th, 201312:00pm to 3:00pmHilton Baltimore Hotel401 West Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Great Bridal ExpoSunday, January 13th, 201312:00 pm to 3:00pmSheraton Philadelphia 201 North 17TH Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Bridal ShowcaseSunday, January 13th, 2013Opens at 11:00amNorfolk Scope Exhibition Hall201 E. Brambleton Ave Norfolk, VA 23510
Great Bridal ExpoMonday, January 14th, 20135:30 pm to 8:30pmNew York Mariott Marquis1535 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
Great Bridal ExpoSunday, January 20th, 201312:00pm to 3:00pmBoston Park Plaza Hotel50 Park Plaza at Arlington Street
Boston, MA 02116
Great Bridal ExpoSunday, January 27th, 201312:00pm to 3:00pmHilton Alexandria at Mark Center5000 Seminary Road
Washington, DC (Alexandria), VA22311
Finest Bridal ExpoSunday, January 27th, 20132:00pm to 5:00pmNewport News Mariott at City Center740 Town Center DriveNewport News, VA 23606
  








*For any of the Great Bridal Expos you can visit http://www.greatbridalexpo.com to get tickets, or to find when one is going to be in your city. 
*For Finest Bridal Expo visit http://www.showbride.com to get tickets, or to find out when one will be in your city. 
*For Bridal Showcase tickets and information you can visit http://uniquelyyoursbridalshowcase.com.

VIP Bridal Luncheon with David Tutera

David Tutera will be joining the 2013 Showcase weekend! Giving brides a chance to spend personal time with David, see his gown line and learn some of his tricks of the trade.


Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel

11:30am
Topic: Accessories to Enhance Your
Wedding & Gowns from Size 8-18 
$50 a person

This exclusive event will provide you with a chance to sit down and spend some time with David Tutera up close and personal for an afternoon. See his gown line and other bridal accessories. Purchase his books and get them signed by him that afternoon. He will also be giving a presentation on what accessories to choose for your wedding that will help you make your wedding day as memorable and amazing as you are!

7:00pm
Topic: Wedding Trends with Tutera for Twenty Thirteen
$50 a person

Join us for an unforgettable evening of breathtaking decor and mouth watering food! With decorations and wedding ideas by David himself and brought to life by our amazing local vendors. David will be there to talk to us about what is happening now in the wedding world for 2013! Find out about the latest tips and trends for your day that  will help you stay on budget and make it the event of the year for you and your friends. Taste the food, take in the decor and make some amazing memories. This is truly a night both brides and vendors will not want to miss.

Purchase your tickets for both of these events at:
http://www.uniquelyyoursbridalshowcase.com

Pet Birthday Party

Hold onto your paws! If there is ever a day to spoil your dog, it’s on your dog's birthday! Throwing your dog a birthday party is a fun way to celebrate your four-legged friend and to say “thank you” for being a beloved companion. Just keep the guest list small and the party time to two hours so the dogs don't get too stressed with too many animals around for too long.No matter what kind of pet you have, build in time for playtime. Get dogs' tails wagging with fetch or tug-of-war.If you're celebrating your kitty, limit the guests to just your family. Cats prefer to keep to their own turf. Likewise if the party's for your iguana, hamster, cockatoo, clownfish or tree frog. 

Cocktail Party

A cocktail party is a good way to have your co-workers mingle and meet everyone from the office, especially if there a some new employees. You can serve several different types of hors d'oeuvres such as caviar, bacon wrapped dates or shrimp cocktail, you'll only be serving small bites which does save a little money. You could also follow a cocktail party with a small dinner  reception.The key to any great party is for the host to have as much fun as the guests. 

Divorce Party

I know it may sound a little weird  to have  a divorce party but for some people it is a way to end there marriage and be on the path to a happy divorce. A Divorce Party is a way to mark the end of the pain and suffering that comes with divorce. The party can be a great way the newly divorced person can thank all the people who stood by them through the ordeal of separation. The party is an opportunity to announce your new status in life. You are now single and available for new experiences and even new relationships. A whole new phase of life is just beginning. And that is something to celebrate!