So You Want to get Married...In Allen County

When you are ready to get married you need to get the legal stuff in order before your big day. In Allen County, Indiana, brides and grooms have to make a trip to the Court House in downtown Fort Wayne. I wanted to give you the specifics and you can also call the Central Services Division (260-449-7245) with any questions.

I would suggest that you do not put off this important job until the last minute. The license is good for sixty (60) days from when you apply so mark you calendar and get your identification ready.

Residence
For Indiana residents, at least one applicant must reside in Allen County and provide documentation of residency. If applicants reside in a different Indiana county, you cannot apply in Allen County. Out of state residents may apply for a license in Allen County only if the marriage is performed in Allen County.

Location and Times
The female and male applicants, who wish to be married, must appear in person to apply for a marriage license in the Central Services Division, Room 201 - Second Floor, Allen County Courthouse, 715 South Calhoun Street. You may apply Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (The Courthouse is closed on Saturday, Sunday, and all legal holidays.)
You should allow a minimum of thirty (30) minutes to complete the application process.

Fees
Indiana residents: $18.00 Out of state residents: $60.00
A certified copy of your marriage license, for legal proof, may be obtained for $2.00. Make sure that you ask for this certified copy. It should come to you approximately thirty (30) days after the person solemnizing the ceremony files the license with the clerk’s office.

Required Documents – one or more of the following
· Valid operator's license or other state identification, showing date of birth and current Allen
County address
· Certified copy of birth certificate, or
· Passport, military identification, discharge papers, or
· Baptismal certificate, transcript of school record (different than a report card or diploma from a school). Both must indicate date of birth.

If the applicant does not have an updated driver’s license or identification does not provide an address, applicant must show proof of an Allen County address.

Age
Applicants under 18 years of age must have special consent. Call for complete requirements.

Marriage Ceremonies
Marriages may be performed by a member of the clergy (including a minister, priest, bishop, rabbi, and imam), a judge, a magistrate, a clerk of the circuit court, or a clerk or clerk-treasurer of a city or town.

License Validity
You will receive the application the same day you apply, and it expires sixty (60) days after being issued. The application is valid only if the marriage is performed within the State of Indiana. Call our Central Services Division at (260) 449-7245, if you have additional questions.

Your Marriage Ceremony

Megasound also offers Officiants (ordained ministers) to take care of your wedding ceremony. So when you need help with the "legal part" of your wedding, you have options and details for all of your wedding needs.

Happy planning.

One Month until Knot Your Ordinary Bridal Show

In One Month…

I am very excited to be a part of the 3rd Knot Your Ordinary Bridal Show on Friday, September 19, 2008. Not only will I have a booth at the show for our DJ/MC/Officiant services, I will be the MC for the fashion show that evening. This is a great chance to see the new styles in wedding gowns, formal attire, flowers, guys in tuxedos, and much more. I always enjoy seeing the latest outfits for the wedding party. It is really a peak into what my future couples will be wearing at their wedding.

I also get to select upbeat, family-friendly music that is appealing for a runway event. Like a wedding ceremony or reception, a runway show has unique songs that must feature positive message lyrics. In the past, I have coordinated themed music for runway shows such as “disco,” “dance,” and “classics.”

With it being a month before the show, it is time to start pulling together the music ideas for this upcoming event. It is amazing the amount of work that it takes to find just the right songs that are appealing to the masses and still make the musical experience flow with the attire. Who knows what musical gems will be played on the 19th? Hope to see you there.

Knot Your Ordinary Bridal Show

Presented by the Wedding Connection,
Majic 95.1, and Ceruti’s Catering

Friday, September 19, 2008
Ceruti’s at Summit Park
6601 Innovation
Fort Wayne, Indiana

5:30pm-9pm

For the brides who deserve more than just ordinary
One stop wedding planning featuring photographers, video, venues, caterers, cakes, floral, fashions, DJ’s, Officiants, and more.

8pm New York Style Runway Show
Presented by The Wedding Place and Shoe of a Different Color
Flowers by One of a Kind Events
MC by Megasound

Tickets are $6 per person and available at the door
Free parking

Photos courtesy of Photo Artistry by Judy

For more information:
Call 260-402-1533 or email june.hoffman@gmail.com

Contemporary Music is Plentiful

While many brides enjoy the traditions when it comes to music, many brides like to have a contemporary spin on their music. Of course, be aware that most churches or houses of worship have specific restrictions or rules on music for a wedding ceremony. For those brides who are planning their wedding for an outdoor location, an alternate venue, or destination, more contemporary selections are a workable option.

For the ceremony music some of the contemporary selections include:
Prelude - Then He Kissed Me
Processional - Only Time
Recessional - I'm a Believer

As for the reception, the contemporary music selections are many. Just a few include:
Introduction -Crazy in Love
First Dance -Unforgettable
Wedding Party - You've Got a Friend
Father/Bride - Because You Loved Me
Mother/Groom - What a Wonderful World
Bouquet Toss - Another One Bites the Dust
Garter Toss - Wild Thing
Anniversary Dance - Could I Have this Dance
Last Dance - I Could Not Ask for More

To make your own traditions, feel free to select songs from your first date, favorite movie, or even favorite vacation site. You and your husband will be able to create a memorable ceremony as well as reception filled with dancing.

Enjoy your day!

Photo courtesy of Axiom Image

Music Magic

I did some research for a music CD. It was quite challenging as the categories were
Classical, Contemporary, Traditional, Christian, Oldies, and Country for the ceremony (Prelude, Processional, and Recessional) and the reception music (Introduction, First Dance, Wedding Party, Father/Bride, Mother/Groom, Bouquet Toss, Garter Toss, Anniversary Dance, and Last Dance). I thought that I would share my results as it was interesting in many cases.

I will start with the Classical List and have future posts for the other categories.

Classical Selections for:

Ceremony Music
Prelude - Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Processional - Wedding March
Recessional - Ode to Joy

Reception Music
Introduction - Ride of the Valkeries
First Dance - A Time for Us
Wedding Party - Sheep May Softly Graze
Father/Bride - Claire de Lune
Mother/Groom - Greensleeves
Bouquet Toss - On Wings of Song
Garter Toss - The Rejoicing (Royal Fireworks)
Anniversary Dance - Moonlight Sonata Adagio
Last Dance - Handels Minuet

Happy planning!!

Is it Time to Cut the Cake?

After a friend told me about the wedding she attended in Chicago this last weekend, I just had to share some of the finer points of "Cutting the Cake."

What should you expect to do when your Master of Ceremonies (MC) announces that it is time for you to cut your wedding cake?

-Your MC and photographer and video person should have already checked out your cake area for the best positioning.

- You and your new spouse should stand behind or to one side of the cake if the back drop will cause distractions in the photos.

- Your Groom should be positioned behind with the you (the Bride) to the front taking in consideration which hand each uses when cutting.

- Hold the cake knife together and make a small wedge-type cut in one of the lower tiers of cake. This will give you the best support in order to keep balance on the cake. Also, frostings such as rolled fondant are more difficult to cut on the cake.

- Use the cake server to place the cake piece on a plate and cut the piece in half.

- Talk with your Groom ahead of time if the Bride and Groom to see if your will use forks or your fingers. Extra napkins should be available for clean up purposes.

- Whether you and your Groom are feeding each other together or separately; be courteous in order to keep each other clean.

- Bring your champagne glasses to the cake table to include in photos.

- The person/person’s cutting the wedding cake for guests to enjoy should save your top cake unless you have asked for the top tier to be used for serving. Many couples save and freeze their top tier cake to enjoy on their first anniversary. Some bakers give the couple a special cake instead of saving their top tier. Ask your baker ahead of time their policy.

- Ask the person cutting the cake to save two pieces of cake for you and your Groom to enjoy after the reception.

- Already have someone assigned to gather and return (if needed) cake parts to the cake person. Many times, cake stands and other parts are rented.

Whether you have a huge tiered cake, cupcakes, or some other sweet treat, take the time to enjoy this moment with your new husband.

Enjoy your celebration!!

In the "Zone"...the 2008 Miss Torrid Pageant

"And suddenly I see..."

Months of hard work and planning came together this evening at the Chamber of Commerce. Downtown Fort Wayne was filled with contestants, supporters, and their well-wishers. History was made by the crowning of the first Indiana Miss Torrid.

All of the 17 contestants were all winners just by taking steps on that stage. It was a great privilege to work with Jama Young and her staff from Torrid as well as all of the girls. It was also great to know that so many people came out to help raise funds for Reilly Children’s Hospital.

From “Suddenly I See” to “Ever, Ever After” the night was a whirlwind of Torrid fashion, contestants, and all of the components that make a pageant a unique experience.

After all of the acts were completed and the votes tallied, everyone held their breath for the final announcements.

Miss Photogenic was contestant #5 ~ Brittany
Award for the Most Sponsors was contestant #9 ~ Amanda
Miss Congeniality was contestant #11 ~ Lovey
Audience Choice Award went to contestant #15 ~ Karen
2nd Runner up was contestant #17 ~ Katrina
1st Runner up was contestant#15 ~ Karen
The 2008 Miss Torrid Indiana was contestant #8 ~ Meagan

It was a pleasure working on this pageant. Congratulations to Meagan and all of the Miss Torrid contestants. You are all winners!!!

Table Numbers...More than 1,2,3

It does not matter whether you use round, banquet style, or square tables for your reception. You have a unique opportunity to be creative with your table “numbers.” This is not about seating your hippy Uncle Ralph next to the girls from the office. You will have to decide on reserved seating or open seating yourself. And if you use place cards or not, it is nice for each table to be a continuation of your wedding theme.

Here are a few suggestions and you might come up with some very creative one that really fits you and your new husband.

Traditional numbers (1,2,3,4, etc) – whether the numbers are on table tents or place card extensions, make sure that the numbers are large enough to read when you look at the room from a short distance. Some DIY brides like to use spray glue and glitter to create numbers that match their wedding colors.
A Year in the Life – take 8x10 or rectangular photo frames print special years and add photos of you and your new hubby. Think of the important years such as the year you were born, the year your parents were married, the year you met, and the year you were engaged to name a few. This gives your guests something to talk about when they arrive at their table.
Places – print off and frame your honeymoon destination, places you have lived or traveled. You can even add postcards or photos from family trips.
How do I Love thee – If you have a lot of family and friends from out of state or the country, print the different languages and how to say LOVE. Be sure to print LOVE large enough so everyone can read it. You might include sweet sayings or affectionate pet names such as “sweetie pie,” “snoog-ums,” and “doll-face” if you and your husband share cute lovey-dovey moments.
Flowers – designate each table with a specific type of flower bouquet as the center piece. This will create a very spring-type motif for those flower lovers.

Talk with your venue, MC, or bandleader about who will release your guest tables when it is time for the buffet. Whoever is releasing tables can go table by table or you can place all of the table “numbers” in a hat and have you MC or bandleader announce who gets to be the next table in line to eat. Make sure your MC clearly announces “how” tables will be released so you do not have a cattle calling at the buffet table.

If you are having a plated or served meal, you can still have a table numbering system. This will work very well when you a specifically assigning seats to your guests.

Have a good time showing off your creativity to your guests. And remember, you are the Bride and you get to be the first in line!!