Northeast Colorado Bridal Guide 2023

Bridal Guide ‘23

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5 tips to enhance your wedding decor

By Family Features

Wedding days are meant to be filled with love and celebration, and what better way to ring in the new stage of life as newlyweds than with a well-decorated venue to match the joyous occasion Whether a couple is on a tight budget or picky when it comes to theme ideas, these decorating tips can help add more flair for the big day.

Use a natural venue. Many couples choose wedding venues that require immense amounts of decorations, but a venue with organic scenery or a beautiful view can help alleviate the stress Consider having the ceremony near a garden or beach with enough natural surroundings to keep guests in awe Make the cake a centerpiece Wedding cakes are almost guaranteed to be filled with flavor, but

What you need to know about getting a marriage license

By Sara Waite swaite@prairiemountainmedia.com

In Colorado, marriage licenses can be obtained from any county clerk’s office in the state. A marriage license costs $30, and must be paid for in cash or with a credit or debit card.

Licenses must be used in Colorado within 35 days of being issued; otherwise the unused license should be returned to the clerk’s office to be voided

According to Pam Bacon, Logan County Clerk and Recorder, her office issued 153 licenses in 2022, one more than the year prior. The most popular month of the year to get married was September, with 22 licenses issued. May and August were tied for second with 16 each, and October followed with 15.

For those still working to pick a date, there are some dates each year that may be more memorable. Bacon said popular dates tend to be a play on the day and year, such as March 2 (3-2-23) The third and 23 of each month stand out to Bacon, along with April 5 (4-5-23).

Ideally, both people getting married will come to the clerk’s office to get the license and bring the necessary documentation. That includes

Colorado marriage license from Phillips County LICENSE » PAGE 4

proof of identification, such as a valid United States-issued driver’s license, U.S.-issued state identification card or birth certificate (must be original or a certified copy). If that’s not possible, the person who can not come in must complete an absentee affidavit application, have it notarized and send it along with a copy of identification show-

ing proof of age. The entire process generally takes about 30 minutes you can save time by downloading the form from your clerk’s office website and filling it out ahead of time, or submitting the application online, where available. State law mandates that a court order is required to get married if either party is 16 or 17 years old.

If you have been divorced before, you’ll need to provide the date the most recent divorce was finalized, the court that did the divorce and the city and state where

the divorce occurred. If you were widowed or widowered, you’ll have to provide the date and place of death for your late spouse

Both of you will also need to provide the following information:

• Date of birth

• City and state of birth

• Social security number

• Parents’ names and current city and state. If parents are deceased or their location is unknown, they are listed as such.

In Colorado, couples may choose either marriage or civil unions A civil union provides some of the same legal protections as marriage, and the requirements to obtain one are very similar to a marriage license.

Decor

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they can also serve as a decorative centerpiece for the reception Choosing a cake topped with flowers, highlighting bright colors and placing it in a prominent spot at the reception can grab guests’ attention while also keeping them eager for a bite.

Choose table accessories that pop. Leave guests in amazement as they make their way to their seats for the reception with beautifully decorated tables Table accessories can be anything ranging from patterned table runners to flowers in full-bloom placed in simple, elegant vases. If you are not having a formal sit-down reception, try using paper lanterns or hanging flowers from the ceiling to create an eye-catching atmosphere to remember.

Colorado allows for self-solemnization, in which the couple simply fills out the marriage certificate and returns it to the clerk’s office

If you would like to have an officiant perform your wedding, here’s who can do it in Colorado:

• Judge of a court

• Court magistrate

• Retired judge

• Public official whose powers include solemnization of licenses

• Clergy person recognized by any religious denomination

• Indian nation or tribal official

After the ceremony, the official must forward the license certificate to the county clerk and recorder shown on the license within

Add classic lighting. At times, finding the right lighting to match the mood of a wedding venue can be tricky. In this case, less may actually be more. Try opting for a classic candlelit ceremony or reception to create a more romantic setting This can save both money and countless hours spent attempting to configure elaborate light fixtures, and also provide a timeless feel.

Place engagement photos around the venue. With any wedding, you want the day to feel personal and intimate for the couple and guests alike. Consider decorating the venue with engagement photos of the soon-to-be spouses as they popped the question This can allow the newlyweds to reminisce while guests view those cherished moments and revel in the occasion.

For more tips to prepare for life’s special moments like marital bliss, visit elivingtoday.com.

5 financial tips for newlyweds

By StatePoint Media

February is the month of love and one of the most popular times of year for couples to get engaged.

According to a recent study, 36% of respondents said Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day to propose If you’re about to get married or just walked down the aisle, here are five things to do to ensure your financial health.

1. Determine how you will handle finances. They say money can’t buy love and happiness, but talking about it in a marriage, or even beforehand, goes a long way. You’ll want to discuss whether you’ll have a joint bank account and credit cards, separate accounts or a combination of the two It’s a personal decision, so consider the pros and cons. It’s also a good idea to know the roles you will play. For exam-

ple, will you or your partner pay the day-to-day bills? The other person may want to manage the monthly mortgage and auto expenses, or even the long-term investments and retirement funds. If you need help coming up with a plan, you may want to seek the advice of a financial counselor

2 Get life insurance

You may not realize that February is also Insure Your Love Month, a time to think about protecting your loved ones if something unfortunate should happen. “If you have people who depend on you including your new spouse chances are you need life insurance,” said Lou Colaizzo, senior vice president, Erie Family Life “While it’s hard to think about the possibility of not being there for a loved one, it’s so important to plan for.” Colaizzo added that some people may hesitate to seek out life

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After walking down the aisle, follow these tips to start your marriage off on strong financial footing.

Setting a

By WalletHub

According to the personal finance website WalletHub, the average wedding today costs $28,000. Whether that number sounds too high, too low, or just right to you, one of the first steps of planning a wedding is setting a budget

The site asked some experts about things to think about when setting your wedding budget. Jason Whiting, Ph.D. is the graduate program coordinator and faculty for the School of Family Life at Brigham Young University. Erika Engstrom, Ph.D. is director of the School of Journalism and Media at the University of Kentucky. Madhavi Menon, Ph D is a professor of psychology at Nova Southeastern University Daniel J Puhlman Ph.D., C-LMFT is an assistant professor of Family Studies at University of Maine.

Q: What factors should couples consider when setting a budget for their wedding?

Whiting: When couples set a budget for their wedding, a key factor is whether they are on the same page and whether they can talk it through Unfortunately, some couples start off their marriage with stress and tension about money and have style differences that are reflected in the wedding plans. Recent research suggests that more expensive weddings are often associated with shorter marriages, and it may be that elaborate plans bring stressors and unrealistic expectations that cause angst that is hard to overcome.”

Engstrom: This one is easy: How much money are you willing to spend that will not affect the start of your marriage and life together? What you do not want to do is go into debt to pay for a wedding or pay interest on a new (or current)

wedding

credit card for what is essentially a big party. Think about your wedding as a celebration with family and close friends, rather than a show. Who do you really want to be there? Can your guests afford to travel to your wedding? The tradition of the bride’s or bridegroom’s parents paying for a wedding as a gift to the couple may be something you do not have an issue with but what could you do with the money instead of paying for the wedding (such as a down payment on a house

Q: How should a couple decide where to get married?

Menon: There are so many factors at play when deciding on where to get married; the wedding destination could range from where the bride or groom grew up or has family, to a place that is significant for both like the city where they met or currently live in, or perhaps a vaca-

tion destination where the couple would like to celebrate their union. Zeroing in on the wedding destination could very well be the first big decision being made by the soonto-be married couple, but like the marriage ahead, determining the destination should be a joint effort, while also giving due consideration to each person’s wishes Engstrom: This depends on, of course, the money and time the couple is willing to spend to travel. A destination wedding may serve as a well-deserved getaway or family reunion, or you might want to think about what is easiest and cost-effective for not only you but for your guests. A wedding should be a once-in-a-lifetime event, so if you can afford it and have considered whether or not the traditions associated with weddings align with your personal values and eth-

Budget

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ics, go ahead and go big If you are more practical, backyard weddings can be just as fun (one of the most fun weddings I have attended was a backyard wedding). Or there’s always city hall, which can be as romantic as the $30,000 white weddings typically portrayed in magazines and movies. It really does not

matter where you get married, but that you truly and authentically mark the occasion.

Q: What tips do you have for a couple planning a wedding and hoping to stay on a budget?

Puhlman: Remember that a wedding and a marriage are not the same. Do not spend recklessly thinking it will be the thing that sends you into marital bliss. It is a fleeting experience and the memories will be wonderful, but is it really worth breaking the bank?

amount that’s best for them

Could your marital health be better protected by investing your money in more meaningful ways?

YES!! Remind yourselves that this is a single day in your life and the money you spend will simply disappear into the wedding industry with no positive impact on your relationship. If you feel a need to impress people or ‘keep up with the Jones’s’ then you probably should rethink those priorities as you plan your wedding.

Engstrom: I would say think

4 Update your car insurance

about the future as well as the now. How much are you willing to spend on a party?

What will not cause you more debt?

Do you really need the monogrammed napkin rings and tentier cake?

Be wary of going down the rabbit hole of what Naomi Wolf calls ‘Brideland,’ where every conceivable accouterment becomes a lifeor-death magical item that you think you must have.

insurance because they don’t want to go through the trouble of getting a medical exam, but that’s not always necessary. For example, Erie Insurance has a policy called ERIExpress Life, which may be able to provide protection with a simple application process and no physical medical exam Colaizzo recommends people consult with their insurance agent to find the right life insurance policy and coverage

3 Protect your bling Chances are you spent a lot of time and money picking out rings you’ll love and wear every day. Unfortunately, burglaries are more common than you may think. According to the FBI, there were more than 1.1 million burglaries in 2019. Protect your wedding jewelry, and any other expensive jewelry, by adding these items to your homeowners or renters policy It is advisable to have photos and documentation of the value of the ring and other valuable jewelry in the event of a theft or a loss.

OPEN HOUSE Bridal

Brides and Grooms, Red Willow On Main now has four opportunities in 2023 for you to tour our venue.

Sunday, February 19

Sunday, May 28

Sunday, September 3

Sunday, November 26

pm to

pm

Notify your agent to make sure you’re both covered to drive each other’s cars. You may also be eligible for savings, such as a multi-car discount or bundling your car insurance with homeowners and/or life insurance. Additionally, some insurance companies offer a lower rate for married couples.

5. Make updates to your records if you change your last name It’s a big decision and takes a lot of work if one of you decides to change your name after marriage.

It’s important to be patient and diligent as the entire process may

take several months Remember to update all the appropriate forms, including a new Social Security card, driver’s license, passport, bank accounts and credit cards, among other considerations. Additionally, notify your employer for payroll and health insurance coverage updates.

Getting married is an exciting, big life event. While you and your partner start your new life together, have an open conversation about financial considerations and double check to make sure you’re covered to protect the life you’re building.