Who you choose to officiate also depends on the wedding you hope to have. If you want a very modern or secular wedding, a minister or religious officiant who often refers to holy text and religious passages may not feel right or fit in with your overall ceremony, and the same is true vice versa. Of course, you don’t have to dismiss your family’s pastor just because you have a certain outlook of how your ceremony should go. Sit down with any and all potential officiants and get a feel for whom you and your future spouse both like. You may deeply desire a minister for your ceremony, but not like the first five that you sit down and speak with because of a specific view they have. It’s okay to be picky with who will perform your ceremony and present you as a married couple to the world. You don’t need to be religious to have a minister marry you, and you don’t need to be a non-believer to prefer a less traditional officiant. It’s your wedding; it’s 100% your decision.

Another thing to consider when choosing between a minister and non-denominational officiant is your guest list. If you have grandparents who would rather keel over than see you married by someone not of the family church, that is definitely something you need to consider, whether that means choosing their way or ignoring their requests. Or perhaps you and your future spouse come from very different or opposing religious backgrounds, this may cause you to opt for a non-denominational officiant simply for the sake of respectable peace between families during the ceremony. Whatever your reasons are for choosing your minister or non-denominational officiant for your wedding, just make sure they are well thought out reasons that were at least run by your significant other. Getting married is a journey you must embark on with the love of your life, and although it doesn’t technically matter who prompts you to say your “I do’s,” it is still an important decision that needs to be made together. At Vintage Gardens Wedding Chapel & Event Center, all packages include a non-denominational minister with the signing of the marriage license. 

If you’re looking to plan a wedding, give one of our wedding event coordinators a call at 586.930.5400 to make an appointment to view Metro Detroit’s premier wedding chapel. Your dream wedding is just a phone call away.

The post Minister or Non-Denominational Officiant? appeared first on Vintage Gardens Wedding Chapel and Event Center.

Usually when you apply for a marriage license it will ask you if you plan on taking your new spouses name. This is often the first and most exciting time you will sign your new name on an official document, however it will definitely not be the last. To legally change your last name after the wedding you must apply for a new Social Security card, driver’s license, and state ID that reflect your new name. These especially will help when it comes time for you to buy your first home together and around tax time. You must also make sure you call every other organization that you regular interact with to change your information on various accounts. People and organizations that you may need to contact to change your name include banks, employers, utility companies, mortgage and insurance companies, investment accounts, memberships (gym, streaming, etc), credit card companies, the post office, academic organizations, healthcare institutions, the passport office, your personal legal representation, voter registration offices, and more. The only people you really don’t have to worry about calling are the IRS, and this is simply because the Social Security office will alert them for you.

For most places, like banks and insurance companies, you may only have to call and speak with a representative over the phone to change your last name. However, other places may require that you fill out paperwork and wait for the changes to be accepted and processed. It all depends on whom you are and where you are trying to make adjustments. The best way to do it is to make a list of all the places you need to contact to change your last name and them check them off as you go. This helps keep you organized and on top of which places you’ve already contacted, which have your information pending, and which you still need to reach out to. Once you make it all the way down your list and everyone knows your new last name, congratulations! You can finally be legally recognized as who you were always meant to be!

If you’re looking to plan a wedding, give one of our wedding event coordinators a call at 586.930.5400 to make an appointment to view Metro Detroit’s premier wedding chapel. Your dream wedding is just a phone call away.

The post How to Change Your Last Name After the Wedding appeared first on Vintage Gardens Wedding Chapel and Event Center.

When filling out the affidavit, all information, including social security numbers, phone numbers, birthdates, and other identifiable information must be accurate as listed on your official birth certificate and state driver’s license. For a parent’s birthplace, only the state or country is needed. Once you have appropriately filled out the form and checked the box indicating that you have received the “Learn the Facts about HIV & STIs” pamphlet, you will need to sign the document in front of the Deputy Clerk so that it can be notarized.

When it comes time to bring your form in or visit the office to have it printed out for you, at least one person will need to bring in some form of identification that has a current Macomb County address listed on it. If you are both Macomb County residents, you may come in and apply together; however, it is not necessary to acquire a marriage license. Typically, a marriage license is not valid for at least the first three days, but you can have the process expedited for an additional fee. To get a same-day marriage license or for couples who are from out of state but hoping to get married in Macomb County, a marriage license will cost $30. For a normal marriage license for in-county residents, the cost is $20.  

Once you receive your marriage license, carefully inspect it for any errors. Clerical errors can be corrected free of charge, but errors due to the form being incorrectly filled out incur a $5 fee. All changes and corrections must be made before the ceremony takes place. In order to change a marriage license after it has been sent to the State of Michigan, you must pay $175 to open a circuit court case and have a judge make the official changes. For more information on ways to apply for your marriage license via fax, mail, or over email; or to get answers to any other questions not covered in the information above, call or visit your local County Clerk Office online. The Macomb County office is open every Mon – Fri from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. and every Wed until 6:45 p.m.

If you’re looking to plan a wedding, give one of our wedding event coordinators a call at 586.930.5400 to make an appointment to view Metro Detroit’s premier wedding chapel. Your dream wedding is just a phone call away.

The post How to Get a Marriage License appeared first on Vintage Gardens Wedding Chapel and Event Center.

Start the process of setting a wedding budget by taking a good honest look at your finances. Look at your debt, savings, and income to determine how much you can spend and how much you need to save in order to get the things you want. If you have a year or more before the estimated big day, you may be able to set up a savings plan to help you afford the more expensive items on your wish list. Just make sure you are as realistic with your savings as you are with your initial analysis. You don’t want to book a venue you love only to not have the rest of the money you need to keep it. Also consider any help you receive from outside sources. If your grandmother plans to send you a check to help you with wedding expenses or you have a friend who can get you all the flowers you need for free, make sure you verify those things with the right people and notate them in your budget plan.  

When setting a wedding budget, it’s also important to remember that the number of guests you invite will greatly influence your overall budget. For every person you invite you must consider their seating, reception meal, alcohol consumption, parking, special needs, and other variables. For an average affair you might expect to pay anywhere from $100 to several hundred dollars per person, which can add up pretty quickly when you start throwing old friends and distant cousins into the mix. Friends and family are important, as is having people to celebrate with you on one of the most important days of your life, but you need to remember that you’re the one who is managing the limited wedding funds and not them.

Above all else, when setting a wedding budget you need to know what is most important to you. Which wedding must-haves will get the most fiscal attention? Is the wedding dress the most significant part of a wedding to you? Or perhaps you want to spend most of your money on the catering to make the reception the most spectacular part of your big day. Is there a special location you absolutely have to get married at? All these things can sway other elements to your event. If you must have a wedding outdoors, your entertainment and seating budgets will be vastly different to compensate for necessary electrical equipment and weather precautions like tents, bathrooms, and other basic amenities.

Setting a wedding budget is all about what you and the love of your life want and what needs to be compromised to give it to each other. Having money or not having money does not effect how special your wedding will be. Just remember, it’s all about love in the end. If you’re looking to plan a wedding, give one of our wedding event coordinators a call at 586.930.5400 to make an appointment to view Metro Detroit’s premier wedding chapel. Your dream wedding is just a phone call away.

The post Setting a Wedding Budget appeared first on Vintage Gardens Wedding Chapel and Event Center.

Choose Who’s in Boss

You will need someone who can run point on who stands where and who walks when. It certainly can’t be you or anyone else who is actually in the ceremony, so choosing someone you trust and who can be there for you on the real day is important. A friend or family member can be a great option when you have none, but to ensure that all your loved ones can just relax and enjoy your event, having a wedding planner or event coordinator is a much better option. It can help everything run just a little bit more effectively since they are experienced professionals and have probably already done this a time or two. PRO-TIP: Some wedding chapel venues, like Vintage Gardens Wedding Chapel & Event Center, offer the services of a qualified event coordinator with the reservation of the venue or ceremony package.

Skip the Processional

I know, I know, the whole point of the rehearsal is learning how to walk in and out, but consider this: how does your wedding party know where to go if they just start walking aimlessly down the aisle? Who stands where? Starting right in the middle of the action will help everyone remember where everyone needs to go when the time comes. It will also greatly help in preparing the visual of your ceremony for photographs. Spend time figuring out who looks best standing where, and go from there. PRO-TIP: Make sure your wedding party is spaced evenly apart, slightly angled toward your audience, and standing at a curve with your Maid of Honor closest inward toward the bride and the last bridesmaid closer to the guests. Also make sure everyone holds their flowers in the same place, in front of their lower abdomen. This formation looks best in photographs.

Cover the Highlights

No one wants to sit through the entire ceremony during the rehearsal, you know, to not spoil the magic of hearing it for the first time and all that. However, you do still need everyone to know what order the ceremony is in so that everyone is prepared. Make an outline of your ceremony including all the readings or special ceremonies you have planned and simply call them out in order to make everyone aware of exactly how the ceremony will unfold. For special ceremonies that involve props like candles or sand, double check to make sure that everything will be on site on the big day if it isn’t already. PRO-TIP: No matter what, never have your back turned to the crowd, or your photographer! If you need to move around for something special, make sure you try to face forward as much as possible so everyone can see the joy on your face.

The Recessional

“You may now kiss the bride,” and exit without trampling each other. During the real event, people from their seats will be standing, grabbing, and trying to take photos of you and your wedding party, which can make things chaotic as everyone exits. You will exit in order of: newly weds, wedding party in pairs, flower girl and ring bearer, and then immediate family, but before anyone moves, everyone should know how far apart they need to be from each other to avoid a bridal pileup. PRO-TIP: 20 feet is actually a great distance to stand apart. It allows ideal distance for easy exits, and plenty of space for great photographs between couples.

The Processional

Now that you’ve walked out and everyone is standing in the back, it’s the perfect time to turn around and walk back in! Everyone already knows where to stand so this part should be super easy. Determine whether your bridesmaids will walk alone or with the groomsmen and then line up. Your officiant will enter first along with the groom (if your bridesmaids are walking alone, your groomsmen will also enter here), followed by immediate family. Next your bridesmaids will walk, unaccompanied or not, followed by the Maid of Honor and the flower girl. Lastly, once everyone is in place, the bride will make her grand entrance. PRO-TIP: Follow the same practice in terms of equal distance as the recessional to allow enough space between people for photos. Practicing the processional last will allow you to go right into…

The Hand-Off

This is the moment the bride’s escort will hand her off to the groom in the final sign of giving her over to be with her groom; this is usually done by the bride’s father or someone who is important to the her. Traditionally, the escort will kiss the bride and shake the hand of the groom before taking a seat. This is the time when the bride will pass her bouquet to her Maid of Honor and take her place facing the groom. 

Take it from the Top

Don’t force everyone to walk up and down the aisle all day long, but build a little muscle memory for the big day by running through at least your processional and recessional two or three times to ensure that no one forgets the most important parts, order and distance. Once you get going you will be pleasantly surprised to see how quickly a rehearsal can go if everyone stays focused and motivated on the task at hand.    

If you’re looking to plan a wedding, give one of our wedding event coordinators a call at 586.930.5400 to make an appointment to view Metro Detroit’s premier wedding chapel. Your dream wedding is just a phone call away.

The post The Guide to an Effective Wedding Rehearsal appeared first on Vintage Gardens Wedding Chapel and Event Center.

Four to Seven Hours Till the Ceremony – Wake Up Call

For brides who are more get-up-and-go than others, waking up or getting started four or five hours before the ceremony starts may be sufficient enough to help get you everywhere you need to be on time. However, for brides who tend to take a little longer getting ready for things or need the extra time to freak out due to excitement, a good six or seven hour head start should be more than enough time. This will give you time to get coffee, eat, shower, and whatever else you need to do to relax before you start your wedding day beautification routine.

Three to Five Hours Till the Ceremony – Glam it Up

Bridesmaids will need a total of an hour to an hour and a half each to get ready with hair and makeup, whereas a bride will need at least one hour for hair and one hour for makeup respectively. Make any last minute adjustments to your dress and veil during this time as well. PRO TIP: Have your photographer arrive at least an hour before you are ready and let your bridesmaids get all dolled up first to ensure you get a few beautiful shots of yourself with them as you’re getting ready for your ceremony. 

Two Hours Till the Ceremony – Pre-ceremony Photo-shoot

Having your pre-ceremony photo-shoot at least two hours before the wedding gives you plenty of time to wrangle your wedding party, friends, family, and any little ones you want in on the action together long enough to capture those special moments before the main event. You want to be relaxed for your photos so that they come out amazing, and allowing yourself the necessary time to just be in the moment will go a long way in making that happen.

One Hour Till the Ceremony – Arrival

Typically, the groom and his band of brothers should arrive at the wedding venue an hour and a half before the ceremony begins to ensure that as you arrive with your bridesmaids you will not be seen, but this is all flexible. If you want to take pre-ceremony photos at your venue you might consider being slightly early to get in a few good shots, or perhaps your venue is small and you would rather arrive and make a grand entrance. Whatever works for you is fine, so long as you’re not bursting through the doors after the music has already started!

From start to finish, the most important to keep track of is your time. If you need a lot of it, create a timeline for yourself that allows you to get lost in your day. If you are an efficient and punctual person, you may be able to breeze through your entire morning in only a few hours. There is no right or wrong way to marry the love of your life. Just enjoy yourself and the rest will fall into place.

If you’re looking to plan a wedding, give one of our wedding event coordinators a call at 586.930.5400 to make an appointment to view Metro Detroit’s premier wedding chapel. Your dream wedding is just a phone call away.

The post A Complete Wedding Day Timeline appeared first on Vintage Gardens Wedding Chapel and Event Center.

Budget, Budget Again, and Then Stick to Your Budget

Before you can even create your guest list, choose your venue, pick out the perfect dress, or anything else, you absolutely positively need to have a strict budget with enough wiggle room for unforeseeable incidents. Your budget will influence every single other choice you have to make about your wedding ceremony, so it’s best you overestimate your needs than be left wondering how you will pay for everything you already picked out.

Do Your Bridal Research

What is the weather usually like around the time you wish to have your wedding? What are some blackout dates you may face trying to book venues? Do you know what you need to do to secure your marriage license? There is a lot more to planning a wedding than picking out your favorite flowers and a great dress, do some research and get organized by making your own wedding planning checklist or binder to help prevent you from forgetting anything important. Online you can find an abundance of great resources for brides who need advice on everything from ceremony timelines to the best ministers in your area.

Be Flexible

Every aspect of planning a wedding is equally significant, however some people may argue that being flexible is not only the most important but it’s also the one that no one talks about. Your patience will often be tested throughout the wedding planning process, from incompetent florists and tipsy bridesmaids to inexperienced photographers and family arguments. In all honesty, flexibility when it comes to a wedding is very hard, but it can help to constantly remind yourself that all the bells and whistles are not essential to your happiness. All that matters is you, the groom, and the love you share for one another.

Don’t Forget the Most Crucial Aspects of Your Wedding Ceremony

• Pick up your marriage license and wedding rings at least several weeks before your official wedding day;
• Spend the months before your wedding trying to figure out the perfect things to say in your wedding vows so that you aren’t scrambling the night before your ceremony to come up with something touching;
• Book all your ceremony venders (flowers, music, photographer, videographer, decorators, event coordinators, and more) months in advance and double check with them every so often leading up to your wedding;
• Plan and organize your wedding rehearsal;
• Have all of your programs, wedding readings, flower girl and ring bearer props, and more prepared and ready to go before the ceremony begins;
• Designate your wedding party and make sure everyone’s dresses, tux’s, bouquets, boutonnieres, and more are chosen and ready to be picked up at the necessary times;
• Decide on and acquire any ceremonial accessories you might want including unity candles, brooms, decorative sand, and more;
• Organize and ensure every guest’s transportation to and from your wedding ceremony
• Choose your minister or non-denominational officiant;
• Reserve all your salon and spa appointments (hair cut/color, nails, tanning, etc.) at least one week before your wedding, except for hair styling and makeup appointments which can be reserved for the morning of;
• Prepare for any special guest concerns like allergens to certain flowers, ramps or special parking for disabled persons, special seating for the visual or hearing impaired, and more to ensure all guests are equally comfortable and cared for.

If you’re looking to plan a wedding, give one of our wedding event coordinators a call at 586.930.5400 to make an appointment to view Metro Detroit’s premier wedding chapel. Your dream wedding is just a phone call away.

The post Tips for a Bride Planning Her Own Wedding appeared first on Vintage Gardens Wedding Chapel and Event Center.

Budget

Before you start jotting down the names of your favorite teachers, old coaches, and that barista who always gives you an extra free shot of espresso when you go in for your morning coffee, make sure you have your budget all planned out to ensure you don’t get carried away. It’s a nice sentiment to want to invite everyone to celebrate with you, but guest costs can add up quickly so it’s best you only invite the people who truly mean the most to you if finances are at all a concern. This will ensure that no one suffers hurt feelings from being uninvited to your wedding when your excitement wears off and reality sets in.

Who’s Who

Unfortunately for you, everyone you know will most likely feel entitled to go to your wedding and expect an invitation, but what really matters is who you want to be there. Not a fan of your second cousin? Don’t feel obligated to invite someone just because they are family. In most cases, the best way to handle who will get an invite is to divide your guest list limit into three groups. One-third of your guests should be there for the bride, one-third for the groom, and the remaining spots should be for friends of the couple. You may come across hurt feelings at one point or another, but it’s your day, and with a limited budget you deserve to have everyone you want there in attendance.

Children and Plus One’s

Always be very clear on your invitations about the inclusion of children and plus one’s. Weddings may be magical, but for little kids long ceremonies can feel boring and lead to undesirable ceremony distractions, and as far as plus one’s go, it may just feel awkward for everyone if your relative’s new boyfriend that no one knows attends such an intimate event. Whether it’s a child or an adult, adding more people to your wedding increases your overall event cost, so be firm when all your single friends call you up to beg for a plus one for someone they just met.

If you’re looking to plan a wedding, give one of our wedding event coordinators a call at 586.930.5400 to make an appointment to view Metro Detroit’s premier wedding chapel. Your dream wedding is just a phone call away.

The post Wedding Guest List Etiquette appeared first on Vintage Gardens Wedding Chapel and Event Center.

Traditional Wedding Cakes into Unique Desserts

Gone are the days of traditional white wedding cakes being the center of attention at wedding receptions. Today, young couples are opting for other unique desserts and cake styles. It’s all about elegance, ease, and unconventional approaches for 2018, meaning donut tower wedding cakes, “naked cakes,” cake bites, hand-painted cakes, crazy new cake flavors, and more are sure to turn up at most parties. The sky is the limit and no one will criticize your creativity, 2018 is the year for unlimited cake potential, so go for it.

Traditional Centerpieces for Hanging Floral Pieces

No one is arguing that flowers are not absolutely essential to a wedding. After all, they are beautiful, they smell wonderful, and there are so many different styles and colors to choose from to personalize your wedding, but interestingly enough for 2018 wedding flowers are getting “elevated.” From cascading vines to suspended roses, treating your ceiling with a little floral flair is becoming 2018’s go-to wedding trend.

Rustic into “Woodsy”

Everyone knows that rustic country weddings have been making a splash, but it looks like couples in 2018 are trading in their burlap and mason jars for real wooden décor elements and plenty of fresh greenery. This slight transition doesn’t completely forgo some of the simple ideas of years past like fairy lights and candles, but only time will tell what the future has in store. In the meantime, grab your favorite hiking boots and head over to a local wooded area to scope out some ideas for your 2018 wedding.

Interactive Entertainment

Getting your guests involved is a great way to keep everyone entertained all night long. Go beyond dancing and dining and offer something new and exciting that will have your friends and family talking for years to come. The most popular wedding trends for 2018 are DIY drink/snack bars and photo booths! Have a fully stocked bar area for adults, and perhaps even a special kids bar with age appropriate options, so guests can come and mix their own favorite drinks. This also would work with milkshakes, ice cream sundaes, and more. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a photo booth? Trick out your booth with a few interesting props and guests of all ages will have the chance to make memories and souvenirs all at the same time.

If you’re looking to plan a wedding, give one of our wedding event coordinators a call at 586.930.5400 to make an appointment to view Metro Detroit’s premier wedding chapel. Your dream wedding is just a phone call away.

The post Wedding Trends for 2018 appeared first on Vintage Gardens Wedding Chapel and Event Center.

With most weddings occurring in September and October, followed by the summer months of June, August, May, and July, and ending with January as the least popular wedding month, it may pay off to carefully consider what time of year you want to get married before looking at booking your venue, especially since you will most likely need to be flexible with your dates. Getting married during the most popular months may require you to start your reservation process more than a year in advance to ensure you snag the spot you love for a reasonable price, whereas choosing an unpopular time of the year to get married may guarantee you unlimited availability even at the last minute, with the possibility of a significant discount. It’s all about timing when you get married, as well as what you want and need, so the best time to book your wedding venue may vary depending on when you actually want to tie the knot.

The typical length of engagement lasts only 15 months, which means if you want to get married during peak wedding season, you need to practically start touring wedding venues immediately after you get engaged to ensure you have a chance at beating out the other hopeful couples. The industry standard recommendation for reserving your wedding for the most popular times of year is 12-14 months, while your “middle” months may only need 9-12 months advanced notice, and your least popular months can often be booked in as little as only three months. Here is a brief breakdown to help you determine exactly the best time to book your wedding venue:

• For June, September, and October Weddings – Reserve your venue 12 to 14 months in advance.
• For August, May, and July Weddings – Reserve your venue 9 to 12 months in advance.
• For December, November, and April Weddings – Reserve your venue 6 to 9 months in advance.
• For February, March, and January Weddings – Reserve your venue 3 to 6 months in advance.

If you’re looking to plan a wedding, give one of our wedding event coordinators a call at 586.930.5400 to make an appointment to view Metro Detroit’s premier wedding chapel. Your dream wedding is just a phone call away.

The post The Best Time to Book Your Wedding Venue appeared first on Vintage Gardens Wedding Chapel and Event Center.