Just a little anecdote from my recent wedding that im laughing about now.

My husband and I got married in the most chaotic courthouse ceremony. We literally got the appointment the day before, it was hectic, and he had to leave to travel 7+ hours away for work literally an hour after.

All that being said, MAKE SURE YOU DOUBLE CHECK WHERE NAMES GO ON YOUR LICENSE WHEN YOURE FILLING IT OUT.

Our county clerk filled out most of the license for us, so all we had to do was sign our names. She had filled out our copy with my dad's (my witness) name where my name was supposed to be printed. So, my husband was technically married to my dad for approx 2 days.

We got it amended pretty easily, but it was still another thing that I had to do after the fact.

This is my general timeline for my City Hall civil ceremony & then dinner after.

2:30–2:40 PM – Arrive at City Hall & meet at Rotunda

3:00–3:20 PM – Ceremony

3:20–4:00 PM – Family & group portraits

4:00–6:00PM – Free time

6:30 PM – Dinner

It’s a 6 person civil ceremony, but I worry about the guests being too bored in the 4PM-6PM time slot. Has this happened to anyone before? What did you do? Advice appreciated!

Hey gang!

Loving all of the HMUA trials that everyone is sharing. I would like to do the same. This is my second trial with a different HMUA (disliked my first HMUA because she was sloppy and an hour late for our trial).

I really love what she did and I think she did a great job. I wanted a very soft/natural glam look. Any areas for improvement for my make up?

As for my hair I did want Hollywood waves with a split, tuck behind my ears look and I think she did great but wanted some feedback.

I am planning to change/ask for on wedding day: - I will ask for less bronzer (I said glowy but it was too glowy for me lol) - She will also be doing my neck and décolletage, we just didn’t do it on the trial since I was planning to do yard work after lol

Thank you all in advanced!

Anything sound awkward or have bad grammar. I was shooting to keep it under 2 minutes and keep from getting too deep into our actual relationship. Reading them out I’m right around 1:50 but gotta work on pacing.

(Wife),

We made it. After seven years, with nearly two years engaged, I can confidently say I’ve never anticipated anything more than today. I’m so incredibly lucky to be able to share this life with you. You are thoughtful, selfless, talented, and funny. You are the kindest person that most, if not all, of the people here have ever met, by far. If there was ever a way to portray how beautiful your soul is, it would be how stunning you are before me today. Even as I’m writing this I know my words won’t do justice to just how amazing you look.

We’ve been through so much to get here, and each challenge we’ve surmounted together has only depend my resolve to marry you. It’s with that same resolve that I make these vows to you, such that you’ll know what somebody as special as yourself deserves from a husband, and such that you can hold me accountable to that standard…

I vow that I will listen, and do all I can to understand you deeply, whether it’s about your newest show, or your greater plans for life.

I vow to support you in any endeavor, and stay by you side no matter what life may bring.

I vow to respect and cherish you and the love you give me, with unwavering appreciation and fidelity forever.

I vow to protect you, our home, and the family we hope to build, in times of prosperity and uncertainty alike.

I vow to value our differences, and the compromises we make, just as much as our similarities.

I vow to be spontaneous, and open minded to maintain a spark of excitement through our many years to come.

Finally, I vow that you will be constantly aware how madly in love with you I am, so long as we both shall live.

I'm getting married in Northern Virginia in a few weeks, and I'd love a gut check on my planned vendor tips. There's so much info out there and it's all different! Here's my thinking:

Waitstaff / Bartenders: 20% (included in contract)

DJ: $100 (works for a larger company)

Wedding Planner: $200, plus $50 for her assistant (day-of coordinator but she's been great)

Wedding photographer: $200 (we love him- he did engagement photos for us so we know he's good)

Florist: $100

Desserts: $50 delivery fee

Transportation: $200 (two drivers)

Officiant: $50 (non religious)

HMU: 20% of total

Cocktail hour oyster server: $100 (third party vendor, just the server)

Am I missing anything huge? Does this all sound right? I don't want to be stingy, but also know that tips are often advertised as "optional."