Having an Educated Real Estate Agent makes all the difference.

Getting Married? I dreamed of a wedding of elaborate elegance, A church filled with family and friends. I asked him what kind of wedding he wished for, He said one that would make me his wife. ~Author Unknown

 

First things first, what kind of timeline are you looking at to plan your dream wedding?  Whether its 2 years or 6 months, this Wedding Timeline gives you a wonderful place to start, so go ahead and customize it to your time frame and start checking things off your Bridal To-Do List!

 

Wedding Timeline

9-12 Months

• Announce the date
• Set a budget
• Start the guest list and find addresses
• Decide if you will be using a wedding consultant, and if so select one.
• Pick your colors/style/theme
• Find out requirements for ceremony and reception places
• Have a backup site if planning an outdoor wedding
• Pick Photographer/Videographer, Food, Flowers, and music for ceremony and reception
• Ask bridesmaid's/groomsmen to be in the wedding
• Shop for dresses, veil, and bridesmaid dresses
• Scope out honeymoon locations and packages

6 Months

• Wedding bands
• Pick out invitations, Napkins, Matches, Thank you notes, Programs
• Register for gifts
• Groom's and groomsmen formal wear
• Musicians
• Apply for passports
• Go with you Realtor (Me!) to the lender to talk about getting your credit and paperwork in order, so you can decide whether to purchase or rent a home together

3 Months

• Select flowers
• Look into reserving hotel rooms for out of town guest
• Put together maps, directions and local hotel info for out of town guest invitations
• Plan ceremony with Officiate
• Book Bridesmaid Luncheon
• Get transportation in order for the Wedding Day and the drive to the airport for the Honeymoon
• Set up fittings for Bridesmaids dresses

2 Months

• Invitations in mail
• Rehearsal Dinner details (Groom's family)
• Start putting together a real timeline for all those involved in the wedding
• Gifts for groom, parents, bridesmaids, hostesses
• Invite Rehearsal Dinner Guests
• Set up arrangements with hair dresser
• Get details really worked out for the ceremony

1 Month

• Bridal Showers!
• Have program printed
• Contact guest who haven't RSVP'd
• Go to the courthouse for your Marriage License
• Pick up Veil, Headpiece & Gown

1 Week

• Bachelorette Party!
• Ask someone to return rental items after Wedding
• Ask someone to pick up your mail while on your honeymoon
• Confirm honeymoon plans
• Double check to make sure all details of the BIG DAY are in place for reception, *Seating chart, *Table cards, *Confirm final guest count for caterer
• Find your "Something old, Something new, Something borrowed and Something blue"

1 Day to Go & Wedding Rehearsal

• Relax at the Spa! Manicure and Pedicure
• Rehearsal Dinner! Give gifts to attendants
• Have honeymoon luggage together
• Ask someone to bring the last-minute, little things to ceremony
• Pack a "Bridal first-aid" goody bag of safety pins, bobby pins, super glue, mints, exc.
• Take marriage license to Officiate

Your Wedding Day

• Breakfast with your family
• Hair and Makeup
• Make sure the Maid of Honor and the Best Man have the rings!
• Get to the ceremony site on time to dress
• Have bridesmaid give the Groom his wedding gift
• REMEMBER TO CHERISH THIS DAY FOREVER...

 

If you are getting married in Green County, Missouri the list below will be useful for Obtaining Your Marriage License, just be sure to check for any updates to this information at:

WWW.Greenecountymo.org/web/Recorder/marriage.php

 

Obtaining a Marriage License in Greene County, Missouri

 

Where to apply:

 

Office of Linda S. Montgomery

Recorder of Deeds

940 Booneville, Room 102

Springfield, MO 65802

(417) 868-4068

 

How to apply:

 

Both parties must appear in person at the Recorder's office with proper identification and proof of Social Security Number.

 

When to apply:

 

Monday through Friday (except legal holidays) 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The license fee of $51 must be paid in CASH at time of application. No refunds. After an application is made, state law requires a three-day waiting period before the Recorder can issue the license. Three days is the minimum time allowed, however, you can apply up to three months in advance. A Waiver of the three-day waiting period may be obtained from a circuit judge for good cause. The cost is $30. It is a misdemeanor for anyone to perform a marriage ceremony if a license is not presented prior to the ceremony (451.120 RSMo.) The marriage is invalid if the ceremony takes place before the license is picked up.

 

When to pickup license:

 

License must be picked up before ceremony can be performed (see above note). Anyone previously designated may pick up the license after the waiting period. The marriage license is valid for 30 days from the strong date of issuance and may be used anywhere within the State of Missouri.

 

What to do with the License:

 

You are responsible for delivering the license to the person who solemnizes your marriage. The person performing the ceremony must complete the left portion of the license, have two witnesses sign it, and return it to the Recorder's office within 15 days after the wedding. The license becomes a permanent record. (The right portion is the Marriage Certificate that is filled out by the minister and retained by the parties as evidence of the marriage.)

 

Proof of age identification:

 

Identification and proof of age is required of ALL persons. The following proof of age documents will be accepted, along with a photo ID.

• Ages 15 through 17: Birth Certificate (legal, certified) AND Parental Consent
• Age 18: Birth Certificate (legal, certified)
• Age 19 and over: Valid Drivers License

Qualifications:

 

Blood relatives, down to and including first cousins, MAY NOT marry under the laws of the State of Missouri. No distinction is made between resident and nonresident individuals.

 

Applicants (a male and a female) must be 18 years of age to marry without parental consent. Persons between the ages of 15 and 17 may obtain a license with the consent of a parent or legal guardian. Parents or legal guardians must give consent in person (at time of application) and have proper identification and proof of custody if divorced or never married. If legal guardian is giving consent, a certified copy of guardianship papers must be presented.

 

Previously married applicants must give the date their last marriage ended. Persons divorced less than 30 days may apply for a marriage license if they acknowledge, in writing, they understand the divorce can be appealed or set aside within 30 days by the court of jurisdiction.

 

After your marriage:

 

Name Change and Marital Status (Female)

 

You should contact the following agencies to change your name and notify them of your marital status:

 

Any Department of Revenue Driver's License Section of Springfield, MO:

                                 

                               1534 S. Glenstone, (417) 890-8333

                               149 Park Central Square, (417) 869-5100

                               3601 S Fremont, (417) 823-8484

 

Voter Registration- County Clerk

 

                               940 Booneville

                               Springfield, MO 65802

                               (417) 868-4055

 

Social Security Administration

 

                               1570 W. Battlefield Rd

                               Springfield, MO 65807

                               (417) 866-7210

 

Marriage License Checklist:

To Apply:

• $51 Cash
• Proper identification
• Proof of Social Security Number
• Proof of Age
• Parent or guardian for consent (Age 15-170

Obtaining a Certified Copy of your Marriage License: (Used for name change and marital status change). After the marriage license is returned to the Recorder's Office, a certified copy of the license can be obtained for $9.00. Social Security requires a certified copy of license for name change.

 

Now that you have your timeline in place and know how to go about making it official by obtaining a Marriage License, there are still a few other very important things to figure out... like where you'll live when you get back  from your honeymoon, whether you'll buy a home or rent, and how you'll adjust financially when two become one!

 

Purchasing a home Together:

 

Getting married marks a huge milestone for many people who have spent years dreaming about being a husband or wife. Another major milestone that often follows marriage is the first "big" purchase, which is typically buying a home.

 

Buying a home is a great way to start married life together. Achieving the American Dream of homeownership together is a wonderful accomplishment. It is exciting for newlyweds as they make the house their own by decorating and fixing it up.

 

More importantly, purchasing a home is one of the best investments newlyweds can make. It provides couples with the opportunity it build a secure financial future by building equity in a home. And, as newlyweds, your combined incomes offices special opportunities to build savings that enhance your ability to buy a home.

 

Marriage provides a great opportunity to speak candidly regarding finances, which is necessary in order to begin the process of buying a home. It is best to get in the habit of talking about finances regularly, as it is often a challenge for couples and is regularly cited as a leading cause in many divorces. However, since you are already discussing wedding expenses, you can easily transition into how to finance a home purchase.

 

Consider discussing the steps to purchase a hue, paying down debt and improving credit scores. Start focusing on the investment goal of owning a home by discussing you financial priorities with each other. As you discuss finances and buying a home, it is necessary to understand what goals are important to you and your partner. Draft a budget map out where you would like to be in a year, five years, and ten years. It is not even too early to start thinking about retirement. Review your plan regularly, possibly with a financial planner, and update it as necessary. Start thinking about how much you can spend on a home. There is a mortgage qualifier calculator on this website, on the first page, if you have any questions on that, please feel free to contact me:)

 

Make sure you budget is realistic to live by and allows for you and your partner to save for a rainy day as well as retirement. Saving takes perseverance and discipline, especially when you are trying to pay for a wedding, and juggling other expenses such as student loans, an auto loan, rent, or mortgage. One of the first places to look for possible savings is the little things you buy everyday, such as giving up that $3 daily cappuccino habit, (that could save you and your spouse over $2,000 a year!). Also, try to put off making other big purchases, such as furniture or appliances that may require financing or using your credit card, until after the home purchase. Those purchases may affect your ability to obtain the best mortgage rate terms.

 

In addition to saving money, you will want to review your credit score, which helps to determine the interest rate on your mortgage.  Lenders assess your ability to repay your loan by reviewing your credit history. A credit score of at least 700 is an indication of good credit, which will allow you to secure a competitive interest rate.

 

If you need to improve your credit score, consider these tips:

• If you have little or no credit, look for ways to improve your score such as opening a secured credit card with your bank
• If you have "too much" credit, work on eliminating your credit card debt. Newlyweds can't afford to fall deeper into debt than they already are.
• If you know of errors or past due accounts that have already been paid, contact the three major agencies to correct this on your report. It may be a time-consuming task, but in the end, you will be happy you took care of this before meeting with a mortgage lender.

REMEMBER:

A wedding is just one day, but your marriage is for life. Start your marriage on the right foot by preparing for the home buying process and achieving your goal of homeownership. By making home buying a priority, you can own a home sooner that you might think!

 

 

Financial Checklist for Newlyweds

 

Just Married? According to Bankrate.com, these six financial steps will help you smoothly combine your fiscal lives.

 

1. Implement a savings strategy. Some couples like joint accounts; others prefer to have each partner sock away money separately. It doesn't matter. Just start saving. Ruth Hayden, author of "For Richer, Not Poorer: The Money Book for Couples," says that couples who get into the savings habit at the beginning of their relationships "will never regret it."

 

2. Examine your income tax withholdings. Are you splitting one income between two people or has your household income just taken a gigantic jump? Either situation could produce an unwanted tax surprise when you file your return if you are not having the appropriate amount of payroll tax withheld. Do some quick calculations and adjust your withholding.

 

3. Draft or update your wills. You probably do not want to leave everything to mom and dad now that you are married. Review your will again when you have kids.

 

4. Update your life insurance. This coverage is designed to replace income lost due to death, so make sure the benefits go to your new spouse who is now dependent upon your income. It is also a good time to make sure the coverage is sufficient for your new needs.

 

5. Revisit your retirement savings plans. If you have individual retirement accounts, update the beneficiary designations here, too.

 

6. Use your annual tax return as a financial yardstick. "It's a fabulous measuring tool," says Hayden. "If young newlyweds do this, it will make them feel good and help them stay on track."