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At time of engagement:
Tell your parents
the happy news, if they do not already know.
Buy or make a wedding organizer. Think about
whether you will want to have it as a keepsake
later on; if so, this may influence your
decision about what kind of organizer to have.
At a bare minimum, you should have an organized
way to keep track of appointments/payments/etc.,
and a system for keeping track of invitations,
gifts, and thank-you notes.
Write to your close friends and relatives to
let them know, unless you plan to have an
engagement party.
Have an engagement photo taken. 9 to 12 months
before. Consider hiring a
Disc Jockey
for this event!
Decide on style of wedding.
Decide on date of wedding.
Decide and reserve location for ceremony.
Reserve officiate.
Set a tentative budget.
Decide how expenses will be shared.
Decide on guest list.
Announce engagement.
Select and invite your attendants.
Book a wedding coordinator.
Select engagement ring with fiancι if he has
not done so.
Shop for wedding rings.
Reserve reception location as soon as you have
set the date.
Select and book caterer.
Select and book photographer.
Start compiling names and addresses for guest
list.
Decide on your color scheme.
Start shopping for your wedding dress and
headpiece.
Discuss where you will live after the wedding.
6 to 9 months before
Select and register your gift preferences in the towns of both families.
Select florist.
Select balloonist.
Select and book videographer.
Select and reserve rental equipment for
ceremony and reception.
Select and book
wedding reception entertainment.
Order bridal gown. Order bridesmaids' dresses.
Select bakery for wedding cake.
Select a travel agent and start planning your honeymoon.
Our
links
page provides some hints on
who to work with in the Green Bay area.
3 to 6 months before
Complete your guest list and compile in alphabetical order.
Select and order invitations and announcements.
Start health and fitness program.
Check on wedding dress.
Select and reserve formalwear for men.
Select and order mother's attire.
Experiment with hair style.
Discuss service with officiate.
Order favors.
Discuss rehearsal dinner with your fiancι.
Shop for lingerie and honeymoon clothes.
Check state requirement for blood tests.
Order wedding rings.
2 months before
Address invitations and add correct postage. Check one with Post Office.
Send invitations six weeks before the wedding.
Confirm all contracts and services with the professionals hired.
Plan and book rehearsal dinner.
Finalize honeymoon plans.
Arrange accommodations for out-of-town guests.
Purchase attendants' gifts.
Choose person to attend your guest book. Plan its placement.
Make reservations for the wedding night hotel.
Make appointment with your hair stylist on the wedding day.
Write thank-you notes as you receive gifts.
Send your announcement to newspapers.
1 month before
Get blood test and marriage license.
Have wedding dress final fitting.
Have bridal portrait done.
Complete shopping for your trousseau.
Purchase your accessories such as garter, candles, toasting goblets, ring pillow, etc.
Have wedding and engagement rings taken to jeweler for engraving and cleaning.
Maintain records on gifts received, and send thank you notes out immediately.
Meet with photographer and give him/her a list of shots you would like taken.
Meet with
your wedding entertainment and give them a list of music you would like played.
Assign responsibilities for: Rental returns, clean up, guest transportation, pick up of any last minute items.
2 weeks before
Pick up wedding rings and make sure they fit properly.
Continue writing thank-you notes for gifts.
Final confirmation of all services.
Address your announcements to mail on the wedding day.
Attend to business and legal details.
Get necessary forms for name change.
Give a change of address card to the post office.
1 week before
Contact any guests who have not responded.
Provide caterer with total guest count.
Provide wedding party and guests a map and timetable for rehearsal, ceremony and reception.
Plan seating arrangements.
Pick up marriage license.
Determine what to do with floral arrangements after reception.
Pack for honeymoon.
Purchase traveler's checks.
Purchase camera to
take pictures at your
wedding reception.
Give the bridesmaids' party.
Remind attendants of rehearsal and dinner details.
The Wedding Day
Eat! Otherwise you may faint!
Allow time for hair appointment/nails.
Take a long relaxing bath.
If pictures are to be taken before ceremony, be dressed and at site one hour prior to hour of wedding.
Be sure florist knows to have flowers at site 1+ Hours prior to ceremony hour.
45 minutes before ceremony ushers are in place.
30 minutes before ceremony music begins.
5 minutes before ceremony groom's parents are seated.
Mother of bride seated just prior to processional
Aisle runner is rolled out.
Clergy, groom and best man take their place.
Processional begins.
Ceremony.
Recessional.
Pictures and signing of wedding certificate. Best man and Maid of Honor sign as witnesses.
Wedding Reception.
Say good-bye's and thank you's to parents.
FINALLY -- alone and off to honeymoon destination.
After the Wedding
Send thank-you notes as soon as possible after the wedding.
Have bridal gown cleaned and preserved.
Change your name on ID and important documents.
Change of address cards.
Send a wedding event
testimonial to
your reception entertainer.
__________________________________________________________
Applying for a Marriage License in Wisconsin.
If you've just set a date for your wedding, this can be an exciting time for the two of you!
Don't let the marriage license laws of Wisconsin put a dent in your wedding plans
Here's what you need to know and what documents to bring with you before you apply for a Wisconsin
marriage license. We recommend getting this legal aspect of your wedding out of the way about a month before your wedding date.
Congratulations and much happiness as you begin your lifetime journey together!
PLEASE NOTE!!
Requirements may vary as each
county in Wisconsin
could have their own requirements. Check with
your County Clerk for changes and clarifications
in the requirements before you leave home to
apply for your marriage license.
ID Requirement:
You must bring your driver's license with your current address
or two pieces of mail with your current address, Social Security Number, and have a certified
copy of your birth certificate.
Know your parents full names, mothers' maiden names. Make
sure you have the date and place of your marriage ceremony and the name, address and
phone number of the officiant.
Make sure you contact your County Clerk's office prior to
leaving to get your marriage license. Some counties have different requirements as to
required documents.
Residency Requirement:
One of you needs to have resided for at least 30 days in
the Wisconsin county where you are applying. If you are from out-of-state, you must apply in the
county where the ceremony will take place.
Previous Marriages:
In Wisconsin, you must show proof of divorce, death, or civil annulment from your most recent marriage.
You need to wait six months after a divorce before getting remarried.
Bring a copy of judgment of divorce, legal annulment or death certificate from your most recent marriage.
Waiting Period in Wisconsin:
There is a waiting period of five days in Wisconsin, exclusive of the day you apply -- so it is
really like six days. Check with the County Clerk's office for more information.
BEST "RULE OF THUMB" (considering weekends, etc.): Apply no
less than 7 days before and no more than 35 days before the ceremony."
Covenant Marriage Option
No.
Fees
in Wisconsin:
Although the
fees for a marriage license in Wisconsin vary
from county to county, the average cost is
$80.00. Be prepared to pay in cash. Check with
the County Clerk in your county to know what the
fee will be.
Other
Tests:
Wisconsin does
not require that you take any blood tests.
Proxy
Marriages:
No. Proxy
marriages are not allowed in Wisconsin.
Cousin
Marriages:
No. Cousin
marriages are generally not allowed in
Wisconsin, though depending on certain
circumstances, such as when the bride is 55
years of age or older, cousins may be allowed to
marry. Check with the County Clerk for
clarification of your own situation.
Common
Law Marriages:
No. Common law
marriages are not recognized in Wisconsin.
Same Sex Marriages:
No.
Under 18:
If either the
bride or groom is under 18, you must have
written, notarized consent from his or her
parents or guardian. There is a Consent form
available to be signed by parents or guardian
before a County Clerk.
If either of
you are under the age of 16, you may not get
married in Wisconsin.
Officiants in Wisconsin:
Ordained
member of the clergy, a judge, a court
commissioner, or certain religious appointees.
You and your prospective spouse may officiate
under established customs or rules of some
religions.
Miscellaneous:
A Wisconsin
marriage license is valid for thirty (30) days.
Vital Records
1 West Wilson Street
P.O. Box 309
Madison, WI 53701
Phone: (608) 266-1371
PLEASE NOTE:
State and
county marriage license requirements often
change. The above information is for guidance
only and should not be regarded as legal advice.
It is
important that you verify all information with
your county clerk before making any wedding or
travel plans.
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