The Blueberry Wedding Blog is having a complete makeover
Our official Launch date for the new site is May 15, 2010.
In the meantime please accept our apologies while it takes us bit longer to update new content, reply to emails and transfer the old section with the new look.
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Planning your wedding is challenging, but planning your home doesn’t have to be. The first year of marriage is an significant time of change. What should you expect? With these fun and easy tips, you’ll have the home of your dreams in no time.
Also please check out our Newlyweds products and services sections for many helpful websites to help newlyweds deal with the many changes in their lives
Are you planning to change your last name?
Traditionally, the bride changes her maiden name to that of her husband’s surname. Even though this is the most popular choice, is not a legal requirement. There are other options, such as keeping your maiden name, hyphenating both names, or using your maiden name as your middle name.
Whatever your preference, it can seem like a daunting task. Many brides will procrastinate for months or sometimes years! The process is not as unpleasant as you may think. Once you collect all the forms and complete them, most can be sent through the mail.
Although rare, some grooms will change their name to their bride’s surname. A groom will do this if he is not fond of his own family name.
Some government offices and organizations that should be informed of your name change are:
bank
finance/loan companies
investment companies
motor vehicle department (driver’s license)
social security/social insurance department
department of health
employer
doctor
dentist
insurance company
passport office
credit card companies
club memberships
email address
Remember, if you plan to travel overseas for your honeymoon, the surname on your passport must correspond to the surname on your airline ticket. So, you may wait and decide to change your name once you return from your honeymoon.
How to preserve your wedding gown
You spent many weekends, and perhaps many months, searching for the perfect gown for your wedding but what should you do with it now?
Your beloved gown is likely soiled and creased, after many hours of entertaining and dancing!
In order to properly preserve your gown, it is recommended that you have it cleaned within six months from your wedding.
But until then, you should keep your gown flat or rolled up in a dry, dark place. It is not recommended to hang your dress, since this can strain the fabric, and never store your gown in plastic, since this can turn your fabric yellow.
It is suggested that you take your gown to a preservation expert. If this service is out of your price range, then choose a reputable, high quality dry cleaner.
Wherever you decide to take your gown, find out the following:
ß How long they have been in business and how many gowns have they handled?
ß What is their damage policy and warranty?
ß Be sure they use acid-free products.
ß Avoid packaging with a window top plastic next to your gown will cause the fabric to yellow over time.
Or, you may choose to preserve the gown yourself.
Fold the gown using layers of acid-free tissue paper and wrap it in an unbleached muslin sheet. You should store your gown in a dark, dry place, such as a cedar chest or a lined wooden chest of drawers. It is recommended to air out and re-fold your dress a different way every year.
Purchasing a Home
The wedding is now behind you, and you have scrimped and saved a down-payment for your dream home. The process for choosing the right home involves researching your mortgage options, finding out your price range, and of course, making sure you select a home with good value for the money you will spend.
Select a Real Estate Agent
Locate a realtor to help you find the perfect home. Be sure to tell the agent what you can afford, where you want to buy, and provide a detailed list of your likes and dislikes, so you won’t be wasting precious time viewing homes that are not right for you.
Shop Around
Finding a home can take several weeks, or even months so be patient! Once your agent narrows down the list, see as many homes as you can.
You may find your dream home very quickly or you could have your heart set on a particular home, but look at all the pros and cons. Check out the neighborhood, the amenities, the history of the home, etc. If you are seriously considering purchasing a specific home, it is very wise to hire a home inspector. The inspector will investigate the exterior and interior with a fine-toothed comb, and will submit a report on their findings. This report will be helpful in making your decision whether to purchase or not. Take your time this will likely be the largest investment you ever make!
Financing
Finding a mortgage loan that fits your needs is incredibly important. You should educate yourselves somewhat about the different types of mortgages available. There are fixed rates and flexible rates, with various terms. Visit as many financial institutions as possible to compare what each has offer and don’t be afraid to negotiate!
Also, many lenders charge application fees for their administration costs so inquire about any additional fees upfront.
Other Expenses
Closing costs are the fees generated once the property changes hands, for example, title search and insurance, deed recording, property taxes, appraisal, broker fee, legal counsel fee.
Thank you notes
Your guests will truly appreciate a note or card of thanks for the gift they gave you in celebration of your wedding. A thank you note should be sent within two to three weeks, and certainly no later than eight weeks, after receiving the gift.
Choosing a Style
Today, there are many designs to choose from. When ordering your invitations, you can order matching thank you cards. Or you may decide to use simple, elegant blank stationary or cards on which to write your message. Another nice idea is to include a small wallet sized photo of yourselves, especially for those guests who could not attend your wedding.
Make it a Team Effort!
We suggest setting aside some time to work on the thank you notes together. Perhaps picking a specific evening each week to sit down and write your notes, will make the task less overwhelming. Normally the person with the best penmanship should do the actual writing, and the other partner can stuff, seal and stamp the envelopes. However, you both should be involved in choosing the wording for each individual card.
Helpful Hints
Always legibly handwrite your notes, never type them.
Use a good quality pen that does not smear or leave ink blotches. Black, blue or dark gold work best, depending on the color of your paper stock.
When you say “thank you”, mention the gift specifically and let them know why the gift is so special. However, if a money gift was received, then it is not proper to mention the amount. You may say something like, “thank you so much for your generous gift – we will use it to purchase our stemware”.
State how glad you both felt that they could attend your wedding. If they could not attend, then let them know how much you wish they could have been there.
To ensure that your notes will arrive, personally drop them off at your local post office, rather than placing them into a public mailbox.
To add some flare, try using a decorative seal or a stylish postage stamp on the envelope.
Remember, your thank you note will be cordially received and long as your thankfulness is sincere and your message is sent on a timely basis!
