what's in a name?

more than likely, adopting your spouse's name is not going to be as stress-free as it was for kelly hildebrandt, so know your options:

* adopt your husband's surname
* retain your maiden name
* retain your maiden name professionally, but change your legal name.
* adopt a joined surname with your spouse (either hyphenated or unhyphenated)
* mix your surnames to create an entirely different name
* create an entirely different surname

each option is perfectly legal. your marriage officiant will have you sign the marriage license using your new name. he or she will then forward your license to the county clerk who will send you an official copy of your marriage license.

you should start using your new name immediately. it may even be wise to sign both names for a little while (i.e. jane smith, formerly known as jane doe).

visit http://www.wedplan.com/ for a list of places you will need to notify of your name change.

hot trends

wedding planner & guide interview on nbc 15's "hot trends" segment.

special thanks to:
brandi's bridal galleria, etc. for the gowns,
personal expressions floral & event design for the bouquets, and
suzanne's sweet artistry for the cake.

bridal shows

photos from the fashion show at our first-ever milwaukee summer bridal show turned out fabulously! in addition to sharing a few with you, i thought i'd share a tips for making the most of your bridal show experience.

before the show

- purchase tickets in advance to save money and
avoid long lines at the door.

- discuss your budget. have an idea of what products and services you want and how much you are willing to spend.

- make a plan ahead of time. what do you want to accomplish at the show?

- pre-print labels with name, wedding date, address and phone number to make signing up for drawings quick and easy!

day of show

- dress comfortably and wear comfortable shoes. you may do a lot of walking.

- bring people with you who are part of the decision making process (bride, groom, parents, etc.). what you get done now saves time and money later.

- bring paper and pen for notes on exhibitors and the products and services that interest you. you can use the show program to mark fashions that catch your eye during the fashion show and exhibitors you would like to visit.

- allow as much time as possible to spend at the event. all of your wedding planning can be taken care of at the show. use this time to your advantage. if it is a two-day show, consider attending both days.

- look at each booth. don’t miss an opportunity or unique idea. for serious shopping, it is best to visit booths during a fashion show. aisles tend to be less congested, allowing for quality time with the vendors.

- take a break if you are feeling tired or overwhelmed. rest, have a bite to eat, look over your gathered information, and discuss interesting things you may want to look at again.

be a modern day romeo & juliet

while your romeo may not be able to whisk you away for a romantic wedding on juliet's balcony. there are plenty of places close to home that allow you to exchange vows in a dreamy atmosphere. for a list, click here.

wedding planner & guide on dollars and sense

for some other cost-saving tips, click here.

grizzly groomsman

while you probably aren't planning to have a grizzly bear in your bridal party, there are a few things you can do to ensure your wedding attendants don't turn a little grizzly by the time your wedding day arrives!

1) an invitation to be a bridesmaid or groomsman is permanent—except in extreme circumstances—so avoid asking unreliable and irresponsible friends and family to be in the wedding party that you might later wish to “unask.”

2) make sure your attendants have a clear idea of what is expected of them as a member of your bridal party (i.e. events they should attend, financial expenses, etc.).

3) limit "wedding talk." of course your friends are excited about your wedding and want to share in this new phase of your life. but be intentional about not letting every conversation you have revolve around the wedding.

april showers bring may flowers

it's spring! the trees are budding and the flowers are blooming! take advantage of the beauty around us by using local wedding flowers that are in season. you'll be supporting local business while saving cash at the same time.

some wisconsin flowers that are in season this time of year:
crocus, daffodils, forsythia, hyacinth, lilac, peonies, and tulips.