Welcome to your Wedding Planning Journey!
Thank you for booking your Express Wedding with me.
It is my honor to be a part of your wedding adventure. Thank you for your trust!
Depending on how far in advance you booked, you may have a few days or a few weeks to plan your perfect Wedding Day!
You may want to create an elaborate day or a really simple day - do whatever works for you.
Like every adventure, planning your wedding ceremony benefits from having a map. Below, you will find our map - The Express Map - the step-by-step process to creating your perfect Wedding. I've broken the process into four stages to keep it simple.
The Prep Work, The Legal Work, The Big Day, and The Honeymoon.
You definitely want to read through the whole page up front, and then refer refer back to this page or Insider Info for information or questions you might have.
If you get stuck at any point, feel free to email me at [email protected]
(NOTE: this page is only for couples that I'm working with and is hidden from public view, so if you navigate off this page, you will need the original link to get back here. Also - please don't share with others.)
The Prep Work
GOALS: Visualize and Design Your Special Day
Again, you may have really elaborate plans already settled, or you may have thought you were just going to have your marriage license signed, but now you're considering making it a special day. Either way, the steps below should help you plan.
VISUALIZE
Visualize & Journal about Your Special Day: This is an important step that will help you conceptualize the big picture of your wedding day. What are the top three most important things for you on your wedding day? Put them down on paper, and then set about using these ideas to design your wedding day.
DESIGN YOUR DAY
Pick Your Outfits: Go back to your visualization - what were you wearing? Traditional wedding attire? Something more casual? Something funky?! Once you envision your “look” - conspire to make it happen!
Get Rings: If you decide you want to exchange rings - get them!
Hire a Photographer: If you’re lucky - you’ll only do this once - make sure you capture the moment! Check out the Wedding Guide for a few of our local wedding photographers to see if someone you love is available on your wedding day!
Order Flowers: You may want a special bouquet or a simple boutonniere - we have several florists right around the corner who can help you put together the perfect flowers for your special day. Consider something that will dry well, so you can keep them as a keepsake.
Book Hair and Makeup: If you really want to maximize your photos on your wedding day, having a professional do your hair and makeup can really enhance your features. It is also common for elopers to do their own hair and makeup. Ask your preferred hair stylist or salon if they do wedding day hair/makeup services.
Plan Your Post-Ceremony Meal: My favorite way to celebrate anything is by eating good food. Make reservations at one of our favorite local establishments ahead of time and celebrate alone or with a group of loved ones.
Find Local Vendors to Collaborate With: Muskingum County Wedding Guide
DESIGN YOUR CEREMONY
Write Your Vows: The Express Wedding Package does not include ceremony customizations, however, I do invite you to write your own vows to exchange on your wedding day, if you wanted to. Here is a helpful worksheet for writing your own vows. If you decide to do this, just let me know, and I will invite you to share your personal vows during the ceremony.
Again, you may have really elaborate plans already settled, or you may have thought you were just going to have your marriage license signed, but now you're considering making it a special day. Either way, the steps below should help you plan.
VISUALIZE
Visualize & Journal about Your Special Day: This is an important step that will help you conceptualize the big picture of your wedding day. What are the top three most important things for you on your wedding day? Put them down on paper, and then set about using these ideas to design your wedding day.
DESIGN YOUR DAY
Pick Your Outfits: Go back to your visualization - what were you wearing? Traditional wedding attire? Something more casual? Something funky?! Once you envision your “look” - conspire to make it happen!
Get Rings: If you decide you want to exchange rings - get them!
Hire a Photographer: If you’re lucky - you’ll only do this once - make sure you capture the moment! Check out the Wedding Guide for a few of our local wedding photographers to see if someone you love is available on your wedding day!
Order Flowers: You may want a special bouquet or a simple boutonniere - we have several florists right around the corner who can help you put together the perfect flowers for your special day. Consider something that will dry well, so you can keep them as a keepsake.
Book Hair and Makeup: If you really want to maximize your photos on your wedding day, having a professional do your hair and makeup can really enhance your features. It is also common for elopers to do their own hair and makeup. Ask your preferred hair stylist or salon if they do wedding day hair/makeup services.
Plan Your Post-Ceremony Meal: My favorite way to celebrate anything is by eating good food. Make reservations at one of our favorite local establishments ahead of time and celebrate alone or with a group of loved ones.
Find Local Vendors to Collaborate With: Muskingum County Wedding Guide
DESIGN YOUR CEREMONY
Write Your Vows: The Express Wedding Package does not include ceremony customizations, however, I do invite you to write your own vows to exchange on your wedding day, if you wanted to. Here is a helpful worksheet for writing your own vows. If you decide to do this, just let me know, and I will invite you to share your personal vows during the ceremony.
The Legal Work
GOAL: Obtain the legal paperwork to get married.
4 Weeks - 1 Day in advance: Obtain Your Marriage License
If you are Muskingum County (or out of state) residents then you will plan to pick up your Marriage License at the Muskingum County Probate Court sometime before your appointment. It can be as much as a few weeks before, or as late as the day of, just make sure you leave plenty of time to be on time for your appointment. If you are residents of another county in Ohio, you will want to reach out to your local Probate Court and determine the waiting period and process.
Check Out: Insider Info for more information on how to Obtain Your Marriage License
4 Weeks - 1 Day in advance: Obtain Your Marriage License
If you are Muskingum County (or out of state) residents then you will plan to pick up your Marriage License at the Muskingum County Probate Court sometime before your appointment. It can be as much as a few weeks before, or as late as the day of, just make sure you leave plenty of time to be on time for your appointment. If you are residents of another county in Ohio, you will want to reach out to your local Probate Court and determine the waiting period and process.
Check Out: Insider Info for more information on how to Obtain Your Marriage License
The Big Day
GOALS: Get Married!
WHAT TO BRING: A valid form of ID & your ‘marriage license packet.’ obtained from the Probate Court. If you have not already done so, please contact your local Probate Court to make arrangements. See previous step on getting your marriage license.
WHEN TO ARRIVE: Please arrive 5-15 minutes early. Your appointment with me will begin promptly at your scheduled time.
WHERE TO GO: Meet at predetermined site.
WHAT TO BRING: A valid form of ID & your ‘marriage license packet.’ obtained from the Probate Court. If you have not already done so, please contact your local Probate Court to make arrangements. See previous step on getting your marriage license.
WHEN TO ARRIVE: Please arrive 5-15 minutes early. Your appointment with me will begin promptly at your scheduled time.
WHERE TO GO: Meet at predetermined site.
The Honeymoon
GOAL: Finalize Marriage Certificate, File Name Change & Glowing Reviews!
1-2 Weeks After: I will follow up with Probate Court to ensure proper filing of certificate.
1-2 Weeks After: I will email you to notify you once filing is final.
2 Weeks After: You will generously take a few moments to write an honest (and glowing!) review on Google.
3 Weeks After: If someone wants to change their name - you will head over to Insider Info to see how.
4 Weeks After: Create Your Elopement Announcement! Once you look through all your amazing wedding photos, pick one or a few to share with a print or virtual announcement to send to all of your loved ones.
5 Weeks After: Sign up for your (Post) Premarital Guidance Session, and spend your honeymoon building a lasting marriage!
1-2 Weeks After: I will follow up with Probate Court to ensure proper filing of certificate.
1-2 Weeks After: I will email you to notify you once filing is final.
2 Weeks After: You will generously take a few moments to write an honest (and glowing!) review on Google.
3 Weeks After: If someone wants to change their name - you will head over to Insider Info to see how.
4 Weeks After: Create Your Elopement Announcement! Once you look through all your amazing wedding photos, pick one or a few to share with a print or virtual announcement to send to all of your loved ones.
5 Weeks After: Sign up for your (Post) Premarital Guidance Session, and spend your honeymoon building a lasting marriage!
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