GAYLORD BROADCASTING’s WSM-A/NASHVILLE’s 808-foot broadcast tower, is quite a landmark in the NASHVILLE area. And now it will be a ‘national’ landmark, to be included in the NATIONAL REGISTER of HISTORIC PLACES.

The tower, which stands high above MUSIC CITY, from its location at 8012 Concord Road in BRENTWOOD, TN, was constructed by BLAW-KNOX STEEL Co., in 1932. It was officially recognized in MARCH, 2011 by the NATIONAL PARK SERVICE for the property’s “association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history” and its “distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction.”

“WSM is extremely proud to be included in the NATIONAL REGISTER of HISTORIC PLACES,” said WSM Operations Manager/Program Director JOE LIMARDI.

For more information about WSM and its history, visit www.WSMOnline.com.

Congrats to all you happy couples who just got engaged over the holidays! Starting to plan your wedding is such an exciting time. I’m sure one of the first things you’ll realize is that weddings are NOT CHEAP and the more guests you have, the more money you will spend. So, how do you control your guest list so that catering is not eating up (no pun intended) your entire wedding budget? Here are some tips:

1) Be realistic about who you want/need to invite. If you have not seen or talked to the person in two years, you probably don’t really need to invite her, even if you were invited to her wedding 7 years ago. Think about who is important in your life in the here and now, and focus on those people. Nobody wants to offend people, but remember this is YOUR big day and YOUR budget. Don’t feel like you have to invite everyone you have ever been friendly with.

2) Consider having an adults-only wedding. More and more people are doing this, and it really is ok and doesn’t make you an evil person! In most instances, caterers and venues consider a human being one person regardless of age. If you have a limited budget or your venue has a limited capacity, its OK to opt not to invite your co-worker’s 4 year old (who won’t remember or care) so that you can invite another college friend instead. If you do choose to go the No Children route, have family and friends help you spread the word verbally. You will also want to make sure the invitation is addressed to “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” only, and you might consider having your RSVP card say “___ of 2 will attend” so that the couple will understand you are only reserving 2 spots for them.

3) Have you RSVP cards printed with two different RSVP dates. As a stationery designer, I frequently do this for clients. Say your wedding is on October 1st. You send out your first batch of invitations to your family and closest friends in mid July with an RSVP date of mid August. As you receive “No’s”, you send out more invitations, which have an RSVP date of September 1st. It’s a great system that really works, but PLEASE be careful that you do not send Batch A invitations to people who will be talking to Batch B people. That can get really tacky, if you know what I mean.

4) Remember that not everyone you invite will attend. As both a stationery designer and a venue owner, I would say 95% of the weddings I have worked on have turned out to have LESS guests than the couple originally expected. Based on my own experience, combined with some informal internet research, I think its safe to say that usually about 75% of your invited guests will attend. Unfortunately even if 100% want to come, people have work obligations, prior engagements, family commitments, and financial situations that will prevent them from doing so. So even if you’re wanting to invite 300 people, its probably worth it to take a look at a venue with a capacity of 250. Also remember that some people who RSVP that they are coming will end up not showing up (which is totally rude, but that’s another story…) But likewise, you may have a few people show up who did not RSVP.

In summary, remember that this is YOUR day. Of course I don’t advocate being a Bridezilla, but when it comes to the guest list, both space and money make it necessary to make some tough decisions, and you should not feel guilty about it. Now open up those excel spreadsheets and get started!!

source - Guest Blogger – Franklin, TN Wedding Venue – Southall Eden  by Guest on January 31, 2011

(ARA) - Will you raise your kids with a particular religion, will you both register with the same political party and how will you arrange reception seating to ensure your new mother-in-law is content with who is at her table and where she will sit? Getting married generates no shortage of opportunities to have important conversations with your spouse-to-be.

Maybe you can postpone or even dodge altogether some of those talks, but at least one potentially challenging conversation can actually help ensure your marital bliss down the road - the talk about finances. Numerous polls and studies have shown that money is one of the top reasons couples fight, that it generates more stress in a marriage than almost any topic other than children and is a deciding factor in a large percentage of breakups.

Making sure you're both on the same financial page before the wedding can help ensure that post "I do" money talks will be less divisive and stressful. And, the good news is that establishing a sound financial footing for the future is not nearly as complicated as you might fear.

The financial experts at SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company offer some advice:

Start with a budget

If you've lived alone as a single for a while, you may already have your own budget, but now you are balancing income and expenses for two people. If you combine your income and expenses, you'll need to combine your budgets too.

Write down everything each of you spends every month, taking into account housing, food, utilities, transportation, student loans, credit card balances, car payments, taxes and nonessential spending. Next, consider what your financial goals are - do you want to save for a down payment on a house? Are you content to rent and instead focus on paying down revolving debt? Once you determine what your shared goals are, you can adjust your budget accordingly, reducing spending on nonessential items and focusing on spending that moves you toward your overall financial goal.

Establish an emergency fund

One reason so many families and couples suffered greatly in this recession was because they had little or no emergency funds set aside. An emergency fund helps ensure that you and your partner are secure should something happen, like one of you loses a job or experiences a serious health issue. Agree on how much you want to save for "a rainy day;" experts advise you should save 5 to 10 percent of your income in a joint savings account.

Pay yourself first by having cash for your emergency fund directly withdrawn from your paycheck or checking account and deposited in your savings account. Aim to accrue three to six months of living expenses in your emergency fund.

Life insurance is crucial

If you're young, single, in good health and debt-free, you may not need life insurance. For virtually everyone else, and especially newlyweds who have taken on new responsibilities and often new debt, life insurance is a must, experts agree. Life insurance can give you peace of mind that your loved ones will have sufficient money to take care of themselves should anything happen to you - and it's affordable. To learn how to create a budget, to access a variety of financial tools  or to learn more about life insurance go to www.sbliusa.com. For a free, no-obligation quote go to pg.sbliusa.com/specialoffer/ppc/mat/ or call (866) 331-3078 to speak with an SBLI USA representative. Even better, go to www.sbliusa.com to complete the entire application process - from quoting, to paying - online today.

Make a plan - together

Write down your mutual financial goals. Your plan should be specific and realistic, listing the actual steps you will take to achieve your goals, including buying a home, starting a family, taking vacations and saving for retirement. Decide what additional investments you'll make apart from your regular savings, such as maximizing your 401(k) or IRA contributions.

Be sure to include tracking your expense and income, as well as your tax burden, in your overall plan. Decide what tax filing status will be best for you, and consult a tax advisor if you're not sure.

Reduce debt

Credit card debt is the top obstacle to a secure financial future and a major stressor in a marriage. Knowing your credit scores is essential; check them annually with all three major credit bureaus. Scrutinize your reports and correct any errors that could affect your ability to get a loan at a desirable interest rate in the future.

Money talk doesn't have to be difficult. With a little strategy and the right attitude, you can build the financial security you need to secure a successful, happy life together

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Your dear friend or sister announces she's engaged. She wants you to be her maid of honor. It goes without saying, you're thrilled for her. But - does this mean you'll have to plan at least one bridal shower? Not to mention, wear a dress not of your own choosing and find the perfect gift?

If the bridal shower causes you the most anxiety, help is on the way. Kendall McFarland, director of product and recipe development at Simply Organic, suggests cutting down on stress with these time-saving tips to host a simple but sensational shower for the bride.

* Accept help. When the bride's mother or other guests ask if they can bring anything, say yes. Ask them to bring something you don't especially enjoy preparing or something you know is that person's specialty which the bride really loves. Or have each guest bring a dessert or appetizer, so you can focus solely on the rest of the party and fun. Offers to help are gifts, so allow other bridesmaids or friends to assist if they offer. Working together can add to the shower fun, and give you stories to share as you continue down the wedding day road.

* Go the healthy route - the bride, her bridesmaids and the mother of the bride all want to fit into their dresses when the big day finally arrives. The most thoughtful meal you can offer your guests is a delicious and healthful one. Provide great-tasting, nutritious snacks that go easy on salt, fat, sugar and other potentially unhealthy ingredients and your guests will fondly remember your hospitality.

* Remake everyday favorites. Great dishes don't require hours in the kitchen. Make your easy-to-prepare favorites and dress them up with special festive seasonings. Try distinctive seasoning blends like curry or Italian seasoning, or even seasoned sugar combinations like lemon sugar or cinnamon sugar for a gourmet touch. For example: Add a liberal dose of a spice like oregano, basil or cayenne (or an herbal seasoning blend) along with some garlic and Parmesan cheese to your usual mashed potatoes and you'll instantly serve something out of the ordinary.

* Use clever shortcuts. For inviting flavor without fuss, keep a supply of natural dressing and dip mixes on hand for fresh, homemade appetizers and snacks. Add a dip or dressing mix, such as creamy dill, French onion, guacamole or ranch to equal parts of low-fat cottage cheese and non-fat plain yogurt and mix in a blender or food processor until smooth. Serve with fresh veggies you can buy already cleaned and cut up at the store.

* Plan and shop wisely. Don't exhaust yourself shopping. Outline your menu - including impromptu snacks - ahead of time. Then pick up everything non-perishable at the same time, eliminating last-minute sprints to the grocery store. Don't panic if your grocer is missing that key spice ingredient since it's easier than ever to order online. For example, Simply Organic carries culinary items like organic spices, seasoning blends, baking extracts and flavors, gluten-free baking mixes and other cooking ingredients and supplies - which they will ship to you within a few days of your order.

Here are two great examples of healthy bridal shower dishes from the Simply Organic recipe collection that are easy to prepare:

Strawberry Spice Muffins

Ingredients
1 package Simply Organic Carrot Cake Mix
1/3 cup water
2 large beaten eggs
1 cup very finely diced strawberries

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine carrot cake baking mix, water and eggs. Blend until just moist. Fold strawberries into blend. Pour into well-greased or lined muffin pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

Makes 12 regular-size muffins or six large muffins.

Chef Suggestions
Top with cream cheese frosting and sliced strawberries.

Spicy Clementine Salad

Ingredients
Fresh mixed greens
Feta cheese
Clementine orange slices
1/2 cup juice from fresh Clementine oranges
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup water
1 package Simply Organic Salsa Dip Mix

Directions
Layer greens, cheese and orange slices on a salad plate.  Whisk the rest of the ingredients together. Chill until ready to serve, stirring right before drizzling on mixed greens.

For more delicious, healthy and easy recipes, visit www.simplyorganicfoods.com and click on the recipe drop-down menu.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Ever since she was a little girl, Amanda Davis dreamed of one day having her grandmother's cherished wedding china as her very own.

"As a child, I always loved listening to stories about past family gatherings as Mamo took each piece of her china out of the hutch so carefully," says Davis. "I can remember thinking about how this same china had been used for numerous family gatherings and feeling a sense of connection to my grandfather, who died before I was born, through the china that I knew he had used with my grandmother on similar family occasions."

Davis had no idea her grandmother, Bettie Guillion, shared a similar dream. Guillion knew her granddaughter loved her china, and planned to pass along her precious heirlooms when Davis grew up and set her own big date.  But there was one problem -- missing pieces. Guillion received the set for her own wedding in the early 1940s and while she had managed to keep most of her beloved collection through the decades, somewhere along the way, the cups and saucers disappeared. Guillion's daughter, Linda Bohannon, thought it would be impossible to replace them.

"My mother picked her china out of the Sears and Roebuck catalog more than 60 years ago, so we knew there was just no way we'd ever find it," says Bohannon. "The only thing she could remember about her china was that it was made by Homer Laughlin. That didn't seem like much to go on, so at that point I just hoped we could find some nice cream colored pieces Amanda could use with the set."

Bohannon heard about Replacements, Ltd., known as the world's largest supplier of old and new china, crystal, silver and collectibles. When she visited the company's Web site, Bohannon found a list of china made by Homer Laughlin and noticed photographs of most patterns. She started clicking away and was almost speechless when she came across an image that looked very familiar.

"I called my mother up and asked her, does your china have little pink and yellow roses on it, and could the pattern name be 'Countess'?" Bohannon remembers. "That was it; that was her china! I was completely flabbergasted. It never entered my mind that we would be able to find the exact pattern. My mother was absolutely thrilled!"

Davis isn't alone in creating wedding registries for family treasures. Many brides are choosing to complete china, crystal and flatware sets lovingly handed down from mother to daughter to granddaughter. Unfortunately, if the patterns are especially old there is a good chance that the manufacturer no longer produces the pieces, making it nearly impossible to track down at most department stores.

"We're one of the few places brides inheriting heirloom patterns can turn to for help because of our huge, diverse inventory of discontinued patterns, some more than 100 years old," says Traci Hart, Replacements' director of customer service. "Nearly 80 percent of our bridal registry sales are generated from discontinued and heirloom patterns. What's more, we've put together a group of associates to specifically handle all registry requests. Because these folks are really familiar with our bridal customers, we can offer more personalized attention. It's almost like having your own personal shopper."

Brides like Davis, who don't know their pattern name, are in luck. The company also offers a free pattern identification service. Replacements' research team receives nearly 3,000 requests weekly from people who don't know the name or manufacturer of their patterns.

"I cannot tell you how much it meant to me to receive this piece of family history," Davis says. "I can already picture myself as a mother and grandmother pulling this same china out of my own hutch as I tell stories of my grandmother. I hope that in the future they will feel the same sense of family history and pride and that I will one day be able to pass it on to my own granddaughter. To know that it will be used in future generations of my family in the same way it was used in past generations is an amazing gift." You can learn more about Replacements' bridal registry and free pattern identification service at Replacements.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Yes it’s that time of your wedding planning to find a DJ for your special day, and for most brides this can be an adventure in itself. Contacting different DJs, getting prices, choosing prices, consultations, and the list goes on and on. In this article we share 10 Big Mistakes that are made by Brides and Grooms when choosing a DJ for the big day, hopefully after this, you can find the DJ that is most suited to handle your Wedding Reception. Here’s a little quote that my partner always tells the brides she works with, “Your wedding day is like Broadway, you only get one take, and you only get one chance to get it right”

Not taking “First Impressions” into consideration More than likely your first with a DJ will be either on the telephone or through E-mail. If the first contact is by telephone, listen to how the DJ talks on the telephone, can you understand him or her, or the MC which will do the announcements during your wedding? When you meet the DJ (and sometimes MC also) are they dressed professionally? If a DJ carries themselves professionally during your consultation, more than likely they will be professional on your big day.

Thinking that all Djs are the same This couldn’t be further from the truth, every DJ has there own style, different skill level, different rates, and vary a lot in their “arsenal” which is this musical library which is the heart of their versatility. If a DJ only has Rock music, but no R&B, a DJ which has both types of music and much more is more “versatile”. Remember your favorite DJ that spins Alternative music all night may be perfect for the club, but more than likely your grandmother doesn’t want hear Good Charlotte all night during your reception.

 
Hiring the cheapest DJ you can find. The phrase “You get what you pay for” holds a lot of water in the case of hiring a DJ…especially for a wedding. Let’s use the Washington DC metro as an example to better explain what I mean. There are Djs which can cost as little as $300, or as much as $2,500 for a five hour wedding. Is the DJ that is only charging $300 no good at all? Who knows he might do a decent job, but there is one thing that is certain, either the DJ doesn’t have the experience, or just has bad business skills altogether to charge only $300. Any DJ that has done a ton of weddings (100 or more) knows that they put too much into a wedding to only charge peanuts. On the other side, remember that just because a DJ is the most expensive in town, doesn’t mean they’re the best for you, sometimes they are, sometimes they’re not. The entertainment for your reception is what you, your family and friends will remember; it’s worth more than the cost of invitations. Your DJ is an investment that you your guests will enjoy the entire “time frame” of your reception, not half of it. Believe me, if half of your guests leave after dinner because loud rap music was playing during the main course, the venue isn’t going to give you a refund…

 
Not communicating with your DJ Besides hiring the wrong DJ altogether, this is probably the biggest mistake some brides do when dealing with Djs, not COMMUNICATING. There is nothing worse for a DJ (and for you also) than a “rush job” especially a wedding. A seasoned professional can get through the event without “noticeable incidents” but I believe I speak for all wedding Djs when I say it is “nerve-racking” even if we don’t show it. Keep your DJ informed of your plans, your special songs, any changes, your timeline, or anything else he may need to know, don’t wait until the week, or even a month before the big day to start communicating. This is the only way your DJ will know exactly what you want, and don’t want.

Not having a written contract Simply put…no contract, you very well may have NO DJ! Every year I get a few phone calls from a bride (or her mother) saying that they hired a DJ and they didn’t show up. The first thing that I ask is did they have a contract…80% of the time it’s “no”. If a DJ doesn’t have a contract, run out front door, and don’t look back.
Not making sure the DJ has liability insurance. More and more venues and hotels across the U.S. are requiring that DJs have liability insurance, and most are asking to see “papers”. A true professional is going to have insurance for his business, and you should ask to at least see a copy of the policy. Insurance for DJs is generally not expensive, and there are a few major DJ organizations which offer a nice discount on insurance for joining. There’s really no excuse for your DJ not to have it.

Taking complete control of the music selection from your DJ You want to hear what you want to hear…That’s fine, but remember you’re not alone on your special day, you, your family (and your new family); your friends all have different tastes. Some brides want to choose every song that gets played for the entire night, and I can honestly say that I have only seen 2 song lists created by brides out of hundreds upon hundreds that actually worked for the majority of the night. JUST TWO. Let the DJ do his job, which primarily making sure that right songs get played at the right time. Also remember giving your DJ 200 songs to play for the night isn’t going to work either…unless your reception is over 10 hours long. And last but not least make sure you clarify which artist you want to hear for certain songs…Take the song “Three times a Lady”, the Commodores, Kenny Rogers, Conway Twitty (and probably other artists) all sing this song, if you want the Commodores version for your first dance, make sure you don’t end up Conway Twitty instead.

Not making sure the DJ you want is “guaranteed” to be your DJ This is probably the biggest complaint from brides all over the country about Djs. You went to a DJ company that has more than one DJ, you requested a specific DJ, and another DJ shows up in his/her place. Any time you deal with a big DJ company, make sure you get in writing that the DJ you want is the one that will show up.
Not going over back-up plans with your DJ In life “things happen” which you or nobody else has control over, even on your wedding day! Find out from your DJ about his plans for back-up transportation, equipment, and personnel. If one of these three areas is “out of commission” so will the music for your reception. If they don’t have any plans, start running.

Not hiring a DJ quickly Finding the DJ you want is hard enough work, as long as you don’t believe they’re all the same. Don’t go through all the work of finding the DJ you want and then procrastinate on booking with that DJ. Most wedding DJs that have good reputations in the business will get booked at least a year in advance, especially for the Saturdays in the busy months. If you’ve found a DJ who you like and are comfortable with, don’t wait hire him. Remember if you wait a month or two before the big day, you choices are limited and you might end up with no one.

Courtesy of BridalLinks.com

 

(ARA) - Once the excitement of the proposal settles, most couples get started planning their wedding.

While the to-do checklist can be huge - depending on how large the wedding is - there are some list items you'll want to take care of early in the planning process:

1. Set your date. The sooner you get this organized, the sooner you will have an answer to the first question anyone offering their congratulations is going to ask. Setting the date also allows you to schedule and organize all other aspects of your wedding.

2. Create a tentative guest list. How many people do you want to invite? The answer to this question will determine the location of the wedding and reception, and give you direction in the catering category as well.

3. Location. Location might be determined by the time of year, month or even day of the week you are planning your wedding. Destination weddings, backyard weddings or reception hall weddings all require you to plan ahead. The earlier you plan this, the better your chances of being able to book the locations on the day you want, especially if you are getting married during the popular summer and fall months.

4. Invitations. People are busy these days, and you need to help them remember your big event with save the date cards or magnets. If you have a wedding theme and colors picked, you can nicely tie in your wedding invitations with the theme to give your guests a heads up on what to expect. To help save time, order your save the date cards and invitations online and have them arrive in the mail in less than a week at www.123print.com/wedding. More than 120 styles - sorted by themes, colors and designers - give you plenty of designs to choose.

5. Schedule the music and photography. After the reception halls, DJs and photographers get booked quickly, so make sure you get scheduled with your favorites early. If you aren't familiar with any DJs or photographers in your area, look for a wedding exhibition often held in the winter and spring months. Many wedding-related businesses visit these events, giving you plenty of exposure to the specialists.

Once you get these items organized and off your to-do list, you can sit back and tackle the smaller, more detailed items. Visit www.123print.com/wedding for more helpful hints.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - It’s no secret, weddings are notoriously expensive and brides are infamously frivolous. Most women dream of their perfect wedding for years. Though pockets may be tight as couples look for ways to make smart, long-term financial decisions, it doesn’t mean the happy bride and groom-to-be have to sacrifice on their big day. It’s easier than ever to have a budget-friendly dream wedding.

Follow these five simple ways to keep it frugal and fabulous:

Be thoughtful and unique.
Apply the simple law of supply and demand to your advantage. Seasons, times and locations that are “hot” for weddings will inevitably break the bank because they can. Avoid paying a premium for your "day" by considering options like a cozy mid-winter Sunday brunch or an outdoor Thursday evening cocktail reception in early fall. Think about choosing a time of year or location that is unique and special to you for an unforgettable wedding that gives an extra boost to your budget. You will find that it pays to be different.

Be crafty and do it yourself.
They say time is money, but that is not always true, as small investments of your time can save hundreds of dollars in wedding planning. From invitations to seating cards, programs and ceremony or reception decorations, an abundance of beautiful do-it-yourself wedding project kits are available on-line and at popular retailers. Also consider saving money by purchasing flowers from an online wholesaler and then assembling bouquets yourself. If you’re not set on floral centerpieces, try buying ornate glass bowls from an antique shop to fill with beautiful items (rose petals, sea shells, floating candles, etc.) that coincide with your theme.

Not the craftiest of sorts? Tap into the creativity of close friends or family members and recruit them for a wine and cheese night accompanied by invitation, favor or centerpiece assembly.

Be beauty conscious, early on.
When it comes to bridal beauty, timing is everything. It’s an easy element to put off until last minute, but recognizing your beauty needs at the beginning of your planning can save you a lot of money. If a bright white smile is on your checklist, prep a couple months before your wedding and take advantage of less expensive tools versus more expensive, last minute teeth whitening. Celebrity dentist Dr. Debra Glassman recommends brushing with Starbrite toothpaste and chewing two pieces of sugar-free Orbit White gum after meals and drinks like coffee or red wine as an affordable way to keep smiles white and wedding ready.

Also, a few months before the big day, consider consulting a make-up specialist about your wedding day make-up and then keep an eye out for major department stores sales to stock-up on the necessary beauty essentials.

Be your own disc jockey.
Bands and DJs can be expensive. Instead, use your MP3 player. Handle your wedding day music needs the "no hassle" way by loading your player with everyone’s favorite tunes and renting speakers from a local party store.

Choose your music-obsessed teen cousin or a juke box-loving friend to be in charge of the music during the reception in case the system freezes or you need to accommodate a special song request. Keep your mix upbeat and include classics as well as modern songs, so you’re sure to appeal to all crowds.

Be thrifty and do your research -- online.
It pays to be tech savvy when you’re planning on a dime. Virtually everything found in stores can be bought online and often for less. Coupon Web sites provide discount codes to online merchants and can be easily found by typing the retailer's name and "coupon code" in your search engine. Deals range from major price cuts to free shipping, so think beyond the ceremony — a rehearsal dinner dress, bridesmaids gifts, even centerpieces can all be found online.

Using the Internet also allows you to research wedding vendors from the convenience of your laptop. Free online resources like www.OneWed.com, the Web site with the largest searchable online database of local wedding vendors, let you easily browse thousands of vendor profiles, with ratings and reviews from brides across the country. Save time and money by taking advantage of previous brides’ feedback when choosing your preferred vendors.

Cheers to your big (affordable) day.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - You can hear the wedding bells already. Friends and family gathered together to witness your big day. The limousine ride, the toasts, wedding cake and the first dance -- it’s all coming together for the perfect day. But wait! Before you say "I do," there are a number of important things that you and your future spouse must do to become officially married.

Many newlyweds overlook the fact that a marriage is a legal contract. Two individuals merge all they have into a new legal entity or partnership. While many couples often focus on the big day and all of the events surrounding the ceremony and reception, there are a number of legal steps that newlyweds must consider as part of the process, according to FindLaw.com, the world’s leading online source of legal information for consumers.

To help you and your partner have a worry-free wedding day, here’s a prenuptial checklist from FindLaw.com with legal items to consider as you merge your households into one.

Changing names

It’s often one of the first big dilemmas facing a new bride: Keep your maiden name, or take his last name? It’s a big decision, because if you decide to change your legal name, it means changing your name on everything from your driver’s license to stock certificates. While thinking this through, also think about the last names of children you may have in the future.

Marriage requirements

Each state has its own requirements for couples wishing to be married, some of which include: marriage licenses, blood tests or residency requirements. Make sure you and your future spouse know what the requirements are in your state, and have fulfilled all marriage requirements before the big day. If either you or your future spouse has been married before, make sure you have obtained all legal documents to ensure that your new marriage is valid and legal in the eyes of your state.

Marriage ceremonies

Most states have legal requirements pertaining to the marriage ceremony itself, including who may perform the marriage ceremony and whether witnesses are required. Check with your county or state government Web site about these requirements.

Prenuptial agreements

A prenuptial or pre-marriage agreement can help define the property and financial rights and obligations of marrying spouses, including what will happen if the marriage ends. If you are considering entering into a prenuptial agreement, you should be aware of the legal requirements that must be met in order for the agreement to be considered valid and enforceable.

Marriage, money and property

In a recent, national consumer survey by FindLaw.com, the topic of money came in second, tied with having and raising children, as the topic that most led to a fight among married 18- to 34 year-olds. When you get married, your property and finances will, to a certain extent, merge with those of your spouse. Based on the laws of the state in which you marry and/or intend to establish your permanent residence, you should become familiar with what is and is not considered marital or "community" property, and understand how to keep certain assets as separate property. You also should become familiar with your obligations as a new spouse in taking on the debts and tax liabilities of your partner, and agree on how you’re going to handle finances as a newly married couple.

Wedding day contracts

In preparing for your big day, you will sign a number of contracts for items such as wedding day photos, the reception hall and a honeymoon package. Now is a good time to start working together as a team to carefully identify credible wedding day vendors, to negotiate these contracts together, and to decide in advance how you will handle a problem if something goes wrong.

Will and health care directives

As you and your new spouse work together on merging your finances and assets, now is a good time to write a will together that also incorporates end-of-life health care directives. This is especially important for previously married individuals who may be merging families together.

For more information about preparing to get married, visit findlaw.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent