| ngs are costly of fares. Tremendous expenses | | | | last minute. Here at the we hope to share with |
| are generally incurred. In the anglo american | | | | you helpful tips and ideas for that special day. |
| culture, the bride's family pays for most of the | | | | Next the couple to be married should check into |
| wedding. In the Latino culture, immediate and | | | | the marriage License which is a civil contract. The |
| extended families, of the bride and groom | | | | couple to be married are entering a legal contract |
| contribute their time, talents, and treasures to | | | | as well as an emotional and moral commitment. |
| help the couple with some of the costs, thus | | | | To make your marriage legal, you'll need a license. |
| making the wedding a community celebration. | | | | Marriage laws differ from state to state so check |
| Often, several pairs of godparents' or a godfather | | | | with the marriage licensing bureau about health |
| or padrino and a godmother or madrina are | | | | prerequisites, age of consent, time of validity, |
| chosen to provide invitations, the wedding cake, | | | | documents required for presentation, and |
| and other wedding necessities, or they give | | | | application fees. The engaged couple must apply |
| money to the couple for these items. Sometimes | | | | for the marriage license in person. You may be |
| godparents' pay for more than they can afford | | | | required to bring your birth certificates, |
| to avoid appearing less than generous. Because of | | | | identification cards, death certificate of a former |
| their generosity of their gifts and the significance | | | | spouse if widowed, annulment or divorce decree |
| roll they play, the sponsors are acknowledged by | | | | if previously married, and results of any blood |
| having their names listed on special inserts and | | | | tests. Proof of U.S. citizenship may also be |
| wedding invitations. Even if you're fortunate to | | | | necessary. Call the marriage licensing bureau first |
| have supportive relatives and padrinos, one should | | | | to save time. |
| not take advantage of their generosity. The | | | | If you're going to be getting married to someone |
| engaged couple to be should take into | | | | who is a citizen of another country, be aware of |
| consideration the responsibility of sticking with a | | | | the Immigration laws.. Americans are marrying |
| realistic budget. A good idea for the future couple | | | | foreigners at the rate of almost 225,000 year, |
| to be married is to work within a budget. | | | | and more than 2.5 million International couples |
| The budget should include rings, stationery, bridal | | | | have married and settled in the U.S. in the last |
| attire, the groom's attire, parents attire, | | | | three decades. The immigrant spouse must stay |
| godparents' attire, specialty items, flowers, | | | | married and reside with a U.S. citizen for three |
| photography or video, music, transportation, | | | | years before the naturalization process can begin. |
| accommodation for out of town guests, reception | | | | One should be careful about violating immigration |
| , accessories, decorations, honeymoon, gifts, | | | | laws or else you and your non American spouse |
| parties, and any other miscellaneous items. By | | | | can be legally separated by deportation. Contact |
| setting a budget you'll be able to prepare for any | | | | the INS for more affirmation about these issues |
| unexpected surprises that may come up at the | | | | and other international marriage laws . |