Bridal Guide 2015

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February 2015

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

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Melanie & Dustin Knoll ~ January 10, 2014

Jeremy & Kristina Jensen ~ June 14, 2014 Andrew Prevost & Kimberly Collins August 9, 2014 Jeff & Beth Jorgenson ~ July 4, 2014

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February 2015

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A drive for Romance

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February 2015

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By Pam Burke, Havre Daily News

One popular way to add a fun and romantic touch to the wedding ceremony is to travel by horse-drawn carriage, buggy or wagon.

Following a few tips from the professionals can help you chose the right horse-drawn service.

Lisa Morgan, who runs Virginia City Stagecoach and Horseback with her husband, B.J., said that couples considering using a horse-drawn conveyance should start with the most basic question they ask anyone they are hiring for their wedding day: Is the date available?

Ideally, couples should be booking the service two months in advance, she said, though they have had someone call on a Wednesday to see if they could make it for a Saturday ceremony.

“We did in that particular case. It’s always nice to have a little heads up, though, to plan and get the horses

ready,” she said.

The Morgans have been providing carriage and wagon services professionally for about 10 years, so they are pretty efficient with their prep time, Morgan said.

Part of that pre-wedding-day planning and preparation is getting the requested conveyance ready, preparing the horses for the work, so it helps to have discussed and know specifically what the couple wants to do with the carriage ride.

Is the plan to deliver the bride to the church and then take the newly married couple to the reception afterward? Haul the entire wedding party?

Transport people from the parking area to where the ceremony will be held? How dressy do they want the carriage or wagon to be? Does the couple have a specific look they are going for that would require a team n See Romance Page 5

Clinton & Margo Pankratz ~ October 4, 2014 Courtesy Photo

Caitlin & Garrett Aguillard ~ September 12, 2014 Nicholas & Brittany Peet ~ August 24, 2014

Douglas & Sarah Beth Solomon ~ July 25, 2014

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THE BRIDAL GUIDE

After the Wedding Checklist ❏ Return all rented tuxedoes. ❏ Return all rented equipment. ❏ Return all borrowed accessories. ❏ Write thank-you cards. ❏ Preserve your bridal bouquet. ❏ Send your wedding gown to the cleaners and have it sealed in a vacuum bag or box. ❏ Decide on filing taxes jointly or separately, and update your tax forms at work.

❏ Add your spouse to your employer's health insurance. ❏ Make your spouse the beneficiary of any retirement and 401(k) plans. ❏ Purchase life insurance. ❏ Start financial planning and consider meeting with an accountant and financial advisor for strategies that fit your goals as a married couple.

Name Change Check List ❏ SOCIAL SECURITY CARD ❏ DRIVER'S LICENSE ❏ PASSPORT ❏ BANK ACCOUNTS ❏ CREDIT CARDS ❏ SAFE DEPOSIT BOX ❏ INVESTMENTS ❏ LOANS ❏ WILL ❏ PROPERTY TITLES ❏ UTILITY COMPANIES

❏ POST OFFICE ❏ MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS ❏ CAR REGISTRATION ❏ INSURANCE POLICIES ❏ VOTER REGISTRATION ❏ DOCTORS ❏ DENTIST ❏ EMPLOYEE RECORDS ❏ SCHOOL RECORDS ❏ CLUB MEMBERSHIPS ❏ ANYONE WHO BILLS YOU

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How to Publish Your

Engagement & Wedding Announcement In The Havre Daily News

Use this guide to help you format your announcement to be published on Fridays in the Havre Daily News Community section. Deadline is 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, prior to the requested Friday publication.

Engagement announcement suggested content: Full name of bride-to-be and groom-to-be, bride's parents' names and city, groom's parents' names and city, bride's education and year(s) of graduation, bride's employment and city, groom's education and year(s) of graduation, groom's employment and city, wedding date and location, couple's future home city.

Wedding announcement suggested content: Full maiden name of bride, full name of groom, noting if the bride is keeping her maiden name; wedding date, time and location; bride's and groom's parents' names and city; first and last name and title of minister; name and city of maid or matron of honor, of best man; name and city of bridesmaids and groomsmen, flower girl, ringbearer, candlelighters, ushers and musicians; location of reception and hosts; bride's and groom's education and year(s) of graduation; bride's and groom's employer and city; honeymoon location; and couple's new home city.

Call 406-265-6795 with any questions or for more info.

You may submit your photo and announcement these ways: Deliver in person: 119 Second Street, Havre, MT 59501 Email: smantle@havredailynews.com Mail: P.O. Box 431, Havre, MT 59501 Fax: 406-265-6798

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February 2015

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How to file for a marriage in Montana

By Tim Leeds, Havre Daily News

One part of the often-lengthy planning in holding a wedding has fairly simple requirements in Montana: to receive a marriage license, people need to fill out an application with a clerk of District Court in the state, swear the information is true, pay the $53 fee and either have a blood test completed or sign a waiver of that requirement, then get married within six months.

The only major change this year is the ruling by federal courts that same-sex marriage is legal in Montana. The requirements are still all the same. On the state application, everything is gender neutral and now refers to applicants as spouse 1 and spouse 2.

While people in Montana can have a common-law marriage, going through the official steps can save some trouble later on. Commonlaw marriages result from actions of a couple — typically living together as husband and wife while of legal age and not being legally married to someone else — holding themselves forth as a married couple and having an agreement to be married, says a brochure by Montana Legal Services Association.

But common-law marriages have been known to cause troubles with applying for or receiving insurance or Social Security benefits and other issues because of a lack of a license to prove a marriage exists.

In Montana, people also can be married without a ceremony by filing a written declaration of marriage with a clerk of court. Even that

could cause problems depending on whether it would be recognized under rules in other states, including by insurance companies.

The requirements in Montana to apply for a marriage license are fairly simple and straightforward.

Residents of the state don’t even have to apply for marriage in the county where the ceremony will be performed. A license issued in Hill County, for example, can be used in any Montana county.

If neither party to the marriage is a resident of the state, Montana Code Annotated says that the license may be obtained from the clerk of court in the county where the ceremony will be performed. If one person is a nonresident, that person’s section of the application may be completed before an official authorized to accept such applications in the county and state where the party resides, the law states.

The application is fairly simple, requiring information including the names of the parties, their residence and address, names of the parents and their birthplaces, race, education and information about any previous marriage and its termination.

The participants are required to swear under oath that the information provided is true, and

state law specifies that the parties must pay the filing fee.

The law requires that the parties applying provide satisfactory proof that they will be at least 18 years old when the license is issued, or will be 16 and have judicial approval of the marriage, generally with the consent of the parties’ parents. The parties must also be able to provide proof that their marriage is not prohibited under state law, such as a marriage between first cousins or an uncle and a niece.

Montana law does specify that the woman applying for a marriage license must submit a blood test confirming immunity to rubella, but also allows the parties of the marriage to request a waiver of the requirement after reading information about the need to ensure rubella immunity to protect any children conceived. Infection of a woman with the rubella virus during early pregnancy can lead to complictions with the pregnancy or a variety of congenital defects, the waiver reads.

The marriage must take place within 180 days of the application being completed, though there is no waiting period before the ceremony can take place, a change in former law. Previous Montana law required a threeday waiting period before the marriage could take place.

Once the marriage is completed and the license issued, it is kept on record both in the county where it was filed and on the state level.

Another issue people might need to remember is taken care of after the marriage: making sure any name changes are on record.

If a name is changed due to marriage — such as the woman taking the family name of the husband — it is important that the change is recorded by any agencies or entities that need to know. That would include the Social Security Administration, for recording income and issuing benefits; insurance companies; bank and other financial accounts including mortgages, and making sure names — and addresses — are correct on driver’s licenses, passports and other identification, as well as any other documents or entities that require a name to be on file.

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February 2015

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

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February 2015

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

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Make your Big Day as unique as you are

(BPT) — Weddings are steeped in tradition — no matter whom you are or where you live.

But what if you're not interested in wearing the same dress your mother did, getting married in the same location your sister did or wearing something blue?

Don't worry, you're not alone. Plenty of brides search for ways to make their special day as unique as they are. Here are five ways to put

your own special spin on this classic tradition.

• A guest book you'll use. Signing the guest book is a common tradition at most weddings; you've probably signed a few in your lifetime.

After the wedding is over, however, this priceless keepsake often disappears into a box never to be seen again. Break from tradition by creating a guest book you'll actually use. Take a trip to the book store with your partner and browse the coffee table books. Once you find one that interests both of you, claim it as your guest book. Your wedding guests can sign their names in the margins and afterwards you'll be left with a permanent, functional guest book to display for visitors and friends.

• Dance under the stars. Looking to create a one-of-a-kind wedding? Don't rent the same ballroom as all of your friends. Host your reception outdoors. You can rent a dance floor from a local rental facility and trained technicians will arrive to set it up easily. You'll dance on a traditional wood floor while looking up at the stars — what could be more original than that?

Don't forget to rent a tent so that weather doesn't dampen the mood. You can find more unique flooring ideas at RentalHQ.com, where you can locate your local rental store.

• Treasure the memories. Get your guests involved in the event by placing blank cards and pens at each seat location. Ask your guests to write about their favorite memory of you and/or your spouse. Collect all of these cards and turn them into a scrapbook for a treasured keepsake.

• Prepare a menu that is uniquely you.

Chocolate fountains were once unique and elegant, but now they're commonplace. Don't despair, though, because there are plenty of unique edible snack options you can include in your special day. If you're getting married in the blistering heat, rent a snow cone machine to offer your guests some sweet relief. If you and

your spouse are big movie buffs or your wedding has a Hollywood theme, rent a popcorn machine to complete the look. And for the bride who's still a kid at heart, nothing captures that better than renting an authentic cotton candy machine.

• Find the color that suits you. Maybe wearing something blue doesn't suit you, but perhaps you're not too wild about black and white either. At many venues, though, these colors are the only choices you have when it comes to tablecloths and napkins. Remember, you don't

have to settle; you can provide your own materials simply by renting them. This opens up a color palette of limitless options. If you are planning a fall wedding, look for napkins that reflect the colors of the leaves. Did you meet in college? Choose linens in your school's colors.

Whatever shade speaks to you, you can find it and give your wedding a look no one will expect.

Keep the tradition, but be uniquely you with options limited only by your own imagination.

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THE BRIDAL GUIDE

February 2015

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Getting hitched at Home?

Things you should think about first

protection will provide you and your future spouse with needed peace of mind on a hectic day.

(BPT) — Deciding to get married is one of the biggest and most important decisions many people will ever make. According to The Knot and WeddingChannel.com, the average wedding costing more than $28,000 — the cost of a new car or a down payment on a home, so your next biggest decision may be figuring out how to pay for it. With that in mind, many couples are opting to tie the knot at home.

Although hosting your special day in your own backyard can cut costs and give you more flexibility, you must address some critical details before you walk down the aisle.

Rings Wedding rings are an important part of the ceremony, a symbol of your special bond.

Consider "scheduling" the rings rather than relying on the blanket coverage provided by a standard policy, which may have a value limit. A scheduled ring has additional coverage up to the specific value of that ring, so you won't have to worry about replacing a lost or stolen ring.

Beginning basics First things first, make sure you have enough space to accommodate everyone. If you need to make extra space, get creative.

Did you know you can fit more guests at round tables than rectangular or square ones? You can also invest in a short-term storage locker, which can temporarily house excess furniture as well as valuables you don't want left out among wandering and rowdy guests. You'll also want to check into local noise ordinances, which might require a permit to host a loud party. You might need a permit to park cars along your street, too.

Prepared and protected In addition to these important basic details, couples need to make sure they are protected if anything goes wrong on their big day. Joe Vahey, vice president and product manager at Erie Insurance, suggests happy couples think about the following three key insurance issues

Looking good

when planning a wedding at their home or someone else's to make sure they're prepared for the unexpected:

Personal property Keep valuable wedding gifts protected.

Depending on how many guests attend your event, you could end up with thousands of dollars' worth of gifts. Since personal property like this is covered by your homeowners insurance policy, make sure to talk to your agent. They'll look into your policy's personal property limit — it's usually a percentage of the value of your home — to ensure everything is covered.

Liability issues It's important to make sure you're protected from liability, too. If your uncle falls while doing the chicken dance or your cousin trips while diving to catch the bouquet, you could end up in trouble. While some liability coverage is included on standard homeowners policies, you'll want to review the liability limits with your agent in order to assure you have enough coverage. Additionally, it's always wise to consider adding an inexpensive personal catastrophe liability policy (sometimes called an umbrella policy) to your insurance. Having this extra

Once the behind-the-scenes details have been addressed, it's time to pull back the curtain and focus on putting on a spectacular show. Properly welcome guests by getting your landscape in tip-top shape and making sure to clean your house top to bottom a week before the wedding. Consider hiring professionals to lessen your responsibilities leading up to the big day. Keep wedding decor and flowers in line with the look and feel of the home. Getting married at a beach house on the lake? Then, stick to a more casual, understated feel. If you're hosting a black-tie gala at a friend's mansion, don't be afraid to embrace elegance and opulence.

Regardless of how you choose to celebrate your big day, planning ahead to ensure you're prepared and protected is one way to enjoy it worry-free, with the one you love.

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February 2015

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

Romance: Couples can take the time to look over the horses and the different types of horse-drawn vehicles ■ From Page 2 of horses to be a certain color?

All these considerations and more will dictate choices of horse-drawn vehicles and the horses that pull them, said Morgan.

Professional horse-drawn carriage service providers have a variety of options available to customize the service to the wedding, from number and type of horses pulling the conveyance to the size and style of conveyance. Small, intimate buggies, grand two-seater carriages, vis-a-vis, wagons and even coaches. Different conveyances are for single horses, pairs or fourup teams.

Generally speaking, around Montana the smaller carriages and buggies will have the more polished look, and wagons, which are usually hay wagons and can carry larger numbers of people, will be less dressy, she added, even rustic looking.

They do arrive early to allow time to get ready, and time for the wedding party to decorate the conveyance, if they want to, as well as time for photos with the bride and carriage.

Another concern for the carriage service provider is the need for parking.

“Parking is a big one. When we come in, even if we just have one vehicle, we’re coming in with a truck and a fairly large stock trailer, so we need some parking that allows us some space to get unloaded, do our final preparations with the horses, change our clothes,” Morgan said.

She also said that if the bride is planning on riding in a carriage to the wedding ceremony, she prefers to keep it and the bride out of sight to give the entrance more impact on the waiting crowd.

Planning ahead for parking and work space isn’t too difficult for someone familiar with the area, said Jack Solomon, a Havre-area horseman and rancher with decades of horse training, riding and driving experience, who has driven horses at a number of events, including weddings..

“I would just make it my point to have it there and and get it set up whenever they want,” he said.

Solomon said he lives close enough to Havre that he has even driven his horses to town and back.

This horse-drawn vehicle traffic in town isn’t a big surprise for people, said Morgan.

“I don’t think in the state of Montana we have ever encountered needing a permit or to notify anyone that we are there with the horses,” she said. “I think generally the state of Montana is wonderful, and we are usually quite welcome when we come.”

That said, it would be prudent for the couple to inquire with local law enforcement if any regulations need to be addressed for this kind of traffic, and if the carriage will be traveling the streets of a city the size of Great Falls or Billings, a flagger vehicle behind the carriage is a nice safety precaution.

Another thing to check on is insurance.

Morgan said that, as a year-round carriage and horseback riding provider, they have insurance already, but it’s always good to check with the carriage owner on this.

Many times people will have a local, nonprofessional horse-drawn conveyance for the ceremony. Most likely this driver will not be insured for this type of event. In this case, she added, the couple needs to decide what to do about insurance. If the ceremony is downtown in a large city at a busy time, that might warrant insurance coverage, but if the ceremony is in a secluded area on private property, they might decide to opt out of the expense.

Solomon said he purchased one-day event insurance in 2014 for about $250.

Another factor that might influence the decision about insurance, and about whether or not to use a particular horse-drawn service provider to begin with is the driver and horses’ experience level.

“I would ask: Have the horses been around town or have they been around vehicles. Do cars going by bother them? Does noise around them bother them? Are they gentle? How much have they been drove?” Solomon said, adding that they need to be used to people, too, including children, who love to be around the horses but don’t necessarily know proper handling boundaries.

Many nonprofessional drivers and teams are lacking in this level of needed experience, he said.

“There’s a lot of teams that I know that are just a little spooky if something comes up because they’ve got the blinders on and they don’t see it until it’s right there,” he said.

Even the most experienced teams need some consideration, as well, when decorating the conveyance. Specifically, said Morgan, balloons and umbrellas don’t go well together with horses.

Couples can take the time to look over the horses and the different types of horse-drawn vehicles available, and speak with the service providers, to see how they will fit into the ceremony. This is a good time to discuss price and other details as well.

Morgan said they charge a flat fee, which starts at $600 and goes up depending on the carriage, wagon or coach ordered, for the first two hours. This two hours starts at the time they were told to be ready for the ceremony, not when they show up to start final preparations to be ready. Beyond that two hours, they charge $125 per hour, and travel if the ceremony is outside their area.

While Solomon, who can be reached at 3954216, doesn’t have a set fee schedule, he said his rates would be similar.

This is the wedding couple’s special day, and though some practical needs for the horses and the setup have to be considered, professional horse-drawn carriage service providers have the experience to help make the wedding day go off “with a hitch.”

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February 2015

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Reception Halls in Havre

By John Paul Schmidt, Havre Daily News

There are numerous choices for reception venues around Havre and each have their own perks and offers.

The Duck Inn offers its Olympic Room in its second story as a venue for receptions and it sees much business for various occasions.

The Olympic Room boasts many options to make those who choose to hold their receptions there. Some of the choices people can take advantage of include a full bar, a buffet line, catering-style food service, and more.

Prices vary on reserving the room for a reception, and people may want to have an idea of what they want out of their reception so the staff may individualize reception experience to their liking.

Some choose to rent the venue for a simple coffee and cake reception, while others choose from the multiple entrees the venue offers, from chicken to prime rib, and the full bar.

Decorations, music and other extras are up to the renter to take care of, but the room can be theirs for the night until things start winding down and shuts down at 1:30 a.m. at the latest.

The final price for the room includes set-up for tables and as much service as the organizers want to pay for from the staff.

Other venues include Uncle Joe’s, the more-traditional Van Orsdel United Methodist Church and Prairie Farms Golf Course. The District 4 Human Resources Development Council building is yet another option.

Though it may not seem to be an obvious choice for wedding receptions, it does make a unique — and community-minded — offer as a reception location.

The HRDC building, which sits on 5th Avenue, does not charge for use of one of their three rooms, they just ask for a donation to the Havre Food

Bank.

People have the option of renting their fireside room, their activities room, that has a kitchen area, and their board room, which is an old chapel.

People in the past have donated to the food bank monetarily and by having their guests bring a can of food to the reception, which HRDC staff then takes to the food bank. People may donate whatever they see is fair for use of the rooms and the kitchen area.

There are tables and chairs for those interested in using the facilities at HRDC. They ask that whoever use them set them up, take them down and clean the room when they are done. Generally, they may use the rooms for as long as they need — as long as it's not in conflict with someone else’s appointment to use them.

Another option for those organizing a reception is the illustrious Havre Historic Post Office with its vaultedceiling hall. The former post office has been newly remodeled to capture its past beauty and guests can rent the hall beyond the antique post office boxes.

The space is quite large and the ceilings are two stories high with vaulted windows. Anyone interested in renting the space may visit the old post office to speak to one of its owners or its event manager.

Havre is rife with options for reception spaces.

Those organizing a reception need to think of what it is they are looking for in a reception space, as well as their price range, the location and the amenities offered at each location.

They should give themselves ample time to visit each location and speak about price and extras to the managers or owners before making a decision on where to hold their party.

Evan and Malia Hinebauch October 25, 2014

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February 2015

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

www.havredailynews.com

6

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

February 2015

www.havredailynews.com

Reception Halls in Havre

By John Paul Schmidt, Havre Daily News

There are numerous choices for reception venues around Havre and each have their own perks and offers.

The Duck Inn offers its Olympic Room in its second story as a venue for receptions and it sees much business for various occasions.

The Olympic Room boasts many options to make those who choose to hold their receptions there. Some of the choices people can take advantage of include a full bar, a buffet line, catering-style food service, and more.

Prices vary on reserving the room for a reception, and people may want to have an idea of what they want out of their reception so the staff may individualize reception experience to their liking.

Some choose to rent the venue for a simple coffee and cake reception, while others choose from the multiple entrees the venue offers, from chicken to prime rib, and the full bar.

Decorations, music and other extras are up to the renter to take care of, but the room can be theirs for the night until things start winding down and shuts down at 1:30 a.m. at the latest.

The final price for the room includes set-up for tables and as much service as the organizers want to pay for from the staff.

Other venues include Uncle Joe’s, the more-traditional Van Orsdel United Methodist Church and Prairie Farms Golf Course. The District 4 Human Resources Development Council building is yet another option.

Though it may not seem to be an obvious choice for wedding receptions, it does make a unique — and community-minded — offer as a reception location.

The HRDC building, which sits on 5th Avenue, does not charge for use of one of their three rooms, they just ask for a donation to the Havre Food

Bank.

People have the option of renting their fireside room, their activities room, that has a kitchen area, and their board room, which is an old chapel.

People in the past have donated to the food bank monetarily and by having their guests bring a can of food to the reception, which HRDC staff then takes to the food bank. People may donate whatever they see is fair for use of the rooms and the kitchen area.

There are tables and chairs for those interested in using the facilities at HRDC. They ask that whoever use them set them up, take them down and clean the room when they are done. Generally, they may use the rooms for as long as they need — as long as it's not in conflict with someone else’s appointment to use them.

Another option for those organizing a reception is the illustrious Havre Historic Post Office with its vaultedceiling hall. The former post office has been newly remodeled to capture its past beauty and guests can rent the hall beyond the antique post office boxes.

The space is quite large and the ceilings are two stories high with vaulted windows. Anyone interested in renting the space may visit the old post office to speak to one of its owners or its event manager.

Havre is rife with options for reception spaces.

Those organizing a reception need to think of what it is they are looking for in a reception space, as well as their price range, the location and the amenities offered at each location.

They should give themselves ample time to visit each location and speak about price and extras to the managers or owners before making a decision on where to hold their party.

Evan and Malia Hinebauch October 25, 2014

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February 2015

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

www.havredailynews.com

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THE BRIDAL GUIDE

February 2015

www.havredailynews.com

Getting hitched at Home?

Things you should think about first

protection will provide you and your future spouse with needed peace of mind on a hectic day.

(BPT) — Deciding to get married is one of the biggest and most important decisions many people will ever make. According to The Knot and WeddingChannel.com, the average wedding costing more than $28,000 — the cost of a new car or a down payment on a home, so your next biggest decision may be figuring out how to pay for it. With that in mind, many couples are opting to tie the knot at home.

Although hosting your special day in your own backyard can cut costs and give you more flexibility, you must address some critical details before you walk down the aisle.

Rings Wedding rings are an important part of the ceremony, a symbol of your special bond.

Consider "scheduling" the rings rather than relying on the blanket coverage provided by a standard policy, which may have a value limit. A scheduled ring has additional coverage up to the specific value of that ring, so you won't have to worry about replacing a lost or stolen ring.

Beginning basics First things first, make sure you have enough space to accommodate everyone. If you need to make extra space, get creative.

Did you know you can fit more guests at round tables than rectangular or square ones? You can also invest in a short-term storage locker, which can temporarily house excess furniture as well as valuables you don't want left out among wandering and rowdy guests. You'll also want to check into local noise ordinances, which might require a permit to host a loud party. You might need a permit to park cars along your street, too.

Prepared and protected In addition to these important basic details, couples need to make sure they are protected if anything goes wrong on their big day. Joe Vahey, vice president and product manager at Erie Insurance, suggests happy couples think about the following three key insurance issues

Looking good

when planning a wedding at their home or someone else's to make sure they're prepared for the unexpected:

Personal property Keep valuable wedding gifts protected.

Depending on how many guests attend your event, you could end up with thousands of dollars' worth of gifts. Since personal property like this is covered by your homeowners insurance policy, make sure to talk to your agent. They'll look into your policy's personal property limit — it's usually a percentage of the value of your home — to ensure everything is covered.

Liability issues It's important to make sure you're protected from liability, too. If your uncle falls while doing the chicken dance or your cousin trips while diving to catch the bouquet, you could end up in trouble. While some liability coverage is included on standard homeowners policies, you'll want to review the liability limits with your agent in order to assure you have enough coverage. Additionally, it's always wise to consider adding an inexpensive personal catastrophe liability policy (sometimes called an umbrella policy) to your insurance. Having this extra

Once the behind-the-scenes details have been addressed, it's time to pull back the curtain and focus on putting on a spectacular show. Properly welcome guests by getting your landscape in tip-top shape and making sure to clean your house top to bottom a week before the wedding. Consider hiring professionals to lessen your responsibilities leading up to the big day. Keep wedding decor and flowers in line with the look and feel of the home. Getting married at a beach house on the lake? Then, stick to a more casual, understated feel. If you're hosting a black-tie gala at a friend's mansion, don't be afraid to embrace elegance and opulence.

Regardless of how you choose to celebrate your big day, planning ahead to ensure you're prepared and protected is one way to enjoy it worry-free, with the one you love.

5

February 2015

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

Romance: Couples can take the time to look over the horses and the different types of horse-drawn vehicles ■ From Page 2 of horses to be a certain color?

All these considerations and more will dictate choices of horse-drawn vehicles and the horses that pull them, said Morgan.

Professional horse-drawn carriage service providers have a variety of options available to customize the service to the wedding, from number and type of horses pulling the conveyance to the size and style of conveyance. Small, intimate buggies, grand two-seater carriages, vis-a-vis, wagons and even coaches. Different conveyances are for single horses, pairs or fourup teams.

Generally speaking, around Montana the smaller carriages and buggies will have the more polished look, and wagons, which are usually hay wagons and can carry larger numbers of people, will be less dressy, she added, even rustic looking.

They do arrive early to allow time to get ready, and time for the wedding party to decorate the conveyance, if they want to, as well as time for photos with the bride and carriage.

Another concern for the carriage service provider is the need for parking.

“Parking is a big one. When we come in, even if we just have one vehicle, we’re coming in with a truck and a fairly large stock trailer, so we need some parking that allows us some space to get unloaded, do our final preparations with the horses, change our clothes,” Morgan said.

She also said that if the bride is planning on riding in a carriage to the wedding ceremony, she prefers to keep it and the bride out of sight to give the entrance more impact on the waiting crowd.

Planning ahead for parking and work space isn’t too difficult for someone familiar with the area, said Jack Solomon, a Havre-area horseman and rancher with decades of horse training, riding and driving experience, who has driven horses at a number of events, including weddings..

“I would just make it my point to have it there and and get it set up whenever they want,” he said.

Solomon said he lives close enough to Havre that he has even driven his horses to town and back.

This horse-drawn vehicle traffic in town isn’t a big surprise for people, said Morgan.

“I don’t think in the state of Montana we have ever encountered needing a permit or to notify anyone that we are there with the horses,” she said. “I think generally the state of Montana is wonderful, and we are usually quite welcome when we come.”

That said, it would be prudent for the couple to inquire with local law enforcement if any regulations need to be addressed for this kind of traffic, and if the carriage will be traveling the streets of a city the size of Great Falls or Billings, a flagger vehicle behind the carriage is a nice safety precaution.

Another thing to check on is insurance.

Morgan said that, as a year-round carriage and horseback riding provider, they have insurance already, but it’s always good to check with the carriage owner on this.

Many times people will have a local, nonprofessional horse-drawn conveyance for the ceremony. Most likely this driver will not be insured for this type of event. In this case, she added, the couple needs to decide what to do about insurance. If the ceremony is downtown in a large city at a busy time, that might warrant insurance coverage, but if the ceremony is in a secluded area on private property, they might decide to opt out of the expense.

Solomon said he purchased one-day event insurance in 2014 for about $250.

Another factor that might influence the decision about insurance, and about whether or not to use a particular horse-drawn service provider to begin with is the driver and horses’ experience level.

“I would ask: Have the horses been around town or have they been around vehicles. Do cars going by bother them? Does noise around them bother them? Are they gentle? How much have they been drove?” Solomon said, adding that they need to be used to people, too, including children, who love to be around the horses but don’t necessarily know proper handling boundaries.

Many nonprofessional drivers and teams are lacking in this level of needed experience, he said.

“There’s a lot of teams that I know that are just a little spooky if something comes up because they’ve got the blinders on and they don’t see it until it’s right there,” he said.

Even the most experienced teams need some consideration, as well, when decorating the conveyance. Specifically, said Morgan, balloons and umbrellas don’t go well together with horses.

Couples can take the time to look over the horses and the different types of horse-drawn vehicles available, and speak with the service providers, to see how they will fit into the ceremony. This is a good time to discuss price and other details as well.

Morgan said they charge a flat fee, which starts at $600 and goes up depending on the carriage, wagon or coach ordered, for the first two hours. This two hours starts at the time they were told to be ready for the ceremony, not when they show up to start final preparations to be ready. Beyond that two hours, they charge $125 per hour, and travel if the ceremony is outside their area.

While Solomon, who can be reached at 3954216, doesn’t have a set fee schedule, he said his rates would be similar.

This is the wedding couple’s special day, and though some practical needs for the horses and the setup have to be considered, professional horse-drawn carriage service providers have the experience to help make the wedding day go off “with a hitch.”

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Make your Big Day as unique as you are

(BPT) — Weddings are steeped in tradition — no matter whom you are or where you live.

But what if you're not interested in wearing the same dress your mother did, getting married in the same location your sister did or wearing something blue?

Don't worry, you're not alone. Plenty of brides search for ways to make their special day as unique as they are. Here are five ways to put

your own special spin on this classic tradition.

• A guest book you'll use. Signing the guest book is a common tradition at most weddings; you've probably signed a few in your lifetime.

After the wedding is over, however, this priceless keepsake often disappears into a box never to be seen again. Break from tradition by creating a guest book you'll actually use. Take a trip to the book store with your partner and browse the coffee table books. Once you find one that interests both of you, claim it as your guest book. Your wedding guests can sign their names in the margins and afterwards you'll be left with a permanent, functional guest book to display for visitors and friends.

• Dance under the stars. Looking to create a one-of-a-kind wedding? Don't rent the same ballroom as all of your friends. Host your reception outdoors. You can rent a dance floor from a local rental facility and trained technicians will arrive to set it up easily. You'll dance on a traditional wood floor while looking up at the stars — what could be more original than that?

Don't forget to rent a tent so that weather doesn't dampen the mood. You can find more unique flooring ideas at RentalHQ.com, where you can locate your local rental store.

• Treasure the memories. Get your guests involved in the event by placing blank cards and pens at each seat location. Ask your guests to write about their favorite memory of you and/or your spouse. Collect all of these cards and turn them into a scrapbook for a treasured keepsake.

• Prepare a menu that is uniquely you.

Chocolate fountains were once unique and elegant, but now they're commonplace. Don't despair, though, because there are plenty of unique edible snack options you can include in your special day. If you're getting married in the blistering heat, rent a snow cone machine to offer your guests some sweet relief. If you and

your spouse are big movie buffs or your wedding has a Hollywood theme, rent a popcorn machine to complete the look. And for the bride who's still a kid at heart, nothing captures that better than renting an authentic cotton candy machine.

• Find the color that suits you. Maybe wearing something blue doesn't suit you, but perhaps you're not too wild about black and white either. At many venues, though, these colors are the only choices you have when it comes to tablecloths and napkins. Remember, you don't

have to settle; you can provide your own materials simply by renting them. This opens up a color palette of limitless options. If you are planning a fall wedding, look for napkins that reflect the colors of the leaves. Did you meet in college? Choose linens in your school's colors.

Whatever shade speaks to you, you can find it and give your wedding a look no one will expect.

Keep the tradition, but be uniquely you with options limited only by your own imagination.

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After the Wedding Checklist ❏ Return all rented tuxedoes. ❏ Return all rented equipment. ❏ Return all borrowed accessories. ❏ Write thank-you cards. ❏ Preserve your bridal bouquet. ❏ Send your wedding gown to the cleaners and have it sealed in a vacuum bag or box. ❏ Decide on filing taxes jointly or separately, and update your tax forms at work.

❏ Add your spouse to your employer's health insurance. ❏ Make your spouse the beneficiary of any retirement and 401(k) plans. ❏ Purchase life insurance. ❏ Start financial planning and consider meeting with an accountant and financial advisor for strategies that fit your goals as a married couple.

Name Change Check List ❏ SOCIAL SECURITY CARD ❏ DRIVER'S LICENSE ❏ PASSPORT ❏ BANK ACCOUNTS ❏ CREDIT CARDS ❏ SAFE DEPOSIT BOX ❏ INVESTMENTS ❏ LOANS ❏ WILL ❏ PROPERTY TITLES ❏ UTILITY COMPANIES

❏ POST OFFICE ❏ MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS ❏ CAR REGISTRATION ❏ INSURANCE POLICIES ❏ VOTER REGISTRATION ❏ DOCTORS ❏ DENTIST ❏ EMPLOYEE RECORDS ❏ SCHOOL RECORDS ❏ CLUB MEMBERSHIPS ❏ ANYONE WHO BILLS YOU

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How to Publish Your

Engagement & Wedding Announcement In The Havre Daily News

Use this guide to help you format your announcement to be published on Fridays in the Havre Daily News Community section. Deadline is 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, prior to the requested Friday publication.

Engagement announcement suggested content: Full name of bride-to-be and groom-to-be, bride's parents' names and city, groom's parents' names and city, bride's education and year(s) of graduation, bride's employment and city, groom's education and year(s) of graduation, groom's employment and city, wedding date and location, couple's future home city.

Wedding announcement suggested content: Full maiden name of bride, full name of groom, noting if the bride is keeping her maiden name; wedding date, time and location; bride's and groom's parents' names and city; first and last name and title of minister; name and city of maid or matron of honor, of best man; name and city of bridesmaids and groomsmen, flower girl, ringbearer, candlelighters, ushers and musicians; location of reception and hosts; bride's and groom's education and year(s) of graduation; bride's and groom's employer and city; honeymoon location; and couple's new home city.

Call 406-265-6795 with any questions or for more info.

You may submit your photo and announcement these ways: Deliver in person: 119 Second Street, Havre, MT 59501 Email: smantle@havredailynews.com Mail: P.O. Box 431, Havre, MT 59501 Fax: 406-265-6798

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How to file for a marriage in Montana

By Tim Leeds, Havre Daily News

One part of the often-lengthy planning in holding a wedding has fairly simple requirements in Montana: to receive a marriage license, people need to fill out an application with a clerk of District Court in the state, swear the information is true, pay the $53 fee and either have a blood test completed or sign a waiver of that requirement, then get married within six months.

The only major change this year is the ruling by federal courts that same-sex marriage is legal in Montana. The requirements are still all the same. On the state application, everything is gender neutral and now refers to applicants as spouse 1 and spouse 2.

While people in Montana can have a common-law marriage, going through the official steps can save some trouble later on. Commonlaw marriages result from actions of a couple — typically living together as husband and wife while of legal age and not being legally married to someone else — holding themselves forth as a married couple and having an agreement to be married, says a brochure by Montana Legal Services Association.

But common-law marriages have been known to cause troubles with applying for or receiving insurance or Social Security benefits and other issues because of a lack of a license to prove a marriage exists.

In Montana, people also can be married without a ceremony by filing a written declaration of marriage with a clerk of court. Even that

could cause problems depending on whether it would be recognized under rules in other states, including by insurance companies.

The requirements in Montana to apply for a marriage license are fairly simple and straightforward.

Residents of the state don’t even have to apply for marriage in the county where the ceremony will be performed. A license issued in Hill County, for example, can be used in any Montana county.

If neither party to the marriage is a resident of the state, Montana Code Annotated says that the license may be obtained from the clerk of court in the county where the ceremony will be performed. If one person is a nonresident, that person’s section of the application may be completed before an official authorized to accept such applications in the county and state where the party resides, the law states.

The application is fairly simple, requiring information including the names of the parties, their residence and address, names of the parents and their birthplaces, race, education and information about any previous marriage and its termination.

The participants are required to swear under oath that the information provided is true, and

state law specifies that the parties must pay the filing fee.

The law requires that the parties applying provide satisfactory proof that they will be at least 18 years old when the license is issued, or will be 16 and have judicial approval of the marriage, generally with the consent of the parties’ parents. The parties must also be able to provide proof that their marriage is not prohibited under state law, such as a marriage between first cousins or an uncle and a niece.

Montana law does specify that the woman applying for a marriage license must submit a blood test confirming immunity to rubella, but also allows the parties of the marriage to request a waiver of the requirement after reading information about the need to ensure rubella immunity to protect any children conceived. Infection of a woman with the rubella virus during early pregnancy can lead to complictions with the pregnancy or a variety of congenital defects, the waiver reads.

The marriage must take place within 180 days of the application being completed, though there is no waiting period before the ceremony can take place, a change in former law. Previous Montana law required a threeday waiting period before the marriage could take place.

Once the marriage is completed and the license issued, it is kept on record both in the county where it was filed and on the state level.

Another issue people might need to remember is taken care of after the marriage: making sure any name changes are on record.

If a name is changed due to marriage — such as the woman taking the family name of the husband — it is important that the change is recorded by any agencies or entities that need to know. That would include the Social Security Administration, for recording income and issuing benefits; insurance companies; bank and other financial accounts including mortgages, and making sure names — and addresses — are correct on driver’s licenses, passports and other identification, as well as any other documents or entities that require a name to be on file.

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A drive for Romance

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By Pam Burke, Havre Daily News

One popular way to add a fun and romantic touch to the wedding ceremony is to travel by horse-drawn carriage, buggy or wagon.

Following a few tips from the professionals can help you chose the right horse-drawn service.

Lisa Morgan, who runs Virginia City Stagecoach and Horseback with her husband, B.J., said that couples considering using a horse-drawn conveyance should start with the most basic question they ask anyone they are hiring for their wedding day: Is the date available?

Ideally, couples should be booking the service two months in advance, she said, though they have had someone call on a Wednesday to see if they could make it for a Saturday ceremony.

“We did in that particular case. It’s always nice to have a little heads up, though, to plan and get the horses

ready,” she said.

The Morgans have been providing carriage and wagon services professionally for about 10 years, so they are pretty efficient with their prep time, Morgan said.

Part of that pre-wedding-day planning and preparation is getting the requested conveyance ready, preparing the horses for the work, so it helps to have discussed and know specifically what the couple wants to do with the carriage ride.

Is the plan to deliver the bride to the church and then take the newly married couple to the reception afterward? Haul the entire wedding party?

Transport people from the parking area to where the ceremony will be held? How dressy do they want the carriage or wagon to be? Does the couple have a specific look they are going for that would require a team n See Romance Page 5

Clinton & Margo Pankratz ~ October 4, 2014 Courtesy Photo

Caitlin & Garrett Aguillard ~ September 12, 2014 Nicholas & Brittany Peet ~ August 24, 2014

Douglas & Sarah Beth Solomon ~ July 25, 2014

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Melanie & Dustin Knoll ~ January 10, 2014

Jeremy & Kristina Jensen ~ June 14, 2014 Andrew Prevost & Kimberly Collins August 9, 2014 Jeff & Beth Jorgenson ~ July 4, 2014