Don’t Stop the Music

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Siera Nie and Michael Sturdivant stroll through downtown Durham. The couple plans to tie the knot on June 26, 2022. Photo by Fancy This Photography

I’m Married, Now What?

By Caitlyn Yaede

SAVE KEEPSAKES FROM THE BIG DAY. Preserve your wedding dress, dry or press your bouquet, and freeze your cake. These are things you can look back on (and snack on) from your wedding day.

PLANNING TO CHANGE YOUR LAST NAME? Here’s how to do it: • Certify your marriage license; • Go to your local Social Security office to change your name on your Social Security card; • Head to the DMV to update your driver’s license or state ID; • Change your name on other important documents – your passport, credit cards, bank accounts, etc.

SEND THANK-YOU NOTES TO GUESTS. Show your appreciation for their attendance and gifts by handwriting thoughtful thank-you’s.

GET CREATIVE WITH YOUR WEDDING PHOTOS. Start a scrapbook, blog or photo album full of memories from your big day. Be creative – there’s no wrong way to put your pictures on display.

SPEND TIME WITH FAMILY. Whether this is quality time with your spouse or dinner with your new in-laws, wash your hands of wedding planning and enjoy those closest to you.

THANK YOUR VENDORS. Whether you leave a positive review online or write a note, it’s always thoughtful to thank your vendors. They helped to keep your big day running smoothly!

TAKE A DEEP BREATH. All the planning that goes into your wedding is over – it’s time to pause and enjoy this joyous time in your life. Have a spa day, take a trip or practice some selfcare. You deserve it.

SHARE YOUR LOVE STORY AND WEDDING JOURNEY WITH HEART OF NC WEDDINGS FOR A CHANCE TO BE FEATURED ON OUR BLOG. heartofncweddings.com/submit-a-wedding

REGISTRY REWARDS OR REGRETS

We asked our readers what they used most and least from their wedding registry – here’s what they had to say: Theresa Choudhury didn’t register for fine china but her mother-inlaw gifted it to the couple after their 1996 wedding and they love it. “Forget about things that wear out like towels and sheets. You can get those at Marshall’s,” she says. Good registry gifts are the ones that stand the test of time. “Good pots and pans, you’ll have them forever.” Lucy Dioguardi, a 2016 bride, says she regrets registering for an ice bucket – it hasn’t been of much use when she hosts parties. Quality dishes, on the other hand, Lucy says she uses daily and loves. Amanda Wood, 2011 bride, advises couples to stay away from decor or kitchen gadgets when making their registry. “I never used the waffle iron… maybe one day,” she says. “Registering for a honeymoon seems brilliant to me.” Kathryn Zoutewelle got married in 2020 and she says a bar cart was the best addition to her registry. “We have a place to put all of our nice new glasses. It’s so functional and cute!” Rethink a wine decanter, though. “I loved the idea of it but never use it,” Kathryn says. “And it takes up so much space! But I’m holding out hope that I’ll use it for a fancy dinner party at some point in my future.” Kelsey Erin Stirzel tells us about the kitchen tools she put on her registry. A cast iron skillet gets the most use. Her sushi-making kit? Not so much. For 2021 bride Emily Hull Cassidy, a LeCreuset Dutch Oven is the most used item from her registry. Her least used gift is fine china. 2021 bride Alexia Hutchison says silverware was her most used item. Her least used gift? “Everything that was not on the registry,” says Alexia. Meaghan Dowdy Rafiee says dinnerware and silverware are the most used wedding gifts, while an electric griddle is her least used gift. “It’s still in the box,” she admits.

WHAT DO OVER 10,000 North Carolina Brides

HAVE IN COMMON?

THEY TRUSTED US TO PRESERVE THEIR GOWN FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

Let the experts at A Cleaner World clean and preserve your wedding gown. It’s a gift your family can share from generation to generation.

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COUPLES’ CHOICE AWARDS®

2020

RALEIGH | DURHAM | CHAPEL HILL | BURLINGTON | BOONE WINSTON-SALEM | HIGH POINT | HICKORY | GREENSBORO