• A couple can get a Marriage license anywhere in Massachusetts and be married anywhere in Massachusetts. Call the various City/Town Clerks office and ask what the fee is. (i.e. - Springfield will charge $40.00 for the Marriage license and $15.00 for a copy of the license, whereas Ludlow charges $10.00 for the license and $5.00 for a copy)

• The fees for the services of a Justice of the Peace to solemnize a marriage are set by the state. They are, normally, not negotiable. The fee is set at $100.00 to solemnize a wedding within the Justices Home Community, or $150.00 if the ceremony  is performed in any other municipality in the Commonwealth.

• While the fees for the Justice of the Peace are set by the state, their fees for rehearsals and/or consultations can vary greatly. Always ask what is included in the price quoted by anyone, not only the Officiant. Is a Justice really needed for the rehearsal? If you have a Wedding Co-ordinator or Banquet Manager, they can manage the rehearsal nicely. However if you have a large, almost uncontrollable group, the fee the Justice charges may be well spent.

• Another great way to save money is to change the meal from a four (4) or five (5) course meal, to a three (3) course meal. Most people are very happy with this arrangement and it is still more than most people have for their own meals.

• Still need to save even more, how about a Buffet? People will be able to  satisfy their appetites by taking as much as they need. Most facilities charge by the plate anyway.

• Don't have a separate desert, use your Wedding cake for the dessert.  It is the centerpiece of the wedding reception, other than the two of you that is, so share it with your friends and family. Don't choose some weird combination of cake.  Consider what your guests would enjoy. After all, they are your guests, you should make them feel  comfortable.

• The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires a three (3) day waiting period from the time you file for your Marriage license until it is issued. You may petition the court for a waiver of the waiting period. The fee you pay depends upon which type of court you have to go to. Probate Court is less expensive than Superior Court. Try to use the Probate Courts if possible.

Other Tips

Murphy's Law states that "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong!" Don't let yourselves become another statistic to Murphy (who is he anyway?). Try these suggestions, they may just save your wedding day.

• Have a spare car available to get to the wedding site and reception. Livery services can make mistakes or overbook. A parent or spouse of one of your attendants can easily be available.

• Make sure that all the attendants know where and when to meet.  Will they arrive already in their gown or tuxedo. Will they change at the hotel or your home? Eliminate confusion. Everyone will be happier for it.

• Allow yourself plenty prep time. Make a Champagne Breakfast out of it and relax. Do not arrive intoxicated or under the influence of any medications however. I will NOT marry a couple who is. nor would any other Officiant. Make sure that ALL the wedding party uses the facilities before the ceremony especially. They can always use the facilities anytime during the reception, but that is a bit too obvious during the ceremony. This is especially true for the flower girls and/or ring bearers.

• Send your mothers an arrangement of long-stem roses from a Florist who is not responsible for you Wedding  flowers. Should something happen to your scheduled flowers you will then have these single roses to fill in for the Bride, the attendants, even Boutonnieres for the men.  If you don't need them, they your Moms are so happy that you thought of them.

Relax - If Mr. Murphy launches his attack, whatever goes wrong was meant to go wrong. No wedding is perfect. It will be those things that  go wrong that will make your wedding day memorable.

• Do not demand that things be corrected during the function. You come across as those Bridezillas you swear that you will never become.Take time after the wedding day to go back and argue your point. It may generate a re-imbursement of your monies. Again, remember to choose your battles. If the correction has to be corrected immediately, delegate the duties to your best man.

Schedules:

• Plan your wedding rehearsal well after your bridal party is out of work for the day. If everyone leaves work at 5:00 PM a 5:15 PM rehearsal does not make sense. Plan a reasonable 6:00 PM or later. Everyone will then be able to arrive relaxed and ready to start the evenings festivities.  I do realize that many venues tell you the time you must have your rehearsal. Please do not be late or you may find out that the next couple arrives on time and they want their scheduled appointment as well.

• If you are having your big day on a Holiday, schedule your Officiant at least nine (9) months in advance. Make sure you have your date and TIME available. I schedule my ceremonies at two (2) hour intervals. So I could officiate at several ceremonies during the day. Other Officiants do similar things, but we need to know the time. Don't wait until a month before the date to let us know, your time may be scheduled with another couple by then.

Bridezilla

Do they exists? They sure do!

Do not become one yourself. Not only do you make it difficult for everyone else, you deny yourself, and all your guests,  the opportunity to enjoy your own wedding.

Finally, RELAX!  Enjoy the time you can now spend with your husband or wife during the reception. Hold hands, steal kisses, be romantic. If you hear people clinking their glasses, it means they want you to kiss. Oblige them.

And make sure that you publicly thank everyone for everything they have done. Don't make it a long , drawn out speech  afterall people want to dance and have fun and so do you.