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Tying the knot

How to Make a Wedding Work

If you have decided to tie the knot, you need to know some things to make your big day go smoother.

Letting Others Help
You may not want to let the whole world know that you are getting married. But you may not want a Las Vegas style elopement, either. Marriage is a family affair, and your family will want to celebrate your big day with you.

Unfortunately, some members of your family may be opposed to your wedding because of your pregnancy. So you may feel a bit awkward asking them to help you plan or participate in your wedding. Even so, it is important to involve these family members. They love you and can make your wedding day one of the best days of your life.

On the one hand, this is your wedding, so you will want things to be just as you will plan them. On the other hand, your family wants to help. So the support and help your family gives should be taken with gratitude, even if their idea of a wedding is not the same as yours. If you seek compromises while including some of their ideas, things will run smoothly, and you will have the memorable day you dreamed of.

Responses to Others
Even if you and your boyfriend decide that you are getting married for the right reasons, you may still hear some comments that will feel like a slap in the face. At such times, you will both need to be strong emotionally and prepared to support each other. Your best defense is silence; do not give offenders the satisfaction of an argument. Besides, there is probably not much you could say that would change their opinion anyway. Just ignore them and go on doing what you have jointly decided is best for you and your baby.

Some Specifics
Before you can show up at the altar, you will need to get a marriage license from the county clerk’s office. Depending on your local laws, you may first need a blood test, as well as parental permission if you are a minor. Once you have a license, you can be married by a justice of the peace at the courthouse or by a clergyman at your church or in your home.

However you decide to tie the knot, make your wedding a special event. We have some advice to offer:

Have a honeymoon, even if it is just overnight somewhere nearby.

Keep the laughter alive in your marriage, making sure there is always plenty of patience, love, honesty and commitment in your relationship.

Avoid criticism, fault-finding, and selfishness.

If you can commit to doing these things for each other, you will find the two of you can make your marriage work.