Divorce

Ending a marriage is not a simple process. Sometimes there can be a lot of heartache especially if there are children involved and if one party cannot except that the marriage is over.
In a divorce case the person asking the court for the divorce is called a “plaintiff” and, the other partner is called the “respondent”.

In order to divorce, the couple must have been married for at least a year and, one party must show that the marriage has broken down irretrievably using one of the following reasons. These reasons are called “grounds”.

* Separation of at least five years.

* Separation of at least two years with the consent of respondent to the divorce.

* The respondent’s adultery

* The respondent’s unreasonable behaviour

* The respondent’s desertion amounting to two years or more.

If there are no children, the divorce can be straight-forward where the respondent simply signs and walks away. This process should take under six months.

How does the process work?

Set below are guidelines of how the process of filing a divorce works. This is a factual guideline and should be used as just that. If you are thinking about going through the divorce procedure then it is strongly recommended that you seek professional legal advice from a qualified solicitor.

Divorce proceedings work by, firstly, the plaintiff filing the court with the marriage certificate and divorce petition.

The court then officially receipts the papers and sends the divorce petition and a notice of proceedings to the respondent.

The respondent signs and returns the consent form, and appropriate documents, then sends them back to the court.

The court then sends the plaintiff more documents including an affidavit which must be signed at a solicitors office or at the court. (An affidavit is a sworn statement detailing the evidence of an irretrievable breakdown which will be used in court as evidence.)

The case is then heard by the district judge, and if satisfied, he/she will set out a date for the decree nisi.

The plaintiff is able to ask the court to declare the decree absolute six weeks and a day after the issue of the decree nisi. This is done by filling in a form and sending it to the court.

The decree absolute is issued, and in the eyes of the law, the marriage is over.

Tracey Aldous
http://www.informationatyourfingertips.co.uk/

Tracey Aldous is a trainee accountant who is a freelance writer in her spare time.
Tracey is currently working, in partnership, on her own information website, alongside a small team of like-minded professional people.

Wedding Favors - Ideas, Tips and Trends

No, they’re not mandatory, but wedding favors are a great way to thank your guests for sharing in your celebration! They’re also a fun little extra to tie in the style of the occasion.

Today, almost anything goes. And just like the rest of the event, wedding favors should reflect the personality of the bride and groom. Not sure where to begin? Browse this wedding favor guide for everything you’ll need to know in presenting this wonderful little detail with the utmost of style.

What to Give -

Some of my favorite wedding favor ideas and trends include:

Edible Treats
Everyone loves something to eat, so delight your guests with something sweet or savory. Chocolates, almonds and candies are always popular. Or give a regional favorite from your wedding location: peanuts in Georgia, Vermont maple syrup, or hot salsa in Texas.

Something Homemade
Along those lines, test your culinary skills and make a homemade jam or spread for your guests (package them in festive customized jars!).

Quench their thirst
If your budget allows it, wow your guests with a nice bottle of wine, whether a selection served at the wedding or from a local winery. If you’re really ambitious, consider making your own, and stamp it with a personalized label. This is one of my favorite wedding favor ideas, but plan ahead - this must be done at least 3 months in advance.

Entertain Them
Give your guests something that will forever remind them of your wedding day. Nothing brings a person back to a special moment quite like a song. So make a wedding playlist, and feature songs from the ceremony and reception. Getting married in a place known for a great music scene? Feature selections from local artists. Or if the two of you just love music and want to share your tastes with your guests, make a cd of your favorites. Every time they pop it into the player, they’ll think of you and what a great time they had at your celebration.

Personalize it
These days, almost any item or trinket can be personalized, so think of something creative that goes along with your wedding theme, and stamp it with your initials or wedding date. You name it; someone can customize it - golf balls, koozies, ornaments, seashells, matchbooks, candles or soaps. You’re only limited by your imagination. I’ve even seen fortune cookies filled with personalized fortunes!

Give something back
Another one of my favorite wedding favor ideas: Some brides are foregoing the traditional favor altogether, instead making a donation to their favorite charity. You can print nice cards that read “in lieu of a favor, a donation has been made to xyz charity.” Just be sure your chosen charity is legitimate, and get a receipt for tax purposes.

How and When to Give them -

Wedding Favors are all about presentation. A few m & ms can be the epitome of panache when wrapped in a pretty package. Choose packaging that matches or complements your wedding colors and table decor. Matching ribbons and personalized logo stickers or favor labels always add a nice touch. Depending on the favor you choose to give, the choice of packaging may be obvious. If not, consider these fun options:

• Mini Chinese take-out boxes (or any miniature box decorated to reflect your wedding style)
• Miniature canvas bags (printed with your monogram or wedding logo!)
• A Seashell
• Customized bottles or jars
• Miniature baskets
• Small Julep cups
• Mini Terracotta pots

In determining just how and when to present them, you also have some options. Set up a table and display them along with a card that says “Please take one” or “Thank You.” (this makes for a lovely photo opp!). Or make your favors part of your table décor and place one at each place setting. A waiter or coatroom attendant can also hand them out at a designated time. Some couples even add the extra special personal touch of distributing them personally to their guests as they leave the reception. However, due to timing and logistics, this method is best saved for smaller weddings.

What They’ll Cost -

Remember, favors are simply a nice gesture to cap off a successfully planned and fully considered event. They need not drain your budget. Expect to spend around $1 per guest on the low end, and just like any other element of a wedding, costs can always creep up to suit your wildest imaginations (hmmm - the diamond encrusted Tiffany picture frames sure sound nice…).

If budget is a concern, you don’t necessarily need to cross favors off of your expense list. Food and candy items are often inexpensive and always popular. Or round up your family or bridesmaids for a fun night of homemade favor-making. Even if you have your heart set on a high-end item, save by giving one gift per couple, placed between their dinner plates and tagged with the couples’ names (of course, your single friends will each still receive one). Or get two things for the price of one, and ask your florist to create centerpieces that can be split into tiny bouquets for your guests to take home.

Just like everything else in the wedding planning process, if you would really like to give favors at your wedding, you can always find a way to make it fit within your budget.

For a complete guide to creating an elegant and memorable wedding celebration, visit http://www.elegala.com, your ultimate wedding planning resource.

Cori Locklin is editor-in-chief for http://www.elegala.com/ and Elegala Magazine. Elegala is a new wedding planning resource offering the most comprehensive portfolio of superior wedding reception sites and wedding vendors, with the planning tips, photo galleries and checklists to keep brides in-the-know on today’s wedding trends and styles.

Fun, Romantic & Memorable Elopements

Elopement has come to describe many different kinds of small intimate weddings,
both spontaneous and per-planned. More and more couples are embracing this
private and personal form of nuptial.

Creative wedding options offer “hybrid elopements” distinguished typically by a
simple service and small quest list. Often “destination weddings,” held anywhere
from a resort to the town just down the road.

Elopement packages feature small, relatively inexpensive ceremonies that focus
on the couple and their shared involvement. Couples seek a sense of frivolity
along with a sense of spirituality which means, “Different Elopements for Different
Folks”.

Couples are interested in an elopement ceremony that is more than a civil
ceremony by a justice of the peace. Elopements by nature are much more
intimate and more meaningful to couples. It is a combination of traditional
wedding elements with a low-stress, low-price tag that brings couples to consider
eloping.

In California’s Romantic San Francisco, you can enjoy a wedding elopement that is small and affordable in the picturesque city on the bay.

Elopement packages are offered in nature near the water, along with a personalized ceremony, a minister, photographer and flowers for less then 1,200.

With the every raising cost of an American wedding at almost $20,000, frazzled by the time and money needed to plan a big wedding. Eloping is becoming an increasingly attractive option for couples.

A small elopement wedding reduces or eliminates the wrangling over whom to
invite, where to seat the multiple sets of in-laws and so on.

Couples attempting a quick wedding are seeking something different from Vegas
and Northern California offers an abundance of out doors settings in nature that
are awe inspiring.

Elopement packages are as stress-free as possible. Having everything arranged
around the couples personal choices, all they have to do is show up and enjoy
their magical day.

One on one elopement packages for Romantic San Francisco California. For further information visit http://www.ceremonyway.com.

Wedding Gift Etiquette

Let’s face it: we all love to receive presents, but when we are talking about a wedding, keep in mind that you should focus on what a wedding really means. Remember that a wedding is about the joining of two people, who love each other so much that they pledge their lives to each other forever, and they want to make this commitment with friends and family present. As we all know, this is a profound act worthy of all our respect. This is why I think you should first review a bit of wedding etiquette as it relates to the all-important wedding gift:

• First of all, you should never mention gifts on the invitation.

• When you have to publicize your registry information, it’s best if you use a wedding website or word of mouth.

There is only one exception: the bridal shower invitation. Here is the list:
• You have to ask for cash gifts or gift certificates by word of mouth or via your
wedding website.
• Remember that honeymoon registries are appropriate.
• It’s important not to use any of the wedding gifts until after your wedding.
• Then, you have to keep in mind that all gifts, even shower gifts, must be returned
if the wedding is cancelled or annulled before living together as a married couple.
I hope that this won’t happen and I’m sure that it won’t!

• Remember that gift giving for vow renewal or reaffirmation ceremonies is not
mandatory, but it is a very nice gesture.
• Lifestyle gifts are perfect for the reaffirmation, or for the encore bride:
• A certificate to a spa or a favorite restaurant
• A vacation package
• A night in a nice lodge

More information to come on the perfect wedding etiquette.

Dinah Owens is an author and entrepreneur. This is her first ebook, Wedding Planning Made Easy. View more information about the book at http://www.allyourweddingplanning.com.

How Is A Professional Wedding Designer Different From Other Wedding Vendors Who Do Event Planning?

Often when you are looking for wedding vendors who suit your needs, you will run across a vendor that advertises that they also will coordinate your wedding - FREE! These people generally do not have the extensive training or association memberships that professional wedding designers or bridal consultants have.

Be aware that there are different types of vendors who offer wedding coordination services:

Concierge Service

There are concierge services that also do wedding coordination. While they are running errands for executives (scheduling lunches, picking up laundry, buying gifts) they are also planning your wedding. Wouldn’t you feel better to choose a company who caters strictly to event planning — not wrapping packages while trying to find your site?

Free Wedding Coordination Services

You must ask yourself how these companies stay in business if they aren’t charging you for their services! Simple. They are provided with an incentive payment (usually a percentage of the package you purchase) from the vendor that they refer to you. Since the vendor will raise their prices to cover the amount going to the “free service”, you could actually end up paying much more in commissions for what is supposed to be a “free” service to the bride. One important note is that a lot of the more reputable vendors will not subscribe to a service like this, so you could really be missing out on a vendor who matches your style and has extensive skill and talent.

Ceremony Site Coordinator

Often hired by the church/ synagogue /wedding site to make sure that their rules are followed — such as no lights on the video camera, no throwing of rice or birdseed, who can and cannot stand on the alter. Professional wedding coordinators always work with these people to ensure that your ceremony is as individual as you are, while still following the guidelines set up by the church/synagogue/site.

Reception Site Coordinator

This person is usually a salesperson who works in the catering or sales office of the site. Typically, they are NOT trained wedding coordinators. It is their job to make sure that the right linens are on the table and that everything seems to be running smoothly. If you ask for vendor referrals, you will usually get a list of companies who have done weddings at their site before. They do not check references of these companies and may have only worked with them once or twice.

Florist

Again, this person is trained in how to do fabulous floral arrangements for your wedding day. If you ask for wedding coordination, you will receive a list of vendors who have used their services in the past and references will not be checked.

Caterer

Caterers are a wonderful addition to your wedding. They create imaginative menus best suited to your wedding style and budget. However, caterers are not wedding coordinators. Situations have come up where a caterer has told a bride not to waste her money on a wedding designer. When the day came, details were not complete and one of the suggested vendors did not show up. They also do not help you with complicated questions on wedding etiquette and they aren’t at the church to make sure that all the details are completed.

A True Wedding Designer Works For You On Every Level
Let your vendors do what they are best at. Spreading themselves too thin can, in the end, can cause you to not get the wedding you hoped for. When you are choosing your designer, make sure that they belong to a reputable organization and that you feel comfortable with the services that they are offering you. They should only have your best interests in mind!

The above information should simply reinforce the fact that a Professional Wedding Designer has your personal interests at heart, not their own. Invest wisely in your wedding and make sure that you are being taken care of so you can relax and create wonderful memories.

©2004, All Rights Reserved, Sasha Souza Events, Do not reproduce without permission from author.

Sasha Souza Events was first established in 1995 and specializes in full service wedding and event design. Today, Sasha Souza Events is an Master Bridal Consultant, distinguished member of the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC).

In 2004, Sasha Souza was honored by Modern Bride Magazine as one of the top 25 trendsetters in the wedding industry… being included with top industry pros such as Colin Cowie Lifestyle, Preston Bailey Event Design, Ron Ben-Israel Cakes & Jane Packard Flowers. She was also asked by Antonia van der Meer, the editor of Modern Bride Magazine, to take on a role in the prestigious Modern Bride Advisory Panel. Being considered among the top event design & coordination companies in the nation is a great honor and Sasha Souza always strives to create unique, fun and interesting events for the guests to experience.

In 2005, Sasha Souza will be the chair & host of the Special Event show wedding luncheon in Miami Beach, Florida which is sponsored by Special Events Magazine and Primedia Event Services.

Putting romance back into your marriage

Let me start by saying I am not a psycholigist or therapist, I
am just a guy, who was married for 16 years, until that ended
about a year and a half ago. I am now in a new and exciting
relationship, which I believe will work out great. I am forty
years old and just speaking from experience. Hopefully these
tips I give you will spice up your love life again.

Often times in a marriage or long-term relationship, couples
tend to fall into a routine. What maybe started out as a very
romantic relationship, begins to slow down as bills, children,
work and all the pressures of life conspire to give us stress
and lead us away from what is really important.

I would venture to guess that most divorces stem from this
problem. You see each other As a business partner, parenting
partner, chore partner. But not so much as a lover. You have to
drive the kids here and there, while your partner is getting the
groceries. There is always something to do,and it usually does
not include being alone with your partner.

Every once in a while you remember what it was like in the
beginning, and think why can’t it be like that again. By the
way, both sexes think this, the problem is they only think it,
and usually don’t talk about it.

When the kids are small, I know it isn’t as easy to make time
for each other, but the most important thing you can do for your
marriage is to MAKE time. If that means getting grandma and
grandpa to watch the kids overnight, or splurging on a
babysitter once a week, it would be the best investment you
could make in your marriage.

If you could get away with your partner for a date night once a
week, you won’t regret it. Whether going out for dinner, or a
movie, or a long walk together, it will bring the two of you
closer together. Plus, getting away from the kids is a great
stress reliever.

Then when you get back home, still with no kids around, a great
way to spice things up in the bedroom, is with lingerie. It may
sound cliché, but it really works. Think about it ladies, your
partner sees you all week as a mom, housekeeper, breadwinner.
The last thing he is thinking of you as, is a bedroom goddess.
Believe me, if you come home after a nice night out, and you go
upstairs and put on a beautiful piece of lingerie, a nice teddy,
or corset, body stocking, or bustier, you’re partner will
definitely be put into the mood.

It will make him see you as he used to see you. More than a
mom, etc. After all, isn’t that what you want?

But, don’t stop there. A great way to spice things up is to try
things you never tried before. That could be something as simple
as bringing some food into the mix, you know strawberries, whip
cream, things like that. Then, there is always the massage,
everybody loves a massage with warm oil. Just the fact you are
doing things differently will really help spice things up. We
all know that we fall into a routine in the bedroom after a
while. The only cure for that is to change things around.

So, hopefully this will help you to get back on the right
track. Good luck. Visit my website at:
http://www.purplemoose.us/lingerie.html

Getting Married? Let’s Elope

Excited at the thought of getting married but not thrilled with the thought of all the preparation for the wedding? Welcome to the club! While most girls dream of the special day, few are really prepared for the detail that goes into getting the actual day as perfect as they hope.

Instead of hiring a wedding planner to handle the nitty-gritty, some people opt to elope instead. There’s a certain thrill to getting the deed done with secrecy, just the two of you and the minister or justice of the peace who will officiate, plus the witnesses of course. As long as you won’t mind the absence of family and friends, this may be something to consider.

Gretna Green in Scotland is famous for being the place to get married if one had to elope as far back as the medieval ages. This was usually done by couples who wanted to avoid parental intervention. The lovers would usually be married by the blacksmith when they arrived.

Currently the most popular place for quick weddings is Las Vegas. Instead of the blacksmith, you may be married by Elvis, or some other costumed official such as at the Star Trek: the Experience at the Hilton. Of course, there are ordinary wedding chapels and normally dressed officials to give the look of the wedding that may be more familiar.

It won’t necessarily come out less expensive but it can be easier to get married this way for some couples; especially if speed is a factor or if you want to circumvent a law that applies only in your area. Don’t forget to check the requirements for getting married wherever you decide to do it before you go. It’ll save you a lot of headaches later.

Where Does Love Come From?

Love is a consuming passion for our own happiness. It is a choice we make to be excited, safe, secure. Love and joy are available when we decide we are important. To decide means to conclude. Not based on any proof or accomplishment and not waiting for some magical moment when someone gives permission. Simply deciding who we are and what we want is important. The decision could be made right now, in this moment. There’s no need to lose ten pounds first or achieve the next goal. We decide when we give ourselves permission to decide.

Love is available when we connect with dreams and flow with empowering thoughts. Love is an inner state of being which develops as we decide it is alright to create an exciting, sensuous and enticing partnership with ourselves. It deepens as we align with desired outcomes and focus attention on what feels good. Excitement builds power. This power is necessary to feel good, to move through obstacles, to successfully manifest dreams. Self-love allows the ability to resist the temptation to give away power the moment it is received. Instead, relish in it, feel its vibration, connect it with personal dreams and desires. Ask for more. Trust yourself with power, for who other than you knows what best to do with this power? Feel good in the power, excited in the imaginings of a great life. So much more power is available once we are ready to believe we matter. Love and joy are feelings we allow into us. We become filled with love and our confidence, joy and radiance illuminates our lives and the lives of others.

Self-Love

Self-love is not so much a feeling as it is an absence of self-doubt and self-disapproval. It is a sense of balance and belonging. Respect, responsibility for self, and feeling good are important values. Self-love means that your well-being matters to yourself unconditionally and in practical terms. The following are some characteristics of self-loving people:

Self-loving people focus on feeling good.

Self-loving people allow themselves to be happy and to share this with others.

Self-loving people tend to treat themselves well.

They see fun and enjoyment as a primary goal most of the time.

They do not remain in mistreatment by others.

They are caring towards others. (Because it feels good to do so).

They put themselves first. (Even those they love are a “close second.”)

They find a thought that feels good, and practice it.

They let themselves succeed.

Basic Principles of Self Love

Who we are is more important than what we are.

We are valuable. Nothing can change that.

What we want always matters.

How to Develop and Nurture Love:

Becoming love involves intention. A declaration to self, to the universe, to earth or to the angels, we want to know what it is to feel unconditionally loved and supported. We want to be alive on earth, but only if it feels good and exciting. An intention that we want to know, in this lifetime, while we are alive in this body, what it means to stand in unconditional love, having enough energy to do the things we love.
The biggest life changing decision any of us could make is a decision to be happy. Once the decision is made, what is the next step? Training ourselves to focus on everything and anything which feels good. For example: Good thoughts, exciting desired outcomes, dreams, happy movies and beautiful surroundings. It may take some effort to pry ourselves away from the stickiness of feeling badly, but joy and love are possible. To feel good we need to focus on feeling good. Below are some examples of how to develop love:

Acknowledge and verbally praise yourself.

Have fun often.

Fill the physical body with relaxation.

Think inspiring thoughts.

Focus on desired outcomes.

Fill life with silence, beautiful music, flowers.

Reward yourself often.

Have confidence in your ability.

Love your body and find new ways to inhabit it.

Listen to, and trust, intuition.

Let yourself succeed.

Nurture yourself by imagining desired outcomes to life’s situations.

Offer yourself affection.

Choose to think thoughts that bring inner peace (rather than worry).

Remember and feel gratitude.

On this day, engage in a love challenge and help yourself understand a deeper loving connection. Zoom way out and see a big picture perspective of your relationship with yourself, your body, your thoughts and dreams. Do you think you behave lovingly toward yourself? Do you focus on happy thoughts, desired outcomes? What is something you could commit to right now, in this moment, to bring yourself greater love?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Helping people let go of self-destructive thoughts, emotions, and behaviors has been the life work of Dr. Annette Colby. Her fascination with the power of the mind, emotions, spirituality, and physicality has led her to become a leader in the field of personal growth and consciousness. She is a valued counselor, and an inspiring teacher, as well as an independent writer, mentor, and guide. She is a highly sought-after trainer with a unique ability to inform and inspire individuals to open their hearts, love more openly, and pursue their dreams.

Dr. Annette Colby, RD

Nutrition Therapist & Master Energy Therapist

Subscribe to our FREE content filled newsletter
and see why it’s been called the best e-zine on the net!

http://www.LovingMiracles.com

Miracles@AnnetteColby.com

972.985.8750

“Opening Creative Portals to Success”

Destination Wedding Planning

We travel farther and more often than ever, so it makes sense
that more-and-more people chose to get married in romantic far
away places. Weddings at dream locations are called destination
weddings, a trend that is becoming popular. Dream destinations
can be very different locations. If you love the ocean, but you
live in a land locked part of the country, a destination wedding
may be the most fitting option for you. The destination often
serves as the location for the honeymoon and a possible vacation
for your guests.

Destination weddings are not necessarily located on white sandy
beaches, but you may decide to have your wedding at a national
park, the country, or a historical site. You may choose to get
married in the birthplace of your ancestors. Destination
weddings provide you and your guests a chance to visit another
country or another continent. Destination weddings are very
exciting, but there is work involved and you need to plan in
advance.

If you are planning a domestic destination-wedding, make sure
you contact the marriage license department of the destination
county. It is a good idea to call a local wedding planner for a
consultation. The assistance of a local wedding planner at your
destination can simplify the planning process. When planning a
destination wedding one of your most important tasks is to make
sure that you understand the legal documents and requirements to
get married in your destination county.

If you are marrying outside of the country, contact the
destination country’s embassy or consulate for legal
requirements. If you are not comfortable dealing with embassies,
contact local hotel wedding coordinators for help. Wedding
professionals at your destination hotel should be able to
provide you with valuable information. Many prevalent
destination-wedding locations offer on site wedding coordinators
equipped with a lot of great information.

If you are going to invite guests, keep their needs and
interests in mind, too. A destination wedding could mean savings
since your wedding ceremony and your honeymoon can be at the
same destination.

Marriage Makeover: Part 6 - The Intelligent Way to Refresh Your Marriage

You begin well in marriage as happy husband and wife until you see some early warning signals that they are not as affectionate toward you as you would have expected.

In fact they are positively cold at times. At the wedding and for a time afterwards they were clearly acting in perfect spouse role play mode. How do you get them into a real and hot relationship with you? You need Marriage-Makeover-Part-6 . Yes, it’s the The Intelligent Way to Refresh Your Marriage.

It begins with you telling them you sense they don’t have the same regard for you as when you got married. Ask them to share with you their feelings. Some probing about their fears of the sameness and boredom of a long term relationship will bring to light interesting stories.

You might also try, only where appropriate, if they feel the marriage equivalent of the “buyers remorse” suffered by real estate investors after they’ve signed the contract. That could prove to be a useful tension lifter in the conversation.

It’s important you explain to your life partner the reason for your open and frank conversation.

You need to let them know you always want both of you to keep the chats about your hard times between yourselves. Be clear on the poisonous relationships that can develop should either of your confide your marriage woes to an outside stranger who suddenly appears in your life as the only one who understands the real you - and all the woes in your relationship. That’s a lie.

That’s one of the enemy’s oldest anti-marriage missiles and you will not fall victim to it as long as you remain committed to Marriage Makeover Part 6.

You will prove for yourself that it’s the The Intelligent Way to Refresh Your Marriage.

Copyright 2006 Kenneth Little

Kenneth Little is a writer, teacher, public speaker and the publisher of a re-released classic - in a revealing ebook- that will show you how to get the best of health and wealth out of all your future years. Find more on this at:
http://www.Young-at-Sixty.com

True success will be yours no matter what your age. Amazing “How I Became Young at Sixty” brings renewed strength to your body, hope to your mind and increased prosperity to your lifestyle.
You Can Get your Free ebook “How I Became Young at Sixty” by going to:
http://www.Young-at-Sixty.com/get-your-f-r-e-e-ebook.htm