1. CDC Provides Suggestions for Healthy Marriages

2. Online Resources Simplify Marriage Licensing Process

3. SoS Offers Financial Tips for Newlyweds

4. View the Latest Weddings & Marriage Stats from LoC, Census

Message from the Friday Facts Team

In honor of the month of June, here are several wedding resources to share with your patrons. From the contributors, we want to thank our readers for reading Friday Facts. We’re looking forward to the beginning of summer and hope for better weather for everyone. Stay tuned!

Dream of a Statehouse Wedding? Plan Early

Many people typically associate the month of June with weddings and wedding activities. One of the most important pieces of planning a wedding is location, location, location! If you’re thinking of holding your wedding at a unique place, you may be able to have your ceremony at the State House. Statehouse weddings are popular and book up quickly. The Indiana Statehouse prefers that you schedule your wedding at least one year prior to the date. Planning beforehand using the right information and resources will be essential to the bride and groom for a meaningful, beautiful ceremony and celebration. Happy Wedding Day! 

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Friday Facts Editorial Team:

Katharine Springer
State Data Center Coordinator

Elisabeth O’Donnell
Federal Documents Librarian
&
Kim Brown-Harden
State Documents Coordinator

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CDC Provides Suggestions for Healthy Marriages

Even the most laid-back bride can find planning a wedding to be stressful. The Centers for Disease Control provides a list of suggestions to keep wedding couples healthy in mind and body. These tips are also practical advice for general health: get at least 2.5 hours of physical activity a week; don’t smoke; eat a balanced diet; and learn ways to manage stress. Stress management techniques include getting enough sleep and making sure to have some relaxation time. Be sure to seek professional help for Depression or Anxiety. You’ll also find information on other aspects of the wedding, including style techniques: Members of the bridal party should be sure to test hair products or cosmetics beforehand. This prevents unexpected allergies from showing up on the big day.

It’s important to be comfortable – everyone wants to look good on their wedding day, but most people spend a good deal of it standing. Couples who are concerned about the environment will want to think about using utensils and decorations that are either reusable or recyclable. It is also important for brides and grooms pay attention to any concerns they may have about their partner. Pay attention to observations of abuse or control and take appropriate steps to protect yourself, even if it means calling off plans. Be sure to check out the National Healthy Marriage Resource Center, from the Department of Health and Human Services. The website is full of tips for betrothed and newly-married couples.

Online Resources Simplify Marriage Licensing Process

While it’s not the most exciting aspect of wedding planning, obtaining a license may be the most important. Many librarians receive questions on how to apply for marriage licenses. The applicant should contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court of the county where he or she resides. The list of Clerk contact information is available on the Indiana Commission for Public Records (ICPR) website. Many counties also have a local website that includes relevant marriage license information. The Indy.gov page for Marion County Wedding Licenses, for example, links to a video on how to apply. According to the Indiana Code, couples must get a marriage license from the county where at least one of them resides or from the county where the ceremony will take place. The latter requirement also applies if neither person is a Hoosier. If someone wants detailed information, refer them to IC 31-11, which is Family Law: Marriage. Chapter 4 deals with marriage licenses and certificates. Chapter 6 deals with another popular topic - who is allowed to perform a ceremony. Getting a marriage license is simple, but not so simple that you can forget it.

SoS Offers Financial Tips for Newlyweds

Before you say ‘I do’, don’t forget to have at least one important conversation about money with your future spouse.  Many couples spend hours talking about the details of the wedding, where they might live, how many children they may have… but do they talk about finances?  Couples often forget or avoid talking about combining finances and what they need to begin their lives together. The Indiana Secretary of State’s Office offers money skills for newlywed couples. There are tips and resources to help you and your spouse have a meaningful conversation about merging your finances and how to best prepare for your life together. You can also get help on the Basics of Budgeting with worksheets and great tips for first time homebuyers. For fun, check out the savings website, Feed the Pig. Planning a wedding can be fun and romantic, however, it is important to remember that real life continues after the Honeymoon!  

View the Latest Weddings & Marriage Stats from LoC, Census

Tying the knot… and unfortunately, divorcing, can mean serious business. The Library of Congress provides a research guide to the business of weddings with their Wedding Industry Research guide. The wedding website “The Knot” performs an annual survey of approximately 19,000 brides across the United States. The 2010 results were released this March. Apparently, purple has the largest increase in the favorite color for weddings now, while brown is declining in popularity. The most popular color is still ivory/white, with 43% of brides choosing this color. On the average, couples co-habitate before marriage more often than not – about 74% of couples in 2010 – versus 70% in 2009 and 2008.  As for the party after the ceremony, the average amount spent on a reception venue is $12,124 and average overall wedding cost is $26,984.

The Census Bureau collects data on marital status and living arrangements through their Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). The press releases over the last few years are available here, including the most recent, Census Bureau Reports 55 Percent Have Married One Time. For marriage and divorce data, the Centers for Disease Control have FastStats on Marriage and Divorce in the United States. Marriage and Divorce rate trends from 2000 to 2009 and tables showing marriage and divorce levels by state can be found here. (Divorce data for California, Indiana, and Louisiana are not available.) The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics gathers information about American families in a continuous survey via the National Survey of Family Growth. The results are used to plan health services and health education programs, and to do statistical studies of families, fertility, and health. You can visit the Stats Indiana Vital Statistics page for more Indiana data on births, deaths, marriages, and divorces.