In the state of Michigan one partner getting married may change their name by signing their marriage license using their new last name, it must be the last name of the other person. If you wish to change your last name to anything else you are required to go through the court system. 

The steps to change your last name after marriage: 

1. Get your certified marriage license from the clerk's office. This is the legal copy of your marriage license - after your wedding your Officiant will file the license and you wait about a week and then you can request it from the clerk's office sometimes online or in person. 
2. Next visit is the Social Security office for a new social security card. Here is a link to instructions and forms SOCIAL SECURITY 
3. Now you can visit the Secretary of State, bank, employer, insurance, credit cards and any other entity your old name was on to request a name change - again you will usually need to provide your new social security card, ID and marriage license. 

The holiday's are a great time to get married. You've gathered your family and friends and are in a celebratory mood, so why not get married too. 

You can keep it simple and use your home as the wedding venue, keep the guest list small and offer a few sweet treats and a champagne toast. Or meet up at a local restaurant and do a very simple marriage license signing to make it legal. 

Holiday decor is all around us, the Christmas tree will installed in downtown Detroit and would make a wonderful backdrop to your holiday elopement. Even the cutest little downtowns like Milford, Holly and Oxford have wonderful spots to book your holiday wedding. 

The key to planning a holiday wedding is to keep it simple and not overthink it. Invite you nearest and dearest people. Let's write a personal and loving ceremony and then get hitched! 

A holiday wedding in Michigan really can be quite the beautiful and simple event. 

Well I suppose we could keep it simple and say...host a wedding, boom! married! duh! 

Or, I could dive in little on the intricacies of having to inquire with vendors and ask if they allow or perform or participate in LGBTQIA wedding's and how the near fact that a couple would have to ask this question enrages me, but none the less they do and how do I know? because I get emails all the time that ask me this. 

I'm trying really hard to make it very clear that: 

1. A Simple I Do does and loves to perform weddings for couples in the LGBTQIA community. 
   
2. Your love is important and special and deserves to be the center of your very own wedding celebration. 

Let's get to it - when we plan a wedding for a couple in the LGBTQIA community we approach it the same as performing all of our weddings. We ask what your vision for your wedding ceremony is, do you see it being light hearted, moody or filled with laughter? We ask about your love story, how you met, your first date and your engagement story. We want the emotions you felt on those occasions and the funny stories so we can write a ceremony that encompasses you and your lives together. 

We will work with you to find the perfect welcoming space to host your ceremony. And we can recommend other vendors to work with. 

If you are part of the LGBTQIA community please know you are welcome here and you are loved here. 

At A Simple I Do Wedding Officiants, we believe that all couples deserve to celebrate their love and begin their married lives surrounded with love. Jena, Meaghn and myself are always striving to not only welcome folks in the LGBTQIA community but affirm their love. 

We want you to show up as your authentic self and know that we will hug you and smile and ask all about your love story. 

Simply put, we won't stand for anything less than everything for every couple. 

We've had the pleasure of working with many folks in the LGBTQIA community and strive to continue to do so. We welcome all ideas for your ceremony and will work with you to make sure the words you hear on your wedding day are perfect for the two of you, that when you stand facing each other you know, without a doubt, that you are loved. 

If you have any questions, are wondering how things work or how to get started just send a quick email and we will get right back to you so we can begin planning your wedding. 

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The holidays are not coming, they are here folks and there is no better time than when all the family is gathered in town to host a simple and sweet ceremony. 

Here's the plan, rent the studio space in downtown Holly - let's pick a Tuesday night or Thursday morning, you know an off day where the town is still a little sleepy. We will invite around 20 ish of your friends and family and there in the cutest little downtown of Holly we will host your simple and beautiful intimate or elopement wedding. You'll get married, take a walk around town to capture some photos and then back home to celebrate over drinks and food with the family and friends. 

The key when planning a small wedding is not to over think things. Planning a wedding can get stressful, so let's keep it simple and say I do in downtown Holly this holiday season. 

The team at A Simple I Do is on hand to assist you in finding the perfect location and day and time, we'll set up the chairs and write the loveliest of ceremonies. All you have to do is show up! 

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