Inspire The bride

Champagne 101

InspiredGal — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 06:00:00 -0700

The Basics of Bubly
Champagne has a unique story to tell. It is the result of a special culmination of the French Champagne region's climate, soil, and strict regulations that govern every step of the production process to ensure the highest quality in the world. This focus on quality is integral to its success and the importance consumers and connoisseurs place on a bottle of Champagne. Whether you focus on rating wines, informing others about its people and production, or the food that goes so well with Champagne, we are here to help you tell that story.
Champagne Varieties & Pairing Suggestions
One of the beauties of Champagne is the remarkable diversity of styles that come from such a small corner of the world. Each style and type of Champagne is designed to please the various preferences in taste. The primary types of Champagne include Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs and Rosé.

Rosé Champagnes

Blanc de blanc means "white from white"-or white Champagne from a white grape. By law, blanc de blancs can only be made from a single grape variety, Chardonnay. While it is somewhat counterintuitive to make Champagne from a single kind of grape, blanc de blancs have become very popular as an apértif due to their light, dry taste. They are also ideal for light first courses including seafood and soups.

Blanc de noirs are white Champagnes made only from the black grape varieties of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Typically, these sparking wines are full-bodied and deeper yellow-gold in color. They are ideal for full-flavored foods, including meats and cheeses.

Pink or rosé Champagnes are produced by one of two methods. The traditional method involves the addition of a small amount of Pinot Noir still wine to the base wine or cuvée prior to the second fermentation. The maceration method, or skin contact method, involves the pressing of the grape skins, allowing them to soak with the juice of the grapes prior to fermentation. While the popularity of rosé Champagnes comes and goes, rosé undoubtedly brings a special element of romance because of its romantic hue.

A Vintage Champag

Vintage vs. Non-Vintage Champagne
Non-Vintage (or sans Année Champagne) accounts for 85 to 90 percent of all Champagne produced and it is less expensive than those produced in a Vintage year. It is designated as non-Vintage because it is composed of several different vintages, rather than from a single harvest. Each year, all Champagne producers must set aside at least 20 percent of their wine for use in future non-Vintage Champagne. Because this was the only type of Champagne sold for the first 150 years of Champagne production, it is typically referred to as "Classic Champagne."

A Vintage Champagne is one in which all grapes used have been harvested from a single year. There is no law governing when a year is vintage. Instead, each house decides for itself whether it will produce a Vintage Champagne in any given year. In a good year, no more than 10 to 15 percent of the total Champagne made is Vintage Champagne. According to regulations, Vintage Champagne must be aged for at least 3 years.

Types of Champagne Producers
Every bottle of Champagne has to carry an indication of the status of the producer and the brand owner. The various types are as follows.

NM Négociant Manipulant: A firm or person that buys grapes, juice or wine and completes its production on the premises.

RM Récoltant Manipulant: A firm or person that produces wine on his own premises exclusively from grapes he has grown.

RC Récoltant Coopérateur: A grower who gives her grapes to a co-operative and takes back the wine at any stage of the production and sells it.

CM Coopérative de Manipulation: A co-operative which vinifies and sells wine from grapes supplied by its members.

SR Société de Récoltants: A family business which produces wines from grapes harvested exclusively by members of the family.

ND Négociant Distributeur: A merchant who buys finished wines and labels them in its own premises.

MA Marque d'Acheteur: Buyer's Own Brand (BOB) The wine is made and labelled in Champagne, the name of the producer appears on the bottle but the brand name belongs to a client (wholesale buyer, supermarket, restaurant, VIP, etc.)

Practical Tips
Storing your Champagne: Champagne is more sensitive to temperature and light than most other wines. For that reason, it is typically bottled in a light-resistant, dark green glass. Champagne should be stored between 40 and 60 degrees Farenheit and may be kept upright or horizontally.

Chilling: Ideally, Champagne should be chilled to a temperature between 40 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature can be attained by placing the bottle in a refrigerator for a couple of hours or a freezer for 15 minutes. Finally, the classic way to chill a bottle of Champagne is to place it in an ice-bucket, half filled with ice, half with water, for 20 minutes.

Opening a Champagne Bottle: The trick to opening a bottle of Champagne while maintaining its integrity is to avoid "popping" the cork. Begin by scoring the foil around the base of the wire cage. Then, carefully untwist and loosen the bottom of the cage, but do not remove it. In one hand, enclose the cage and cork while holding the base of the Champagne bottle with your other hand. Twist both ends in the opposite direction. As soon as you feel pressure forcing the cork out, try to push it back in while continuing to twist gently until the cork is released with a sigh. Article courtesy of the Office of Champagne USA

Advice: Name Change (for dummies)

InspiredGal — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 06:00:00 -0700

I am sure we all know at least one person who has been married now for 3 years, goes by her married name, but has yet to take the steps to legally change her name! There are so many women out there who sure put this final wedding step off as long as possible. The truth is... it really isn't all that difficult! The more you think about it and put it off, the more difficult it will be. Follow these simple steps to officially becoming a Mrs.

1. Obtain the Marriage License

Prior to your Wedding Day, you and your Fiance will need to visit your local courthouse (make an appointment at the clerk recorders office online & be sure to arrive with valid photo ID). You will file for your license there but it will not be processed until after your ceremony has been performed by your officiant on the big day (he/she should then send it it as soon as possible).Next, you'll receive your marriage certificate immediately after your wedding (it will take several weeks to receive a copy of your marriage license). You'll need to show this document on every name changing occasion, so keep it handy!

2. Go to the DMV

Take your current driver's license and your marriage license to the DMV to get a new card with your changed name.

3. Stop by Your Employer's Human Resources Department

The HR department should be your next stop after updating your records with Social Security. Your employer reports your social security payments so it's important that your name is consistent.

4. Call the Banks, Credit Card Companies, Etc.

You'll need to supply copies of your marriage license to change your name on your bank accounts, credit cards, brokerage accounts, etc. New cards will be issued in your new name, so start practicing that signature!

5. Visit the US Department of State's Website

If your passport was issued more than a year before you were married, you'll have to apply for a new passport and pay the regular fee for it. If it was issued within a year of your marriage, the requirements are different so visit the US Department of State's website for the exact steps.

Source: Getty & SavvySugar

Signing on the dotted line

InspiredGal — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Pre-Wedding: Obtaining a Wedding License in California
"Marriage licenses are valid throughout the state of California, except Confidential licenses that must be obtained in the county in which the wedding is performed. These apply to those 18 years or older only.

What are the requirements to obtain a marriage license:

NO BLOOD TEST IS REQUIRED.
The Bride and Groom-to-be must be at least 18 years old, and must appear together - no exceptions.
Both the Bride and Groom-to-be must have valid identification (Passport or Drivers License - can not be expired)

All marriage licenses are valid for only 90 days before the wedding.
License cost varies by county. You should contact your County Clerk's administrative office for current pricing.
Know your parents' names, mother's maiden name and places of birth.
Bring a certified copy of final divorce decree if you have divorced within the past 12 months.

For Confidential Licenses:

Must have lived together as husband and wife.
License cost varies by county. You should contact your County Clerk's administrative office for current pricing.Can be issued only in the county where the wedding is to be performed. Since there is no public record, if your file is lost or accidentally destroyed, there will be NO PUBLIC RECORD of your license. If you should need a copy, both of you must appear in person. If you should move, you cannot obtain a copy by mail.
Domestic Partnership Certificates are available in San Francisco and Marin Counties only. One partner must live or work in that county and both must have photo ID.

Under 18
If either party is under 18, at least one of the minor's parents, or his or her legal guardian, must appear with the couple. An appointment with a counselor and appearance before a superior court judge must be scheduled. Ask the clerk for more information.

Ceremonies
Each county offers civil ceremonies performed by a judge or commissioner. The cost is approximately $30.00. For additional information call your County Clerk's office."
*Source*

Post-Wedding: Officially Change Your Name
"When the wedding is over it is time to officially change your last name. Having your new name on the marriage license is not official and it will not be changed automatically. Here are the steps to change your name. Follow these simple steps:

Step 1
Proof of Name Change

(You will need to have the official marriage license with the raised seal. If you need additional copies contact the office where you received your marriage license).

Step 2

Change Name Social Security Card
This is your first place to get your name officially changed You can contact them on the Internet at www.ssa.gov or call them at 800/772-1213. When you call them the automated system will guide you step by step through the name change process. Your new social security card will not cost you anything.

Step 3

Change of Name on Your Driver’s License

Gather your marriage license, your current driver’s license and any other type of identification you have (passport, birth certificate, etc.). Bring this in to your local Department of Motor Vehicles to apply for a new driver’s license. There will be a charge for this.

Step 4
Legally Change Your Name Process Continues...
There are many other institutions that will require you to change your name. These include:
• All your bills
• Rent or mortgage company
• Your employer
• The post office
• Your bank
• Insurance Policies
• Voter registration
• Credit card companies
• Passport
• Any official document such as your will, living will, power of attorney, etc.
• This is also a good time to change the beneficiary on all your documents, also.

Tips & Warnings:
Some of these institutions will require you to come in to show documentation (your marriage license) and others just need to be called. Change your name is an important first step after your wedding."

*Source: ehow.com, by georgelarson, eHow Member

Alternatives to the Unity Candle and Sand Ceremony

InspiredGal — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:28:00 -0800

Unity Candles and Sand Ceremonies are very common unify traditions seen in traditional weddings. In case your like us and want your wedding to be unique just as you are, here are a couple great alternatives we found to be worth mentioning!

Rose Ceremony: The groom brings a rose and the bride brings a vaseas their first gifts as husband and wife. The idea it that the rose cannot live without the vase full of water. It is also great if you get the vase engraved with your names or monogram and wedding date. Then it can be kept as a keepsake.

God's Knot/Cord of Three Strands: The idea is to have 3 cords. One represents the bride, one the groom and the other God. The couple braids the cords together. This shows the joining of the two lives with God binding them together and winding around the couple bringing them together as one. This can also be kept a a keepsake.

Candle Wax: Instead of a common unity candle, buy granulated candle wax in two different colors. The Bride and Groom can pour layers into a hurricane vase with a pre-waxed wick in the center. Then light it together or save it till the anniversary to light.