The Arboretum in Spring is one option for a location to get married. Weddings are a celebration of love and commitment that mark the beginning of a shared life. Engaged couples will find that Davis and many surrounding areas provide the perfect backdrop for weddings. Whether it is an elopement inspired by the impulse of true love or a grand gathering of friends and families as a gesture of communal celebration, this day - your day - is made memorable when you have all the right ingredients. Blessings to you! officiant, Tan Weddings & Events | photo by CineCrown

Before the Ceremony

Bridal shows are held throughout the year in Sacramento. These include Dream Wedding Show (Cal Expo), Bridal Showcase (Cal Expo), and Bridal Expo (various locations). Admission is around $10-20. Wedding websites such as TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com sometimes offer discount or free admission coupons for such events.

Marriage Licenses

To make the marriage official in the eyes of the government, couples must obtain a marriage license from the county clerk prior to the ceremony.

The Yolo County Clerk-Recorder handles licenses for Davis. Both spouses must appear in person at the office with photo ID and $75-$79 (along with a parent and court order if under 18) in order to receive the license. It will be valid for 90 days, during which time the marriage must be solemnized. See http://www.yolorecorder.org/vital/m_licenses/regular/ for more information.

Currently, marriage in California is legally defined as being between any two consenting individuals, regardless of gender. Same-sex marriage has been hotly debated in California over the past few years. On Thursday, 2008-05-15, same sex marriage was ruled legal by the Supreme Court of California; however in the November 2008 election, California voters decided via Proposition 8 that marriage should only be between a man and a woman. However, the Supreme Court overruled Proposition 8 on June 26, 2013. Yay!

Premarital Counseling

If you and your future spouse are Christians, First Baptist Church offers pre-marital mentoring with a Christian emphasis. The couple-to-wed meets with a couple that has been married for much longer in order to receive guidance and wisdom. If you are getting married at FBC, it is included in the fee you pay. If you're not getting married at FBC, it's $60.

Davis also has it’s own pre-marital/newlywed counseling class by Davis In Love at the Davis Holistic Health Center. It is 6 classes on the 2nd & 4th Saturdays from 4pm-6pm with other couples. There are 3 sessions offered per year: Feb-April/May-July/Aug-Oct. This class is not geared towards a specific religious group. 

Prenuptial Agreement

You might want to seek out the services of a lawyer for a prenuptial agreement. In case of divorce, it could assist in the division of property and spousal support.

Wedding Planners & Resources

  • Hallmark Inn offers a free Wedding & Special Events resource guide.
  • Yolo County Visitors Bureau offers a wide variety of local entertainment and resources
  • Davis residents and UC Davis alumni Rick and Jennifer Tan provide wedding services as Tan Weddings & Events. They are officiants and musicians and assist with wedding packages, elopements, design, coordination, and wedding financing! Visit their websites at Reverend Tan and Tan Weddings & Events to help you plan for the big day. They know many wedding vendors and venues in the Yolo and Sacramento areas - so trust them to ensure a wonderful wedding day!

Announcements and Invitations

  • Strelitzia Flower Co, and similar stores sell pre-made invitations and stationary. FedEx Office (formerly Kinko's) and The Printer can print custom invitations (unless they are printed on vellum, which will burn in the laser printers/copiers). The post office has a variety of wedding-themed stamps. Be aware that most formal invitations require extra postage, due to their weight.
  • You may want to publish an announcement in The Davis Enterprise

Planning for the Big Day

Apparel

Beauty and Relaxation

Ceremony and Reception Sites

Elopements and Small Weddings available throughout Davis, Lawley Ranch in Woodland, and Jess Jones Vineyard in Dixon through Reverend Tan. www.reverendtan.com

Solemnizing the Marriage

Priests and Judges are not the only ones who can solemnize a marriage. A list of eligible people is available at: http://www.yolorecorder.org/vital/m_licenses/solemnize/. Whoever performs the ceremony has 10 days to return the endorsed license to the county.

 

The Afterglow!

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