After marriage, you can continue using or choose to use your own surname at any time. You also gain the right to use your spouse’s surname. This does not result in a legal change of name or any automatic change to your identification records.

If you choose to use hyphenated surnames, a legal Change of Name is required.

Wedding programs are one of the little details that add that extra special something
to your big day. They are not only a record of your ceremony; wedding programs help
guests feel included and understand what is happening, and they introduce your bridal
party. And of course, they'll look beautiful in your scrapbook!

Do you need a wedding program?

No etiquette book will tell you that you must have a wedding program, but
for certain ceremonies they are more necessary than others. For instance:

• If you are having a religious or traditional wedding, with many guests who
  are of another faith or culture
• If you are having a large wedding, where guests are unlikely to know the
  bridal party
• If you are having a particularly long ceremony where guests will want to
  be prepared to wait a while
• If you have many people who you need to thank

Those who are short on time or money may wish to forgo this option, but remember
that a simple wedding program needn't use much time or money. I recommend that you
provide them for your guests, as a thoughtful gesture and souvenir.

Elements of a wedding program

• The cover Typically includes the date and/or the names
  of the couple. It may also include the location and time of the ceremony, a
  picture, or design element (such as a flower, scroll, etc.)
• The order of events If you haven't already included your
  names, wedding date, location, and time on the front cover, consider listing
  that information on the inside just before the order of events. Then list what
  will happen during the ceremony, including processional music, greeting, readings,
  prayers, exchange of vows, ring ceremony, unity candle ceremony, pronouncement
  of marriage, recessional music, and any other ceremony music. Your list may
  not include all of these elements, and it may include some traditions not listed
  here. Be sure to list the events in the order they will occur.
• Members of the bridal party This is a simple list of the
  names and roles of your bridal party. For example: Officiant: Justice Ruth Bader
  Ginsberg Parents of the bride: Mary and John Smith Parents of the groom: Elizabeth
  Jones and Thomas Wilson, Jr. Stepparents of the groom: Robert Jones and Lisa
  Marist-Wilson Grandparents: Sarah Smith, Margaret Blackwood, Thomas Wilson Sr.
  Maid of Honour: Maria Gellert Best Man: William Harris Bridesmaids: Rebecca
  Brown, Juanita Ramirez Groomsmen: Calvin Aremu, Jonathan Goldstein Readers:
  McGuire Johnson, Alexander Wilson

Other things you may wish to include in your wedding program

• An explanation of traditions or rituals used in your ceremony
• A request for audience participation in certain parts of the ceremony (e.g.
  affirmation of the marriage, communion, singing, offering of the peace, standing
  or kneeling)
• Thank yous
• Memorials (for example: The memorial candle is lit in honour of the bride's
  mother, Shirley Fielding. OR On this day of happiness, we would like to remember
  those who are no longer with us, especially Derrick Peterson, grandfather of
  the bride, and Samantha Wilson, mother of the groom.)
• A short sentence about each of your bridesmaids and groomsmen, describing
  why they are important to you.
• An explanation of the significance of the location, theme, first dance song,
  etc. (For example: the reception will be held at Coldwater Restaurant, the site
  of the bride and groom's first date.)
• Quotes or poems about love or marriage
• Directions to the reception

Information gathered from about.com

A party to a marriage, or a person with written authorization by the couple, can order a marriage certificate. You can make application for a marriage certificate:

• in person at any Vital Statistics or Service BC office,
• on-line using our new secure electronic ordering system,
• by mail by completing and submitting an order form with the fee to Vital Statistics (download a form here).

Please note that effective February 12, 2007, the Vital Statistics Agency has implemented centralized printing of all certificates out of the Victoria office. All certificates will be mailed or couriered to clients direct from Victoria.

Certificates and Samples

• Small marriage certificate [ 32K ]Contains the full names of the couple or individuals, place of marriage, date of marriage, registration number and date of registration. The small certificate is 9.5 x 6.4 cm.
• Large marriage certificate [ 115K ]
  Contains the full names of the couple or individuals, their birthdates and birthplaces, date of marriage, place of marriage, registration number, and date of registration. The large certificate is 21.6 x 17.8 cm.
• Genealogy Certificate [ 171K]

In British Columbia, couples can choose a religious or civil ceremony, which must be witnessed by two people.

To perform the religious ceremony, you can choose a religious representative who must be registered with the Vital Statistics Agency, under the Marriage Act.

In BC, civil ceremonies are performed by marriage commissioners, who are appointed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Vital Statistics Agency. For more details, click on Information about Marriage Commissioners.

If you plan to have a civil ceremony, contact and book a marriage commissioner as soon as possible once you set your wedding date. Make sure you provide the necessary information on your wedding:

• Date and time of your wedding ceremony
• Location and address
• Payment of fees to the commissioner

Additional information can be helpful, including the number of guests and people in the wedding party, plus any special wardrobe or other requests.

Find here the approved wedding ceremony for your use. Any changes should be discussed with your marriage commissioner. Please note that the bold text is mandatory for all civil ceremonies in British Columbia.

To get married in British Columbia, the Marriage Act requires that the couple get a Marriage Licence. You may get married during the three-month term of the licence.

Only one member of the couple needs to apply in person for a marriage licence. Click here for the marriage licence application and fee. Find here locations of Marriage Licence Issuers. Please bring the following information for both individuals who plan to marry.

• Full name, including given names
• Birth date and birth place
• Marital status
• Current address

The marriage licence is issued at the time of application. The marriage licence is non-refundable, valid for three months and may not be extended.

Are you five or six months away from your wedding? While you’re addressing invitations and picking out bridesmaids dresses, take some time to work on your beauty regimen. Making an investment now will pay off big on your wedding day.

• Skin Care
  Now is the time to start working on your skin. On your wedding day, you’ll be having your picture taken close-up and many people getting close to your skin as they hug and kiss you. Even a relatively nice complexion can benefit from six months of stress-relief, proper nutrition, and added water-drinking.

  First, start a good cleansing program. You should be using a multi-step system including

  • a good cleanser appropriate for your skin-type in the mornings
  • make-up remover and cleanser at night
  • daily moisturizer
  • an exfoliant once to several times a week.

  If you can afford it, this is a great time to consult a professional dermatologist. Tell them your wedding date, and your skin-care goals. They may recommend treatments such as glycolic peels or regular facials that will help you have picture-perfect skin. Prescription medicine may also be helpful. Also, if you take birth-control medication, talk to your doctor about which kind is best for your skin and body. Switching birth-control brands may make a dramatic difference in your skin.

  Examine how much water you drink daily. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses daily will help clear up blemishes and make your skin more luminous. I suggest filling a water bottle and keeping it on your desk at work. Have another water bottle in the TV room (or wherever you tend to hang out at night). While drinking this much water may be a challenge at first, keep at it, and it will get easier and easier.

  While you’re increasing your water consumption, it’s a great time to be decreasing your caffeine consumption. Not only will less caffeine help your skin, it will also help you to be less stressed out! You know if you’re better off going cold turkey or decreasing gradually.

• Hair
  If you want to grow out your hair for your wedding, or try a different color or style, now is the time to talk to your hairstylist. Those on a budget can try some drugstore coloring experiments. You’ll still have the chance to correct any mistakes! It’s also the time to start your search for a wedding day hairstylist and makeup artist. Even if you aren’t planning on using professionals, you’ll want to ask your friend or family member for their help now to make sure they are available and willing.

  Start thinking about the overall health of your hair. You may want to start applying a deep conditioning treatment (available inexpensively at drugstores) once a week. If your hair is dry, consider changing to a moisturizing shampoo and/or shampooing less often. And stop diving headlong into that chlorinated water if you have light blond hair.

• Stress
  It’s hard to be beautiful when you’re tearing your hair out. Start out by dealing with the people who stress you out, then read my tips for relaxation. Exercise, yoga, and other physical activities will help build strength, energy, and relieve tension while you’re at it. You might want to talk to your doctor about good nutrition and exercise routines. Consider regular visits to a spa to help you relax and improve your skin while you’re at it!

Information gathered from about.com