Archive for category Getting Started

(ARA) – You’re finalizing wedding plans and are eager to sip champagne with your guests. Question is are you and your fiance prepared to marry your financial lives together once the “I do’s” are said, and you’ve returned home from your honeymoon in paradise?

Poll after poll shows that disagreements over finances are the number 1 cause of divorce in America. Finance and family counseling experts alike encourage couples to discuss and plan their finances together before tying the knot.

“Communicating about investing, savings, paying monthly bills and how you’ll divvy up fun money with your future spouse helps you to start your life together on the same foot,” says Scott Oberkrom, director of Community Investments at American Century Investments.

Visit www.YesYouCanOnline.info and click on “Healthy Ideas” to learn more about financial planning for soon-to-be married couples.

Some tips engaged couples can follow to get those money discussions under way include:

1. Pick a non-emotional time to talk about finances. This discussion could potentially be stressful, and doesn’t mix well with the stresses of wedding planning. Make sure you pick a quieter time without the distractions of guest lists, hotel reservations or flower arrangements to interrupt. Also if you have children it might be wise to have then visit a friend or relative so that you can both give this discussion your complete focus.

2. Talk about your finances. Determine if you and your fiance are spenders, savers, or a mixture of the two. Also discuss what you’ll be bringing into the marriage — debts, child-support payments, lack of credit, etc. Look up your credit reports and scores together, and determine if you’ll be better protected by joining your accounts or keeping them separate.

3. Decide how you’ll track and pay for expenses. Who is going to be paying what bills? What is your family budget going to look like? Can both of you live comfortably off that budget? These are important decisions that should be made before your big day.

4. Decide on joint investment goals. You need to consider both short-term and long-term goals, ranging from buying a new car to putting your future children through college. If you’re combining families, decisions about investing need to be taken care of immediately. For all your investing goals, talk about your time frame for reaching each goal, the different views you may have toward taking investment risks and then choose the vehicles, such as mutual funds, to invest in to help reach those goals.

5. Diversify your portfolios. The saying “Don’t put your eggs in one basket” comes into play here. As the recent economic crisis demonstrates, having finances invested in multiple areas prevents you from feeling as much pain when the markets suffer a set back. Go over your individual investments and figure out where you might be doubling up. You want to have a mix of investments to even out overall portfolio risk, although diversification cannot ensure against loss.

Time will pass by quickly, so make sure you and your intended are prepared ahead of time for financial hurdles. Visit www.YesYouCanOnline.info for additional tips.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – One thing you can definitely say about the current credit crunch – it definately isn’t romantic. For couples about to exchange “I do’s,” a clear understanding of each other’s credit history as singles, and how they will use credit as a couple, is vital to ensure their future wedded bliss.

All signs point to the reality that credit is very likely to be difficult to get for a while, even for those with good credit scores. Getting married is a life-changing event that will most likely impact your credit rating. That is why it is important for couples to be open and honest with each other about their credit histories, credit-use habits and plans for using future credit.

Credit has become an integral part of the American institution of marriage. If you are newlyweds, you’ll likely require credit to pay for some of your basic needs and dreams – from buying your first house to financing the minivan you’ll need to transport the family you plan to have. Your blended credit rating will decide how easy or difficult it is to secure those loans at favorable rates.

So how can you prevent the credit crunch from putting the squeeze on your plans for building a life together? Here are some basic tips:

First, share credit reports. As a single person, your credit score was a private matter between you and the people you borrowed money from. When you’re married, your credit history becomes linked to your spouse’s and he or she deserves to know ahead of time how you rate with lenders. Knowing what’s on your credit report is the first vital step toward reaching your personal financial goals as a couple. Get a copy of your credit report at www.FreeCreditReport.com and present it to your intended.

Next, set mutual priorities and goals. If you both have significant debt, perhaps your goal will be to pay that off before incurring any new debt. Pool your earnings to pay off the highest interest debts first – his $9,000 credit card debt may actually cost you more in interest each month than her $14,000 auto loan.

If you both are relatively debt-free then thats awesome. You can turn your attention to setting savings and spending priorities, including saving for a down payment on a house (the low-rate, zero-down loan is virtually extinct), putting money aside for your retirement or building up your cushion of savings in case the economy gets worse and one of you loses a job. Decide which priority is highest on your list, agree on a time frame for reaching that goal and organize a game plan for getting there.

It’s important to have these discussions before the wedding. You’ll both enjoy your big day more knowing you’re on the same page regarding your financial future.

It is easy to check your credit reports. Web sites like www.FreeCreditReport.com allow you to get your credit report and credit score which gives you more control over your personal finances.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, one you have mostly likely spent years dreaming about. If color-coordinated linens, a beautiful outdoor tent and elaborate candelabras are your vision, don’t let your budget confine your imagination.

Your dream wedding can be possible, no matter how much you have envisioned, when you rent from an American Rental Association (ARA) member rental store.

Planning your wedding should be fun, not streesful, but the number of decisions can threaten to overwhelm you, especially when trying to find the most cost-effective solutions. Use the expert guidance of a rental store professional to help you find your way through the details.

Once you have determined the location of your event, search for a local ARA member rental store. The rental experts often know exactly what the venue will provide and what you will need to rent. They can point out the unique items available for rent, things that you may not have considered, and the little things you may have forgetten about, like salt and pepper shakers.

Your ARA member rental store is a great place to discover the latest in wedding trends. Leave it to them to learn what is new in chair and table settings and designs, barware, cake stands, tents, food stations and more. They can tell you about the newest items available to make your special day stand out from the rest.

Some unique items that are available for rent and that can help make your day exceptional include:

* Slush machines used to create delicious fruit smoothies and frozen specialty drinks.
* Outdoor heaters to keep your guests perfectly comfortable.
* Chiller tables to serve drinks or specialty food items.
* Popcorn machines to give your guests a fun carnival treat.
* Chair covers and table linens in an array of colors to help make your place settings unforgettable.
* Dance floors that will transform any space into a party.
* Stanchions (posts and fencings) to direct your guests where to go.

Many ARA member rental stores provide even more custom service through their Certified Event Rental Professionals (CERPs) who are trained to help you choose the right rentals to make your dream wedding a reality. Most offer on-site support the day of your wedding, and that’s the day you’ll be looking for all the support you can get!

The wonderful experience and memories of your wedding day will be yours forever. For most everything else? Well, that you can rent. To find your local ARA member rental store, visit www.RentalHQ.com, the world’s largest rental store locator. You can search by geographic location and by the specific type of equipment you are looking to rent.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – As a bride, once your Prince Charming has popped the question and placed the perfect princess cut on your left hand, the last thing you’re thinking about is a budget. You’ve fantasized about your perfect day since childhood and money was never an object. Now how are you going to afford that?

While you don’t want to sacrifice your dream wedding, you also don’t want to use up all your savings. Fortunately, you can still have your cake and eat it too … without paying full price.
Here are some expert tips to stay budget-friendly for your big day.

Propose a budget:
Discussing finances is never easy, but it’s an important conversation you must have before planning your wedding. Traditionally, the bride’s family provides a significant financial contribution, so find out what type of funding you might be receiving from this source. However, more and more couples are going it alone these days, so work with your fiance to establish a budget and decide how much each of you can afford to contribute. Decide together what’s worth spending big bucks on and where you can save. If a designer dress is a must, consider hiring a D.J. or loading up an iPod instead of a 10-piece band. Don’t forget that communication is key — stay open, honest and committed to your budget.

Commit to research:
Since you’re planning your wedding on a budget, you might find that a wedding planner is an expense you can’t afford. Instead of hiring outside help, make a list or find a wedding checklist of everything you need to purchase and arrange before your big day. Once you have decided exactly what you want, research, research, research. Never buy an item or hire a vendor without doing your homework. Make sure to check out user reviews and read vendor profiles online. A great resource for researching vendors is OneWed.com where you can browse thousands of vendor ratings and reviews from brides across the country. The site has the largest local vendor database available so you can find the all of the services you need in your “I do” destination.

Be a Cyber-bride:
It’s a little known fact that almost everything found in brick and mortar stores can be bought online, often for less. Lucky for the budgeting bride, online couponing sites are available to provide coupon codes for a number of online merchants. Just go to Google and type in a retailer name and coupon code for a list of resources. Deals range from large discounts to free shipping — saving you major money. Look for bridesmaids gifts, rehearsal dinner dress, thank-you notes, party favors, table decorations and much more.

Spread the love:
Once you’ve said “I do,” cut the cake and tossed the bouquet, it’s off to the honeymoon. And since everyone loves newlyweds, take advantage of your newly married status for vacation perks and fun freebies. Start by calling your hotel in advance and letting them know you’ll be coming for your honeymoon — they might be motivated to upgrade your room or throw in a romantic surprise. Don’t forget to share your good news at airline counters, restaurants and any other trip destinations. More often than not, you’ll receive special treatment in the spirit of celebration … and after planning an amazing wedding, you deserve it!

For more information about wedding budget planning, visit www.OneWed.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – When your best friend or sister announces she’s engaged and wants you to be her maid of honor, of course you jump up and down with excitement – for her. But inside, you’re starting to cringe. Dresses, presents and planning at least one bridal shower – you can feel the pressure building up.

Now before your pass out on the floor from the thought of all the work involved, here’s help. Culinary expert and newlywed, Kendall McFarland, research and development manager at Simply Organic, suggests cutting down on hassles with these five timesaving tips for simple but sensational shower refreshments.

* Take smart shortcuts. For enticing flavor without fuss, keep a supply of natural dressing and dip mixes on hand for fresh, homemade appetizers and snacks. Add a dip or dressing mix, such as creamy dill, French onion, guacamole, or ranch to equal parts of low-fat cottage cheese and non-fat plain yogurt and mix in a blender or food processor until smooth. Serve with fresh veggies you can buy already cleaned and cut up at the store.

* Dress up everyday favorites. Special dishes don’t require hours in the kitchen. Make your easy-to-prepare favorites and dress them up with special, wedding seasonings. Try distinctive seasoning blends like red pepper and curry, apple and basil, pineapple and cilantro, or orange and ginger for a gourmet touch. For example, simply add a liberal dose of a spice (like oregano, basil, or cayenne) or seasoning blend along with some garlic and Parmesan cheese to your usual mashed potatoes, and you’ll instantly serve something outside everyday fare.

* Plan and shop wisely. Forget about shopping ’til you drop. Develop your menu, including impromptu snacks, ahead of time. Then pick up everything non-perishable at the same time, eliminating those last-minute treks to the grocery store. To save even more time, order ingredients online. For example, Simply Organic carries culinary items like organic spices, seasoning blends, baking extracts and flavors, gluten-free baking mixes and other cooking ingredients and supplies which they will ship to you within a few days of your order.

* Accept help. When the bride’s mother or other guests ask if they can bring anything, say yes! Ask them to bring something you don’t especially enjoy preparing or something you know is that person’s specialty which the bride really loves. You can even have each guest bring a dessert or appetizer, so you can focus solely on the rest of the party and fun. Offers to help are gifts, so allow other bridesmaids or friends to assist if they would like to. Working together can add to the shower fun, and give you stories to share as you continue down the wedding planning road.

* Make it as healthy as possible – the bride, her bridesmaids and the mother of the bride all want to fit into their dresses when the big day finally arrives. The best meal you can offer your guests is a delicious and healthy one. Provide great-tasting, nutritious snacks that are easy on salt, fat, sugar, and other potentially unhealthy ingredients and your guests will fondly remember your hospitality and not have to stress about fitting their dresses.

Here are two great examples of healthy bridal shower dishes from the Simply Organic recipe Web site that are easy to prepare:

Fruit Chutney
Serves 8

Ingredients:
1 cup peeled and diced mixed fruit
1 package Apple Basil Dressing Mix
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Directions:
In a medium bowl, mash fruit or use a food processor and blend. Add Apple Basil Dressing Mix and vinegar and mix. Chill and serve as a relish.

Italian Egg Bake
Serves 6

Ingredients:
8 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 package Italian Dressing Mix
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup diced vegetables (tomatoes and mushrooms are good choices)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, beat the eggs. Add milk and Italian Dressing Mix and whisk well. Add cheese and vegetables. Pour into a greased 9-inch pie pan. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until center is firm. Top with diced tomatoes and shredded Parmesan cheese for an extra special flavor.

For more delicious, healthy and easy recipes, visit www.simplyorganicfoods.com and click on the recipe drop-down menu.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – Moving their relationship from dating to marriage was a big step for Lynn Lehman and Cliff Simonelli. One primary concern was how their respective children — Lynn’s two young sons, ages 5 and 8, plus Cliff’s three youngsters, ages 9 to 15 — would come together as a family.

“Cliff and I were both divorced,” explains Lynn, a 38-year-old marketing manager. “Divorce turns kids’ lives upside down. My boys didn’t verbalize anything, but I knew they were worried. That’s one reason why Cliff and I decided to do something during our wedding to communicate to all the children that we were creating a family that would be there for them. We wanted them to know that they could trust that our marriage and our new family would not fall apart.”

But finding the perfect “family” wedding ceremony was not as easy as Lynn had hoped. She spent hours surfing the Internet only to find a lot of so-called blended family products with more sizzle than substance. Eventually Lynn found exactly what she had in mind: a simple and emotionally satisfying family service that gave each child a meaningful role in the wedding celebration.

This five-minute ceremony — known as the Family Medallion service — can easily be added into any religious or civil wedding ceremony. It differs from the traditional wedding in only one respect, after the newlyweds exchange rings, their children join them for a special service focusing on the family nature of a marriage. Each child is given a Family Medallion pendant (or ring) with three interlocking circles, a symbol that represents family love (for ceremony information, see FamilyMedallion.com).

The Wheaton, Ill. couple liked the message of the family ceremony, which included a pledge to love and care for all the children either spouse brings to the marriage. “We were making a commitment to the children, and we wanted them to make a commitment to work through the challenges that our new family would inevitably face,” Lynn adds.

The Simonellis say they will never forget the special family service that was the highlight of their September 2008 wedding. The justice of the peace called each child forward and, while he read the words of the ceremony, Lynn and Cliff placed the medallions around the necks of their children. There was a lot of hugging and happy tears.

“I could tell by the way the kids reacted that on some level, they understood,” Lynn says. For example, Lynn’s youngest son, 5-year-old Christopher, clutched his medallion and beamed at his stepdad Cliff. “This is cool, dude,” he said. “I love you.” Cliff, a 41-year-old salesman, had been concerned that his teenage son and daughter might not warm to the idea of a family service. “But once we gave them the medallions, I could feel in them a palpable sense of relief — that they knew everything was going to be OK.”

Most of the guests attending the Lehman-Simonelli wedding were amazed by the family ceremony. “We got tons of compliments,” says Lynn. “People told us that they had never seen such a unique and beautiful way to recognize children.”

More than 15,000 couples annually use the Family Medallion ceremony to help strengthen the bond between parents, stepparents and children. “I was very impressed with the Family Medallion ceremony,” says Rev. David Schaal, a Minneapolis minister. “When I recently used it during a wedding, I could see the pride and happiness in the face the little boy who received the medallion. It’s my feeling that when children are involved, it’s important to do something tangible to recognize them during the wedding.”

Lynn and Cliff believe that their decision to have a “family” wedding will strengthen their family bond for years to come. “As our kids grow older, I hope they appreciate the value of family and what we did to assure them that they would always be an integral part of our lives,” Lynn says.

Andrew Lehman, 8, isn’t thinking much about the future. He wears his Family Medallion every day and refers to the wedding as, “The day my mom, my stepdad and all of us kids got married. My medallion means family. That’s what we are.”

For additional information about Family Medallion products or the family wedding ceremony, visit www.FamilyMedallion.com or call (800) 237-1922.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

It’s no secret that we’re heading into a tough year and brides more then ever are paying attention to the bottom line – the budget.  No matter what type of budget you have to work with – there are a few basic tips that every brides needs to look at when she begins her wedding planning in 2009.

Tip #1: Set a Detailed Budget

Gone are the days where an estimated budget and a credit card are good enough. Today, brides need to know not only what they are spending but also how they are paying for it.

Start by taking an honest look at what you have available to you. This may include money you have saved, money you can put in during the coming months, or gifts from parents who wish to help with the wedding. Try, as much as possible, to rely mainly on funds already available so that you aren’t left scrambling for funds if your income changes during the planning stages.  Be honest with what you have available to you – it’s not wise to go into debt for anything right now – including a wedding!

Once you have a realistic dollar amount, then you can create a detailed budget showing how much you have available to spend in each area as you start planning.

Tip #2: Get Expert Advice

Most of us have never done this before – and hope to never do it again.  It’s frightening how many brides take on a huge event like a wedding with absolutely no experience or guidance! This expert advice doesn’t have to cost you a fortune either. In fact, my top recommendation would be Amazing Wedding Planner!

Amazing Wedding Planner is a eBook – that means you purchase it online and download it immediately. The eBook is an invaluable planning tool that gives you an insider look at all the tips and ideas that can help you save money on your wedding – even cutting your costs in half! The Amazing Wedding Planner also comes with some bonuses you’ll find very useful – like a computer organization program you can use to track and plan all the details for your wedding.  The complete package sells for $39.95 – and it has a money back guarantee but I doubt you’ll need that. It will save you hundreds of dollars!

Don’t try to do it alone! Over the years, I have seen countless brides throwing money down the drain simply because they don’t know the insider secrets of wedding planning. A small investment in expert advice like you’ll find in Amazing Wedding Planner will pay for itself a hundred times over!

Tip #3: Do Your Research

I don’t think I can stress this enough! Don’t just pick the first vendor you like. Take time to look into the different options before you make a final choice. This goes for everything from your venue to your favors! Take time to visit all the possible venue choices in your area and get a complete quote. Ask about hidden costs, rules, etc.  Do this for your photographer, your florist, your caterer, your viedographer and more – even small things like favors. If you have a specific favor you like, research different sources. You may find the same favor for slightly cheaper or with free shipping at another source- those little savings can add up quickly.

Tip #4:  Know Your Priorities

It’s so easy to get caught up in all the little details and most wedding budgets are blown because of all the little extras that end up adding up to a lot more money. Start your planning by looking at the big picture and deciding what your priorities are. Is it important to you to be able to invite all of your friends and distant relatives? Have you always wanted a specific venue? What aspects of the wedding are the most important to you?

Together with your fiance, choose 3 to 4 things that are very important to you and concentrate on those areas first. Then, as you begin planning, you can weigh the different options you come across against your priorities and easily elimate those things that aren’t that important to you and will just add up to more cost.

Tip #5: You Can’t Please Everyone

Seriously – you can’t! So stop trying! If you’ve decided that your budget and priorities are best suited to a afternoon wedding with a punch and cake reception – don’t change your plans because Aunt Mabel thinks it’s rude. Of course, you want your guests to have fun – but in the end it is your wedding and your money. Don’t waste your money and add extra stress over things that aren’t important to you just to make other happy.

Now don’t go all bridezilla on me either k? Yes – it matters what your mom or your future mother in law or your best friend think – at least enough that you need to exercise some tact. If you are choosing NOT to impliment something they suggested because of finances, be honest about it. If your  mother in law wants something you can’t afford – let her know that budget is an issue but if she’d like to provide she is more then welcome.  If it’s something you just really don’t want – find a nice way to let them know that it just doesn’t fit with the type of wedding you and your fiance are going for.

(ARA) – The role of the maid of honor can turn into a dress rehearsal for the day when it is your turn to be the bride. The bride’s maid of honor typically has a very close personal relationship with the bride and often serves as confidant and advisor on a variety of issues. Preparations can include selecting wedding colors; choosing the bridesmaid dresses, the caterer and flowers; identifying a location for the wedding and the reception; and hosting a bridal shower.

This position of honor can be loaded with a lot of work and responsibility as well as a lot of fun. Typical maid-of-honor duties often include shopping with the bride, arranging transportation for the bridal party, communicating plans and responsibilities to the bridal party, selecting and sending out wedding invitations, ensuring the bridal party gets to rehearsals on time, helping during the rehearsal dinner and other events and making sure the reception runs smoothly.

“Deciding to marry is a big step and preparing for a wedding is an extremely stressful process,” says Dr. Douglas Whiteside, director of the Argosy University Seattle Psychology Center. “The bride needs reliable and trusted people around her to help make decisions and transact business. Therefore, the role of the maid of honor is critical in helping the bride cope with the demands of planning a wedding and preparing for a new life.”

She also has official duties such as signing the marriage license along with the best man and participating in the first dance with the best man, holding the groom’s ring during the ceremony, holding the bride’s bouquet during the ceremony and toasting the newlyweds during the reception. Then there are the tender tasks of helping to prepare the bride just before her grand march down the aisle by fixing her hair, adjusting the veil and wiping tears to avoid smudging makeup, along with the tedious task of helping to keep track of the wedding gifts and money cards.

Lest we forget, the toughest task for the maid of honor is the unofficial duty of keeping the bride calm, being a sounding board for the bride and offering thoughtful opinions when major decisions are being made. There is also the responsibility of keeping the bride calm the day of the wedding when nerves and anxiety will be at their peak. Screaming at the caterer, banquet hall attendant or church clerk over a forgotten detail can raise the stress level of the bride and those around her prior to the wedding. This can take the mood of this festive occasion in a wrong direction.

Assisting the bride through this delicate and stressful process also means looking out for her emotional well-being. The maid of honor often tells jokes to make the bride laugh and help reduce her stress level, and makes sure the bride eats healthy meals to keep her nourished and balanced. On top of all that, the best maid of honor must be a good listener in order to provide the necessary emotional support the bride needs leading up to and the day of the wedding, as she prepares for the start of her new life.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Planning for a wedding is not an easy task.

It could be an extremely stressful, and trying time, especially as the big day approaches. When couples worry about coordinating all of the details of the wedding, just to make sure everything goes according to plan.

Probably, one of the most important details of the wedding that a couple has to decide on is the actual date of the wedding. This is usually the detail that is taken care of first. Factors in choosing a date include: the availability of the venue where the wedding will take place. Availability of friends and family on the assigned date.

Some venues where weddings are held offer discounts on days when traditionally, weddings are not held. Also, the time the wedding takes place also become a factor in the expense. For example, mornings, and afternoon receptions are somewhat more cheaper that receptions held at nighttime.

It is also advisable to set a budget, even before a couple start to make plans. This way they’d be able to organize the details according to the budget they could afford.

Once you’ve done this, you can now choose a venue for the wedding. Some places offer discounts, depending on the time of year. Just after the holidays, would be a good time to hold a wedding, if you are considering the cost. This time is not considered a ‘peak time’, therefore the price tend to be less expensive.

For couples who are about to get married, it is important to talk about the size of wedding they both have in mind. The dream wedding of one person might not be that of the other. So it is necessary for couples to discuss details regarding the arrangement of the wedding, such as: the location of the venue/reception, the number of people who get invited to the wedding reception, and the choice of entertainment.

It is important to reach an agreement pertaining to the guest list and the entourage. Whether you want to keep the wedding an intimate affair, in which case the bride and groom will just invite their family and friends; or  maybe, they’d want to make this affair, into the wedding of the century. In which case, the bride and groom get to invite the whole neighborhood, long lost relatives, high school buddies, etc., in  addition to their friends and family. When making the guest list, consider the space capacity of your chosen venue.

Hire a professional to capture this momentous occasion. Sure you friends can take good pictures, and most of them own a camcorder. But for this special occasion, you would want something special, lasting, and visually presentable. So you’d have something to remember this occasion by. This way you could also share them with your friends and family.
Don’t forget the cake! It’s best to have a tasting first, before settling on a cake. Invite your family and friends, for the cake tasting. This way, this task becomes fun for everyone!

Order wedding invitations. If you want to get creative, you can always print your own invites. This way, you can customize them, and add a more personal touch to the invitation.

Don’t forget to start looking for a wedding gown months before the wedding. This way, the bride has plenty of time to make a selection. Also, the groom should make arrangement to rent or buy a tuxedo, preferably in advance also. Just in case you encounter some trouble with the fitting, you’d have some time to make other arrangements.
Couples who don’t have enough time on their hands, or just find the preparations that go into planning a wedding too overwhelming, can always just hire a wedding planner! This way, everything gets organized and coordinated for them.