Lassen County Times, Chester Progressive, Westwood PinePress
Wedding Guide 2013
5
Planning your wedding on a budget A beautiful wedding can be elegant and stylislh without causing a couple to go into debt before they even say I do. There are many ways to cut costs from the wedding dress to the reception allowing a couple to have some extra money to start their new life together.
Once a couple has announced their engagement and shown off the new ring, they start looking at a wedding date and a venue. Consider picking a Friday to cut down on prime time venue costs, as well as dinner prices, if included. For many brides, if not all,
Diligent budgeting can be a challenge, but it will result in huge savings in the long run.
choosing the perfect dress for the wedding day is a special occasion, but there are alternatives to finding a dress other than at a bridal shop. Look for a marked-down dress at a department store and discontinued gown racks, or stop by a consignment shop. As you prepare to invite guests, keep the list small as this will cut down on invitations and possibly the number of tables and chairs you might have to rent and the centerpieces and favors you will need. If a large guest list can’t be avoided, use bigger tables to also cut costs on decorations and tablecloths. Tap into your creativity as well and make your own decorations, centerpieces and wedding programs. When choosing invitations, make sure the one you select requires only one stamp. Every little detail is important. Flowers can pull everything together and they can be reused throughout the day. Once the ceremony and pictures are over, bridesmaids tend to drop their bouquet on a table, or maybe even in another room, out of sight, out of mind. Instead, have them place their bouquets around the cake table or as a centerpiece. A bride may also want to carry a small bouquet or a single flower, and save some money by using seasonal flowers. Do you plan to serve a meal? Pay for the main course and request some good
friends and family supplement the meal by making salads and side dishes. Good friends will want to help make your day special so take advantage of it. If you do plan to serve a catered dinner, try offering a buffet or plate dinner and serve chicken or pasta. To cut costs further, skip the main course and provide appetizers and drinks. Or consider having an afternoon reception with cake, punch and hors d’oeuvres. If serving alcohol is a must, provide beer or wine or have a cocktail hour. A bride may also want to look at borrowing some items like a cake-cutting knife, toasting glasses, jewelry and even shoes. A wedding would not be complete without the traditional cutting of the cake by the bride and groom. But if the wallet is tight, have a cake decorator make a small traditional cake that sits on the cake table, but serve a sheet cake to the guests. Try to avoid high band or DJ fees by knowing how large your reception venue is and the exact layout. Make sure you understand if a band or DJ wants to include more speakers and microphones before signing a contract or expect to pay for additional fees. Even if one idea doesn’t sound appealing in cutting costs, do try to find other ways to save a buck or two so you can enjoy the big day without any debt.
Top tips for creating your wedding registry Just engaged? Before those wedding bells ring, you’re going to do lots of planning in the months ahead. While most of your preparations will only matter on the first day of your marriage, your wedding registry will impact your happily ever after. Wedding experts say to ensure domestic bliss, make the most of your registry with proper planning, research and free resources. “Determining what you want and need for your future should be an exciting process,” says Audrey Stavish, wedding and gift registry expert at Bed Bath & Beyond. “An expert consultant can help demystify product details and ensure you don’t miss any categories.” As you think about registering, Stavish is sharing tips on
creating the perfect registry: •Don’t delay: You’ll likely have multiple occasions that requires gift-giving on the part of friends and family. From the engagement party to the shower to the main event, guests will want giving guidance. So register early. Opt for a registry that offers convenience and good customer service. A store with locations nationwide and an online ordering system will make it easy for you and your guests. •Take inventory: Assess what you already have, what you don’t have and what needs replacing. A walk through your home using a registry checklist can help you build a list. Talk to your fiancée and work together. Also, think about what you need now and in the future –
you might be dining for two, but soon you could be hosting a dinner party for 12 and will want dinnerware worthy of the occasion. •Ask for help: Don’t be shy about seeking advice. Visit a store and talk with an expert consultant who can help with gift selections and offer tips on what you’ll need to enjoy your home. Be sure to research the items that go on your registry. Touch the towels, hold the flatware — you may need to visit the store multiple times to get it right. If you change your mind, remember it’s always possible to update your registry online at any time. •Dream big and small: Not all guests will be working with the same budget, so include a range of items at various price points. Guests will
appreciate the variety for individual and group gifts. Dream big and include a few big ticket items and gifts that last a lifetime. •Keep in touch: From savethe-date notifications, personalized announcement cards and registry details, keep in touch with your guests stylishly with a complete, customized wedding stationery ensemble. You can visit BedBathAndBeyond.com and click on “personalized invitations” to visit their onlineonly stationery store. •Return policy: Did you get duplicate gifts or gifts in the wrong color or size? Or maybe you just changed your mind. Check a store’s return policy before registering so you can return or exchange any gift on your list and live hasslefree ever after. (StatePoint)
Easy and elegant chocolate-dipped strawberries If you’re looking for a quick, delicious appetizer for your special day, try chocolate-dipped strawberries. Each luscious red berry can be coated in white, milk or dark chocolate and rolled in coconut, nuts or more chocolate. Make your own unique combination your guests will remember. Ingredients: 6 ounces milk or dark chocolate, chopped 6 ounces white chocolate, chopped 1 pound ripe strawberries with stems (about 20), washed and dried very well Optional toppings (see below) Directions: Put the semisweet and white chocolates into two separate heatproof medium bowls. Fill two medium saucepans with a couple inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off the heat; set the bowls of chocolate over the water to melt. Stir until smooth. (Alternatively, melt the chocolates in separate bowls (preferably glass) in a microwave at half power, for one minute, stir and then heat for another minute. Stir until smooth.) Once the chocolates are melted, line a sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper. Holding the strawberry by the stem, dip the fruit into the dark (or white) chocolate, lift and twist slightly, letting any excess chocolate fall back
into the bowl. Set strawberries on the parchment paper. Repeat with the rest of the strawberries. To add some flair, do one or all of the following: Dip a fork in the white (or dark) chocolate and drizzle over the dipped strawberries. Sprinkle or dip chocolatecovered berries with shredded coconut, finely chopped nuts, chocolate morsels or shavings, or sprinkles. Set the strawberries aside until the chocolate sets — about 30 minutes. Refrigerate if not serving immediately.
A healthy financial relationship is a building block for a healthy overall relationship. Take steps now to define your priorities, so you can begin working toward your shared goals. Photo by A.KaZaK — Fotolia.com
Tips to help couples plan their financial future Experts say that with good communication and solid planning, couples can put themselves in the right position to build a solid financial future together. “American couples across all demographics need to spend time talking about financial and retirement issues sooner rather than later,” says Tim Johnson, chief investment strategist for Lincoln Financial Network. “A couple should literally ask each other, ‘What are we really trying to accomplish here and what do you want out of this whole thing?’” As part of an ongoing effort to educate consumers about financial preparedness, Lincoln Financial recently launched a set of tips and actionable steps designed to help people achieve financial well-being: •Plan with purpose: When reviewing investments and solutions that can help grow and protect wealth, couples need to have a shared plan in mind and an understanding of what’s important. Remember, the conversation doesn’t have to be all budgets and numbers. You can engage your loved one by talking about concrete goals, such as a wedding, vacations and homeownership. •Be engaged, no matter what: Don’t throw your hands
up at uncertain economic conditions. The market has always gone up and down. Volatility is just part of investing. So rather than toss account statements into a pile of unopened mail, identify what’s working well and build on it. For what’s not working well, rebalance portfolios, as necessary. You can stay motivated as a couple by celebrating small steps along the way. Be sure to reward yourself responsibly when something good happens. •Communicate: Each person in the relationship has an opportunity to take steps, both large and small, that help achieve short- and longterm financial goals. But working together is important. A couple is most powerful when pulling in the same direction. A trusted financial professional can help you get on the same page and chart a solid path to the future. Be sure to hold regular financial meetings to address weaknesses and celebrate successes. Make it fun. Understanding who your partner is and what motivates him or her can make for a strong relationship and a solid future. For more tips, visit BeAChiefLifeOfficer.com. (StatePoint)
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