Indulge On Tax Day

After dropping off your taxes, rid yourself of the bitter taste in your mouth, with a sweet Cinnabon treat!! Cinnabon is giving away FREE bites on tax day from 5-8 p.m.

Tip - Protect Your Investment

Disclaimer: This post is not to scare you, it's purpose is to prepare you.

During this trying time in the economy you need to realize that there are wedding industry professionals that may not make it through this ebb and flow. You need to protect your investment in your wedding in as many ways as possible. We have heard many horror stories recently of couples that have lost their money and ordered products due to businesses forced to shut down. The repercussions are great at times, if there's not enough money or time to get things reordered before the wedding date.

Ways that you can protect yourself are:

1. Invest in wedding insurance.
2. Do not pay for items with cash (use a credit card preferably or check).
3. Work with professionals that have been in business for a number of years (those in business for 5+ years may have experienced economic ebb and flow before).
4. Choose professionals that your other contracted vendors recommend. (Most professionals know the news of who's going to be closing doors in their area before the public does.)
5. Be cautious when selecting a professional because they're offering the lowest price. They could be dropping their prices because they're attempting to bring in any business to help them stay afloat. (This isn't always the case, but just be cautious.)

Photo provided by The Memory Journalists

Trend - Sharing Responsibility

If you're feeling jealous that Jenny got to have your dream wedding because Daddy was paying, stop your pity party and take comfort in the fact that only 17% of brides have parents who pay for the entire wedding*. You're not alone. Most couples are chipping in nowadays and some receive the generous support of both families to help them cover the costs. Be grateful for any support you get from your family and start planning early, allowing you to create your dream wedding on a smaller budget.

*Source: Brides (Feb/March 09)

Photo provided by Allison Stahl Photography

Cloud Nine - Be Prepared (part 2)

After last week's post Be Prepared we received an email from LegalZoom revisiting the Top Articles of 2008. One of the articles was 10 Things You Must Keep in a Fireproof Safe. This seemed like a great follow up to last week's reminder.

"The threat of fire isn't unique to California. In fact, the US Fire Administration estimates that fires nationwide caused more than $11 billion in property damage in 2007. Although 91% of Americans agree it's important to prepare for a disaster, only slightly more than half have taken steps to do so.

One great way to make sure you're prepared is to get a fireproof safe. What should you store it in? Here's a list of the top 10 suggested items to keep in your fireproof safe:

1. Current insurance policies and agent contact information. You'll need this information right away if your house suffers damage in a fire.

2. Your family's passports and original birth certificates. These can be a hassle to replace and will come in handy to establish your identity for other purposes.

3. A list of your family's doctors, prescription medications, and contact information for all pharmacies you use. You may need these to get new supplies of medications you use on a regular basis.

4. CDs or an external hard drive containing digital copies of all family photos. It's a good idea to scan all older family photos and keep a digital copy of them as well. Your family memories as preserved in photos are irreplaceable.

5. Safety deposit box keys. If you store valuables at the bank, you'll want to make sure you can access them in the event of an emergency.

6. Important papers related to investments, retirement plans, bank accounts, and associated contact information. You may need ready access to funds.

7. Information on your outstanding debts, due dates, and contact information. It's important to keep tabs on your finances and protect your credit, even if you're displaced by a fire.

8. Original Social Security cards. These can be difficult to replace and may be needed to establish eligibility for aid.

9. Copies of your important legal documents, including powers of attorney, living wills, health care proxies—both for yourself and for anyone else for whom you are designated attorney-in-fact or health care surrogate. Having access to these can help ensure the protection they were created to provide.

10. Copy of family wills and all wills in which you are designated the executor. It's important to safeguard wills so that loved ones are taken care of."

Thanks to LegalZoom and the article's author Sherry Ciurczak.
Photo courtesy of idsafety.org

Cloud Nine - Be Prepared

As a newly married couple you have combined your stuff as well as acquired some new items to personalize your home. While no one likes to think about it...things happen. Make a list of all the important things (i.e. wedding photos, cameras, jewelry, etc.) that you would want to be sure to grab in a house fire. Also, take pictures of each room in your home and inside cabinets as well. It would be extremely hard to remember everything you had or show proof of ownership without those images. Keep the photos in a safe place, possibly a fire proof safe or at your office.Photo provided by The Memory Journalists

Survey Says - Did You And Your Fiance Have Debt?

Did you and/or your fiancé go into your marriage bringing debt? How did you handle that?

Yes we did, but we knew about it and talked about ultimate goals and future and retirement and are dealing with paying off debt. - Michelle, married March 2007

Some…we are a team now, my debt is his and his is mine. We consolidated and made a plan for what we wanted to do, and how we were going to get there. But we didn’t have anything out of control either, so it wasn’t hard to do this. - Melanie, married June 2007

We both have some debt. And now the wedding debt. We are both well aware of what debt we had and how we are paying for it. - Bree, married November 2007

Yes we both had debt, but that had already been out in the open from when we first moved in together. Once I moved in, we combined everything to simplify our finances. It's worked out great. We started a retirement plan and got life insurance in place as well. - Tina, married January 2008

Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Cloud Nine - Girl's Best Friend

Now that you have an amazing ring that you want to sparkle forever, you need to be sure to care for it carefully. The purchasing contract may state that you must get your ring cleaned several times per year to maintain the warranty. Stay on top of getting your ring cleaned by a jeweler to make sure it stays sparkling and the setting is properly secured. Make sure you shield your ring from harsh cleaners and remove it during periods when there's the potential for it to get dirty.

Photo courtesy of Profinish Design

Your Grand Groom - Guest Blog Posting For Wishpot

We love to write up guest posts for Wishpot's wedding blog, a favorite dynamite blog around here. One of the most recent posts we sent them was on the groom's responsibilities leading up to the wedding day, which we shared with Percy of Percy Sales Events, headlined with a photograph from Sharpe Photographers. Read the entire post here.

Here's what we posted from Dynamite Weddings:

Many grooms feel removed from the responsibilities that come along with planning a wedding. Usually, by no fault of their own, grooms are asked to take on limited responsibilities such as choosing their groomsmen, helping create the guest list, pick out a tux and show up! Seems simple enough. But these days, many grooms welcome the involvement and let’s be honest ladies, it’s their day too! Relinquishing some responsibility will be a burden off you and you may be pleasantly surprised with the outcome. There’s nothing that says a little oversight isn’t appropriate but treat your groom like the adult that he is and let him share in planning for the big day. There may be some discussions and compromises between you, but this could be your first time facing a challenge together and will prepare you for your life as a married couple. Tasks for your groom, in addition to the aforementioned (and obvious ones, like show up sober):

• Meeting with the DJs or bands that you’re both interested in
• Attending catering and cake tasting appointments to give input (Guys are very good at food tastings! They know what they like.)
• Checking vendor references and online critics
• Arranging for transportation for the two of you and possibly large party transportation for out of town guests
• Setting up room blocks and negotiating rates for out of town guests
• Suggesting alternatives to traditional favors for the wedding (maybe a photo booth or caricature artist?!)
• Choose the alcohol to be served at the reception
• Assign ushers (if not groomsmen)
• Choosing & purchasing gifts for your groomsmen
• Purchase a wedding day gift for your lovely wife
• Invent a creative way for the wedding party to enter the reception (fun song, share silly details about each wedding party member (ex: "Introducing John, the best man, not only for this wedding but also the best man for exercising Scarface quotes in any situation.")
• Select a song for the Mother/Son dance
• Writing a thank you speech for the night of and possibly something brief for the rehearsal dinner
• Choosing the destination for the honeymoon

Cloud Nine - Saving Together

What are your plans for all the money you were gifted at your wedding? Now that you're married be sure to discuss your savings goals with a banking professional. Ask what your short term and long term savings options are and which accounts could earn you the biggest return.

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Ignite the Flame - Take On His Responsibilities

This may not sound like a way to ignite the flame, but if you can take the time to mow the lawn for your sweetie, he will have more time and energy for you later. He'll be very appreciative of the fact that you took the time to take on his responsibility. You may come home to find a clean car or a romantic dinner soon.

One of the keys to a productive relationship is to always think of the other first.

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Trend - Newlywed Toast

Toasts have become more of an open forum for guests and family members to publicly share their well wishes for the bride and groom. Many brides and grooms now take a few moments to thank guests for attending, thank parents for hosting and everyone for supporting. Take a few moments to acknowledge those that made your day so fantastic. They will be grateful!

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

More Voting Bribe Rumors?

These aren't rumors!

Show your "I Voted" sticker at any Krispy Kreme location today and you'll get a free voters donut; compliment it with a free cup of coffee from Starbucks. On your way home, stop in at any Ben & Jerry's location from 5 to 8 p.m. to enjoy a scoop on the house.

Present proof that you cast your vote, and you'll earn 15 percent off all purchases at all French Connection stores today too!

These are some voting perks I can get behind!

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!!!!

Photo provided by Ben & Jerry's

Tip - No Time In the Kitchen? Fake It.

Are you wondering what new roles and responsibilities your soon-to-be will expect of you after the big day has come and gone? Do you feel that your cooking skills, or time to cook are lacking? Look into meal preparation shops in your area. These shops allow you to pick meals online for days or weeks at a time. Some locations invite you to come in and package your own food with their already prepped ingredients or you can just pick up your ready to freeze or serve meals on your way home from work. Depending on the menu design, most meals are set to feed 4-6 people. You could have a dinner party your way, without scrambling for time in the kitchen! Meal prep is a blessing for busy couples and families that want to eat right. A few that we know of:

Dinner My Way
Dream Dinners
Cena To Go
Super Suppers

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Tip - Avoid Vitamin Overload

If you're planning to start a new health regime prior to your wedding that includes taking new vitamins, don't start it the week of your wedding day. Start at least a month in advance or after your big day. Some people get nauseous starting new vitamins as your body adjusts to the influx of these additional nutrients. No one wants to feel sick on their wedding day, with the exception of a few expectant butterflies that will pass!

Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Tip - DIY Assessment

When planning to create your own favors or centerpieces be sure to realize what you're taking on and recruit as much help as you can get. Ask your previously married friends about their experiences with DIY projects for their own weddings. This will help you assess how much time may be needed for each task taken on. Also have a plan b, in case of a last minute change (getting sick, working overtime, etc.).

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Cloud Nine - Guys Reminder

If Guys Only Knew….It takes women longer than two minutes to get over an argument. And while you might have said sorry, it still takes the female brain time to process and accept your apology. Give her time.
Women need to be appreciated for all the things they do. Not that men don’t want to feel appreciated, but women tend to the house and kids more often than most men, and it often goes unnoticed – which translates to unappreciated. Show your wife how much you appreciate her by doing the dishes and taking the kids to soccer practice without being asked, maybe after drawing her a nice bath with some candles and a glass of wine.

Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Boobie Bachelorette Bash - Party For The Cure

On Wishpot Wedding Blog this week there is a guest blog post by It's A Jaime Thing, talks about upcoming Breast Cancer Awareness Month and how you can throw a bachelorette party for the cure! All of the items mentioned in her blog post raise awareness or create proceeds to be donated towards the cause.She talks about invitations for the cure, decorating for the cure, favors for the cure, entertaining for the cure, gifts for the cure. Check out her original blog post here. Great post!

Boobie Bachelorette Bash courtesy of It's A Jaime Thing

Celeb Shoe Auction Benefits Ovarian Cancer Testing

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Stuart Weitzman is holding their eighth annual celebrity shoe auction to raise money to develop a urine test for ovarian cancer. All shoes are designed by your favorite celebs and auctioned off through September. Check it out!For more information on ovarian cancer awareness, donations and progress visit NOCC (National Ovarian Cancer Coalition).

Photo courtesy of Stuart Weitzman Celebrity Auction

Ready for any Emergency

I think we all pretty much know that you have to be ready for anything. I mean who knows what could happen on your big day? Good or bad. We have all seen those wedding stories involving everything from fainting brides to disappearing vendors. So in an effort to be ahead of the game I had my bridesmaids help me put together a "Bridal Emergency Kit."

Picture provided by mindyweiss.com

There are actually quite a few pre-made Bridal ER kits out there. You can find them here, here and even here at Target. What I did was read a great article I found at the Knot, divided up their suggestions amongst my bridesmaids and had everybody bring their stuff to the house the day of the wedding. I supplied the bag and we dumped it all in and I gave it to my maid of honor to bring to the church. It actually worked out great because we ended up needing those tissue's and hairspray! The key is to remember you aren't just providing this stuff for yourself. Make sure you have enough stuff for all your bridesmaids and mom's and anyone else you know will be hanging out with the bride.

Cloud Nine - Proactive Protection

Cloud Nine is directed at the reality of being married now, how things change and the responsibilities that go along with your nuptials.

Something that many of us don't think about as a single person running around town is life insurance, a will or an advanced healthcare directive. While our site is geared towards the fun of planning, getting, and being married, we need to remind you of the not so "fun" stuff that needs to be addressed now that you have someone else sharing your life. Life insurance and a will are designed to help safeguard your partner and outline specific requests should something happen to you. An advanced healthcare directive clearly outlines your wishes, should you be unable to cognitively voice your healthcare decisions. Once you have children this may move to the forefront of your mind a little more...but start thinking about it.

Check out LegalZoom.com for forms and directions to make these tasks easier.

Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers