Archive for the ‘GTA Wedding Planning’ Category


(ARA) – Next to planning the actual wedding, most brides-to-be will tell you the next hardest thing is figuring out what to put on their gift registries. And one of the big mistakes brides make is not registering for enough.

“It’s definitely a lesson in compromise,” says Taryn Abbott-Wilson, Visual Merchandising Director for Pier 1 Imports. “When my husband and I got married, he had traditional, upholstered furniture and several wooden pieces in the same light finish, while I had a lot of dark antiques. We ended up utilizing almost all of our furniture by combining what worked together and then purchasing a few items to finish out the look.”

“Couples need to think ‘complete’ and register for the smallest accessories to the biggest items. They are doing their guests and themselves a big favor by giving everyone a good range of gifts to choose from and assuring themselves that they’ll be ready for their new family life together,” says Roseanna Robinson, bridal director for The Pfaltzgraff Co., America’s oldest continuously operating pottery company.

According to Robinson, the average age for couples getting married, today, is in the late 20’s. “Most brides and grooms-to-be have lived on their own for a while and accumulated several household items,” says Robinson. “So they need to be strategic about planning their registries.”

Robinson says that means taking inventory of what each person already has, picking out their favorite pieces, and discarding the rest. “Couples should also ask themselves three questions – what are your favorite foods, what does it take to prepare them and what is the best way to serve them? This is a good starting point,” says Robinson, who has been advising brides-to-be on how to complete their gift registries for more than two decades.

She says choosing an everyday dinnerware pattern is usually the main decision that helps structure the registry. “Traditionally formal china was a “must-have” and most often was very expensive, making it feel like another big commitment. Today the overwhelming trend is towards casual dinnerware at affordable prices, which gives registering couples many different options to suit their lifestyle. I encourage brides to have fun, choose pieces that complement the things they already have, and if they want, register for several different patterns,” says Robinson

One pattern Robinson says is gaining in popularity is Pfaltzgraff’s new Pistoulet collection, based on illustrations from the Jana Kolpen book, “The Secrets of Pistoulet.”

“From the moment we discovered the book, we envisioned a beautiful and romantic casual dinnerware collection that would bring to the table Jana Kolpen’s central theme and message – the powerful role that food and meals play to nourish our souls and unite us with friends and family,” says Marsha Everton, president and chief executive officer at Pfaltzgraff.

Each piece in the collection is brightly decorated with freely rendered flowers, vines and vegetables drawn from or influenced by the book’s illustrations, also by Kolpen. Bright, colorful drawings are set against wide watercolor washes that evoke the light and colors of southern France.

“The design is sophisticated in a warm and inviting way, allowing for great mix-and-match possibilities,” says Robinson. “It appeals to both brides and grooms, who are increasingly more vocal in the bridal registry process. The chip-resistant, highly durable Pistoulet collection stands up to everyday use and is safe in the dishwasher, oven, freezer and microwave.”

Featuring a broad range of dinnerware, serveware and accessories, pieces in the collection range in price from $7.99 for a single bread plate to $359.88 for a 36-piece dinnerware set. The Pistoulet collection is available at major department and specialty stores nationwide, including J.C. Penny, Amazon.com and more than 70 Pfaltzgraff stores at outlet malls across the country.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Try out some of these suggestions by Christina Laun to give you a boost when you’re feeling sleepy or to prevent tiredness altogether. These are great to consider during around the time you are preparing for your wedding. It will keep you full of energy during your special day.

Basics

Give these basic techniques a try for increased energy throughout the day.

  1. Turn on the lights. Your body responds naturally to changes in light, so if it’s unnaturally dark where you’re working or sleeping it may make staying alert a lot harder. Try keeping your blinds open a bit so you’ll wake up naturally in the morning or adding a few extra lights to your workspace to keep you from feeling sleepy throughout the day.
  2. Get more sleep at night. Many people try to get by on a lot less sleep than they really need. While each person’s needs will differ, 7-8 hours a night is a good goal, and will help you feel more rested and better able to concentrate on anything throughout the day.
  3. Examine your emotions. Stress, depression and other negative emotions can take a heavy toll on your energy levels. Your exhaustion may have a lot to do with how you’re feeling mentally, so take the time to deal with your emotions or get help if you need it.
  4. Exercise. While it may seem counterintuitive, exercising can wake you up and give you an energy boost that lasts all day. Make time for even 30 minutes of exercise in your day and start reaping the benefits.
  5. Get a physical. There are many illnesses, some serious and some not, that can cause drops in energy and cause you to be chronically sluggish. Take a trip to your doctor if you’re feeling run down on a regular basis to see if you may have a condition like mono, an underactive thyroid, or anemia.
  6. Keep a sleep schedule. Our bodies enjoy consistency, so by keeping yourself on a regular sleep schedule you may be able to wake up more easily in the mornings and get to sleep more quickly at night, making you more rested in the long run.
  7. Find things to get excited about. Of course you’re going to be exhausted in the morning if all you can think about doing is things you dread. Try to find at least one thing you can get excited about doing each day, even if it’s just making your favorite lunch or meeting with a friend after work.
  8. Don’t linger in bed. Hitting the snooze button in the morning may delay the inevitable time when you do have to get up, but it’s not doing you any favors in the long run. Challenge yourself to get up and move around for at least 10 minutes to see if you’re still super tired. Chances are, once you get up you’ll be ready to start your day.
  9. Wake up gradually. For some, the transition between sleep and the horrible beep of the alarm clock can create a drowsy and negative day thereafter. If your alarm tends to wake you with a start, try employing a method to wake yourself more gradually like beeps that get progressively louder or your favorite radio station.
  10. Don’t focus on the negative. Being a pessimist may actually be making you more tired. Try looking on the positive side of things instead, and you may see a turn around in your energy levels.
  11. Try something new. Getting into a rut can make your day seem boring and tedious and drain your energy levels. Change things up, try new things and seek out new experiences to spice up your day a little and keep you alert and awake.
  12. Watch your attitude. If you let the bad things that happen during your day get you down, you’re bound to start feeling worn out. Watch your attitude and make sure you’re not letting yourself be overly negative.

Diet

What you choose to put into your body can make a huge difference in how energetic you feel, so check out these tips for ways to give yourself a boost.

  1. Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Eating meals that are infrequent can cause your blood glucose to spike and crash, leaving you tired and hungry. And digesting huge meals can steal energy you need for other things. Instead, eat smaller meals throughout the day so you can keep your energy level and keep yourself feeling great.
  2. Have an apple. Eating fruits can be a great way to get a quick energy boost. Fruits are more easily digestible than many other foods and can give the fuel you need to get going.
  3. Drink enough water. Because your body is mostly composed of water, it makes sense that you need to get enough in order to function at your peak. Try to drink the standard 8 glasses a day to keep your brain and body in tip top shape.
  4. Try whole grains. Complex carbs like those found in whole grains take longer for your body to break down and can be a good way to keep your energy levels steady all day.
  5. Have a healthy snack. Instead of reaching for a sugary snack, eat something healthy instead. It’ll give you more energy for the long haul instead of just a quick boost, and you’ll be healthier overall.
  6. Consider herbal supplements. Many people swear by herbs that are purported to improve energy levels. If you’re looking for a natural way to stay awake, try supplements of ginseng, bee pollen, gutu kola, maitake and more.
  7. Don’t skip breakfast. Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day, at least in terms of energy. Having a good, well-rounded meal in the morning will help wake you up and keep you fueled for the rest of the day.
  8. Take your vitamins. Making sure your body has all the vitamins it needs to function properly is integral to staying energetic. If your diet isn’t providing what you need, consider a multi-vitamin to supplement.
  9. Avoid excess sugar. Sugar may be tasty, but it can also cause your energy levels to bottom out after it’s been digested. Avoid eating super sugary foods when you need to be at your peak energy levels.
  10. Eat enough alkaline-forming foods. Foods are classified as alkaline or acidic forming based on its affect on your urine ph. Foods that are alkaline like fruits and vegetables are thought to be energy boosters, so try to consume more of these than their acidic counterparts.
  11. Cut down on alcohol. Alcohol may appear to make you sleepy, but it can actually ensure that you get a much lower quality of sleep than you would otherwise. Keep it in moderation so it won’t affect your sleep and make you groggy the next day.
  12. Make sure you are getting enough protein. Protein is an important part of a balanced diet and not getting enough can leave you feeling wiped out.
  13. Grab a handful of nuts. Whether you like almonds, cashews, peanuts or walnuts, nuts can be one of the best sources for a quick energy boost. Or if you don’t have nuts on hand, try peanut butter instead.

At Home

Try these tips at home when you need a jumpstart to your day.

  1. Take a short nap. When you’ve got the time at home and you’re feeling run down, why not take a little nap? Short naps can give you the rest you need to be more alert. Just make sure not to sleep for too long or you may end up feeling even more drowsy than you did before the nap.
  2. Do some simple chores. If you’re having trouble getting motivated to do a big project because you feel tired, try starting out with a few simple household chores. The activity will help you wake up and feel more up to getting what you need to do done.
  3. Wake up your mind. Sometimes it takes awhile to get your mind going in the morning. Try waking up by reading the news or doing a crossword.
  4. Meditate and relax. Meditation can be a great and effective way to recharge throughout the day. Set aside a few minutes of your day to relax and let your worries go.
  5. Take a walk. Whether you go just around the block or a few miles, taking a walk can help wake you up, clear your thoughts and maybe even improve your mood.
  6. Get out of the house. Sunlight can help wake you up and help you stay up, so take a trip outside to catch some rays and get some fresh air.
  7. Take a shower. Get your brain and body feeling fresh and awakened by taking a quick shower.
  8. Indulge yourself. Giving into your cravings, enjoying a nice long bath, or simply relaxing on your patio can help refresh you and give you the energy to keep going.
  9. Call a friend. What better way to wake up than by interacting with those you care most about? Give a friend or a family member a call to see what they’ve been up to.
  10. Get acupuncture or a massage. Many forms of acupuncture and massage have been shown to help relieve stress and boost energy overall. If you have the time, why not try it out and see if it gives you the wake up you need?
  11. Try aromatherapy. Certain smells like citrus, ginger and peppermint can have an energizing effect and help to boost your alertness. Light a candle or try a perfume infused with these scents to help you feel extra energized.
  12. Play with a pet. Spending time with your furry friend can not only be fun, it can also make you feel happier and more energetic. Whether you decide to play in the park with your dog or tempt your cat with a string, make playing with pets a daily part of your energy routine.

At Work

Work can be exhausting, but you don’t have to let it ruin your energy levels. Try these tips instead.

  1. Get away from your desk. Hours upon hours of sitting at your desk can start to sap your energy and make you plead for it to be 5 o’clock already. Give yourself a quick pick-me-up by stepping away from your desk for a bit for a trip to the water fountain, a walk around the office or just a short break.
  2. Talk to a coworker. Boost your mood and your energy by connecting with your coworkers. Social interaction can help wake you up, especially if you’re doing tedious work, and give you the pep you need to go on.
  3. Have a laugh. While the Internet’s plentiful humor sites are prime territory for distraction and procrastination, they can also be a great place to get a morale and energy boost. Laughter will make you feel better mentally and physically and ensure that you don’t end up asleep at your desk.
  4. Do desk yoga. Yoga boasts many positions that are designed to improve the energy flow in your body and help you feel more alert. Check out the net for versions of these poses you can even do at work for a quick boost.
  5. Listen to your favorite up-tempo songs. If you can listen to music at work, why not put on some tunes that will get your heart pumping and make you want to dance? It’s a surefire way to beat the mid-afternoon slump.
  6. Start work with a challenging task. Get your brain in gear by giving it a challenging task first thing. You’ll be more alert and you’ll get the hard stuff out of the way so the rest of your day will be a breeze.
  7. Stop slouching. Slumping down at your desk isn’t doing you any favors in the alertness category. Sitting up at your desk, in an ergonomically friendly way, can make you feel more alert and ready to work.
  8. Volunteer to help someone. Studies have shown that helping others actually gives the helper a sense of elation and excitement, and at work it can show a lot of initiative while helping you stay awake.
  9. Avoid coworkers who sap your energy. Everyone has that one coworker who is so glum, negative or boring that they just suck the energy right out of you. When it’s possible, keep this person away from you to save your energy and maybe your sanity too.
  10. Stock your desk with high energy snacks. Don’t make it easier to eat unhealthy food just because you’re at work. Bring nuts, dried fruits and other healthy snacks to work in place of sugary or fatty counterparts from the vending machine.
  11. Have a mint. For some people, the smell and taste of mint helps wake them up. Give it a try next time you’re feeling drowsy. Even if you still feel sleepy at least you’ll have fresh breath.
  12. Get some sunlight. If it’s possible, try taking a break from your desk to get outside. Getting sunlight and fresh air can help make you feel more awake and maybe even put you in a better mood.
  13. Look at your accomplishments. When you’ve got a lot on your plate at work, it can be easy to get overwhelmed and start feeling down on yourself and exhausted. Instead of looking at the bad side of things, try thinking about all the things you have gotten done. It will improve your mood and give you the energy to go on.

Source: This was forwarded to me in an email. If you know the source of this article, please don’t hesitate to send me an email. Thanks.

Getting engaged can be one of the most memorable and exciting moments in your life. For the first few weeks after the proposal, you both feel dizzy with happiness and are bursting with anticipation. As well you both should be! You’ve met the man or woman of your dreams, you’ve decided to get married, and now it’s time to plan the wedding — the official celebration of your love and commitment.

As you plan this wonderful day, you both will continue to feel great joy, but may also experience a few butterflies and a little confusion. After all, organizing a ceremony and reception is a big undertaking.

There will be questions about anything and everything: from the meal (fish, chicken, or beef?) to the wedding gown (low-cut, fitted, or empire-waisted?) to the reception music (live band, small orchestra, or DJ?). There will be issues about budgets, guest lists, and styles.

But in the end, just remember what this day is really about — a celebration of love. Stay focused, and keep organized. This is where this article comes in handy. It’s packed with helpful information and useful worksheets that you both can click on and print out to help you stay on top of your wedding planning. You’ll find:

  • checklists for keeping track of what needs to be done
  • useful charts for organizing the many little wedding-related details
  • worksheets for wading through vendor candidates and potential site possibilities
  • hint boxes loaded with valuable tips and other information

Plus, this article features special Stress-Busters and Budget Extenders tips that help you both tackle the tough problems and really stretch the wedding dollars.

Designed to help the engaged couple plan an entire wedding, from announcing the engagement and buying the rings to cutting your cake and planning the honeymoon, this article will help you both create a truly memorable day — without driving yourselves crazy in the process.

Every wedding is different so there might be worksheets that you both will have to reprint to have enough to cover all of your guests or all of your vendor candidates. Conversely, there might be some worksheets that you won’t need at all or that you might have to tweak to fit your needs.

Get started on the right track by beginning a list of important phone numbers — from wedding party members to the florist and musicians. Then take a look at the next page to help you establish a budget and a timetable. You both also will find information about announcing your engagement and how to choose a ring — that is, if you don’t have your rings already!

Source: http://money.howstuffworks.com

The engagement period will probably be the most gloriously tranquil time of a couple’s wedding process. You both soon will be faced with decisions, compromises, and debates — some simple, some funny, some tough, but all important.

While it’s important to bask in all the happiness, there are also a few tasks that should be handled pretty quickly. The couple need to set the budget and a timetable for planning the wedding, buy the rings, and announce the engagement.

For those folks that have more budget to play around with, some decide to add a consultant into their budget. This is definitely the way to go if you both don’t have time to plan the wedding or you know you both will argue over every minute detail. Keep in mind that you can opt to choose a wedding consultant that works by the hour. This allows you both to do most of the planning but provides an outsider’s perspective for some of the more difficult decisions.

Please use the following guide to find and record all the details of your consultant before hiring them. >> Click here for the PDF file

Using an hourly consultant

Consultants who work by the hour are an excellent choice if you want to plan everything yourself but wouldn’t mind a little objective feedback once in a while.  For instance, when he wants beef and you want chicken, a consultant might lend some insight into the most popular entree selection, the pros and cons of offering multiple entree choices, and which selection will help you stay on budget.  You might also want to hire a consultant on an hourly basis so you can use his/her list of vendor recommendations, such as florist, reception halls, musicians, and so on.  Then you can do the actual calling, interviewing, and hiring!

Source: http://www.howstuffworks.com

Planning your weddingSit down together to determine a wedding date priority list. You both may want to include your families in this conversation, especially if they live out of town. Here are several important things to consider when choosing a date:

The honeymoon: Consider the type of honeymoon you both want. For instance, if you are both sun-worshipers, don’t plan a wedding date when your favorite island is experiencing monsoon season.

Work schedules: You both may have work periods when you can’t take time off. Select a date when your lives are least demanding.

Holidays and family occasions: Some couples go out of their way to schedule a wedding over a three-day weekend, so everyone has more time together. This idea works best if you send invitations at least eight weeks in advance; otherwise, people might already have plans.

The bride’s menstrual cycle: The bride wants to look and feel her best on her wedding day. If she suffers unpredictable cycles, a quick chat with her gynecologist may bring up solutions.

Day of the week: Saturdays are generally the preferred wedding day. That way, out-of-town guests can easily stay overnight. Weekday dates result in many regrets.

Alternate dates: If possible, have a first-choice date and at least one backup date.
Once the couple decides on a date, the real fun can begin! Work backward from the chosen date to determine a timetable of what needs to be done when. Some tasks, such as mailing invitations and picking up the rings, obviously can’t be checked off until two months before the Big Day. On the other hand, you both want to take care of other items — booking a florist and reception site, for example — at least a year in advance.

Click here for a timetable to organize your timelines for your wedding.

wedding budget management for newlywedsNow that you have heard wedding bells and experienced the joys of your wedding ceremony, it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll merge your finances. The budget management situation of a newlywed couple is not something to take lightly – the foundations you build right from the start will affect the entire relationship. Don’t simply think that “things will sort themselves out.” That’s the mindset of a financially troubled marriage.

Over 90% of couples admit to arguing over their budget management, and 34% cite it as a major problem in their marriage.1 Imagine not planning out who will handle your bills and organize your joint savings, let alone plan an overall budget for the family – and you might just cringe. Each spouse has their own interpretation of “important” expenses, and they’re going to spend accordingly without some joint agreements.

Coming up with those agreements, though, can be hard without the proper ways to track spending. Especially for young newlyweds in their late teens or early twenties, knowing what to do with taxes, savings, and 401k plans can be so confusing that many often revert to simply avoiding the subject altogether. Unfortunately, the theory of “if we ignore it, maybe it’ll work itself out” usually leads to more tension than satisfaction.

As if that weren’t enough, many newlyweds these days are thirty-somethings who are combining households and finances – a complicated issue by any measure. Whether you’re 19 or 35, then, there are several key factors and financial items that should be on any newlywed’s To Do list after the excitement of the wedding dies down.

1. Combining and Optimizing Insurances

Job One for any “financial marriage” is for both of you to change your insurance coverage. If both spouses have insurance coverage, it’s best to examine the different plans and costs to decide where the combination should occur. For instance, if the husband has insurance coverage that allows for free spousal coverage, you can set the wife up under that policy and start cutting your spending immediately.

If you can duplicate coverage, that’s good! Duplication ensures that should a medical emergency occur, your insurance policies should cover all of the important issues. If you are paying for insurance under one policy, but not the other, it may be a good idea to place the insurance coverage under the free policy and eliminate the charged one, if possible. Look for ways to lower your overall costs without losing coverage for both.

Mint’s Tip: A popular comparison site for health insurance is eHealthInsurance.com. They list many of the major insurers, and don’t require you to input your personal information before seeing the plan specifics such as monthly premium, deductible, and coinsurance percentage.

Aside from just medical insurance coverage, you’ll also need to combine homeowners insurance, renters insurance, auto insurance, and possibly life insurance. Make sure that you aren’t paying for the same coverage twice, and combine everything when and where possible. Your overall costs are cheaper when combined – for instance, auto insurance policies always offer multiple-driver and multiple-car discounts. Since most policies will require you to complete these changes within 30 days of your marriage, it’s a quick way to see financial savings immediately.

Keep in mind, as well, that your insurance coverage policies need verification of the marriage in order to proceed. Don’t just wait around and count on filing the marriage certificate paperwork to get that document in time! Most offices take 4-6 weeks to process your certificate. Make it a point to go down to your local county recorder’s office and get a copy, so that you can set up your policies quickly and efficiently.

While you’re changing your insurance coverage policies, you’ll also need to change your beneficiaries should something go wrong. Most people allow their spouse to be their beneficiary for all bank accounts, savings accounts, retirement plans, and insurance policies – so you’ll have to make those decision, as well. Also, some employers require that you identify the person who would receive your final check should something happen to you. Make sure to identify that person as your spouse, as well.

2. Juggling the Tiny Details and Plan for the Unexpected

There are also other issues that should be addressed before you race off to the honeymoon. If one spouse will be changing his or her name, for example, that change should be filed with the social security administration. That spouse will be issued a new social security card and, with that information, can change driver’s licenses or IDs to reflect the change. Anyone who sends you mail – such as credit card companies, magazine companies, and even, where applicable, your alumni association – should be alerted, too.

Now that that’s all taken care of, you’ll need to upgrade your wills next. This step is particularly important, as an old will can cause a terrible knot of problems should something happen to you or your spouse. Don’t stall from addressing these concerns quickly – although planning for situations like these can be difficult, ignoring them will only compound the problem. Make sure your desires are made clear.

3. Figure Out Where You Both Stand Financially

Your next obvious step is one that’s hard to overlook: reviewing all credit cards and other debt obligations between you and your spouse. Many people have credit cards, while others have student loans, child support, and alimony. It’s a good idea to sit down and plan out a way that you and your spouse can pay off these debts. While a perfect solution would be to eliminate your debt prior to getting married so as not to burden your spouse with your own debt, this isn’t always a possibility. Therefore, it’s important for both parties to work on making their family and their marriage debt-free.

4. Budget Management For Your Future – Together

Beyond just paying off debts, though, you’ll want to review your financial goals for life. When do you both plan to retire? Do you own a home yet? If so, do you want to plan on moving into a larger home? If you don’t own a home yet, you’ll often want to draw up a timeline goal for buying one. How long will it take you to save up money for a down payment, and what can the two of you afford when it comes to a home purchase? Set goals together, as a couple, so that you both have a clear understanding of your desires, your goals, your milestones, and the means by which to accomplish them.

This last step brings us to a key point: a newlywed couple absolutely must develop a budget. It is essential that the two of you work out your income, your monthly expenses, and debt obligations. Once that’s been determined, you can make key decisions on how to save money, create an emergency fund, or invest in options for the future. Without a budget, you are going to experience a difficult time together!

With this budget in hand and your plan for the future set, your debt repayment plans laid out, and your key financial information changed over, as a couple you’re ready for a successfully and financially responsible marriage together. Stress levels will be lower and your foundation will be set for a strong marriage based on financial responsibility. Hopefully, all of this planning will ensure that money will never be what comes between you both!

Source: http://blog.mint.com/blog/finance-core/four-steps-for-responsible-budget-management-for-newlyweds/