Bridesmaids and Wedding Insurance

The bridesmaids dresses will usually be protected by your wedding insurance against damage or theft for three months prior to the wedding and for the duration of the wedding day itself. Each bridesmaids' dress will probably have been fitted or chosen especially for her, so you should make sure the dress is stored safely at all times. This storage is even more important as far as wedding insurance is concerned, as a claim for loss or theft will only be valid if the dress is stored with you or a member of the wedding party in a locked and secure place.

Bridesmaids' flowers will also usually be protected through your wedding insurance. You will have chosen a bouquet of flowers for your bridesmaids which fits the colour and theme for the day and made up of flowers which compliment both the bride and the bridesmaids' dresses. As your bouquets are personal to you and your bridesmaids, you will want to protect them against damage or theft; a dented or damaged bunch of flowers would not be the best arrangement to be carrying down the aisle.

The bridesmaids can look after their flowers by keeping them in a sturdy box and by making sure that no heavy objects are put on top of them in transit to the wedding venue. Like the dresses, you should also make sure that the flowers are kept in a well hidden and secure place before or after the wedding. Your insurance may pay up to the amount stated in your Schedule of cover for loss, damage or theft of flowers 36 hours prior to the wedding and up to 24 hours afterwards.

Whether your bridesmaids are your best friends or closest family members, you will want to make sure they enjoy the same level of financial protection as you do when you celebrate your marriage.

Air Conditioner Rentals

People needing air conditioners for temporary purposes can approach Air Conditioner Rental companies. Rental companies provide air conditioners on rent for short term or long term periods and charge rent on a monthly basis.

Temporary businesses, business meetings, wedding receptions, and high school and college functions are events that can preferably take air conditioners on rent. Even homes that do not wish to spend huge sums on purchasing air conditioners can rent them for the summer months. Shops and establishments that are not willing to spend their money on outright purchases can reduce their infrastructure investments by renting air conditioners.

Several companies offer air conditioners on rent at attractive discounted prices, especially during the sultry summer months. However, it is sometimes necessary to book for an air conditioner in advance, because the demand shoots up during the summer. Businesses may require a large number of air conditioner units, which also must be booked in advance.

When a party approaches a rental company for cooling requirements, the rental company may send one of their experts to inspect the area of the room and other factors. Once this is done, they will suggest the tonnage and type of air conditioner that may be suited to the room. This kind of service is usually free and provided by the rental company. Then estimates are drawn and there may be negotiations on the rent. A formal contract is signed and the air conditioner is installed at the venue of the renting party.

Air Conditioner Rental companies deal in all kinds of air conditioners, such as window, split, central, portable, industrial, and more. Generally, the type of air conditioner is decided based on the venue requiring cooling. Prices vary according to the kind of air conditioner installed. Central air conditioning is the priciest and window is the cheapest.

Some companies charge a deposit before giving the air conditioner on hire. Any damage to the air conditioner during its usage is compensated for from the deposit money. If there are no deductions, then the entire deposit is refunded on return of the air conditioner.

The rent on an air conditioner unit depends on the length of time it is rented for and its make. It may be a few hundred dollars per month.

Wedding Insurance - Say I Do

Many couples ask whether or not they should purchase wedding insurance. In my opinion the answer should be an unequivocal "Yes." According to TheWeddingReport.com the average cost of a wedding today is more than $26,000. That's more than some people pay for a car. Would you invest $26,000 in a car and not insure it? It just makes sense, then, to purchase an insurance policy that will cover many of your wedding costs if you need to postpone or cancel the ceremony and reception. This type of insurance is crucial especially if your cost of rescheduling the wedding will be very high.

Many couples overlook insurance when planning a wedding because they don't believe they will need it. After all, there is nothing romantic or exciting about wedding insurance and what could possibly go wrong. If you were to ask couples who had their wedding and reception planned in New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina hit, what advice do you think they would give you? Now a hurricane is an extreme weather condition, but wedding insurance provides coverage for just such a weather event. Wedding insurance, however, will not cover postponement of your special event due to a rainy day.

Once you've selected your vendors and submitted your deposits, you have made a serious investment. Wedding insurance protects your investment throughout the planning process, and the event itself. Consider these events that are covered in your this type of insurance policy.

• the caterer or your reception venue closes down unexpectedly before your wedding your wedding photographs are damaged or lost


• a family or wedding party member is injured or becomes ill or dies


• lost or stolen wedding rings*


• your wedding attire (if your dress is damaged or fails to arrive)

Sorry kids, you're out of luck if either of you gets cold feet. Changing your mind at the last minute is not covered by wedding insurance.

Just like any other type of insurance, you can purchase wedding insurance in a number of different policies. When compared to the cost of the event itself, wedding insurance is relatively inexpensive and as important to your special day as your bridal gown, cake and flowers. Whether you are having a destination wedding or a large wedding in your home town it is a good idea to purchase insurance for your wedding and a small price to pay for peace of mind.

21 Questions to Ask When Ordering Your Wedding Invitations

Letterpress, thermography, engraved, matte, jacquard, glassine...ordering invites will mean learning a few new vocabulary words. You'll also need to learn about all the components that you might want to include in your invitation, as well as what other printed materials could be part of your wedding scenario. With so many details to consider, you'll depend on a creative wedding invitation professional to clue you in on the jargon, and guide you in choosing invites that reflect your wedding style. After all, nothing sets the tone for an event like an impeccably designed wedding invitation.

Bring this list of must-ask questions to the stationery boutique or graphic designer you're considering to ensure that no detail is left unaddressed (no pun intended).

Getting To Know Your Invitation Professional

1. How long have you been in business?

2. What is your design background? NOTE: This may or may not involve formal training. Remember, "good taste" isn't necessarily something that can be taught!

3. What types of printing processes do you offer and which do you specialize in? Which do you recommend for my budget and style?

4. Is your printing done in-house or do you outsource the printing? NOTE: Printing is usually less expensive if it's outsourced. However, a possible benefit of in-house printing is a quicker turnaround time, which could come in especially handy if any reprinting (say, due to an error) is required.

5. Do you offer custom invitations as well as templated styles? Is there a fee if I want to order a sample of either an existing invitation style or a custom design? If so, how much?

6. If I choose a custom wedding invitation, what are my options for color, paper type, ink and fonts? What is the word limit for the text?

7. Can I also order my table numbers, place cards, escort cards, ceremony programs, menus, etc. from you?

8. Do you offer a package or a discounted price if I order all of the invitation components at the same time?

9. If I want to include a picture or graphic on my save-the-date card or invitation, can you accommodate that? If so, does the image need to be saved in a specific format? Do you have photo retouching available, and if so, what is the price range? Can your photo specialist also convert color images to black & white or sepia? Is there an additional cost?

10. Are there any new styles, trends and color combinations I might consider? Which are the most popular? What kinds of handmade or artisanal paper do you offer? NOTE: The answers to these questions will give you a sense of how creative and up-to-the-minute your invitation professional is.

11. Can my invitations be printed on recycled paper and/or with soy-based ink?

12. Based on the paper I select and the number of pieces involved, what would it cost to mail my wedding invitation? NOTE: If you use a non-standard sized envelope, postage may be more expensive.

Getting Down To Business

13. Once I place my order, how long will it take to have the completed invitations delivered? Do you have rush-order available and what are the extra fees? If you are ordering from an online company, ask: What are the shipping methods available to me, and their respective costs?

14. If the invitation involves multiple pieces, can you assemble them? If so, is there an additional fee? How will the assembly affect my delivery date?

15. Do you offer an invitation addressing service? If so, what is the charge for this? What lettering style options are available? Will the lettering push back my delivery date?

16. When is payment due?

17. I will have an opportunity to sign off on my invitation proof before you send my order to print, right?

18. Once I've signed off on the proof, I expect the printed invitations to match the approved sample. If they don't (i.e. an error was made after I signed off on the proof) will my invitations be corrected and reprinted at no additional cost? How much additional time will it take to redo my order if there is a problem with it?

19. What is your refund policy if for some reason I need to cancel my order?

20. When can I expect to receive my contract from you?

21. Can you provide me with the contact information of 3-4 recent brides who I can call or email for references?

Useful Tips:

• Ordering your invitations over the phone increases the possibility of mistakes, so order in person if possible. If you order your invitations from an online company, make sure your contract states that they will correct mistakes they make for free.


• Insist on getting a proof. Have at least two other people review all your proofs before you sign off on them-it's amazing what a fresh pair of eyes will see!


• If ordering online, remember that color resolution can vary drastically between computers. The best way to guarantee the exact color you want is to ask that a sample be snail mailed to you.


• Order 20-30 extra save-the-dates and/or invitations with envelopes in case you have to add to the guest list or you make a mistake when assembling or addressing the envelopes.


• Save-the-date cards should be sent out 6-9 months prior to your wedding.


• Invitations should be sent out 6-9 weeks prior to your wedding.


• Consider working with one stationer or graphic designer for all of your printed materials. She'll guide you in making sure all of the components convey a consistent design concept. Not that they have to be identical, but as Joyce Scardina Becker observes in Countdown to Your Perfect Wedding, "It's like making a fashion statement: All of the accessories in your wardrobe should coordinate and fit together nicely."


• To Evite or not to Evite? For the main event, even we progressives at Here Comes The Guide come down on the side of tradition and say go with real paper and snail mail-even if your budget determines that you have to DIY. However, if your overall wedding style is relaxed and casual, then we think Evites are fine for the supporting events, such as your Bachelorette Party. We like Evite's built-in RSVP system and creative style options.

Possible Printed Invitation Components
(Don't panic...most of the extra elements are OPTIONAL!!)

• Save-the-Date cards


• Wedding Announcement


• Wedding Invitation Components:
  
  
  • Outer Envelope
  
  
  • Optional Inner Envelope
  
  
  • Invitation
  
  
  • Reception Card, if held at a different location than the ceremony
  
  
  • Directions/Map
  
  
  • Response Card & SASE

• Thank-You Cards
• Shower Thank-You Cards
• Other Invites:
  • Engagement Party
  
  
  • Shower
  
  
  • Bachelor/Bacherlorette Parties
  
  
  • Rehearsal Dinner
  
  
  • After Party

• Wedding Program
• Pew Cards
• Place Cards
• Table Cards
• Menus
• Napkins, matchbooks or labels for favors

What Dress Code Should I Put on My Wedding Invitations?

I often get asked by brides and grooms about what dress codes they should put on their wedding invitations. Here is quick guide to the main dress codes and what they mean.

Black Tie

A black tie dress code is appropriate for a formal event (and would usually indicate an evening affair), where men wear a tuxedo and women wear a stylish evening gown or cocktail style dress.

White Tie

A white tie dress code is for an ultra formal event. It is more formal than black tie and calls for the most glamorous attire. This might include a ball-gown for ladies, gloves,stole, a clutch or evening bag and glamorous hair and make-up. For the men, it might include an evening tail coat, white shirt, white waistcoat and white bow-tie. Ultra-glam indeed! This is a chance to go all out!

Semi-Formal

A semi-formal dress code calls for well...semi-formal attire as the name suggests. It is somewhere between casual and formal. This dress code would allow men to wear a dark suit, and ladies a cocktail dress (tuxedos and long dresses are not necessary). Sometimes this dress code can be a little ambiguous when written on an invitation, and can be interpreted differently from person to person.

Lounge Suit

The lounge suit dress code indicates an event which is not as formal as some of the other dress codes, yet it is still expected that guests dress stylishly. Men can get away with a coloured business suit and shirt while women can don a cocktail style dress or fitted dress.

Cocktail

A cocktail dress code has typically been interpreted as being a dark suit for men and an elegant dress for ladies-brighter colours would also be suitable here. Currently, shorter knee-length cocktail dresses are quite the trend.

Smart Casual

A Smart casual dress code does not necessarily mean jeans and a t-shirt. For the women, smart casual calls for a pretty dress (cocktail or other), tailored pants or a skirt with a stylish top. For the men- a suit and shirt- which can be both dark or light. A tie is optional at this style of wedding.

Casual

A casual dress code really says that anything goes. Feel free to frock up in a dress (for ladies) or casual shirt and pants for the men. But do be aware that even though the dress code states "Casual", do not forget that you are attending a wedding no less, so do dress casual but appropriately.

How to Make Love Last a Lifetime: Signature Love Notes for Newly Weds

Marriage remains a sacred institution no matter how aggressive our culture of independence and self-reliance. Protecting your vows after marriage so it can flourish is a must. Time is not on your side. It is predicted that most marriages will succumb to a number of pressures that grow in intensity within a fourteen-month window. Couples who base their relationship on emotion alone are the most vulnerable with love being the most overused and misunderstood word in the English language. Love is a "fruit," layered to enhance its power and force of nature. Marriage will require the couple to examine and adopt a marriage construct that defines it more comprehensively. With each annotation, they move closer to the tools needed to make their love last a lifetime; they will possess signature love notes. Love is multi-dimensional in construct and must be understood as such. Failure to do so makes you a candidate for the fourteen-month window of statistical vulnerability. The further you are from defining love more comprehensively, the more vulnerable you become. Therefore, love must be defined within a broader construct; synthesizing a number of properties to sustain the marriage covenant. Here is a brief overview of that construct.

Psychological - Signature of Influence: A definite, preconceived notion of a personal preference for a mate. Preferences have been influenced by culture and by distinct character tracts that have had a lifetime for maturation. Personal preferences then determine if the relationship journey begins.

Physiological - Signature of Attraction: Human anatomy and its appeal are related to culture and character. Physical attraction is typically what grabs attention first and then there comes a deeper revelation of compatibility. What you look like before the "I do," oftentimes than not, is the lowest threshold of expectation after the vows. Improvement is anticipated.

Technological - Signature of Accountability: Access to conversations to get to know one another better happens multi-contextually to include modern-day online mediums. Understanding the role social networking sites can play in nurturing or disturbing a relationship, needs to be explored and understood with proper boundaries established from the beginning.

Artistical - Signature of Presence: Expressions of caring across the continuum is very important to the relationship. The more ways you can say you care the better. Being creative and imaginative keeps the excitement in marriage and leaves no room for it to become visionless and lifeless. Being intentional about eating together and the types of meals prepared; to the home, you live in and its aesthetic appeal; to plans for date day as well as times when the two of you take individual retreats, are components of the continuum. Couples reflect each other in a number of ways, and the public domain is where the stakes are the highest. By taking pride in your mate and respecting public protocols of behavior; you secure this component for lasting love.

Theological - Signature of Submission: Your faith has everything to do with the longevity of your marriage. It is the evidence you sow into your relationship that you are committed through the challenges of marriage. There can be no difference here. Life is a peculiar journey. There is predictability sewn in every garment; strewn along every path you take but then there are the unpredictable moments and situations that will require you to have faith. Not only is your faith critical here, but your adherence to a set of beliefs; principles of trust and confidence that guide you individually and your marriage collectively. You willingly submit to each other, and the established boundaries are respected. This is the only layer of Signature Love Notes: How to Keep Love for a Life Time, is a construct that calls for mutual agreement on faith. If there is no mutual agreement, it is a deal breaker for getting married. Entering a marriage relationship without a clear understanding of individual theological beliefs accelerates the fourteen-month window.

Economical - Signature of Responsibility: A happy home is built on a lot of things, and finance is a key pillar. Women, in particular, need to feel a sense of security. Living space and finances for daily living require intentional actions to ensure there is always more than enough to meet such needs. Stressors in marriage have a tendency to be the most dominant at this level of the continuum. The financial well-being of a couple has little to do with the extent of the wealth. Couples from all economic backgrounds are faced with money matters that disrupt "happy" homes. Adhering to a principled value of being debt free "before" marriage is a wise consideration. Working to reduce debt is a good start but being debt free coupled with intentional spending habits, is a recipe for basking in love for a lifetime.

Your Signature has identifiable markings that are distinctly distinguishable as yours. Your preferences in a mate and all the signature love notes that make up this thing called "love," observations, and other messaging systems you use to communicate your level of care and concern, must be understood before you say, "I do." Each signature stroke must resonate with the unique tones of your mate.

Tips For Choosing Your Wedding Venue

Your wedding venue is an all important part of your wedding, and as such you will want to find the perfect place. It may take some time for you to choose a venue and once secured you might want to protect any deposits with wedding insurance.

Why take out wedding insurance for the venue?

Why cover the venue with insurance? Well consider the possibility of the venue burning to the ground before your big day, double booking or even going out of business. You are then right back where you started and may have lost a substantial amount of money in the process. Wedding insurance typically covers the above which means you may be able to recoup some of the costs.

Considerations and choices for the venue

Have you always dreamed of holding your wedding reception in the confines of a banquet hall in a castle? What about in a cabana on some exotic beach? Maybe you want to hold it in a small chalet in the Swiss mountains. The choices for wedding receptions are endless and of course your personal choice may be reflected in the cost.

If you wish to be conservative when considering your wedding venue you may wish to give some thought to a self-catering buffet in your local village hall or local pub, depending on the size of your wedding. You and your family and friends can then make your own food the day before the wedding, take it to the reception and store it in the fridge overnight. If you are lucky you may be able to talk friends into going to the venue on your wedding day to set up the food for you. Alternatively check out how much your local pub may charge extra for putting on food along with the hire of the room. You may also find a pub or club that allows you to hire the room free of charge if you hire then to take over your buffet or sit down meal.

You may wish to give some thought to the time of the year when you are getting married and your menu. If you are having a summer wedding this is typically the most expensive time of the year to get married. If you choose a winter wedding you may be able to save a great deal of money, and you are able to enjoy a fairy-tale wedding. Imagine decking out the venue with fairy lights and Christmas trees, this would be a wedding to remember at a special time of the year.

When looking for ideas for wedding venues you can always consider something out of the ordinary. What about holding your reception at the zoo for instances, maybe in a marquee overlooking greenery, your guests with children may love this idea as they are able to tour the zoo. What about an amusement park, maybe among the scenery of botanical gardens or even on the grounds of a stately home?

Rose Wedding Invitations - A Floral Touch to Your Wedding Celebration

Rose wedding invitations are the epitome of romantic wedding stationery. Roses are often associated with romanticism. Red roses are often given on valentine's day to show your love and affection for your partner.

Red roses are the most popular colour choice to decorate wedding stationery. However, yellow, pink and white flowers sometimes make an appearance. If you choose red I recommend using a cream or ivory card for the basis of the design. For yellow, white or pink a white coloured board is recommended.

To compliment the design further use subtle hints of foil to accentuate the design. Gold foil compliments red and pink roses, whereas silver foil works well with yellow and white.

How the flowers decorate the card depends on the style of card you choose. Some flat postcard styles use petal confetti to decorate the wedding invite. Some designs use interlocking flowers or a bunch of roses. For a 3D effect, paper or satin flowers can be used on the design.

If you want to make the invitations yourself, why not create a heart shape pattern using several paper or satin flowers? First draw a heart on your wedding invitations. Then glue 3D roses to this outline, you can leave it there or if you want, continue until the entire heart is filled. Or, if you want to keep things simple, just use one single flower on the front of the design. This can add a surprising impact to the wedding card and create an elegant feel to your wedding stationery.

To complete the wedding theme you may want to decorate your reception tables with vases of roses. Scatter petals across the tables and maybe give rose scented candles as wedding favours.

Top 4 Ideas for Designing Romantic Wedding Invites

In 2009, Times of India featured the Bollywood actor, Shilpa Shetty's wedding explaining how an embellished logo with the couple's initials embossed upon a shimmering ribbon enhanced its overall design quality. It was rather a combination of romantic theme and embellishment that made people talk about her wedding invites so much. Although, definition of romantic elements can be a personal choice however there are some essential points you should keep in mind in order to have an outstanding design.

Things to Keep in Mind While Designing Romantic Wedding Invites

Here are some of the ideas that you can incorporate while designing Indian romantic wedding invites for a lasting impression:

1. Colors: Choose colors that also complement the theme of the event along with bride and groom's attire. Color scheme coordinated with your idea of romance will create a lasting memory for you. Colors are also very stimulating therefore if you choose to design the wedding invites in shades of pink, red and lavender guests will be able to catch up with the romantic mood instantly.

2. Embellishments: As mentioned in the beginning, ribbons are the most trending form of decoration for a traditional romantic wedding. Design the ribbon in metallic designer paper or introduce a metallic bow, circular disk, etc altogether. Make sure it looks delicate while personalizing it with the initials or photo of the soon-to-be married couple. Use materials like, silk organza, hand stitched threads to design. Add other whimsical embellishments like small diamantes, golden flowers over all over the card to add to the d矇cor. Make use of traditional or contemporary scroll work in order to design the inside of the card.

3. Construction: The paper quality and construction pattern of the card attracts the reader and reflect your feelings for the event at the same time. Make use of latest paper qualities, like vellum paper, cardstock and metallic paper to construct the card. Adding three dimensions to the card will allow you to depict your emotions well. Add several layers to the card depending upon the number of events in the entire nuptial ceremony.

4. Wordings: A wedding invite is essential about the feelings that you express in the form of wordings. For a personalized romantic appeal to the invitations, select a romantic poem or lyrics of a song that reflect the mutual love and understanding between the couple the most. It can also be something that bride and groom came up with together.

Make sure that you choose a reliable vendor for placing order for the cards who assists you with the invitations at all stages.

Uh Oh, Problems When Catering

No matter what your job or business, things happen that are unexpected. Catering is no exception. You have to think on your feet and that's not easy when your feet are tired! Keep in mind, it usually works out, and you are the only one that feels that the problems were obvious.

Some of the problems I have had... transportation of items that lost their presentation in route, loss of an item onto the floor, not enough food, the list goes on. Sometimes, you have to learn the hard way to figure out how you will react and respond. One of my friends couldn't handle the issues with catering and switched to bakery catering only- which rarely has problems on the day of the event, other than heat. Whatever happens, always have some backup plans for just these types of mishaps.

When a couple of pans of brownies didn't cook all the way in the middle, I cut bars out the cooked portion and then made a whole other dessert by using the gooey brownie parts in parfait glasses with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge sauce. People loved them and gushed all over the spur of the moment fix-up. At one event, I removed a glass bowl of home-made lemon curd and dropped it, shattering the bowl and contents. Of course, I learned one fast lesson: don't transport in glass. But then, as a quick replacement, I bought a jar of lemon curd. I know, not what's expected, but no one knew any different (even though the store-bought curd was nowhere near as good as mine!)

My learning curves are ongoing, but it happens less and less. Best of luck to you and your catering learning curves. Check out my blog of ongoing thoughts and plans of a caterer.   www.homebasedcatering.blogspot.com

Cheap Wedding Ideas To Cut Down Your Wedding Costs

Here are three cheap wedding ideas to cut your wedding expenses dramatically:

1. HUNT FOR BRIDAL BARGAINS

Weddings are big business and there are many wedding vendors out there all wanting your business. ?So where do you start? ?

Well there are many ways to find wedding decorations, cakes, flowers and invitations at very competitive prices, if you just know where to look.?If it is difficult for you to find cheap wedding ideas and items locally, then the internet provides a wonderful resource to search for bargains.

Websites such as eBay, Etsy and wedding forums are a great place to look for cheap deals or exchange ideas with fellow brides. Many brides all over the country as well as overseas, now use bridal forums to swap ideas and share wedding costs. In fact, some brides with weddings on the same weekend buddied?up and shared the costs of furniture hire, lighting, decorations, catering equipment and much more. This is a great way to cut your costs by?half?our costs and still have the wedding theme and decorations you dreamed about.

Another alternative is to ask for help from family and friends. ?Maybe you know someone who sings or plays a musical instrument. Perhaps a friend's mother or sister is a florist or cake decorator. In addition, you probably know someone who is a great cook or who owns a catering business. if you think about your network of family, friends and work associates, you'll be amazed how many people you know or can contact directly for a good deal.

2. BUY PRE-LOVED WEDDING GOWNS

Choosing a stylish and beautiful wedding gown is still achievable even if you need to be mindful of your budget. If you have your heart set on a designer wedding gown, then there are still ways you can achieve your vision without using up your entire wedding budget.?

Wedding gowns are an important element to every wedding and their prices can vary from a few hundred dollars right through to designer gowns in the tens of thousands. So it is no surprise when you start shopping for your wedding gown, how easy it is to become overwhelmed with the variety of styles and pricing options on offer.

Chances are you will end up wanting a gown that costs more than you budgeted for. However, if you plan for this problem ahead of time and have some alternatives in mind, it will help you avoid the temptation of buying a dress way beyond your means. ?

Start by searching online bridal websites for pre-loved wedding dresses. They are a great way to find the designer gown of your dreams for only a fraction of the regular price. Only you have to know your secret, because it will be almost impossible to tell the gown?was worn?before.?In addition, most of these bridal sites allow you to post an ad for the ideal type of gown you are looking for. ?Other brides and wedding gown suppliers can then respond to your ad with suitable offers.

3. DITCH THE BIG CEREMONY

Many couples are now ditching the big ceremony and choosing a civil ceremony instead. Venues such as City Hall or alternative locations without the need for religious elements, are increasingly becoming a popular way to tie the knot?easily without the expense.?

Another cheap wedding option is to get hitched Las Vegas style! ?Las Vegas has always been a cheap, fun and unique way to get married. There are plenty of pretty, fascinating and even quirky wedding chapels to choose from - all of them set up to make your wedding ceremony quick and easy, yet still romantic.

You can easily cut down your wedding costs by half when you look for alternative options. A little imagination plus networking with friends will provide you with cheap wedding ideas that still make for a fantastic wedding day.?

Black And Gold Wedding Invitations

Black, the hue of class and also taste. Gold, the hue of success, prosperity and intelligence. Put them together with each other and you will have a strong combination to commence your married life. However why printable wedding stationery? Keep reading for precisely how utilizing printable black and gold wedding invites appropriately signifies making use of your money carefully with elegance and style.

Why Printable Wedding Stationery: If you are the least bit computer literate and possess a good printer, you owe it to yourself to find out more about printable wedding invitations. The cost savings are usually great and also the freedom you have to produce and improve the text of your invites is never-ending. In addition, you could obtain unique styles, better quality cardstock, and combine possibilities that allow you to personalize your invites without worrying about the pricey custom styles. To locate on the web organizations simply Google these keywords and phrases: printable wedding invitations; printable wedding stationery sets; DIY wedding invitation sets and let the fun begin.

Exquisite Black and Gold Mixtures: There are many methods to make use of black and gold in invitations. One example is, you could decide on a pocket folder layout invitation in which you have a black wallet folder with a gold insert in the center. You may use cream or ecru for the invitation shade then secure it together with gold or cream ribbons. You can develop a layered style invitation having a black backing layer, cream invite card and gold accent ribbon. Lots of people also use "gold" ink, you should be cautious because it could be hard to read. Use a metallic ink and get some great suggestions from a neighborhood printer. There are also several individual layer invitation cards with gold borders or gold adornment; combine these with black ink and black and gold laces and ribbons for a stunning, distinctive style that could fit any kind of spending budget wisely.

Unusual Black and Gold Embellishments: The charm of employing invitation sets is that you may customize and decorate them yourself. You may choose to utilize a black translucent envelope or put a gold liner in your envelope. You may select gold envelope closures to secure your invitations or black tassels. You can also make use of gold inserts with your black wallet folder or a black ribbon on your gold invite. Allow your imagination and your neighborhood hobby shop become your guide.

To get an elegant, refined wedding party employing black and gold can be a magnificent mixture. From a traditional cream invitation with gold edges and black ink to a black wallet folder plus a gold top layer and gold embellishments, your options are numerous. Select sensibly, preserving you bank balance while still demonstrating your taste and sophistication.

Wedding Insurance - Top 5 Claims

For many brides, the item that most often gets scratched off the checklist is purchasing wedding insurance. Planning a wedding is supposed to be a joyous occasion so why do we need to plan for a disaster? There are many reasons for purchasing wedding insurance (see below) and according to research done by Insurance company, Ecclesiastical, the top five claims for wedding insurance are:

"1. Damage to the wedding dress, jewelry, or outfits
2. Cancellation
3. Problems with the venue
4. Problems with suppliers, such as caterers and transportation
5. Damage to the photographs"

Purchasing wedding insurance is very important and something you will want to do early in the planning process. It's not pleasant to think about the possibility of something going wrong on the biggest day of your life but you do want to know that you'll be covered in worst-case scenarios.

Weather is unpredictable, transportation might not show up, businesses may go bust, wedding outfits are expensive, thieves never rest, double bookings can't be worked around, people get ill, people pass away, and worse, someone might blame the bride and groom for something that goes wrong (think a slip and trip that leads into a hospital visit).

Work closely with your wedding planner or insurance broker to find a plan most suitable to your wedding requirements and budget. The wedding insurance can protect you in a legal lawsuit and it can also provide cover for dissatisfaction with vendors and cover in the event that a guest(s) gets hurt. The cost spent on wedding insurance is minuscule in comparison to the time and money spent on your wedding. Having this peace of mind is extremely important and will help you relax and enjoy your wedding planning process and your wedding day to the fullest.

Unique Wedding Invitations - Don't Have Your Wedding Without Them

It's that time in your life. Your big wedding day is just entering the planning stages and you've got a ton of work to do. Many things can easily get lost in the shuffle, including your attention to detail and demands for quality. Aside from the amazing wedding dress and flower arrangements that you envision for your wedding, there is another important item that you absolutely must spend some time on: your personalized stationery and invitations. Below are some key things that you will want to get right so that you can send the most fitting and unique wedding invitations possible for your special day:

Handmade Unique Wedding Stationery vs. Mass Produced

When ordering a mass produced wedding invitation you are often limited to the designs on hand. The companies that produce these stationery sets usually produce large quantities in advance and simply print your event information on them. This means there is often little flexibility in how your order can be customized (and changed altogether if need be).

Handmade invitations which are made to order by a designer allow you to be very specific about which design elements you can use such as paper stocks, ribbons and accents. These types of unique wedding invitations can also be changed and sampled until you have the right design for you. Be sure you are aware of this before you hit the "approved" button on a cookie cutter set of wedding stationery.

Paper Stock - The All Important Ingredient

If there is one thing you need to make sure of, make sure that the paper stock you are getting is of a very high, premium quality. These types of paper provide a very specific feel and quality when they are touched and handled. Flimsy or overly stiff card stock can make the wrong impression when opened and can torpedo your unique wedding invitation's quality very quickly.

Making Sure It All Matches

A surefire BIG mistake is to have your unique wedding invitation made on one type of paper stock and have you envelope made with another (usually lower quality) paper. Don't laugh, it happens quite frequently. Any thorough designer is going to make sure that you have a matching set. If your unique wedding invitations are in fact handmade, this is usually never a problem. The same principle goes for your envelope seals, save the date cards, announcements and all other stationery items you will be sending out in conjunction with your wedding.

Quality Costs More, But It's Worth Its Weight In Gold

If you truly want to make a grand impression by sending unique wedding invitations, custom announcements and save the date cards, it is definitely worth it to spend the extra money. Weddings are not cheap and it can always be a challenge to cut costs where you need to. But since your wedding invitations are the types of keepsake's that many people will hold on to in order to remember your event, which do you think is going to leave the better lasting impression: multi-layered unique wedding invitations on Fabriano paper or standard 80lb card stock?

In The End, It's All About Satisfying YOU

It is safe to say that anyone getting married is going to want to have the perfect and most memorable wedding. There are many things to prepare, choose, keep track of and finalize before your big day is just right for you. It is important to make sure that your first contact with your guests and loved ones says the right thing about your event and how important it is to you. It is easy to do this with handmade unique wedding invitations.

Top 10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Wedding Photographer

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Questions are GOOD! The more questions you ask, the more involved you become, the more informed both you and your photographer are, the smoother the process will be.

I love it when I get 'fussy' brides. It means that I know exactly what they want, they feel assured I know what they want - the more demanding the bride before the day, the better I like it!

So here's my top ten questions to ask:

1 - Will you adjust your style to suit what I want?

Answer - within reason. Any professional photographer would rather pass a non-fitting client on to a more-suited colleague than try and be something they are not, just to keep a job. But flexibility is of course essential, too! Be sure before you meet that the photographer's style is what you are looking for - and if you change your mind whilst viewing more of their work, do not be afraid to say so. It saves everyone time!

2 - What is your method of working on the day?

Answer - there is no right answer to this, but your photographer should have a very clear and experienced idea of the layout of a wedding day, how they will cover each part, which parts they will control and which parts they will allow to flow around them. As long as they're not hesitating and fudging over what actually will happen, it is down to your judgement to decide whether their answer matches your wishes.

3 - What is your back up plan?

Ask for details - its easy to say 'oh, don't worry, I have it covered', but really, what will they do if they break their leg the day before your wedding? You need to believe they have genuine back up available. Working with other good local photographers also means they are respected professionally, which is a great testimonial in itself.

4 - How long does the photographer anticipate the family formals and the bridal formals will take?

Answer - Again, there is no right or wrong answer to this - just a matching of your own expectations. There is no point in hiring a photographer who takes the most beautiful bridal portrait images if it takes them over an hour of posing to get them, when you only want to leave your guests for 15 minutes. Equally, if those posed beautiful images are what you desire, don't choose a pure photojournalist photographer who will only take 5 minutes.

5 - How many weddings have you shot?

There are no guarantees of course, but do a job often enough and you can't help but learn it well. And how many as opposed to how long is a far better indicator - your photographer could have been a brilliant studio photographer for 20 years, but only shot 10 weddings in that time. Meaning they're a great photographer, but very inexperienced at wedding photography.

There is also the practice of 'second shooting' which is where photographers gain experience by tagging along at a wedding and assisting a 'main' photographer. It's a great way to create a fab portfolio of wedding images, but working your own wedding as a main photographer is an entirely different experience.

6 - Will there be a contract of the services to be provided?

Answer - should be an emphatic yes! You should require a contract from your photographer that details what services they will be providing, pricing, cancellation policy, delivery expectations etc. A contract is created for your protection, and for the wedding photographer's protection. Be wary of investing your cash in photographers that "don't usually bother with a formal contract."

7 - Do you have insurance?

Answer - It may seem an insignificant thing now, but professional wedding photographers should have the proper insurance for their business. Insurance means that if anything hideous occurs, the photographer is insured to restage the photographs for you. It also protects the photographer against equipment theft, of course. But most importantly to you it provides liability protection in case Aunty Mildred trips over the photographer's bag and breaks her hip. If a wedding photographer does not have insurance, chances are that they are either new to the industry, or simply aren't taking their business seriously.

8 - How long do you work on the day?

Answer - again, no right or wrong answer, but one you need to weigh up in importance to you personally. Many photographers charge extra for the evening, some have strict hour limits, some will work on to their own discretion. It doesn't really matter, you just need to know in advance.

9 - What about the pictures?

Answer - When you ask to see a sample of wedding albums, makes sure you see a complete album of photographs from one wedding, rather than a collection of good pictures from a selection of weddings. Look carefully at the photos to check how shots are set up - can you see a selection of tidy, well organised group shots, and are all of the group positioned in the shot, or have people been missed off at the edges? Do the people in the photographs look relaxed, happy and comfortable? It is helpful to check not only the bride and groom but also the friends and relations in the photos.

10 - Would you feel happy owning your version of the pictures you are shown?

A question that only you can answer. If the answer is "yes" then you have probably found your perfect wedding photographer.

Peacock Wedding Theme: How to Make It Work

The peacock wedding theme is a theme that a lot of couples would like to have for their own wedding, but are not sure if they can pull it off. Peacocks are exquisite creatures, their feathers displaying the most beautiful combination of colors. Having a peacock wedding theme means using a lot of teals, blues, greens, purples and violets. Adding a bit of gold or bronze makes the palette even more stunning. It is sure to be a visual delight for all of your wedding guests.

When most people think of peacocks, the word extravagance comes to mind. You want to make sure that the overall look and feel of your wedding matches whatever it is the peacock embodies. Using a bunch of vivid colors to an extreme can make your wedding appear tacky instead of classy. Therefore it is extremely important that you add just the right amount of color and use decorations that convey a sense of elegance.

There are so many wonderful things you can do with a peacock wedding theme. Let's start with the wedding invitations. Let everyone know what theme to expect for your wedding by printing the image of a peacock on your invitations. You can also choose to be a little more subtle by simply using peacock colors or attaching a faux peacock feather.

The bride does not necessarily have to walk down the aisle in a majestic teal, green and purple gown to make this theme come alive. She can always wear the traditional white wedding gown with fun and flirty embellishments or add an occasional pop of color using jewelry or other accessories. A feathered corset or ball gown would be fitting for this occasion. The bridesmaids dresses on the other hand can be as creative as you want it to be. Imagine short flowing dresses with tie-dyed hues of blue, green and purple or have each bridesmaid wear a different color variation of the same dress.

Flowers are another great way to enhance the mood of the peacock wedding theme. You need to pick out flowers in the richest most vibrant hues of blue and purple. The stem and leaves already adds a splash of green to the floral arrangement. Try using some lobelias, bachelor buttons, bluebells, lavender or violas in your bridal bouquet or table centerpiece.

With a peacock theme, even the wedding cake can turn into a piece of art. If you are willing to spend top dollar to have the most magnificent wedding cake, you can hire someone to try and recreate a peacock. Otherwise have some peacock feathers intricately decorated along the top and sides of the cake. Adding some gold or bronze trim along the edges will make the cake look even more exquisite. With so many beautiful colors to work with, you should be able to come up with endless ideas for the decor and wedding favors. A peacock theme is anything but dull, think of some fun ideas to use and just wait to mesmerize your guests.

Life Insurance After Divorce - 3 Ways To Benefits From The Split Up Crisis

Life insurance policies generally have your spouse as the beneficiary in case of death. Did you know-this does not change after a divorce. The beneficiary field, when you filled out that from did not speak of the relationship in the name field but you did enter a person's name which is still there on that form. So guess who gets your money at the end of your life! In America different states have different laws when it comes to things like this. Such complications are not uncommon and often cost the person involved some serious damage. Speak to your insurance agency and let them know that you have dissolved your marriage and that you need to clarify issues if any with your life insurance policy.

A. Speak to the agent

Life insurance is credited after divorce. Speak to your agent and let him or her know that you are now divorced. After all this is your hard earned money we are talking about so you should be sure of where and who is affected by it. You want your money to work for your benefit and nobody else's. If you need to get the name of your spouse out of the college see you need to take care of this issue immediately.

B. Protect the children

In some states the insurance policy automatically becomes invalid where there was proceeding has taken place. On the other hand the name can always be replaced or removed if you take care of it at the right time. For example you could take the spouse's name out and replace it with your child's name as the beneficiary. This is not very hard and can be taken care of in a matter of minutes. If your husband has been making your payments he could very well stop doing so after the divorce and imagine how this would affect your child in the long run. So make sure you are aware of the payment procedures and also that your child is the beneficiary. Some parents come to a mutual understanding that the child is the beneficiary, and so they continue having a common premium to which they both make payments. Some even set up a trust fund, and call the 'beneficiary' the 'trust name'.

C. Other Insurances

Life insurance is no doubt the most important insurance policy that you need to take care of. On the other hand there are many other Factors such as home insurance card insurance and insurance on other assets. When you were married you probably didn't even think twice about who would make these insurance payments month after month. But when you are separated you need to be aware of where you have taken the responsibility to make the payments. You need to stop payments on assets that have not come you're away after the divorce and realize where you do have to make payments. Take a day off to work this one out.

Do It Yourself Weddings Open The Door To Cheap, Creative and Fun Wedding Ideas!

Do it yourself weddings can be just the answer to your dream wedding. You can have some very creative ideas and put them in motion. Experiment and practice getting the look you want long before your big day.

If you keep an open mind you will be amazed at what you can come up with. We have all gone to plays and musicals that had the neatest looking sets But if you actually looked at them they were done pretty inexpensively. You have a computer and a printer, put that to work. You can take photos and enlarge them. I have a program to make posters that I can print in pieces. I have used this for lots of things.

Imagine making a backdrop for your theme. Perhaps a beach backdrop then, put some sand and beach items in front of it. This could be the perfect photo spot. Perhaps some cut out animals that are standing up in front of a tropical forest backdrop. Maybe you have a young artist in the family that would love to draw something.

Paper and cardboard can become great treasures when they are used to make something come alive. Just as they do stages for the local theaters you can do your wedding.

Now, you can print your own wedding invitations to keep in the theme style. You want nice invitations. These are the first impression your guests will have. You can remember an invitation that made you think that it was going to be a grand event and then another that made you think it was going to be something thrown together to get by. Choose the one you want wisely!

Food can be made ahead of time. Perhaps a party of cutting vegetables and doing prep work for others to get ready for the next day. You know you can save a lot of money just by cutting your own relish trays. Roasters can be filled with some hearty meals. Ham is a great idea that can be done quickly. Maybe someone in the family has a meatloaf everyone loves. There may be some ideas of food to match your theme!

It is the planning and keeping an open mind for do it yourself weddings that make them a good idea.

You can have the wedding of your dreams with lots of creativity. Don't believe that an expensive wedding is always the best wedding. Many guests love the idea of a theme where they have the option to wear beach clothes, or attire for a hunting expedition. Do it yourself weddings can open the door to lots of fun and memories that put a smile on a lot of peoples faces. Your wedding can do all of that at an affordable price!

How to Avoid Getting Cold Feet on the Big Day

Changing your mind at the altar may seem like something that only happens in the movies but don't forget that it isn't only the likes of Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts that get to change their mind. The stress of organising a wedding can often make brides and grooms-to-be feel that they're in over their head. The important thing is to be true to yourself, but should you get cold feet at the eleventh hour remember that there could be serious financial implications as well as emotional ones.

Although insurers will reimburse your costs if the bride, groom or a close relative falls ill and the wedding is postponed or canceled - cold feet are quite a different matter. If one or both of the couple decide not to get married, then this would be classed as 'disinclination to marry' and is not covered under the policy.

Here are some simple ways to make sure you don't find yourself backing out when all the stress of that big day gets to you:

Take time out together
Make sure you spend lots of quality time with your loved one. Although it's important to send out the invites and organise the table plan, you also need to relax. Increased stress around logistical arrangements could put unnecessary strain on your relationship. Taking time out can also allow you to talk about any worries you may have, before they get out of proportion.

Get friends and family to help
Wedding planning will be less demanding if you let your friends and family take off some of the pressure: get your Gran to research flower arrangements; ask your dad to look into cars; encourage the bridesmaids to pick their own dresses. Many hands make light work!

Keep control
Make sure your wedding day is how you want it to be, rather than bowing to family pressure or tradition. You are less likely to want to back out of an event that you and your partner have organised yourselves.

Remember why you're getting married
This is perhaps the most of important of all. If you do everything remembering it's for the love of your partner, then your wedding day can only be a success.

It is perhaps a bride or grooms worst nightmare to be jilted at the altar. Your wedding day should be the beginning of your new life together, so make sure you get off on the right foot.

Cheap Wedding Reception - The Poor Couples Guide to a Great Wedding

Every year, thousands upon thousands of couples begin planning their weddings. While some of them don't worry one little bit about money & expenses, other couples look for any and every crackpot idea to save on the budget. The idea could be as simple as the bride wearing a second hand wedding dress or as involved as buying the decorations and coming up with all the wedding decoration ideas alone.

Does this sound at all like you and your soon to be husband, or wife? Well, if it does, you're definitely going to want to make use of these cheap wedding reception tips. They won't solve all your wedding expense problems, but they may stretch that small budget of yours far beyond it's limits.

Cheap Wedding Reception Tips...

1. Food is Food. You don't need caviar, Alaskan king crab, oysters, lobster, or even fillet-mignon wrapped in bacon in order for your guests to be content with the food. Serve simple items that are cheap and can be easily prepared. Not only will this enable you to offer more choices, it'll allow you to save even more on the budget too. As if that weren't enough, with a buffet style reception, you'll also be able to cut out the individual servers and their outrageous expense.

2. Leave Your Ego At the Door to Save on Decor. Ice sculptures, chocolate fountains, chandeliers, personalized & engraved silverware, as well as antique vases and paintings DO NOT make weddings more enjoyable. All these items do is inflate the budget and make it harder for you to pay for the things that actually matter.

Stick with simple and cheap wedding reception accessories if you want to save. Candles, ribbons, theme colored balloons, pictures & picture frames, decorative fruit bowls, theme colored table cloths & napkins, and anything else you can get cheap from a wholesale dealer or wedding supply store. These items generally won't strain the budget and you can get a whole heck of a lot for very, very little.

3. Boozing Means Loosing. There is absolutely nothing wrong with serving champagne, beer, or even wine at your wedding -- after all, it is a celebration. However, any type of hard liquor is a serious no-no. Not only can an open bar inflate your budget dramatically, it suggests that you don't really mind if guests get completed smashed. Remember, this is a celebration of love, it's not a college frat party.

Quick Tip: To drastically increase savings potential, buy all the drinks on your own (in bulk) and serve them yourself.

4. Less Means More. What does this mean? Simple, inviting less people equals more savings for you. This is a tip not only for creating a cheap wedding reception, but for creating an all around cheaper wedding. Less people means fewer invitations to prepare/order, less food to serve, fewer drinks to be drunk, a smaller reception hall, fewer decorations, as well as a much smaller cake.

A smaller "this" and fewer of "that" may not seem like a great money saving idea (right now), but that's only because you're not looking at the big picture. When all those savings are tallied and then combined as a whole, it's really quite astounding how much the savings come to by inviting fewer people.

Quick Note: You don't have to dwindle the guest list down to 10 people to create a cheap wedding reception. Honestly, you just have to be a bit more strict with the invitation list "policy". Don't invite every person you know or have had a conversation with. Be smart and stick to inviting friends, family, loved ones, and even a few co-workers that you actually like.

These 4 simple tips can help even the most budget sore couples create a fun, yet surprisingly cheap wedding reception.

Make Your Wedding Invitations - Why Use An Epson Printer To Print Your Wedding Invitations?

Wow! Your wedding is fast approaching. So many things to plan. You want to make your wedding invitations.

That is a great idea. So what printer should you use. I am recommending an Epson Printer.

Why use an Epson Printer for your invitations:

1. It uses a fade resistant ink. This means that they will look better longer. You will get good color.


2. The ink is water proof. That is an excellent reason. If you decide to do custom envelope addressing you will love this feature. If your invite gets caught in the rain it won't look all messed up. If you have ever seen an ink jet paper get wet, you know they look bad. Avoid this at all cost. You do have to purchase the Espon ink. You can not use the ink refills!


3. You can print on almost any size. An RSVP card can be printed easily. This printer goes from 3 1/2 x 5 inches to 8 1/2 x 11 inches. This gives you the ability to print almost all size cards and matching envelopes.


4. All the inks are separate. If you run out of cyan you only have to replace the cyan ink. That means saving money.


5. The printer itself is very reasonably priced. I purchased my NX410 for seventy-nine dollars. Sales like this are going on all the time. What a great investment.

Make your wedding invitations with ease. By having the right equipment you can save money and still have very professional looking invitations. I have been using Epson printers for years. I used to use Cannon because of the separate inks. But this meant I had to use hair spray to make the ink waterproof.

Later I found out you could get the printers that would print in waterproof ink. What a help that was.

Yes, I believe the best printer for wedding invitations is an Epson printer. Not only because of the ink, but the price is so easy to justify.

I have 50th anniversary invitations that are almost 10 years old and look good. Since I have been making invitations for over 15 years, I have experience that allows me to give a good recommendation for this printer.

Once you make your wedding invitations, you can start printing other needs for your wedding. Think about printing your wedding programs, favors, labels for bubble bottles, and so much more. You can even print your place cards one up. That means that you might get some free scrap card stock at your local print shop. Saving money and having nice cards is just the beginning.

Protecting Your Engagement Ring Investment

Getting engaged is exciting and thrilling! Suddenly, you're introduced into the whirlwind that is wedding planning, and everyone likely has an opinion of what you should be doing. One thing you don't want to overlook is how to protect the beautiful piece of jewelry you just received.

Keeping your Ring Safe from Harm

These tried and true tips will help keep your ring where it belongs - on your finger - instead of becoming someone else's newest treasure.

• If the ring fits, wear it. Otherwise, have it resized so it fits properly. A too-loose ring is just a lost ring waiting to happen.


• If you decide to show off your ring at the spa or pool, remember that body oils and sunscreen are slippery substances. Just the perfect thing to slip that ring off your finger unbeknownst to you.


• You know that soaps can dull your ring's luster, so taking it off before washing your hands is a great idea. But don't put it next to the sink on the counter unless the stopper is in place or you may be watching your ring zip down the drain. One way to prevent this in a public place is to put your ring between your teeth. At least you'll remember where it is.


• Don't sleep with your jewelry on. It can become snagged in the bedclothes and can scratch you as you sleep.


• Try to take your ring off in the same place each evening. A jewelry box or ring holder will keep it safe until you put it on again.

Respect the Ring

Your ring is constructed of precious metal and beautiful jewels. It's important to note that everyday wear and tear can take a toll on your ring, so it's a good idea to not have it on when cleaning or doing other household chores. Here's why:

• Cleaning chemicals can do a number on your ring, especially if it's made of platinum. Don't take a chance on it getting stained or weakened, always remove your ring first.


• Washing dishes exposes your ring to dirt and oil, which can dull the finish (temporarily).


• Gardening and other manual labor is not the best place for an expensive ring to make an appearance. Diamonds, while quite hard, can still become chipped and even dislodged if bumped and settings can be damaged if hit or snagged.


• The same goes for playing sports - not to mention the damage you could do to your opponent if he or she accidentally runs into your ring.

It's also a good idea to have a regular (yearly) exam done of your ring to be sure the setting is still secure, the prongs are tight and the stone hasn't become damaged in some way. Generally, this is offered free at the jeweler where the ring was purchased, or you may be charged a nominal fee.

Better to be Safe than Sorry

One thing that's often overlooked is the need to insure your engagement ring. Since it's not likely to be inexpensive piece, having insurance at least guarantees that you can get a replacement in the event it is lost or stolen.

• Before you buy a separate policy, check your homeowner's, or renter's insurance policy to determine if you already have adequate coverage. It's likely you won't, since most policies only cover up to $500 or $1,000 of jewelry replacement - and this is for all the jewelry you own.


• To fully insure your ring for its appraised value, you may need to take out a floater, rider or personal articles policy in addition to your existing insurance. The cost for this added policy is usually nominal and based on a calculation that includes the appraised value of the ring. If your ring is lost or stolen, your insurance company can either opt to replace like with like or pay you the appraised amount.


• If you don't have homeowner's or renter's insurance, you can buy a specialty policy designed just for jewelry. Doing a recent search on Google for "Jewelry Insurance Specialist" netted over one million hits. Many companies offer online quoting capabilities, which allows you to compare rates and coverage options. For any insurance purchase, you will need an appraisal from a certified jeweler to establish the value of your ring.

By taking the time to protect this most important investment, you can relax and enjoy your engagement ring knowing that in the event of loss or damage you're covered.

The Top 5 Business and Consumer Telecom Scams

Telecom scams and fraud continues to be a multi-billion dollar problem for the U.S. consumer and for business organizations. As the telecom industry changes, so do the methods of scam artists. The best line of defense is to be aware of the current scams and types of telecom fraud that are popular and often easily carried out by scam artists.

Below is a list of the top 10 telecom scams and fraud alerts that you should know about. Aimed at both businesses and consumers, these tactics have cost victims 10's of millions in losses in the last year alone.

#1 - "Do Not Call List" Scam

The national "do-not-call" list was put in place to protect consumers and businesses from being bombarded with telemarketing pitches. Some clever scam artists are now using the list as a tool for stealing personal identities. How does it work? Victims receive a call from someone claiming to represent the federal or state "do-not-call" list. The caller then asks for personal information (to verify identity of course) such as social security numbers or bank account information as a requirement for being enrolled in the registry.

#2 - 72# Forward Calling Scam,

This scam often originates from inside a prison or correctional facility. The victim will receive a collect call with the news that they have won a sweepstakes or prize. To claim the prize they are only asked to input a series of numbers on their touch-tone phone. This activates the call forwarding feature (#72) essentially allowing the caller free access to the victim's phone line. All calls - including long distance calls and collect calls - are then billed to the unsuspecting "sweepstakes winner".

#3 - 809 or 832 Area Code Scam

This is a common telecom scam and has caught many unsuspecting consumers and businesses off guard. Phone calls, voice mail messages and numeric pagers and even emails are the means for reaching victims. Recipients of these calls, voice messages, emails and especially numeric pages are asked to call a telephone number that begins with the 809 (or 823) area code.

With the proliferation of new area codes over the last 10-15 years, (and now free long distance calling plans) most individuals do not give it a second thought when returning the call.

These area codes are indeed legitimate but originate from the Caribbean islands. The problem is that they function as "pay-per-call" numbers, similar to 900 numbers in the U.S. The 809 number can be set up to be billed at $10, $100, or $1000 or more per minute. Victims may not even realize they have been conned until they get their next phone bill. Then they are in for quite a shock!

#4 - PBX Hijack Scam

Aimed at businesses, this scam is very similar to the #72 scam detailed above. A business will receive a call from someone with a line like "hello, I've been working with Joe Smith in the telecom department and we need you to dial 9-0 to test a new feature on our phone system." This gives them access to phone lines mainly for international calling. Thousands of dollars can be racked up in a matter of days - all courtesy of the corporation being scammed.

#5 - "Cramming" and "Slamming" Scams

"Cramming" and "slamming" make up the most lucrative and widespread telecom scams in existence today. In fact, representatives from established companies such as MCI and ATT have been known to be users of these tactics.

Slamming occurs when telephone service (usually long distance service) has been switched without the consent of the customer. It is usually the result of deceptive sales practices on the part of telemarketers. Slamming can also occur as the result of a sweepstakes or prize drawing signature, or even as a check sent to the customer through the mail. Upon cashing the check the customer is then switched to the new service.

"Cramming" occurs when additional phone service (or Internet) items or features are included on the customer bill without being requested. Third parties and the carriers themselves are notorious for including these "additional" charges.

Cramming charges usually fall into one of three categories: one-time entertainment services, monthly recurring membership fees, or telecom features such as voice mail, paging, Internet charges, inside wire maintenance, etc.

Local Exchange Carriers are legally required to bill for third party vendors so cramming charges can be applied by simply forwarding charges to the local telephone company on your behalf. A thorough telecom audit of your corporate bills can uncover many cramming and slamming occurrences. Since these charges routinely return back on the bills once they are removed, it is advisable to conduct a complete telecom audit at least twice per year and monthly if possible.

Saving The Earth On Your Wedding Day

Taking care of the earth is not just a responsibility - it is a privilege. Going green is easier than you think. There little but helpful things that you can do everyday to reduce greenhouse gases and make a less harmful impact in the environment. Here are the six most important things that you can contribute in saving the nature:

o Conserve water. Taking shower instead of baths or turning off the faucet while your brushing your teeth are very much helpful. You can even recycle the water you used in washing your dishes or clothes to water your plants and watering the toilet. Use mulch and natural ground covers in gardens to contain moisture and conserve water use.

o Walk or ride the bike going to school or work. Walking and riding the bicycle don't just help reduce greenhouse gasses, they are also healthy ways to keep your body fit. Tune up your car regularly for maximum gas mileage. Remove unnecessary items from your car. Each 100 pounds of weight decreases fuel efficiency by 1 %.

o Reuse and recycle. When you once shopped your groceries, reuse the plastic bags to pack your items the next time you purchase. Then instead of buying containers to stock water, you rather use the empty bottles of juice or soda. Reuse aluminum foil and plastic wrap, or avoid them completely by using plastic containers. Buy products packaged in recycled paper or cardboard. Limit or eliminate your use of "disposable" items. Take your own coffee cup to work instead of using disposable.

o Conserve energy. Avoid squeezing your clothes when you wash them and hang them snugly to prevent wrinkling the clothes. It will save much energy and electricity spent in ironing. Turn off the light when not in use. Clean your bulbs regularly to produce a proper illumination of the room. Air dry laundry when possible. Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator to reduce cooking times and to ensure food safety.

o Don't liter. Pick up any you see, especially plastic rings that can trap birds and fish. Segregate your waste items into biodegradable and non-biodegradable. For the non-biodegradable materials, separate cans, plastic, and rubbers and send them into the proper disposal system factories for it to be recycled. Take old tires to a landfill or processing center for proper disposal. Do not toss toxic chemicals-into your garbage. Call 1-5 15-28 1-4367 to learn how to dispose, or keep them for a Toxic Cleanup Day. Use a trash bag in your car instead of throwing trash out the window.

o Use party and wedding favors made of indigenous materials. Buy recycled paper, stationery, invitation cards and greeting cards. Buy in bulk to avoid over-packaging. Make your wedding day a beginning in preparing a green future for your children. These eco-friendly materials are available online. You don't have to wander somewhere looking for these earth friendly wedding decorations, favors, and gifts. They are just few clicks away on your desk.

Top 10 Financial To-Do List For Newlyweds in Today's Economy

Recently married and having trouble organizing your finances with your spouse?  You are in luck!  We have put together a top 10 financial to do list for newlyweds to use as a reference. 

1. Full Financial Disclosure Most importantly, share with your spouse your current financial condition, spending habits, financial expectations & vice versa.  Communication of this important information is crucial to forming a strong partnership with your spouse.  If this information is kept secret now, the stage is being set for financial disaster in the future.  For instance, not knowing that your spouse has a low credit score could lead to your debt being combined with their debt which in turn lowers your credit score.

2. Budget to Reach Financial Goals Most newlyweds make the major mistake of not constructing a budget to reach key financial goals.  Don't let this become you.  Without a budget, it is very difficult to achieve financial freedom that every couple strives to achieve after marriage.  Make sure you construct a yearly family budget to account for fixed expenses (i.e. mortgage payments, household & food expenses), discretionary expenses (travel, shopping, & substantial purchases) while also allocating some funds for purchasing a home, raising a child, paying for college, planning a wedding, retirement & in case of a emergency (refer to bullet #3).

3. Maintaining an Emergency Fund Set aside extra cash (~6 months of living expenses) in the event that your family experiences a financial hardship caused by sickness, death, divorce or getting laid off.

4. Planning to Pay Off Debt It is crucial that you and your spouse evaluate each other's debt levels (credit card, student loan, other loan) and credit scores so that you can put a plan in place to make monthly payments and reduce overall debt.  By strictly following a plan, getting a mortgage approved in the future will be easier.

5. Naming Beneficiaries & Updating Wills After marriage, you should evaluate the named beneficiaries of your insurance policy & retirement accounts as well as if you are a beneficiary of someone else's policy.  Also, in the event that you have to divide assets due to death, it's always important to create or update an existing will.  However, please note that the beneficiaries you designate for retirement accounts (IRAs & 401Ks) & life insurance takes precedence over those you name in your will.

6. Review Insurance Coverage Plans Review your and your spouse's life, health, auto, & homeowners insurance policies since one spouse's coverage maybe better than the other.  For instance, health insurance coverage can vary drastically, so be sure to take advantage of the plan that offers the best coverage for both of you.

7. Explore Accountants, Financial Advisors & Lawyers Whether you have or don't have an accountant, financial advisor or lawyer, you and your spouse will undoubtedly need to make a decision on one for the future.  When choosing a professional advisor, it is ALWAYS important to do your homework & obtain multiple recommendations from friends and family.  While your spouse maybe very content with his/her lawyer, you should still seek other references before agreeing to also use the same lawyer.

8. Tax Preparation When thinking about how you & your spouse want to file for taxes, there are number of factors to consider such as your state of residence and each spouse's income level.  Generally speaking, it is more tax advantageous to file as married filing jointly than married filing separately.  An instance where it may not make sense to file jointly is if your spouse has significant liens against him or her.

9. Evaluate Checking Account Options The options are generally as follows: 1) maintain a separate checking account from your spouse, 2) open a joint checking account, or 3) setup a hybrid checking account system.  A separate checking account is generally recommended when one spouse has any one of the following: liens against him/her, excessive debt levels, or is not financially responsibly.  A joint checking account is the most common option because it is convenient and allows for spouses to more easily monitor cash flow together.  The hybrid checking account is another option whereby a joint checking account is setup to pay for necessary expenses such as household expenses and two separate checking accounts are maintained by each spouse for spending money purposes.

10. Last Name Change (If Applicable) While it may appear rather trivial, changing your last name on your social security card, driver's license, passport, & credit/checking accounts is very important since it is a key personal identifier for your financial records.

Cheap Wedding Gift Ideas - Giving a Lot For a Little

One of the blessings of aging beyond one's twenties (and, er...even their thirties) is after these years, the volume of wedding "invites" starts to decline. Years ago, I remember going out and purchasing several wedding gifts at a time, while more invitations kept popping up in my mailbox.

Very big business, this wedding thing.

If you are one of those who are fortunate (and young) enough to have many, many friends heading to the altar, you have a particularly creative challenge ahead. With prices going up and quality, in many cases, heading South, how does one honor the bride and groom with a great gift without breaking the bank?

Finding Cheap Wedding Gift Ideas is an Art.

Now, what do I mean by cheap? OK, not cheap. Inexpensive. It is, of course, a relative term. By today's standards, finding a gift worth giving for under a hundred dollars is a challenge. So I am going to throw out ideas that range from 20 dollars to 150 dollars. From very cheap to moderately inexpensive.

First, consider the personalities of the couple. Are they traditional types, or are they from the loose and casual, "barefoot-is-better" league?

Traditionalists tend to enjoy keepsake gifts: silver, crystal, porcelain - items that last through the years and can even become heirlooms. These items tend to be costly, but can still be found at very agreeable prices.

In my search, I found silver-plated wine bottle stoppers that can have the couples' initials put on the top, for under $20.00. I also found a monogrammed silver-plate notepad (handy and elegant on the desk) for about the same price. A silver and marble cheese serving tray is a gorgeous wedding gift for about $100.00, and one that they'll use over and over. Or how about a beautifully designed wine decanter which comes with its own silver strainer, for $40.00? Add a couple of silver wine bottle stoppers, and you have a memorable gift, and a very cheap wedding gift idea. Cheap, but not cheesy. See what I mean?

More practical, every-day wedding gifts that every couple would love to receive might be among these ideas:

A powerful 9-speed mixer (about $70.00), or an electric fondue pot (also in the $70.00 range)...if the romantic couple has not yet enjoyed cheese fondue, they are missing out on one of life's great treats. If they are lactose-intolerant, there are other types of fondue that they would love. How about dipping plump, fresh, strawberries into molten chocolate fondue? Some dairy, but way less. I'm lactose intolerant, and I can handle this. Fondues are also meat and vegetables cooked in hot oil.

Another idea: Everybody needs a Kitchen scale, but no one buys one for themselves. A great cheap gift idea: you can purchase a streamlined, cutting-edge glass Kitchen scale for about $50.00

One of my favorite cooking vessels was a gift from my sister. It's an All-Clad asparagus pot, something I scoffed at as ridiculous and unnecessary, until I cooked my first asparagus in it...tender, green shoots, steamed to toothsome perfection. I became hooked on this wonderful pot and don't steam asparagus without it. It's only about $50.00. If your bride and groom are "foodies", they will use and enjoy it forever.

Are they coffee lovers? How about an electric coffee bean grinder (about $30.00), a couple bags of premium espresso beans (another $20.00), and an espresso maker ($30-$50.00)? If you want to splurge just a little more, add six espresso cups and saucers (price variable, but about $45.00 should do it). For less than $150.00, you have put together a memorable, enjoyable gift that the special couple will enjoy for years to come. OK, that's not really a cheap wedding gift, but it is one filled with thoughtfulness and value.

I hope these cheap wedding gift ideas have inspired you to go out and find some quality gifts that won't cost a fortune. Moms and Dads and Aunties and Uncles and Godparents and Grandparents can spring for the big ticket items. Those of us who are wealthy in engaged friends, but not wealthy in the traditional sense, have to make up for it with imagination. The answer is to come up with ideas that are beautiful, well made, classy, and useful.

And, hopefully, so affordable you can pick up one for yourself!

Happy shopping!

~ Karen S

Make Your Own Wedding Invitations Without A Kit

If you have all your wedding arrangements made, you need invitations. You can make your own wedding invitations without a kit. Make your own kit! It really is very easy to do.

So how do you make your own wedding invitation kit. Easy here are some ideas:

1. Go to your local craft store. Purchase a set of plain white, ivory or ecru colored cards and envelopes. Get 2 sizes. One will be for your invitations the other will be for the RSVP cards. I have even found these at Walmart. Once you have these you can customize them with anything your want. Die cuts, stickers, puff paints, stamps, wedding clip art or whatever.


2. Go to your local print shop. They may have trash that will be your treasurer. I have worked in printing for years. They get envelopes in boxes of 250 and cases of 1000 They have left overs and they very seldom have a use for 150 envelopes. They will sell them to you at a special price. Have them cut stock to match the size envelopes. This can save a lot of money if they are willing to help. Again get 2 sizes.


3. Try a local stationery store. They may have note cards that will work great. Don't rule them out. They can look good on their own. Just add your information and you have a nice custom set of invitations.


4. Wow! I was at a Dollar store the other day. The Christmas cards were marked down to 25 cents for a package. Imagine being able to get that size envelope for 25 cents for 25. A penny an envelope. Throw out the Christmas cards or use them for scrap booking. Buy a ream of card stock at your office supply store. Have them cut it to fit you envelopes. Again you can customize these to match.


5. Valentines Day is a great holiday to look for wedding supplies. Another awesome time to shop the clearance after. Get those notecards for RSVPs. Stickers that can be used for seals if you do a print, seal and send invitation.

You can easily make your own wedding announcement kit. Making custom invitations for your wedding can be done so easily. Add the touches that will make you stand apart from others.

The craft store is invaluable for ideas. A scrap book store is another area that you can check out. Try a local Hallmark store and see what is popular. Then think how you can add something similar. Glitter pens are fun to use and can add a small touch if used sparingly.

Make your own wedding invitations and you can have nice invitations and still save money! What a win-win.

Is Wedding Insurance a Good Idea?

The British royal wedding and Chelsea Clinton's wedding went off without a single problem, didn't they? In fact, every celebrity or royal wedding seems to go off that way. And those are huge affairs. If they can pull it off, how hard can it be for you to pull yours off? Is that an argument that seems to make a lot of sense to you? Well, they probably have more people on the job of putting that wedding together than there are guests. That's not really how your wedding's going to work. These things somehow have a knack of going awry just at the wrong moment. There could be a massive power outage 4 min. before your ceremony is to begin; your caterer could fall ill or have his home robbed. Or your photographer could just decide to take a better-paying assignment on that very day and offer to give you your money back. What do you do when things go badly wrong on your special day? Of course, nothing can really make up for the loss. But one can try - in the form of insurance money. In the age of the expensive wedding, wedding insurance happens to be a hot ticket item.

Wedding insurance is protection you buy against the unforeseen. Whatever nonrefundable deposits you make in the course of preparing for a wedding, you can count on being made whole for those if you have insurance. No matter why your wedding is postponed or canceled - injury, natural disaster, illness or whenever, having wedding insurance can protect your investment. There is wedding insurance for nonperformance by the professionals you hire to carry your wedding out, and there is coverage if you should decide to pull out for some real reason (but only if the person who's doing the pulling out isn't the person paying for the ceremony). This is what you need to know about wedding insurance.

Before you sign on the dotted line to buy such a policy, make sure that you ask your insurance agent to look through your other insurance policies - for your home, for your rented home, for your car or anything else - to see if they give you free wedding insurance just like that. If they do, you will not need to buy new insurance. If you aren't that lucky, you may have to actually spend money on custom wedding insurance. Shopping around is always a good idea. Sometimes, you'll go and buy wedding insurance and then find out when you need to make a claim that the insurer wasn't authorized to do business in your state after all. Once you make sure of how you're completely covered, wedding insurance can be a truly valuable way to keep your sanity on your wedding day.

Best Ways to Save Money on Your Engagement Invitations

Weddings are very nice, but they are also very expensive affairs. Just the printing of the invitation cards can go to a total of several hundreds or even thousands. In addition to this there are the engagement parties that also involves invitations and other expenses. You must search out the ways that you can use to save money on your engagement by finding a way to get the invitations for free from websites available online.

It is not really hard to find free engagement party invitations. You only have to check out with the best engagement party planning web sites. They are definitely going to know about some of the best deals in town.

Here are a few pointers that could help you get you cheap engagement party invitations.

Handwritten invitations are perfect for someone who has an attractive handwriting. This saves money on the printing and it gives a personal and handmade touch too. The style of your engagement invitation card is entirely up to you. You can go for casual or informal cards, just like how your party is going to be. If you are planning on a formal event, then you must mention in your invite about any special dress considerations that is expected, so that your guests can know.

You can also opt for online invitations for your engagement party. This way, you will not need to spend any money on the printing. There are also plenty of websites that offer you these cards for free. You can personalize they cards they have and send them to as many recipients as you like. This saves you so much time as well. Several websites offer you a vast collection of professional-looking engagement invitations cards online.

You could also consider using a greeting card software. Purchasing the software is going to be cheaper than having the invitations professionally printed. You can also reuse this software for several other occasions. There are some Microsoft Office product like Microsoft Word and Publisher that would also work great for you to create your own engagement party invitations. They have already made designs and the Microsoft clip art can add visual enhancements to your engagement invites.

If you are very particular that you want your engagement invitations printed out, then it is best that you look out for some local printers for your cheap engagement party invitations. Some of these printers might give you engagement party invitations for free if you use them for your wedding printing needs. It is not going to hurt to ask around. Who knows, you must fall across the best deals that you didn't think were out there.

Latest Trends in Muslim Wedding Invitations

Did you know that prior to the invention of lithography; wedding invitations were announced by a person (known as the town crier), who would pace throughout the town and broadcast the invitation in a loud voice? However, today wedding cards are very important. This article explores the latest trends that are doing the rounds in Muslim wedding invitations.

Top 3 Trends in Muslim Wedding Invitations

Want to get the trendiest of Muslim wedding invitations for your nikah? Here are some things you should keep in mind while designing your card:

• Add Elegance to your Muslim wedding invitations with paisley designs

Widely termed as carrey in urdu, this curved tear drop like design is the latest trend in the Muslim wedding invitation. You can opt for bright silver or golden paisleys, embossed over a backdrop of dark blue or indigo. However, if you want to keep it simple, an elegantly placed paisley made out of kundan in the center of rugged handmade paper cards can also look very graceful. You can also pair up the two folded paisley designed invitation card with a thick silk thread tied at the center.

• Add a touch of royalty with scroll style cards

Whether it is today or ten years from now, scroll styled Muslim marriage invitation will always be special. Also known as a farman, this type of invitation is symbolizes elegance and royalty. These cards are generally made out of handmade paper, velvet or vellum paper. However, you can also customize them as per your needs. So get ready to create a long-lasting impression on your guests by inviting them with these classic yet fashionable Muslim marriage invitations.

• Portray the essence of Moghul heritage

Muslim wedding invitations are not only meant for inviting your loved ones to your wedding, they also represent the blend of religious, aesthetic and cultural aspects of the family. And when it comes to Islamic weddings, you just cannot ignore the influence of the Afghans and Moghuls. Your inclination towards Moghul art can be portrayed by having certain designs, such as leaves, peacocks, domes and feathers etched on the invitation card. You can even jazz up your wedding card by adding urdu poetry to it. Remember to choose the material for the invitation card with care to ensure a great end product.

A wedding is one of the most important events in one's life. Therefore, make your Muslim marriage invitations remarkable and let them be the harbingers of joy and blessings in your life.

DIY Flower Arranging For Weddings - Save Money & Do it Yourself

It need not be an expensive project to do your own DIY flower arranging for a wedding and you do not have to be an expert to make a church look fabulous for the big day.

Some of the best wedding flower arrangements are very simple and do not require many flowers.

The bride and bridesmaids flowers are better made by a florist but the church can be made to look fantastic by anyone with just a basic knowledge of flower arranging. I have done it!

Doing a DIY flower arrangement makes it so much cheaper and can be done by a group of friends helping out another friend on their wedding day.

Firstly you need to visit the venue where the wedding is to take place and decide what is required i.e. pedestal in the entrance, pew ends, pedestal and flowers on the altar, and last but not least windowsills.

Next comes the colour scheme. This could depend on the time of year and the bride's preference. Maybe green, white and yellow for spring, pink and cream for summer and the darker reds and orange for autumn and winter.

I always think decorating pew ends is very effective and they are very simple to do.

Here are some simple ideas to give that WOW factor to any DIY wedding flower arrangement:

Buy little plastic containers shaped like shovels from the garden centre, fasten in a piece of wet oasis and arrange your flowers. These are of course quite small but a little trail of ivy or ribbon really finishes them off.

They can then be attached to the pew by threading ribbon through the handle of the container and tying it on.

Spray carnations are a good flower to use for this type of DIY wedding arrangement as they are small, cost-effective and with a little gypsophila look good.

Pedestals are easy to do. Just use a bigger piece of oasis, a bigger container and bigger flowers!

Lilies, spray chrysanths, carnations are very useful here because they fill the spaces quickly and last well.

Window sills are my favourite. A long container is required and a whole block of oasis. Insert flowers and foliage and the arrangement can be as wide as the sill if you wish by putting in foliage at each end horizontally.

When your work is finished just one more thing to do to make that extra special effort for any DIY flower arrangement for a wedding - spray each arrangement with cold water to keep fresh.

You will be amazed at the result and what fun you have had doing it.

Affordable Engagement Rings With a Splash of Color

One of the current trends in affordable engagement rings is the usage of colored diamonds. When you think of diamonds, the traditional, colorless sparkler usually comes to mind. However, there is a myriad of shades to choose from. Some of the most common shades for colored stones are yellow, orange, green, blue, pink and brown. When looking for affordable engagement rings, shouldn't your choices be as unique as the woman who is going to be wearing it? Certified loose diamonds can be found in all colors, cuts and carats. One important aspect of this trend that has swayed jewelry fanatics is that colored stones can look amazing in just about any ring setting. This particular trend allows for many creative expressions and some very economic choices.

As colored stones are still trending, it has become rather easy to find a large selection of affordable engagement rings. Remember, searching for affordable engagement rings centers round what you can actually afford! A colored stone can have a greater impact in an appropriate setting than the traditional dazzler. Selecting a smaller stone will give the same effect as its clear counterpart, but without denting your bank account. Another way to twist this trend is to add side stones for a variation using a round, pear, or trillion shapes. Try designing one of your own on a ring building website. Most jewelry companies offer this option and it makes a world of difference. The ability to turn an idea of a ring into a virtual portrait makes the decision-making process a breeze. There are some amazing sites currently offering stunning solitaires with colored stones that are ready to ship out that day.

Buying a colored stone is the same as buying a traditional one. There are affordable engagement rings that can be purchased online that utilize colored certified diamonds. The certification process results in a report card - or rather a blue print - of the specific stone you are buying. This dossier will detail every aspect of your item. Buying with confidence is not the only factor as this certification can prove crucial in insuring your ring.

And on that note, a bit of advice; please, insure your ring! I once saw a woman dive off a fishing pier into a river to save her ring. She resurfaced injured and empty-handed. Once again, the use of certified diamonds makes the insurance process easy and efficient... certainly easier than having to buy two affordable engagement rings (to replace a lost or stolen one), which negates the entire purpose of trying to shop economically in the first place.

Making a splash with a colored stone is the trend for 2013. With a little bit of research and an eye on your budget, you too can make this current trend in affordable engagement rings a reality for your sweetheart.