CaringHarts.com
Here's This Month's
"Recently Engaged" Feature Article
Congratulations to you both on becoming engaged...
This month's feature is surely something you'll want to know about as you prepare for the big day and the many blissful years ahead!!!!!
Building Tomorrow's Memories Today
We are now into a new year and you are counting down the days, weeks and months to the BIG DAY. Since the major holidays are over for the most part, it is time to take stock of your personal finances and how this is shaping up. Were you conservative during the holidays or are you facing credit card and store charge debts from too much holiday spending? Getting a firm handle on "the money" now is crucial to enjoying your wedding.
Depending on the number of months before the date, you need to take some time to jot down as completely as possible what the wedding expenses are going to look like, when deposits and final payments are due AND where is the money coming from to pay for it. This should be accurate as dreaming and hoping will only lead to disappointment and stressful feelings when reality doesn't match up down the road. Many future brides and grooms can get caught up with the moment and upgrade to more expensive choices without taking the budget into consideration. Monitoring the budget and seeing if you stray should be an activity done monthly as you get closer and closer to your wedding. This also gives you a wonderful opportunity to make little changes here and there which will build super memories for your future.
There is on old adage which refers to a butterfly flapping its wings somewhere in the world and the chain of events causes something much more dramatic on the other side of the world. Any change that you make before your date will also make lasting changes. Take for example, picking out flowers. One may opt for an expensive selection, have fewer arrangements and yet have a wonderful wedding. Now, what may happen if the selection is less costly, providing more of it and one of your guests performs some funny dance with a flower in his / her mouth and you have this caught on tape for you to see for years and years to come. This is what we mean by memories. Here is a case of thinking you are getting less but you are really getting more PLUS better memories as the kicker!
In the realm of choices, we can go elaborate or totally casual - or anywhere in between. You know your friends, family and others who will be honored guests at the ceremony and reception. By understanding the people and the kind of event you want to give them, you can dramatically improve the whole feeling of the wedding. Yes, this is your wedding. You both are the main characters here; however, as the two hosts of the event, you do want them all to be joyous and happy throughout their time coming to wish you well and extending their personal blessings.
There are many, many alternatives to wedding favors, accessories and all the trimmings. Fortunately, over recent years more brides have elected to personalize their event with unusual and almost one of a kind types of decorations, ceremony layouts and the like. While you still have choices to make, consider opting for what may be less expensive yet personal momentos, gifts, etc. that tell your guests they are indeed very special to you both. They will enjoy your wedding much more and so will you. Your wedding is personal - so make it this way! I bet you were initially thinking that looking at a wedding budget wasn't going to any fun at all; yet, the rewards of considering options in an effort to stay within your target of how much to spend will be saved money, less stress and wonderful lasting memories.