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Friday, June 27, 2014

Do I Need Life Insurance Now that I'm Married

Last week, the importance of jewelry insurance was a topic on the blog. So we figured we'd keep the theme going with an article on life insurance. Have you discussed it with your husband now that you're married?
Essentially, life insurance serves as financial protection for your loved ones, should something happen to you. When you were single, it probably didn't matter much whether or not you bought into a policy, unless a family member happened to be financially dependent on you. Generally, the more dependents you have, the more likely you'll want to buy life insurance. And now that you're married, you and your spouse may want to consider getting a policy for added peace of mind.
Why do you need it? Even if you're making a decent salary, an insurance policy can help  replace a salary for the next decade or more and pay for burial and funeral expenses, which can cost upward of $10,000. It can also cover mortgage payments if you bought a home together or even student loans. Most young couples opt for a term insurance policy, which covers you for a designated time period (10, 20, or 30 year policy). It's ideal since it's generally the least expensive type of policy and because the payment remain level for the duration of the term. Whole life insurance is another option, but it's much more expensive. It insures you for a lifetime and premiums are guaranteed never to increase, regardless of age, health, or time lapsed. Whole life policies also build cash value, which you may be able to borrow against. There are a couple other options with more variable payments, which an insurance advisor can tell you more about.
What if you have a life insurance policy through your job? Get the details. It may be all you need for now, but usually doesn't offer enough coverage once you start a family. Also be sure to change the beneficiary to your spouse, if you haven't done so already. What type of insurance policy you decide to buy will be determined by multiple factors. It's best to discuss your situation and needs with a professional insurance agent or company. It's definitely worth the conversation and education.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Wedding Day Jitters

You're engaged to the man of your dreams. The wedding planning is under control and going smoothly. The big day is nearly here. So why are you feeling so nervous? Come to think of it, it's not just you. Your mother seems more anxious than usual too. What's the deal with these strange emotions and shouldn't you be excited for the upcoming celebration?
Before you start second guessing yourself, know that having pre-wedding day jitters is completely normal. After all, with marriage comes change. And not just a little change. Big change. And all change in life creates some form of uneasiness or uncertainty. What will life be like once you're married? Will you have as much fun as you do now? Will you get bored seeing each other all the time? Will you always agree with each other? Whatever questions are surfacing in your head, consciously or otherwise, are legitimate. And time will tell what the answers are. Your job is to acknowledge your feelings and emotions and remind yourself that if your relationship has been solid up to this point, it's likely normal nervousness of the impending changes. If, all of the sudden, you are noticing some red flags in your relationship, definitely take a closer look or get outside help.
If it's the wedding day itself that's making you on edge, ask yourself why. Are you afraid the preparations won't be ready in time? Are you worried something might go wrong? To help settle your nerves, take care of the business that is within your control or delegate it to someone else. Follow up with the wedding professionals you're working with to confirm everything is on track. Once you're reassured in these areas, you'll likely feel more calm about the ceremony and reception. Everything you can't control, don't worry about. It will help alleviate some unnecessary stress and anxiety.
What if it's the people around you who are nervous? Your mother seems more anxious than you, for example. Any number of things could be making her nervous, from her little girl getting married to what her friends might think about the wedding celebration. And while you can always have a sit down and ask her what's making her most anxious, ultimately her emotions are her problem to deal with. Don't allow her anxiety to rub off on you.
Creating positive mantras, reciting daily affirmations, or practicing meditation can help with wedding day jitters. Listening to a wedding day guided imagery can also help you visualize a positive wedding day experience. Choose what works best to reduce your anxiety and increase your peace of mind.

Friday, June 20, 2014

Why Every Bride Needs to Consider Getting Jewelry Insurance

In our post today, Lavalier Jewelry Insurance discusses the importance of jewelry insurance for your rings. If you're still deciding if it's worth it, you'll definitely want to read this! 
You’re no bridezilla. No, you are a wedding planning BEAST. You got the venue you wanted. Invitations sent, RSVP’s acquired. The food, the DJ, even the honeymoon… all of it planned perfectly. You’ve considered every “what if”, have a Plan B and a Plan C, and a contingency plan for your contingency plan. So, what are you forgetting…?
In the excitement and chaos of planning your wedding, did you remember to get jewelry insurance for your beautiful wedding rings? About 40% of US households that own engagement rings do not have them insured, yet a third of couples consider an engagement ring to be one of their most valuable assets. Why get jewelry insurance? Do you really need it?
Absolutely! Covering your rings with a reputable jewelry insurance provider is the smartest way to protect your investment. Though they may not be the most expensive items you own, they are probably the most priceless - symbolically representing the emotional investment you’ve made with your partner. Wedding rings get lost, stolen, or damaged by everyday activities and are seldom recovered.
A homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy may not cover your full replacement value (in fact, many only cover $1,000 or so), leaving you to come out of pocket thousands of dollars for an equal replacement. Plus, many brides (even the super-organized ones, like yourself) don’t have a homeowner’s policy since they don’t yet own a home. For all of these reasons, and many more, you should seriously consider a separate jewelry insurance policy for your beautiful new bling. Another advantage of a jewelry insurance policy: a good one will allow you to work with the same jeweler you originally purchased your rings from, as opposed to having to replace or redesign your ring with an “in-network provider” (who you may never meet and who may or may not be as good as your jeweler), as many homeowner’s policies require. Further, if you are in the unfortunate position of having to actually file a claim on your homeowner’s policy, your entire premium may increase, costing you even more money - indefinitely.
So you’re thinking: “Our rings came with a warranty, so… we’re good!” Um...nope. Most warranties cover only manufacturers defects. So they’re no help if you lose your ring, or it gets stolen. And if there’s a hurricane, tornado, or other natural disaster that strikes, you’d better hope the rings are on your fingers or somewhere in the rubble.
Getting an insurance policy you can count on shouldn’t be the last thing on your to-do list. Get your rings appraised, take photos, and get covered. It’s one less thing to worry about as you start your lives together. Live happily ever after, even when life isn’t a fairy tale.
Jewelry insurance through Lavalier is designed to protect all kinds of jewelry, including engagement and wedding rings and family heirlooms. Coverage through Lavalier provides protection for claims on lost, stolen, or damaged jewelry and simply requires basic information on you and your jewelry, as well as an appraisal for each item you wish to insure. For more information visit www.lavalier.com or on Twitter @lavalierllc and Facebook at www.facebook.com/lavalierjewelryinsurance

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

The Same Shoe Doesn't Always Fit & Neither Do People's Style

Your bridesmaid's hair is purple. Your future sister-in-law has multiple tattoos. Your brother has extensive piercings. Do you mention that purple might clash with the red bridesmaid dresses or ask your future sister-in-law to cover up her body art so no one is offended or your brother to go ring free for a day?
People are different. Their character and style don't always match up to each other. So what do you do if you're not comfortable with the appearance or other aspect of someone who will be in the wedding party? No easy answers here. It's hard enough changing yourself, so trying to change someone else is near impossible. Nor should you try and change them. Whether it's a best friend, family member, or future in-law, you need to remember that all people are unique. There are going to be things you like and others you don't and just because you are getting married doesn't mean you have the right to infringe on someone else's style.
If you're super close to someone and feel you can request them to "change" their appearance, give it a shot. But you might risk losing a friend or creating an uncomfortable dilemma. And if it happens to be a future in-law you aren't chummy with, you're bound to strain your relationship even more with such a request. It's best to let nature take its course and allow people to make their own decisions. In some cases, they might surprise you by doing exactly what you hoped for. If they don't, chalk it up as out of your control and let it go.
Your wedding day is a special and memorable day for lots of people, especially you and your partner. Choosing to focus on someone else detracts from the purpose of the day. Since you have no control over others or what your guests might think, decide now not to let it bother you. Identify the quality you admire in each person in your wedding party and then tell yourself this day is about love. And that goes beyond appearances.

Friday, June 13, 2014

Remembering a Loved One on Your Wedding Day

Dealing with loss is complex and challenging. It is particularly difficult when birthdays, holidays, and milestone occasions, like weddings, roll around. Whether it's a parent, sibling, or other family member or loved one, understand that every person's situation is unique. People experience loss in different ways. They also cope differently, depending on their circumstances and when the loss occurred.

If you experienced a recent loss, it's best to get support early on. It can come from family and friends or from a helping professional. People go though grief in stages. A counselor or therapist is trained to work with you through each stage until you come to some degree of acceptance. Finding ways to include your loved one in your wedding can also be therapeutic and helpful. You can share a memory, have their favorite flower as part of your bouquet, include a photo of them in a meaningful place. There are many creative ways to feel connected to a loved one who has passed on during this most special time. See what other family members think and feel about your tribute.
It's normal to feel sad and wish that your loved one could be here again. Think about what they might have wanted. How would they want you to celebrate or remember them? Get the support and help you need and then do what feels good and right to honor them while enjoying your wedding.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Father of the Bride

Let's talk about dad for a minute. Maybe he's more interested in the playoffs than your wedding plans and he doesn't particularly understand why you don't want a backyard BBQ wedding. But that doesn't mean he doesn't care about you or your wedding. And if he happens to be pitching in for the costs of the big day, it's only fair to include him in some of your planning discussions
Traditionally, parents helped out financially with wedding expenses for the engaged couple. Today, many brides and grooms pay their own way or have limited help from family. Depending on how financially involved your father is in your wedding, you can decide how much you need to talk with him about your choices. Fill dad in on the things he wants to know. And see what interests him about the wedding. What part is he looking forward to most? Will you ask your dad to talk or give a toast on the big day? Does he want to do a cool coordinated father-daughter wedding dance? 
Taking your father aside at some point during the wedding to let him know how much you love and appreciate him is also a meaningful gesture that let's him know that on this most important day of your life, you remember him. And having your photographer capture some special moments between the two of you will serve as a great memento.
Although he's sure to be happy for you, he might be a little sad to see you all grown up and moving on or possibly, away. Giving your dad a special father-daughter moment at the wedding will be a highlight and memory you'll both cherish and keep with you once the wedding is over.  

Friday, June 6, 2014

Top 5 Reasons to Provide Welcome Bags to Your Out-of-Town Guests

Today we have a guest blog by Bow Tie Bags. They give us some good reasons you'll want to have welcome bags for your out-of-town guests.
1. First impression- Your out-of-town guests have traveled from near and far to celebrate your special day. Providing elegant, personalized welcome bags at your guests' hotel not only thanks them for attending and celebrating with you, but it creates a memorable first impression of the weekend that will follow. 
2. Low-cost- Welcome bags are an important detail, but they don't have to break your wedding budget. Providing a custom wedding welcome bag can cost around $10 per welcome bag. According to TheKnot.com, newlyweds (and their families) spent on average $28,400 on their weddings in 2012.  If you anticipate needing 25-30 welcome bags (one per hotel room typically), the welcome bag cost equates to just 1% of the average wedding cost!
3.Empty Stomachs-Providing a welcome bag for your guests when they check into their hotel will help satiate their immediate hunger and thirst.  Throughout the weekend, these snack items help bridge the gaps between meals and keep your guests happy and energetic!
4. Itinerary- Besides providing snack food and other essentials for your out-of-town guests, welcome bags are great for providing information about your wedding. You've planned meticulously for this weekend, so make sure your guests are where they need to be when they need to be there by including a schedule of events for the weekend. The itinerary can include the time and venue of the rehearsal dinner, the wedding itself, and the post-wedding breakfast, along with driving directions to/from the hotel.
5. Forgetful Guests- Your out-of-town guests may forget to bring a few important travel items with them, such as Advil and hand sanitizer.  Including these items in a welcome bag will save them a trip to the drug store so your guests can enjoy your wedding weekend care-free!
Bow Tie Bags was founded to save engaged couples the time, energy, and hassle of creating wedding welcome bags for their out-of-town guests. With their simple online ordering process, you can create elegant, personalized wedding welcome bags in just a few clicks. They assemble your welcome bags and ship them to you or your wedding guests’ hotel, while you spend your time and energy on other important details to make your wedding the most memorable day of your life! Visit them on Twitter @BowTieBags or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bowtiebags and Pinterest www.pinterest.com/bowtiebag

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Are Brides Really Stressed or Do They Just Think They Have to Be?

In a recent #WeddingMarket chat, an interesting topic came up: Are brides truly stressed out with wedding planning or do they simply take on the role of being stressed out because everybody tells them they should be?
To answer this question, let's start by defining what stress is. According to Webster, stress is "a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation." It can be caused by negative or positive experiences, environmental factors, or other external stimuli. With that in mind, planning a wedding can definitely fall under the stress causing category. To say otherwise, is unfair. Keep in mind, that stress is a natural part of life, and increases or decreases depending on the specific situation. The bigger question, in my opinion, is how the bride deals with it.
Every personality is different. Some people use stress to help them get things done, while others may take it as a signal to ask for help. Whatever the case, feelings of stress or overwhelm can play an important part for the engaged couple. Pinpointing what's causing the most stress for the bride is instrumental in helping her overcome the issue and start to relax and enjoy her engagement.
Everyone agrees that this is a happy time for the engaged couple and that wedding planning should be fun and enjoyable, not stressful. But lots of new emotions and feelings come with getting engaged. Throw that into the mix of wedding planning and the situation becomes ripe for added stress. Plus the couple might be dealing with other issues like financial limits or family drama, which could create more challenges.
Yes, stress is real. Validate it and then see where it's stemming from. Maybe there is an easy fix, like hiring a wedding planner to help if a bride isn't the most organized person. Or maybe it will take a bit more effort, like seeking out therapy for an anxiety issue. Once the stressor is identified and worked on, brides will likely have more fun in planning their wedding.