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Out With The Old, In With The New		Staying Financially Healthy January 2004

Dear Sophia,

Happy New Year *

Whew!.... now that the partying is over... the hangovers are gone ... the new years resolutions have been ripped and thrown in the fireplace, it's time to get back in the saddle. Seriously, how many of us have already given up on that diet, that savings account, quitting smoking or whatever we said we would "QUIT". Relax, don't beat yourself up. Everyone falls off once in a while, but take comfort in knowing that you can get back up. Not just get back up, but get back in line. Hip Hip Hooray! to those of us who are still holding on. Keep your eye on the pie and before long you'll see it was well worth the wait. Again, let me remind you, that you are a part of our family and as you know, My Choice Weddings focuses on the "total you". So while we are here to talk about Wedding Planning, we want to make sure that "you" are doing just fine.

in this issue

	Valentines Day Your Financial Health After the Wedding:- Money Do You need Wedding Insurance?

Your Financial Health

We understand the financial burden of paying for a wedding and starting a new life together. We help engaged couples to plan and budget in ways that will help them to stay financially healthy before and after the wedding.

Here are the top 10 strategies for hosting a wedding that will live on in memory -- not through bills:

1. Prioritize:- Before you begin planning your wedding and reception, sit down with your partner and make a list of your top five priorities. 2. Limit the guest list:- Keeping the guest list as concise as possible will drastically reduce reception costs. Most caterers, restaurants and banquet halls charge per-person, so the difference between 100 guests and 150 will be significant. 3. Cuisine costs:- Research your options. You may want to consider a buffet instead of a sit-down meal; Another possibility for holding down expenses without sacrificing fine cuisine is "drop-off catering." The caterer delivers already prepared food and sets it up. By selecting one of our service packages, My choice Weddings researches these, as well as many other options for you and presents you with multiple choices suitable to your needs. 4. Location, location, location :- A great way to celebrate your wedding at a special spot without the high cost is to plan your wedding during an off-season. Remember too, a wedding on any day but Saturday will reduce the expenses. 5. Wedding attire :- You don't have to buy at a traditional bridal salon. You could purchase a gown at an outlet or from a department store in the special occasions off-the-rack area. Wearing a nicely tailored suit is also a great option. 6. Set the mood with flowers and decorations:- If you choose to wed in a location that is already decorated, you'll see big savings. To set a stylish mood without much work, plan the wedding to take place in a garden, art museum or a beautifully furnished home. 7. Getting the word out :- Wedding invitations may be printed on your home computer. You may also prepare a newsletter to be sent out a few months before the wedding. 8. The magic of music :- Try using a DJ instead of a band 9. Shop around for photography / videography packages or have a skilled friend or relative help. 10. Bar service adds up quickly:- Eliminating or limiting a traditional full bar to one or two hours will really cut costs.

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After the Wedding:- Money

Many of us believe that a higher income ensures financial stability. Unfortunately, poor spending habits carryover regardless of salary. Financial security takes planning and sometimes significant changes in your spending habits. If you're finding it harder to make ends meet, here are some tips that may help.

· SET FINANCIAL GOALS. · KEEP A BUDGET. · ECONOMIZE WHEN POSSIBLE. · USE CREDIT WITH CAUTION. · MAINTAIN A GOOD CREDIT RATING. · KEEP YOUR FAMILY APPRISED. · SEEK THE HELP OF EXPERTS.

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Do You need Wedding Insurance?

Not just for bad weather!

Though you might not want to think about it, disasters can happen on your wedding day. Wedding insurance can protect you against these disasters, and give you peace of mind. From a sudden cancellation to stolen gifts to a damaged gown, wedding insurance can be a huge comfort, especially for an event into which you are pouring so much money. But what exactly is wedding insurance -- and how does it work? Here's the inside scoop.

Basically, wedding insurance protects a couple's investment from circumstances beyond their control, and reimburses expenses incurred. For example, what if your limo driver doesn't show up and you have to book another one the morning of the wedding--for three times the price? Or what if the groom's custom-made tuxedo is lost in airport baggage, and he has to buy a new one the day before the wedding? What if your reception space goes out of business a month before the wedding, and you lose your deposit and have to book another space? These are the types of big-day financial losses that wedding insurance can help to protect.