Bridesmaid Gift Etiquette

Bridesmaid Gift Etiquette
It is customary for the bride-to-be to give each of her bridesmaids a bridesmaid gift to thank them for their time, effort and investment. Gifts can be presented by the bride-to-be anytime all the bridesmaids are together and have quiet moment. Gifts are also given to the junior bridesmaids and, if appropriate, the flower girl.

Often all the bridesmaids receive the same gift; with the exception of the maid of honor, who is usually given a more extravagant gift than the others since her duties exceed the other bridesmaid's. Each bridesmaid gift can also be a variation on a theme (ex. each a different color necklace) or completely different items for each bridesmaid.

Bridesmaid gifts are often jewelry to wear at the ceremony that can also be worn for years to come. But bridesmaid gifts can also include a photo album / scrapbook, spa gift certificate, or even matching gloves to wear at the wedding ceremony.

There are many opinions when it comes to the price of bridesmaid gifts. Generally gifts are purchased a month or so before the wedding, spending up to $100 per gift. Some consider the gift's price should be in alignment with the cost of the wedding; others feel the more time the bridesmaids have spent helping, the more costly the gift; and still others feel the bride-to-be should spend what she sees fit and can afford.

By giving a gift to her bridesmaids, the bride-to-be is thanking her bridesmaids for all of the time (and money) they have invested in her wedding. Bridesmaid’s gifts are her token of appreciation and friendship.

No matter what is chosen for the bridesmaid gift, enclosing a card with a handwritten note or poem makes it even more personal.

About the Author

Melissa Pearl offers affordable, designer-made pearl and crystal illusion necklaces that are perfect for bridesmaid gifts or bridal shower favors.

A Bridal Shower Invitation Should Be Attractive and Stylish!

A Bridal Shower Invitation Should Be Attractive and Stylish!

A bridal shower invitations should lay out all of the necessary information, yet still be attractive. One way to do this is to have a picture engraved on the invitation. Ask your engraver to add a small design on the inside of your invitation or wherever you have information about the reception. If, for example, an ice cream social is your theme see if there is an ice cream cone or Sundae dish they can emboss onto the paper without taking away from the main body of the invitation. Remember that subtlety is stylish; you don’t want to come across as overpowering with your theme. It may be difficult sometimes to know who to invite to the bridal shower. As a general rule, the bridal shower hostess or hostesses should invite female family members of both the bride and the groom. She should also invite close female friends of the bride and the bride's family. She may also want to invite some of the bride-to-be's co-workers. She should be sure to consult with the bride when compiling the guest list. Try to organize the people invited so some will set up the bridal shower game, someone else will set up the bridal shower favor, and so on. Not everyone invited to the wedding needs to be invited to the shower. However, those invited to the bridal shower are normally invited to the wedding.

Information needed on a Bridal Shower Invitation

The bridal shower invitation should include the name of the bride to be, the date and time of the shower, and the address and phone number of the hostess/hostesses. If you are concerned about the attendance at your bridal shower, consider including on the invitation a deadline date for the RSVP; usually about two weeks prior to the shower date.

About The Author

Mike Yeager
Publisher
http://www.a1-party-supplies-4u.com/

Wedding reception idea - Wedding Ideas - Wedding Articles for Brides by Wedding

Wedding Ideas - Wedding Articles for Brides by Wedding
Threads : Where to stand for small outdoor wedding w/ no procession One idea I had for more order was to encircle bride, groom, officiant with a flower

Company Picnic Basket Ideas Barbecue Catering - Portland Oregon
Company picnic ideas whether you are planning a picnic for 100 or 10000 for the Outdoor Grill Outdoor Wedding Reception Pacific Rim Pirate Swashbuckler

Wedding invitation idea - Bliss and misses

Bliss and misses
Calendar Live (subscription), CA - 8 minutes ago Things: There's nothing quite as effective as the sight of little flower girls and Wedding as Excuse for Just Plain Really Weird Story Idea: Perhaps the

Advice to the newlyweds: get that refund check

Advice to the newlyweds: get that refund check

Each year, thousands of tax refund checks are returned by the Post Office to the IRS as undeliverable, usually because the recipient has moved. Notifying both the Post Office and the IRS of an address change in a timely manner can help ensure the proper delivery of any refund checks. To check the status of a tax refund, use the “Where’s My Refund” service on the IRS Web site or call the toll-free automated refund line at 1-800-829-4477. If a refund check was returned to the IRS as undeliverable, call the IRS toll-free customer service line at 1-800-829-1040 to arrange for reissuance.
SELECT THE RIGHT FORM
Choosing the right individual income tax form can help save money. Newly married taxpayers may find that they now have enough deductions to itemize on their tax returns. Deductions for money paid for medical care, mortgage interest, contributions, casualty losses and certain miscellaneous costs can reduce federal taxes. Form 1040, which is used to report all types of income, deductions and credits, is the one to use if itemizing. Forms 1040EZ and 1040A do not allow such itemization.
Taxpayers who do not receive their preferred form in the tax package sent to them during filing season may obtain the form from the IRS Web site, at a local IRS office, or by calling the toll-free Forms and Publications line at 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676).
CHOOSE THE BEST FILING STATUS
A person’s marital status on December 31 determines whether the person is considered married for that year. The tax law allows married couples to choose to file their federal income tax return either jointly or separately in any given year. Choosing the right filing status can help save money.
– A joint return (Married Filing Jointly) allows spouses to combine their income and to deduct combined deductions and expenses on a single tax return. Both spouses must sign the return and both are held responsible for the contents.
– With separate returns (Married Filing Separately), each spouse signs, files and is responsible for his or her own tax return. Each is taxed on his or her own income, and can take only his or her
individual deductions and credits. If one spouse itemizes deductions, the other must also.
Figuring the tax both ways can determine which filing status will result in the lowest tax – usually, it’s filing jointly. More detailed information on filing status can be found in Publication 501, “Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information,” on the IRS Web site.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: Members of the news media can subscribe to IRS Tax Tips by send

Advice to newlyweds

Advice to newlyweds from the IRS


It may not be high on the list of wedding planning activities, but there are a few, simple steps that can help keep tax issues from interrupting newly-wedded bliss, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
With the June wedding season in full swing, the IRS advises the soon-to-be married and the just married to review their changing tax status. Choosing the right tax form and filing status can help save money – and even prevent problems with missing a refund check.
Among those tax-related changes that newlyweds should think about now are notification of change of name and change of address. Later, as filing season approaches, they should consider itemizing their deductions, selecting the right tax return form to use and choosing their filing status.
No one should delay the cake cutting or honeymoon because of taxes. But here are some helpful hints for later:
USE THE CORRECT NAME
Taxpayers must provide correct names and identification numbers to claim personal exemptions or the Earned Income Tax Credit on their tax returns. A taxpayer who changes his or her last name upon marrying should let the Social Security Administration know and should update his or her Social Security card so the number matches the new name. Form SS-5, “Application for a Social Security Card,” is available through the SSA Web site at www.ssa.gov or by calling toll-free 1-800-772-1213.
REPORT YOUR CHANGE OF ADDRESS
If one or both spouses are changing their address, they should notify the IRS, as well as the U.S. Postal Service, to be sure they receive any tax refunds or IRS correspondence. It’s a simple process. All they have to do is send in Form 8822, “Change of Address Form,” which is available by calling the IRS at 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676), at most local IRS offices, or on the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov . Or they can write to the IRS center where they filed their most recent return. They should include their full name, old and new addresses, SSN and signature. And they should remember to let their employers know about any changes to their name or address so they can receive their paychecks and W-2s.

Marriage Q & A

Marriage Q & A

Some questions regarding the solemnization of marriage may require legal advice. If the following questions and answers do not address your concerns, you or your customers may need to seek the advice of an attorney. Q: My son's wedding next month will be performed by a Notary Public. Is a marriage ceremony performed by a Notary Public of the State of Florida "legal and binding"? A: There are many factors which determine the validity of a marriage. Assuming, though, that the Florida Notary Public is duly appointed and commissioned at the time of the ceremony, that both the bride and the groom are qualified to be joined in marriage, that the couple have obtained the required Florida marriage license, and that the marriage ceremony is performed in Florida, the marriage would be "legal and binding." Florida law will presume a marriage to be legal until otherwise shown. Q: Does Florida require blood tests prior to the issuance of a marriage license? A: No. Q: Does Florida recommend any premarital counseling prior to the issuance of a marriage license? A: Yes. During the 1998 Legislative Session, the Legislature passed the "Marriage Preparation and Preservation Act of 1998" in an effort to strengthen marriages, make stronger families, children and communities, and reduce the divorce rate. See Chapter 98-403, Laws of Florida. The Act recommends the completion of a premarital preparation course of not less than 4 hours taught by a provider who has been approved by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The course may be completed by personal instruction or by video/electronic instruction. Providers must furnish a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the course, which should be submitted to the Clerk's Office when applying for a marriage license. For those couples who voluntarily complete this premarital preparation course, the state offers a reduced marriage license fee and no waiting period. Additionally, the Legislature has authorized the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar to create a handbook explaining those sections of Florida law pertaining to the rights and responsibilities of marital partners to each other and to their children, both during a marriage and upon dissolution. NOTE: For additional information about the premarital preparation course and providers in your area, or the family law handbook, please contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Marriage Division, in your county. Q: Is there a waiting period for the issuance of the marriage license? A: Yes. Effective January 1, 1999, there is a 3-day delay in the effective date of the marriage license if the couple does not participate in a premarital preparation course meeting the requirements specified in law and whose provider is registered with the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Exceptions to the delayed effective date must be granted to non-Florida residents seeking a marriage license from the state and for individuals asserting hardship who have been granted a waiver by a county court judge. Q: What is the county/state fee for obtaining a marriage license? A: Florida law specifies that the marriage license fee is $88.50. For all couples who complete the premarital preparation course, there is a reduction of $32.50, making the marriage license cost $56.00 for these couples. Q: Occasionally, when I am scheduled to perform a marriage ceremony, the bride and groom forget to bring their marriage license with them to the ceremony. What should I do in this instance? A: The law states that the official "shall require of the parties a marriage license" before the solemnization of the marriage. That means that you should take possession of the marriage license before you perform the ceremony. Remember, you must also complete your portion and return the Marriage Record to the county for recording. If the couple forgets their marriage license or has not yet obtained a license, you may not solemnize the marriage. Q: Is a Florida Notary Public authorized to perform a marriage ceremony outside the state, or may a Notary from another state perform a marriage ceremony in Florida? A: No. Florida is one of only three states (the other two are South Carolina and Maine) which authorize their Notaries Public to "solemnize the rites of matrimony." A Florida Notary may perform a marriage ceremony providing the couple first obtain a marriage license from an authorized Florida official and may only perform a ceremony within the geographical boundaries of Florida. Thus, a Florida Notary may not perform a marriage ceremony in another state. Additionally, a Notary from another state, including South Carolina and Maine, may not perform a marriage ceremony in Florida. And, a Florida notary may not marry a couple who has obtained a marriage license from another state. Q: May a Notary Public solemnize the marriage of two individuals when one party is not physically present, but participates in the ceremony via telephone or video transmission, or when one of the parties is not present and another individual represents that person in the ceremony, i.e., "marriage by proxy"? A: No. Florida law does not allow marriage by proxy. Both parties must be physically present before the Notary Public for the solemnization of the marriage. The Notary should properly identify both parties prior to the ceremony. Q: May I perform the marriage ceremony for a member of my family, specifically my daughter? A: Yes. You may perform a marriage ceremony for a person who is related by blood or marriage. The prohibition against notarizing the signature of a spouse, son, daughter, mother, or father does not apply because you are not notarizing the signature of the bride and groom. You are only certifying that the couple have been joined in marriage according to the laws of the State of Florida. See Attorney General Opinion, 91-70 (1991) below. Q: My fiance and I would like to have a special friend who lives in another state come to Florida to perform our marriage ceremony. Would that be acceptable if we have a Notary Public witness the ceremony and sign the license? A: No. Florida law provides that only certain officials are authorized to solemnize marriage. Your friend may participate in the ceremony, for instance, by providing an inspirational message or prayer; but the vows and pronouncement should be done by an official authorized to solemnize marriage in Florida. Q: What officials are authorized in Florida to perform a marriage ceremony? A: Section 741.07, Florida Statutes, provides that the following persons are authorized to solemnize matrimony: State judicial officers (judges) Notaries Public Retired state judicial officers Federal judges serving in a court with jurisdiction over a part of this state Regularly ordained ministers of the Gospel, elders, or other ordained clergy, if in good standing with his or her affiliate church or denomination Clerks and Deputy Clerks of the Circuit Court Designated members of the Society of Friends (Quakers) The following officials are not authorized to perform marriage in Florida: State Attorneys Judges of Compensation Claims Administrative Law Judges Persons in these positions are not judicial officers of this state. Q: What fee may I charge when performing a marriage ceremony? A: The law provides that you may charge the same fee for solemnizing matrimony as the Clerks of the Circuit Court charge for the same service. That fee is set by law and is currently $20. Many Notaries provide additional services related to the wedding, such as flowers, reception, photographer, etc., and have a right to be compensated for these services. If you charge for extras, we recommend that you provide your customers with an itemized list of charges before the wedding ceremony in order to prevent any misunderstanding about your fees. Q: When "solemnizing the rites of matrimony," is it acceptable for the Notary Public to complete the marriage certificate without actually performing a marriage ceremony? A: No. Completing the marriage certificate portion of the Marriage Record is not the same act as performing the marriage ceremony. Actually, the certificate is your way of certifying that you solemnized the marriage. You should not falsely certify that a ceremony was performed when, in fact, one was not. The ceremony does not have to be in any particular form. Any form of ceremony to solemnize a marriage that the parties choose ordinarily suffices, as long as both parties agree to the marriage and make a legally binding commitment to each other. A marriage ceremony is usually performed for the sake of notoriety and certainty and must be conducted by a person authorized by law to perform the ceremony. Q: Should I perform a marriage ceremony if it appears that the bride or groom is not mentally capable of understanding his or her actions at the time of the ceremony? What if I suspect that the bride or groom is not a willing party to the marriage? What if one of the parties appears intoxicated or under the influence of some mind/behavior- altering substance? A: As a Notary Public, you are not expected to make a legal determination or a medical evaluation of a person's mental competency; but, you should be use your own common sense to determine that both parties are willing participants and are mentally capable of entering into the marriage at the time of the ceremony. If you have any doubt about the willingness or mental state of either party, you must refuse to solemnize the marriage. Q: May I solemnize the marriage of a couple when one of the parties is under the age of 18? A: Yes, providing the couple produces a valid Florida marriage license signed and sealed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and providing that you have no reason to suspect that the marriage license was obtained by fraud. If either or both parties are minors, parental consent is required. It is the responsibility of the bride and groom to provide the proper documentation to the Clerk's Office when they apply for the marriage license. Q: Is a Notary Public permitted to perform a marriage ceremony for two persons of the same sex? A: No. Florida law prohibits same-sex marriages. A Notary Public or other authorized person may not perform a marriage ceremony without a marriage license issued in accordance with the requirements set forth in Chapter 741 of the Florida Statutes. The law provides that a marriage license may not be issued unless: both parties sign an affidavit reciting their true and correct ages, both parties meet the age requirement or comply with the special provisions set forth for those individuals under the age of 18, and one party is male and the other party is female. Thus, Florida Notaries may not perform a marriage ceremony for two persons of the same sex. If you choose to participate in an unofficial ceremony "uniting" two persons of the same sex, you must not do so in your official capacity as a Notary Public of the State of Florida. Q: I recently read educational materials from an organization which stated that, as a Notary Public, I am not allowed to refuse to perform notarial services when asked. Must I solemnize a marriage if I have a religious conviction against doing so? A: No. You have the right to refuse to perform notary services for any number of reasons, including your own religious convictions. Of course, you should never exercise your authority in a discriminatory manner. Q: Are witnesses required to sign the marriage certificate? A: Although the marriage certificate has spaces for two witnesses to sign, witnesses are not specifically required by law. However, it is recommended that two witnessess, other than the Notary, sign the marriage certificate in the event that proof of the marriage ceremony is necessary in the future. Remember, though, you are not notarizing the signatures of the witnesses. Q: May I perform a marriage ceremony in a different county than the one where the marriage license was issued? A: Yes. A Florida marriage license is good in any county in Florida. However, after the marriage is solemnized, the license must be returned to the county that issued it for recording. Q: May I perform a marriage ceremony while aboard a ship? A: Yes - as long as the ship is in Florida waters at the time of the ceremony. The legal definition of "Florida waters" is somewhat complex, but is generally stated as three geographic miles from the coastline seaward on the Atlantic Ocean and nine geographic miles from the coastline seaward on the Gulf of Mexico. Determining the exact location of the ship is best left to the captain or someone qualified to make that judgment. Many cruise ships prefer to conduct marriage ceremonies while safely docked in a Florida port. Then, the wedding party enjoys celebrating after the ship sails. Whether on a cruise ship or a private vessel, you should ensure that you are in Florida waters at the time of the marriage ceremony. Q: May I participate in a ceremony for the renewal of marriage vows? A: The renewal of marriage vows is not an official duty of a Notary Public. No marriage license is required because no marriage is taking place. This type of ceremony is usually done as part of a celebration of a wedding anniversary or as a recommitment by the parties to each other without any legal effect. You may participate in a renewal ceremony, but not in your official capacity as a Notary Public.

Behind the Veil: Brides, grooms and their wedding parties are frantically busy and need help fast…hey, that's your cue - Biz 101 - less traditional we

AH, THE FLOWERS. THE DRESSES. THE menu. The cake. The registry. So many things to think about when planning a wedding. With today's brides and grooms so often overwhelmed by all that goes into saying "I do," smart entrepreneurs willing to step in and relieve the stress are poised to gather some well-earned profits.

Entrepreneurs are busting out of the wedding-consultant role (although that's still a big industry) and moving into less traditional businesses. These entrepreneurs have recognized which needs aren't being met . . . and are stepping right in, starting everything from a Web site for bridesmaids to a wedding chapel in a Minnesota mall.

MaryAnne London found a need when she saw a wedding chapel in a strip mall in Detroit in 1994. "It just caught my imagination," she says. "I figured someone was going to do it in Minneapolis, and I wanted to be that somebody." She took the idea for an elegant wedding chapel to the Mall of America, which has a program to help new retailers get their businesses off the ground. They loaned her fixtures for the store, and, as she says, "they've been a real partner in the chapel-- I could not have done it without the right landlord."

New to retailing, London, 54, is a full-time marketing communications consultant--she runs the Chapel of Love on the side. But when sales started flattening out two years ago, London was ready for her next challenge: She started selling accessories and apparel for bridesmaids and flower girls-- sending sales to more than $500,000 annually for the past two years.

Add-ons are an important component of any bridal business, says Brian Lawrence, author of the self-published The Wedding Expert's Guide to Sales & Marketing and vice president of sales and marketing for Encore Studios, an invitation manufacturer in Clifton, New Jersey. "[Entrepreneurs] have to think about the constant pursuit of add-ons," Lawrence says. "Contact your existing customers and sell them more." Bridal gifts for bridesmaids and ushers are often last-minute purchases, as are unique touches for the reception, like ice carvings and little trinkets. "People want something unique and different," he continues. "If they get exposed to [a cool product], they just [might] go for it."

"Unique" was in the plans of Joanna Dreifus and Ellen Horowitz when they founded BridesmaidAid.com in 2000. The idea was birthed out of the many experiences Dreifus, 29, and Horowitz, 28, had as bridesmaids. "We realized there were all these wedding Web sites and there were [virtually] no information sources for bridesmaids," says Dreifus. And there are so many more bridesmaids [than brides]."

The pair created a Web site with advice for bridesmaids, a list of duties, suggestions for bachelorette parties, wedding city spotlights, links to wedding stores and a horror story section. Both full-time graduate students, the pair focused on generating content and building a user base. The business side--i.e., the money to be made from a site that gets over 1,000 hits daily--didn't come until recently. Now, says Dreifus, they're crafting a business plan to capitalize on the site and get revenues flowing. A segment on The Today Show and being picked as a Yahoo! site of the day have helped to generate exposure. "People want really specific information," says Dreifus. "[Wedding sites often] get caught up in the formal, flowery, syrupy side of things--[people] want specifics."

More couples are turning to the Web for wedding research and purchases, according to Lawrence. Other trends in weddings: People are marrying later in life, and wedding consultants are becoming more common among middle-class couples--not just a luxury for rich folk anymore.

Vincent S. Lipe, owner of Acquisitions Event Management Inc. in Seattle, happened upon another wedding trend: He plans weddings and commitment ceremonies for same-sex couples, in addition to traditional ceremoines. Finding most of his business through word-of-mouth, Lipe, 46, happened upon this opportunity at a millennium party he had put together for a client. "A number of the guests approached me and said, 'We understand you put this all together--do you do commitment ceremonies and same-sex wedding planning?'" recalls Lipe. "I hadn't done one, but planning a wedding is planning a wedding."

The best lesson to take away? Whatever type of wedding biz you want to commit to, serve customers the best way you know how. As entrepreneurs like Lipe can attest, referrals can make all the difference.

RELATED ARTICLE: WALKING THE AISLE ONLINE

Here's a roundup of some cool wedding information sites-and just plain interesting wedding businesses-we found on the Net:

* The Association of Bridal Consultants (www.bridalassn.com)

* Bridal and Party Association Ltd. (www.bridalandparty.com)

* The Knot (www.theknot.com)

* MarriedforGood.com

* Thread Design (www.threaddesign.com)

* WeddingChannel.com

* WeddingOfficiants.com

WEDDING BY THE NUMBERS

* Every year, 2.4 million couples get married.

* The wedding industry is valued at $100 billion.

* Nearly half of all couples use the Internet to plan and purchase for a wedding.

* Median age of first marriage is 24 for women and 25.9 for men.

* Median age for remarriage is 34.2 for women and 37.4 for men.

MEDIAN AGE STATISTICS SOURCE: SelltheBride.com OTHER STATISTICS SOURCE: Modern Bride

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