Simply Natural...All things Inspirational: Advise

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Thursday, April 7, 2011

6 Tax Write-Offs for Your Wedding

Weddings are expensive, so it is too bad that they aren’t tax deductible. But wait – though tax write-offs may not be top-of-mind when you are planning your wedding, with careful planning there are some ways you can garner a tax deduction or two. Here are some ideas:

1. The church. If you are paying a ceremony fee, it may be tax deductible. If not, ask whether the church waives ceremony fees for members who donate at a certain level. It may be worth upping your donations for the year to get a triple benefit: a fee waiver, a tax write off, and a warm glow from donating to a good cause.

2. The venue. If you are having your reception or getting married at a historical garden, museum or homestead, or even a state or national park, the fee you pay may be deductible as a donation. Check with the site for more details.

3. Flowers and food. Once your wedding is over, have a friend take the leftover food and flowers to a homeless shelter, women’s center or similar non-profit organization. Not only will you have done a good deed, with a receipt, you’ll be able to take a deduction for the value of the items donated.

4. The gown. Donate your wedding gown to a non-profit organization such as Making Memories or the I Do Foundation, and you’ll help others enjoy their special day in style. The same goes for flower girl and bridesmaid dresses, as well as candles and other decorations that won’t spoil.

5. Wedding favors. Instead of soon-forgotten trinkets, make a donation to a charity on behalf of everyone in your wedding and your guests, and you’ll be helping others while garnering yourself a tax deduction. You might even let your wedding party choose the charities they treasure.

6. Gift registry. Create a wedding gift registry through the IDoFoundation.org and up to 10% of gift purchases will be donated to your favorite charity. You can harvest charitable rebates with wedding purchases through the foundation, and even create a charity registry where guests can donate to commemorate your special day.

Be sure to document these wedding write-offs with receipts and contracts, so you’ll have the backup available at tax time. Then you can claim your deductions, boost your tax refund, and have extra funds to toast your wedded bliss.

Written by Ginita Wall

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Soul Mates for your Stiletteos

Every women should have a pair of these! SoleMates heel protectors are the hottest useful wedding accessory since waterproof mascara! They are small, clear plastic heel covers that attach easily to most stiletto and high heels… saving you from sinking into the grass… or getting caught in wood planks… or tearing your isle runner and tripping!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

What's the difference between a Wedding Coordinator and a Catering Manager/Venue Coordinator

This question comes often. A catering manager is employed by the venue and primarily specializes in food and beverage sales for the venue. They are usually there on your wedding day, but often depart after the first course is served. A wedding planner is your personal consultant that interfaces with ALL aspects of the planning process and, without hesitations, will mediate, negotiate and co-create with you and for you. Bottom line: you employ the wedding planner and you do not employ the catering manager. Knowing who will provide you with each of these services throughout the planning process will ensure no last minute surprises, and keep you “duty free.”

Your Catering Manager will

Provide a personalized tour of the venue
Act as a menu consultant for all food and beverage selections
Detail your banquet event order (BEO) and catering contract, outlining event specifics, and ensure that the information is clearly communicated to the operational team of the venue
Create an estimate of charges outlining your financial commitment to the venue
Arrange and attend your menu tasting
Oversee the ceremony and reception set up, food preparation and other venue operations
Act as on site Liaison between your Wedding Coordinator and venue operations staff
Ensure a seamless transition to the venue’s Banquet Director/ Captain once the grand entrance has occurred (that is typically when the Catering Manager
leaves the reception)
Review your banquet checks and billing for accuracy prior to your receipt of
the final bill

Your Wedding Coordinator will:

Assist with etiquette and protocol for invitations, family matters, ceremony and toasts
Create a comprehensive timeline for your wedding day, including the ceremony and reception
Work with you to organize and coordinate your ceremony rehearsal
Create floor plans for your function spaces and assist with seating arrangements
Remind bridal party of all pertinent “call times” and “don’t forgets” on the wedding day
Confirm “call times” and details with all vendors prior to the wedding day
Be available to have conversations as needed, including weekends and evenings (depending on the coordination package that is chosen)
Act as liaison between your family, bridal party, band/DJ, florist, photographer, videographer and other vendors to create a seamless operation
Assist the bride and bridal party with dressing
Ensure that the ladies have their corsages and bouquets, etc., and assist with the pinning of boutonnieres
Deliver and arrange ceremony programs, escort cards, place cards, favors, reserved seating for the ceremony and handle any personal items
Coordinate your actual ceremony including line up of bridal party, and assisting with the bride’s dress
Coordinate your reception (grand entrance, first dance, toasts, cake cutting,etc.
Collect any personal items you may have brought at the conclusion of the reception.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

New Year's Resolution

You're getting married this year--now there's something to toast to! We all know planning a wedding can be stressful, so make resolutions to help make your lives a little easier.

Here's a great list from Naomi Gladen.

Resolve not to do all the wedding planning. Brides seem to get stuck with all the phone calls and trips to the flower shop and all of those other tasks. You don't have time for that, girl! Make sure your fiance understands that this is both of your responsibility. And don't' be afraid to delegate. Hire a wedding planner will help tremendously.

Create a wedding planning schedule (if schedules don't make you crazy). If you're the kind of person who works better with detailed to-do lists, then make yourself one, complete with deadlines, and resolve to stick to your schedule. However, if to-do lists make your feel more stressed out instead of less, this might not be the best strategy.

Be nice to your partner. It's almost inevitable that you two are going to bicker a little bit about all this stressful planning, but resolve to keep this to a minimum. Spend as much time as you can together doing something other than wedding planning.

Resolve to concentrate on your new marriage, not just on the wedding. This commitment you're making is much more serious than your choice of party favors. Spend some quality time talking to your fiance about your relationship and about this big change you're about to experience together.

Remember to enjoy yourself. This is a joyful occasion. Don't forget that!