How to Plan a Cheap WeddingWritten by Claire Bowes
There’s no doubt about it, weddings can be expensive. The average cost of a wedding today is $20,000 – $25,000, and weddings are estimated to be a $25.3 billion industry. But don’t worry if your budget cannot stretch for most expensive custom-made gown, elegant invitation cards, or top photographer, it doesn’t mean that your wedding will be any less unique or special than anyone else’s. You just need a bit of guidance and a few tips to help you achieve dream of your big day. Here are a few suggestions with tips on how to save on some of more expensive aspects of a wedding. Wedding Gowns Do you really need a hand-made wedding dress with beads and diamantes? This is where big cost is and there are several options in cutting cost. Why not opt for a second-hand wedding dress? It’s probably only been worn once anyway and you can get a once expensive dress for half price. Consider buying an evening gown/cocktail dress from a department store or look into renting your wedding dress for day. The Reception This is where cost of a wedding can get out of hand. The wedding reception is normally biggest expense, but one of easiest to cut down on costs. Statistics show that an average of 189 guests attend a wedding, this is a lot. Try and keep your guest list to a minimum, do you really need to invite family members who you have never seen for years? Instead of a three-course meal why not opt for a hot and cold buffet (even cater for yourself)? Instead of holding reception in an expensive hotel suite or wedding reception, why not consider having it at someone’s home or a club, or even book a restaurant. Keep an open bar to a minimal and only serve beer, wine and soft drinks. Photography The obvious choice is to shop around for best rates, but consider hiring a photographer for ceremony only and ask a family member or friend to take snap photos of reception. Or you could go one step further and ask them to take photographs for whole day and not bother with expense of a photographer at all.
| | Do You Know What To Do If Someone You Loved One Is In the Hospital?Written by Tammy Gonzales
If someone you know and love is in hospital there are a few things you need to know especially if you are Heath Care Agent or surrogate that will be acting and making decisions for patient. Keep a notebook and a pen available with you at all times. You will have many things going through your mind that you may need to keep track of and notebook will be helpful. Much of this information will be exchanged in days to come with physicians, other family members and friends, and discharge planner. Family or friends may be asking you questions and offering to do things for you. You do not have to do all of writing, assign whoever is with you to do some of writing for you. Be sure to use opportunities that family and friends will be offering you now. Select someone you trust who is supportive to be your helper. Let that individual know what it is that you need for them to do. Several others will be offering to help as well, but for next few days you need a support person. There will be those that offer to do specific things for you, allow them to do those things as long as you trust them. Then, there will be other individuals that will ask if there is anything that they can do for you that is non-specific, if know what these individuals can do for you, go ahead and ask them to do it. Make most out of this opportunity to allow others to give to you when they offer. (They may not later). Find out who discharge planner is and schedule a meeting as soon as possible. Discharge planning is a process and it begins at admission. The discharge planner will help you arrange care needed for your loved one or friend when it is time for them to go home. They must notify you of their plans before discharge occurs. The discharge planner can also be your liaison to get needed information from physician and different specialists who are following your loved one or friend. Ask nurse when physician will be doing his rounds. Most physicians do daily rounds or have rounds assigned. Be there during rounds. Make most of these daily opportunities. This will be time that you can ask physician questions and set up a meeting to talk about your loved ones condition, progress, diagnostics, treatments, medication and what may happen in future.
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