Wedding Invitations|Cheap Wedding Invitations|Wedding Invitation

When shopping for jewelry, particularly preset engagement rings and/or wedding bands, you want certified diamonds that are going to stand the test of time, just like your relationship. How can you make sure that you are getting the best quality at a price you can afford? You need to educate yourself on the finer points of diamond quality, and it is surprisingly easy to do. Here are a few pointers to get you started.

First and foremost, you want to make sure that you purchase a certified diamond. Whether the certification comes from the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or the EGL (European Gemological Laboratory), it should have a grading certificate to accompany your purchase. This gives you a basis for valuing the diamond for insurance or re-sale purposes (such as selling it to cash for gold or diamond retailers). It is important to note that there can be differences of opinion between the certifying organizations. The GIA is considered to be the most consistent with their certifications and is the lab that all others are compared to.

When looking for preset engagement rings, you are going to find that there are several different cuts, carats, clarity and colors of diamonds. The quality of each of these categories (along with a few others) will determine the price you pay for the diamond. While it is true that all diamonds are not created equal, you have to pick and choose which categories are the most important for the diamond you want. This is what you need to look for in each category:

Cut: The best cut diamonds are the most brilliant (or sparkly, if you prefer). There are 6 grades of cut with Ideal being the best.

Carats: The larger the diamond, the more carats it has.

Clarity: Clarity refers to the visual appearance of the diamond, whether or not there are flaws on the inside (inclusions) or surface (blemishes), and how visible they are.

Color: The color of a diamond is graded D - Z with D being colorless (the most preferred) and Z being light yellow.

You also have the option to choose a flawed diamond for your wedding ring. Though some people may scoff at the idea, the flaws most diamonds possess usually aren't visible to the naked eye or they can be hidden with prongs or proper mounting in preset engagement rings. Of course, a flawed diamond will also get you the best price which is why some people choose them.

Wedding Planning Stage 1: 12 Months Before Wedding

1. Work out your maximum budget


2. Write out the elements of the wedding needing organised, e.g. wedding dress, catering & entertainment, honeymoon etc.


3. Rank each area based on it's importance to you. This way, you'll be able to spend more money on what's important to you, e.g. you may want to spend more on great entetainment as opposed to the catering.

This stage is crucial and will inform the whole of the wedding planning process. It lets you know exactly how much you can afford to spend on each element, thus making the vendor selection process less arduous.

Wedding Planning Stage 2: 11-12 Months Before Wedding

1. Calculate guest numbers


2. Search for suitable venues that can cater for your guest numbers on your chosen date


3. Visit venues if possible to get a feel for them and short-list top 3


4. Select preferred choice and sign contracts and pay deposit to secure venue booking

Wedding Planning Stage 3: 8-11 Months Before Wedding (Vendor research phase)

1. Investigate theme options, e.g. colours and styles - refer to wedding magazines, websites for inspiration


2. Research wedding dress vendors and dressmakers who can create your dream outfit in the fabric and colour you desire


3. Do the same for groomswear and bridesmaids


4. Seek out appropriate caterers only if necessary (your venue may provide catering)


5. Investigate the following vendors:

• Entertainment, e.g. bands, DJ's etc


• Photographers


• Videographers


• Wedding Transport


• D矇cor companies for linens etc


• Florists

Always be prepared to continually refine your budget based on the costings you receive. You may need to re-allocate funds to certain areas you'd not previously regarded as being that important.

Wedding Planning Stage 4: 6-8 Months Before Wedding

1. Arrange transport, e.g. wedding cars


2. Choose groomswear and bridesmaids outfits


3. Arrange fitting times for above nearer wedding date


4. Get fitted for wedding dress


5. Book honeymoon!


6. Confirm floral and/or d矇cor vendors who best match your brief and budget


7. Post 'Save The Date' cards

Wedding Planning Stage 5: 4-6 Months Before Wedding

1. Investigate and embark on appropriate fitness and/or beauty programme


2. Seek out professionals who can help you achieve your vision and desired look, e.g. fitness instructors, dieticians, beauty therapists


3. Research whether special license is required for your marriage and if so arrange


4. Research any legalities that will require attention both pre and post wedding for example:

• Banks


• Credit Card Companies


• Employers


• Landlords


• DVLA

Wedding Planning Stage 6: 2-3 Months Before Wedding

1. Confirm ceremony details with religious person/registrar


2. Arrange the wedding rehearsal and inform relevant people who must attend


3. Select wedding stationery for invites, order of service, menus and thank you cards


4. Finalize guest list and mail invitations


5. Go for final dress fitting

At this stage, it would be wise to review everything you've arranged to date to see if you've missed anything important. Consider meeting with a recently married friend who'll be able to review your progess and advise of anything you may have forgotten

Wedding Planning Stage 7: 1-6 Weeks Before Wedding

1. Confirm final guest numbers and chase non-RSVP's


2. Read and go over vendor contracts and advise of guest numbers and requirements, e.g. special dietary issues etc.


3. Pay final balances to vendors


4. Take out wedding insurance cover based on appropriate amount you require

Wedding Planning Stage 8: Final Week
If you've stuck to the plan as laid out above, you should be super organized and have minimized your stress levels. If you can, try and arrange some time off to yourself to simply relax and enjoy your last few days of single life before the big day!

Errors and Omissions Insurance (E & O Insurance) is something every movie producer needs if they want to sign a movie distribution deal.

I'm not an entertainment attorney or insurance salesperson, but Errors and Omissions Insurance protects you and the movie distributor you sign a deal with from different lawsuits common in the entertainment business.

These include allegations of breach of contract, copyright infringement, defamation or degrading of products (showing trademarks on camera), invasion of privacy, infringement on title, slogan and lots of other nasty legal salvos.

It's an insurance policy that protects a movie producer and movie distributor's ass in the course of doing business in the entertainment industry.

Errors and Omissions Insurance doesn't deal with the creative side of making movies, so lots of times some indie movie producers don't plan for it in their movie budgets.

But if you want to sell your show to a movie distributor you'll have to learn what it's all about at some point.

That's unless you're movie distribution plan is using your own blog to sell digital downloads or DVDs online or hitting the streets with copies in the trunk of your hybrid vehicle.

I know more than a few indie filmmakers that make decent money selling movies that way without ever having to worry about the cost of an Errors and Omissions Insurance.

I respect their energy and push to get out there to sell their movies directly online or in person through all sorts of ways. That's a post on self-distribution left for another day.

The Catch-22 with Errors and Omissions Insurance has to do with dealing with movie distributors.
Every distribution deal coproducer Tim "Timbo" Beachum and I have been involved with from selling indie movies to reality programs has involved E & O Insurance.

After you finish your movie odds are you're going to want to land meaningful distribution for it.
That means working with a movie distributor to get released by mainstream retail outlets domestically and internationally in every medium possible.

Movie distribution deals for indie cinema usually happen two ways. A movie is screened at different film festivals, gets the attention of distributor and a film distribution agreement is offered to acquire the rights or an offer is made to buy the movie rights outright.

Or you skip the film festival circuit and contact movie distributors directly with a screener and your other marketing materials like artwork etc. If they like what they see a distribution agreement is sent your way to consider.

By this time the euphoria of making a movie has faded. You're now dealing with the business of making movies. You have film investors you have to pay back with interest.

Even if it was your own hard-earned cash invested to produce your movie you're going to want to be able to pay yourself back with interest.

Indie filmmakers all make movies from different financial places, personal motivations and creative needs. None of the reasons you make movies for really matters to a movie a distributor.

When you're dealing with movie distribution agreements it's all business. So once your film sales representative, entertainment attorney or you rep your own movie to hammer out a deal and you sign a film distribution agreement you're going to immediately get hit with film deliverables list.

The film deliverable list can knock an unprepared filmmaker on their ass. Once again the film deliverables list is a topic left for another post.

On this movie making post we're focusing on Errors and Omissions Insurance, which is one of the key deliverables a movie distributor requires you to meet promptly.

Like in a Hitchcock movie I mentioned Catch-22 with Errors and Omissions Insurance in the post, now it has to be used.

It always a lot cheaper to purchase your own Errors and Omissions Insurance from a reputable company than it is relying on a movie distributor to cover the cost.

The Catch-22 is that some, not all, but some movie distributors that cater to releasing indie produced films use E & O Insurance to gouge the eyes out of indie filmmakers with an inflated cost.

The movie distribution company will tell an indie filmmaker that doesn't have Errors and Omissions Insurance not to worry. They'll set up a policy with an insurance broker they know, pay for it and only deduct the cost from any advances or future film royalties.

Sounds good if you don't have the money to buy an E & O Insurance policy yourself considering no money comes out of your pocket upfront. But it doesn't feel good when you have your upfront advance or later royalty payments hit hard for E & O Insurance.

You can end up paying anywhere from a 200% to 400% mark up on the cost. Like I said not all movie distributors that cater to releasing indie films do this kind of BS, but there ones that do.

Every business has people out to screw you. Dealing directly with an agent to buy your own Errors and Omissions Insurance policy will ALWAYS SAVE YOU MONEY.

But I completely understand how it goes to finally finish a movie and end up not having a hundred bucks left in your budget to deal with the real hard costs of getting through film deliverables.

It's a smart move in preproduction to contact companies that specialize in producer's Errors and Omissions Insurance to compare quotes. Once you have those prices you can plug it into your budget.

I like to include it as part of the postproduction budget as a line item. It helps remind me as an indie movie producer working with a limited budget that after we wrap a movie there is still a long way to go to get through postproduction and film deliverables.

Even if you know you won't have the money for E & O Insurance after you sign a movie distribution deal at least by knowing what policies cost you can negotiate the cost down the distributor will charge you.
This is the part I call the Catch-44. Be wary of dealing with movie distributors that won't accept your Errors and Omissions Insurance policy.

They might have special requirements like your policy is not from a carrier licensed in their state or some other reason to decline your E & O Insurance.

If you've already signed a deal with them before asking if your own Errors and Omissions Insurance policy satisfies their requirements you could be in a bit of a fight.

You've played by the rules and saved money by buying your own E & O Insurance policy, but now you're bumping heads on this issue. If you haven't signed a deal move on to another distributor.

As long as your E & O Insurance policy is from a reputable company another movie distributor will honor it if they want your movie.

If you're signed on the dotted line you might have to suck it up and bite the bullet and go with a broker recommended by the movie distributor that will usually charge a bit more than you would have paid on your own.

The insurance company doesn't add the mark up. It's the movie distributor adding their juice for doing you a favor covering the cost.

The truth about Errors and Omissions Insurance in the world of indie film distribution isn't always fair or pretty, but either is life.

If you have to ask whether or not you need diamond ring insurance you probably do. There's something nagging you in the back of your mind saying "this thing's just too darn valuable to have it stolen or misplaced!" And you're right. While you should never look upon your diamond jewelry as an investment, there's no harm in being smart about covering things you're spending a fair amount of cash on, and diamond ring insurance can go a long way toward easing your concerns. There are a few things to consider, however.

Diamond ring insurance is usually found as a rider to most homeowners or renters insurance policies, at least in the US. Many insurance companies won't bother, but most of the larger ones will. There are basically three types of diamond ring insurance: Actual Cash Value, Replacement Value, and Agreed Value. Actual cash value replaces the ring at current market rates, either higher or lower than you paid for it. This coverage is rather rare. Another rare form of coverage but the most desirable, is Agreed Value. This is where you and the insurance company agree on the value, and that is the amount you are compensated in the event of a loss. The most common type, and the policy that most people are sold is Replacement Value. This is where the insurance company replaces your ring at the lowest cost they can negotiate. This is sometimes much less than the amount the ring is insured for. This is an area to be careful. Always insist on an independent appraisal, as you don't want to be paying premiums for a ring appraised at $15,000, and then have it replaced for $3000.

Make sure your diamond ring insurance covers you when you travel, and for most normal occasions. I've seen policies that only covered the ring in the house, causing problems when it was lost or stolen outside the home. All is all, diamond ring insurance isn't difficult to obtain, just keep these guidelines handy and you'll be able to buy some piece of mind!

If you're one of the thousands of women engaged to a military man, you may be faced with an unusual dilemma - the inability to preplan your wedding date too far in advance.
What's worse is that many of our soldiers serving in Iraq and other places around the globe only come home for the holidays - a time when wedding guests might want to be celebrating with their own clan on your exact wedding date.

As the bride and hostess, you want to take your guests into consideration. But ultimately, if you don't want to wait until your soon-to-be groom is retired from the armed forces, you may have some tough decisions to make regarding your wedding date.

If your fiancé is home over the Christmas holidays, you might be trying to decide how a wedding date close to Christmas or close to New Years will affect your guest list. Look at it from the other person's point of view.

The days leading up to Christmas are usually quite hectic for many people. There are last-minute gifts to buy, meals to plan and purchase, and trees to pick out and trim. So a wedding date right before Christmas may be more of a burden than a blessing for many guests to consider, especially if they're coming in from out of town.

A wedding date close to New Years, however is more flexible. The most people usually do to get ready for New Years is buy a new outfit and determine which party they plan to attend. Even if they attended your wedding on the 28th or 29th, there's still plenty of time to fly home and get ready for New Years without interruption.

Another thing to consider in regards to your wedding date is that on New Years, many wedding guests will be spending time with friends and acquaintances. But the Christmas holiday is geared more towards close family, so your guests won't mind missing a New Year's celebration as much as a Christmas get-together, if they plan to fly in and stay over the New Year's holiday.

Your job as the bride and groom is to first take your own marriage plans into consideration. If you can only get married December 22nd, and your fiancé is set to re-deploy right after Christmas, then you may have to choose a wedding date where you celebrate with fewer guests. Although heart-wrenching, your guests will understand and support your decision.

Or, if you've always dreamed of having the perfect wedding with everyone involved, you may have to postpone your wedding date - but do so with the knowledge that you can't predict your fiancé's military future with the ability to pinpoint a wedding date in advance.

Another vital consideration for women engaged to a military man - look into wedding insurance. You never know what world events may turn your fiancé's leave upside down and cause your wedding date to be postponed without your knowledge far enough in advance to work out a deal with vendors - and you don't want to lose your deposits.

Look to your future wedding date with excitement and joy knowing you'll soon have the honor of marrying an honorable military man! Try not to get stressed about who will or won't be able to attend. The life the two of you have chosen is certain to be filled with unexpected twists and turns in scheduling and this is the first of many planning decisions you'll face.

So your wedding is coming up soon, and no doubt you are getting excited about the happy times ahead. I need to give you a little information about wedding insurance first however, but I'll try to make this as light-hearted and positive as possible.

Each year about 1 in 500 people in the UK has a heart attack, and around 1 in 500 people in the UK each year is involved in a car accident. A staggering 1 in 3 people in the UK suffer from food poisoning each year, and there are many similar statistics for a variety of other illnesses, accidents and events which are likely to have a serious impact on the probability of weddings being able to go ahead.

How am I doing as far as being light-hearted is concerned? Still feeling positive? You should do, because statistically 2 in 3 weddings goes without a hitch, or at least without anything serious going wrong. There is almost never a wedding where absolutely everything goes right; the least you can hope for is that the things that do go wrong are only fairly minor ones that won't make very much difference.

The reason I'm giving you these statistics is because a great many people each year believe that their wedding will be virtually untouchable, and that therefore it is not important to really worry about wedding insurance very seriously, and that even if they do take out a policy, their wedding insurance valuation needn't be for the full value of the actual wedding.

Each year in the UK there are around a quarter of a million weddings. That's a staggering number, and as I said, out of every three weddings two will run reasonably smoothly. But that still means that one in three weddings will either have to be postponed, or face some calamity that is likely to cost a significant sum of money. In real terms that's about 83,000 weddings which go wrong.

Now there's no need to worry about it, because in most cases there is nothing you can do to prevent the unforeseen from happening. That's really what unforeseen things are all about, they're pretty difficult to foresee.

But statistics are rather hard things to avoid, even if filling out a wedding insurance policy application is. None of us like to think that anyone close to us, either family or friends, will suffer from a heart attack, be involved in a car accident, or go down with food poisoning. These are just three eventualities which happened very frequently, and I'm quite sure that once you've finished reading this article you'll be to come up with heaps more.

But they are just statistics, and not something that you should worry about on a daily basis. But as long as the statistics I've mentioned have made you think a little bit more seriously, then you might be able to appreciate a little better why it is so important to take out wedding insurance. Remember, every year in the UK around 83,000 couples rely on wedding insurance saving the day. If you don't take out insurance, the shock of the bill might be more than sufficient to result in yet another statistic dropping to the floor.

Home insurance can protect your personal belongings from theft or loss at home and even whilst you are staying in a hotel. Some home insurance companies may even protect your personal possessions anywhere in the world. However, if your belongings are taken from an unlocked hotel room, you may find that your insurance policy will not offer you any compensation.

Personal possessions are classed as valuables, money and personal effects which belong to, or for which you or your family are legally responsible and are used mainly for private purposes. This may include personal effects which you wear or carry around with you (including clothes, MP3 players, mobile phones, sports equipment or pedal cycles) or valuables (including costume jewellery, gold, silver or other precious metals, cameras, camcorders and digital cameras, watches, paintings and other works of art). Money may also be protected, but a limit usually applies for cash, credit cards and unspecified articles.

You can take certain precautions whilst staying in a hotel room to prevent theft in the first place. You should always lock your hotel room door, even whilst you are in the room and especially whilst you're sleeping. You can also use the individual safe in a hotel room, or give your valuables to reception staff at the hotel if your room does not have a safe. You should also not leave any valuables out in plain sight in the hotel room; this is especially true for cash which could be mistaken as a tip for the hotel staff.

If you're going away for an extended period of time, you may want to consider holiday insurance to protect your belongings more comprehensively. Home insurance can protect your personal belongings up to a point, but it is always better to be fully insured against theft or loss. Your home insurance should be able to protect your precious belongings both at home and whilst you are away - but you should always take as many precautions as possible to prevent theft from happening in the first place. Locking your hotel door is just the first step.

Your event structures play a big role in the success of your special event. Knowing critical information about your tent rental company and the way they do business can help you choose a company that is compatible with your expectations and meets your event requirements.

Customer Satisfaction: History is not perfect, but is often a reliable predictor of the future, and if past customers are pleased with the job the tent rental company you are considering has done, you are more likely to be satisfied as well.

Request a complete list of all the projects the company has completed in the last six months that are similar to the event you are planning. Consider the number of guests, type of event, type of structures (frame tents, high peak tents, clear span structures) and location type. Ask for the event planners' names and contact information. Call a significant number of these clients until you are comfortable with the responses you are receiving. Ask for specifics and take notes. You can review these later to identify recurring themes and issues.

Terms and Conditions: The agreement you will eventually sign with your tent rental company will be filled with terms and policies that you should fully understand and negotiate as part of your due diligence process. These legal points can have a significant impact on your final invoice and govern major aspects of the service provided by the company.

Cancellation Policy -- This will establish the obligations of the parties if an event is canceled and may differ based on the reason for the cancellation. Refunds generally vary based on the timing of the cancellation. It's reasonable to compensate a company if they have incurred costs associated with an event, even if it does not take place. Make sure you understand these terms and they appear reasonable relative to the costs the company is likely to incur.

Rental Period -- How is the tent rental period calculated and what can trigger unanticipated additional costs? It is often advantageous to begin construction several days before an event and sometimes circumstances prevent the timely removal of the structure. It is always good to have some cushion in the time elements of your rental agreement to allow for unforeseen circumstances. Negotiate sufficient safeguards in the rental period from unanticipated costs that are beyond your control.

Payment Terms -- It is a common industry practice to require a significant deposit at the time you book your event. This allows the company to reduce the risk associated with reserving your equipment and manpower. However, retaining a significant amount of the charges associated with the project until construction is completed helps reduce execution risk for the customer. A reasonable rental agreement should balance the needs of both parties based on the services and equipment that is being provided.

Damages -- There can be several items in the terms and conditions of a tent rental agreement that deal with responsibility for damages based on when they occur, how they happen and whose assets are damaged. This is a complicated issue and beyond the scope of this discussion but I strongly recommend that you involve your risk manager and/or insurance representative in this analysis to ensure there are no gaps in coverage that can leave you exposed to unnecessary liability.

Insurance -- Always request certificates of insurance for liability and workers compensation coverage and anything else you believe is necessary based on your event. Your risk manager or insurance representative can advise you on coverage limits but our opinion is that even the smallest events should be covered by no less than $1,000,000 of liability coverage and larger structures and events will require more.

Emergency Preparedness: Dealing with the unexpected is always a consideration when you are planning special events that are subject to weather fluctuations and accidents of all types. How prepared is the tent rental company to respond to such a situation? Do they have sufficient manpower and equipment that can be deployed on short notice to respond to a crisis? Do they have a 24 hour emergency answering service to respond to customers issues? Ask them to explain their policies and resources so you understand their capabilities and make sure they include this in their rental agreement as part of their service guarantee.

Size and Condition of Inventory: Access to a large tent inventory means you can choose a tent based on the specific requirements of your event and not be persuaded to compromise based on a limited selection in the warehouse. Size is important but style can also be critical in making sure your fabric structure complements the traffic flow and audience viewing options, placement of tables, chairs, staging and additional equipment and the overall appearance you are trying to achieve. Choosing from a range of sizes in frame, high peak and clear span structures gives you additional planning and design flexibility. Having a large inventory is also great insurance for responding to the unexpected weather or man-made calamity that occasionally damages temporary fabric structures. You are much more likely to find a suitable replacement from a large tent inventory.

The condition of the tent leaves an immediate impression upon your guests and either enhances or detracts from the overall impact of your special event appearance. Ensuring your tent is clean and not in need of repair is as important as any decoration that you plan.

Request a detail of the tent rental company's inventory in the size range you are looking for. Make sure they include specific sizes and styles of tents. Do they offer a good selection in all the tent styles you are considering? Ask them about their cleaning and repairing procedures and the quality assurance measures they employ. Most people are unwilling to admit to an absence of appropriate quality assurance processes but asking the questions will alert them to your concern and set the proper expectation.

Experience: There is no substitute for experience and this maxim is never more evident than when dealing with special events that are time sensitive, involve comfort and safety issues and don't allow for second chances. If you've ever had to rebuild a structure on short notice that has been flattened by a microburst or vandalized the night before an event, you know the value of experience. Even the unexpected, less catastrophic issues are dealt with more efficiently and with less anxiety for everyone, if you're working with an experienced tent rental company.

Experience is also a good indication of how familiar a company will be with different jurisdictional regulations and codes, permitting processes, life safety issues, evacuation planning and all the other specific requirements involved in constructing temporary fabric structures. This experience can prevent regulatory violations from threatening the smooth preparation and operation of your event.

You should know how long the company has been in business managing your type and size of event. And you should also know about the experience of the senior managers who are planning and coordinating the company's resources as well as the experience levels of the construction supervisor and the construction team. It is a good practice to know who will be the project manager and who will be supervising on site construction and be very familiar with their qualifications and experience level. These are the people responsible for a foundation element of your special event and their expertise will be called on to ensure its success.

An acceptable level of experience is probably dictated by the complexity of your event and fabric structure construction as well as the type of experience the company and key individuals possess. Something in the five to fifteen year range of relevant experience is likely to satisfy most event requirements for key company employees.

Acquiring the knowledge outlined above will help you select a tent rental company that matches your needs and allows you to be more comfortable with your choice so you can focus on the countless other issues that will lead to a successful event.

Disc jockey equipment is expensive. Although it is a rare occurrence for something to be damaged at receptions and other events, it is still possible. An uninsured disc jockey not only leaves him or her vulnerable, but it also leaves you vulnerable. Built into most disc jockey contracts is an agreement that holds the buyer responsible for damages. This means, by law, you are required to pay for the replacement or repair of the disc jockey's equipment in the event that you or one of your guests accidentally damages any of his equipment.

DJ insurance is often quite expensive for disc jockeys, but it is well worth the expense. If the disc jockey is insured, the only additional cost that clients may be responsible for in the event that DJ equipment is damaged or destroyed during your wedding is the deductible on the insurance plan. This means that instead of being responsible for up to $20,000 or more worth of damages, you are only responsible for a deductible fee that is usually a very small fraction of the total equipment value.

In addition to this, DJs without insurance could result in you dishing out thousands in legal fees. Because the liability is built into the contract, you are responsible for the disc jockey's equipment for the entirety of your wedding. This is a heavy burden to hold on your shoulders that could redirect your attention from the fun of the party to the unfortunate book-keeping portion of the event. If something does happen at the event, you'll be forced to either pay up the DJs estimated demands, or take the situation to court and fight through the process. If you lose your case, you'll not only need to pay the settlement, but you'll also owe a large sum of legal fees.

Before hiring a DJ, be sure to check if he is insured. Proof of insurance should be easy for him to display. Typically, insurance companies provide a proof of insurance card or statement that displays the initiation and expiration date of the insurance policy. If the DJ shows you expired documentation, be sure to make the disc jockey aware of this and ask for up to date proof of insurance. It's not always possible for customers to request proof of insurance from the actual insurance company, so you'll need to confirm all these details with the disc jockey. Once you are certain of his insurance, be sure to ask him to review over the details of the contract and help you understand what the extent of your liability is. Knowing if you are responsible for the deductible and how much it costs is all very important. In addition, be sure that it is clear in the contract that you as a customer are covered in the event of equipment damage. The last thing you want after your wedding is a law suit. The contract could make or break your future plans after your wedding, so make sure you're covered before you sign it and hire the disc jockey.

While many people consider the actual carat size of a diamond to be of paramount importance, jewelry buyers realize that diamond clarity is also extremely important. Typically, a diamond has inclusions within its core that are considered to be a sort of "birthmark" for the gem. These inclusions are what make every diamond unique, and the less inclusions that are present within the gem, the more valuable it becomes.

The Gemological Institute of America, known as the GIA, has created a clarity grading system that is used worldwide. When a diamond is plotted for clarity, it is examined at a 10X magnification. At that time, various inclusions and blemishes are marked and graded on the scale that the GIA has put in place.

The best degree of clarity that a diamond receives is known as Flawless. A diamond graded FL shows neither inclusions nor blemishes when it is examined at 10X magnification. One level below that is the Internally Flawless diamond. This is a diamond that has no inclusions, and only some slight blemishes on the surface. In many cases, a little bit of minor re-polishing on the diamond can remove the blemishes, making the diamond completely flawless.

The GIA scale continues, moving from VVS1 all the way down to I3. VVS1 is considered to be Very Very Slightly Included, and usually refer to diamonds that have such small inclusions that even a professional grader might have trouble finding them under the typical 10X magnification. I3 is considered Imperfect, and diamonds that are graded at this level will usually have imperfections that are visible to the naked eye.

Naturally, if diamond buyers are interested in a diamond as a jewelry item, diamond clarity is important only insomuch as none of the flaws are visible to the naked eye. Someone who is out in public with a diamond that is less than flawless will not have the imperfections detected by someone simply admiring the gem. Therefore, diamond clarity in many cases, is not truly important for someone who simply wears the diamond jewelry item.

However, diamond clarity becomes important when it comes to certification. Jewelry buyers know that certification is required for insurance purposes, and unless a diamond is certified (usually according to GIA specifications), many insurance companies will not provide a policy on the gem.

This means that from a professional point of view, diamond clarity is important when it comes to the actual cost of the diamond, as well as the diamond appraisal. However, from a purely practical point of view, the only time that diamond clarity is important is if there are flaws within the gem visible to the naked eye.

Online shopping has many benefits, especially when you are in the process of organising a wedding. You can shop online at any time of day or night, which means that you can cross things off your 'wedding to-do' list much more quickly. As a traditional gift for your groomsmen, it's likely that you'll be looking to purchase multiple pairs of cufflinks so it's important that you're happy with your final purchase. To guide you, we've compiled these helpful tips for shopping online for your wedding cufflinks:

1. Style

Look for cufflinks or silk knots that tie in with your wedding theme. Cufflinks are available in a wide variety of designs featuring various textures, colours, and patterns. Silver cufflinks are perfect for black tie and classically themed weddings. Alternatively, you may like to pick up on the colour theme chosen for the wedding day or tie in with the colour of the bridesmaids dresses. Cufflinks are available in a wide variety of colours so it should be easy for you to find something that matches perfectly. Other choices include fun novelty designs that suits the location of the wedding or perhaps the unique styles, interests and hobbies of your groomsmen.

2. Quality and Durability

It is customary for cufflinks to be given as a gift to groomsmen because they are a lasting token of gratitude and friendship and signify the many special memories created on a wedding day. Often cufflinks become family heirlooms so it's essential to select quality pieces that will last for many years. Don't settle for cheap products that are most likely to fall apart after only a few uses. Pay close attention to the materials used to manufacture the cufflinks you are considering. Research and evaluate the benefits of different materials.

Rhodium is recommended over silver for example, as it has more durable qualities that will stand the test of time. As a guide, you can expect to pay around $39.95 for a good quality pair of rhodium cufflinks. Multi-Purchase Discounts. Just like shopping in regular stores, it pays to shop around. Reputable wedding cufflink stores generally offer multi-purchase discounts to thank and reward you for buying multiple items.

3. Quality Site

As a general rule, only purchase items from a good quality website. If an online retailer cares enough to make their online website look good, then chances are that they really care about the product they are supplying as well. The site should be configured in a logical way and the menus should be easy to navigate and clearly labelled. Product information should be easy to find and each item on the site should be professionally photographed.

4. Returns and Refunds Policy

Always check this prior to making a purchase online. Look for the returns and refunds policy, there will usually be a link at the bottom of the home page. Only purchase from online retailers that give you the option to return a product if you are not satisfied or even if you simply change your mind.

Keep these tips in mind so that you can evaluate an online shop easily and quickly when shopping for cufflinks online. To ensure peace of mind, speak to your bank or credit card provider about their online shopping insurance policies. This comes as a common feature with some credit cards.

 Your wedding day is one of the most important days in your life - so you'll understandably want to ensure everything runs perfectly up to - and on - the big day. But with so much to consider in coordinating a wedding, how can you ensure the stress of the planning process doesn't get the best of you and your spouse-to-be? Here are just a few pieces of advice to help ensure your wedding turns out as perfect as you want it to.

First and foremost, you'll want to give yourself plenty of planning time. While many couples get engaged far in advance of an actual wedding date, many don't realise just how long it takes to plan such a significant event. Start planning as early as possible, to ultimately give yourself more time to dedicate to the details. And if you're unsure as to how far in advance specific wedding-planning tasks should be undertaken, refer to one of countless wedding planning checklists out there. Checklists can help you get your planning tasks done on time, as well as help ensure you don't leave any important tasks out.

That being said, it might be worth considering hiring a wedding planner. Someone who specialises in planning weddings will know exactly what to do, and when to do it. However, if you find that a wedding planner is out of your budget, or if you simply don't think you'll need one, you still might want to seriously consider a 'day-of' wedding coordinator. A day-of coordinator can see to any last-minute snags that arise on the actual day of the wedding, and ensure the entire day runs smoothly - so you and your new spouse can enjoy yourselves.

In planning a wedding, it's also important to ask for help if you find you need it. Many brides and grooms-to-be take on too many tasks themselves, and end up feeling overwhelmed with the planning process. While you might ultimately be making all the decisions with regard to planning your wedding, there's nothing wrong with asking someone - such as those in the wedding party - to help out with certain tasks.

Last but not least, consider taking out wedding insurance for your big day. With the excitement of planning a wedding, many couples don't realise that a lot can actually go wrong. Whether the bride's dress is ruined, the wedding photos are lost, or the wedding has to be cancelled at the last-minute, wedding insurance can help alleviate the stresses that can arise from wedding mishaps.

Above all, you'll want to make sure that you and your spouse are able to enjoy your big day. So plan in advance and take all the necessary measures to ensure your wedding day is nothing less than perfect.

Congratulations on your recent wedding! Everything went fine, you're all moved in or you're on your honeymoon and things are humming along. So now it's time to tackle the chore of changing your last name to his. How hard can that be? After all, there are only a few places that will need your name change notification right?

Well, guess again... For the average adult there are over thirty agencies, companies and other entities that will require notice of a married name change. Wow, that's a lot! Did you know that the usual marriage name change, if done without assistance, can take over twelve hours?

Of course, there are online and offline systems you can use to help shorten the time. The right package can drastically reduce the time it takes to fill-out and submit all the forms containing your personal information. But that help will cost you a bit of money. Some are inexpensive and others are quite costly.

If you're a do-it-yourselfer, you can find most forms online, fill them out and then mail them in. But exactly where do you get those forms and to whom do you send them?

Whether you do-it-yourself or purchase one of the available name change packages, it's still very helpful to have a complete list of agencies and companies that might need to know about your marriage name change. Then, as you complete and mail the proper forms, you can check each organization off your list.

Here's a checklist of the main entities that you'll want to notify about your new married name...

Agencies

• Social Security / IRS (Internal Revenue Service)


• State DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles


• Voter Registration


• Passport / Post Office (name and address change)

Utilities

• Electric / Gas / Oil (for heating)


• Cable / Satellite TV


• Telephones (Land lines and cells)


• Water / Sewer (may be combined with water) / Trash pickup


• Internet connection provider

Home / Office

• Mortgage / Equity loan holder


• Landlord / Building management


• Property titles / Deeds

Auto

• Auto loan / Lease holder


• Title / Registration


• Vehicle sticker for local municipality


• Roadside service

Employment / Business

• Employer (through HR department)


• 401-K / Insurance / other benefits plans


• Business cards / Business email

Professional Organizations

• State Bar


• Unions / Professional associations


• Business licensing agencies


• Business Clients / Colleagues

Insurance

• Auto / Health / Dental / Vision / Life


• Homeowners / Renters


• Business

Financial

• Checking accounts (personal) / Order new checks


• Checking account (business) / Order new checks


• Direct deposit accounts


• Savings accounts / Money market accounts / CDs


• Trusts / Other financial entities


• PayPal / Other payment processors (online and offline)

Investments

• Broker / Mutual fund accounts


• Individual stock investment plans


• IRA accounts / Business retirement accounts

Credit Cards / Loans

• School loans / Other Personal Loans


• Credit cards

Health Professionals

• Doctors / Dentists / Chiropractors / Therapists / Trainers / Counselors

Other Professionals

• Attorneys / Accountants / CPAs


• Business / Other professionals

Subscriptions

• Newspapers / Magazines


• Reward programs with Airlines / Hotels / Other reward programs

Memberships

• Schools / Clubs / Libraries / Gyms


• Professional Organizations / Alumni Associations

Documents

• Last Will and Testament


• Power of Attorney for Finances / Power of Attorney for Health


• HIPAA (release of medical information to family)

Wow! That's a lot of places to change your name!

If you would like a simpler, more organized method of completing your name name, visit our website and find out how we can help make your married name change quicker and easier.

Less than 4 months to go until your wedding day. At this point, your wedding planning process is about details, details and more details. Perhaps you've taken care of some pertinent details, like sending out the "save the date" cards and coordinating the rehearsal dinner venue, but there is more to do! Following is a wedding planning checklist of tasks to complete when you're within 2 to 4 months of your wedding date.

• Meet with your florist to order your wedding flowers. Bring a sketch or photo of your wedding dress and color swatches of your bridesmaids' dresses.
  
  


• Address all wedding invitations and announcements.
  
  


• Finalize your music selection with the disk jockey or other entertainment.
  
  


• Check with your bridesmaids and groomsmen to make sure they've gotten their attire, confirm arrival times, and answer any last minute questions. Be sure attendants are kept informed of rehearsal plans, other commitments they have.
  
  


• Contact your vendors (caterer, officiant, cake baker, photographer, videographer, florist, musicians, transportation, and hotels) to confirm arrival and delivery times.
  
  


• Write and print your wedding program.
  
  


• Create welcome baskets for out-of-town guests.
  
  


• Send change-of-address information to post office.
  
  


• Ask your mother or maid of honor to contact any guests who have not sent the RSVP card.
  
  


• Plan the ceremony, reception, menus, master of ceremonies, music, and timetables.
  
  


• Finalize plans for the rehearsal dinner and bridesmaids' luncheon.
  
  


• Address and mail the wedding invitations.
  
  


• Plan the reception seating, if necessary.
  
  


• Consult relevant newspapers for requirements on wedding announcements.
  
  


• Have a formal portrait taken in wedding dress for newspaper announcement.
  
  


• Consult your hairstylist about your wedding hairstyle.
  
  


• Consult your makeup person about wedding day makeup.
  
  


• Investigate legal details, such as naming fiancé as beneficiary in will and life insurance, obtaining insurance to cover joint property, consolidating auto insurance, opening joint bank accounts, etc.
  
  


• If you will be changing your names, make a list of where you need to do this and when.
  
  


• If you will need foreign money for the honeymoon, make arrangements to obtain it.
  
  


• Give a list of "important shots" to your wedding photographer.
  
  


• Discuss your menu with your wedding caterer.
  
  


• Meet with your officiant to discuss the service.
  
  


• Write your vows.
  
  


• Attend any wedding showers.
  
  


• Make final alterations and fittings for your wedding dress. Bring a friend along to help you bustle your train and fasten any tricky buttons.

Use this wedding planning checklist as a guideline for tasks to complete when you're within 2 to 4 months of your wedding date.

Event Organisers such as Trade Show, Conference, Exhibition and Consumer Show Organisers will purchase Event Insurance which includes Cancellation as a way to mitigate the financial risks to their event budget.

On the face of it you would expect that an Event Cancellation Insurance policy would protect the Organiser against Event Cancellation and Disruption caused by such circumstances as Adverse Weather or Snow. You would be right to a degree.

To best understand what Event Cancellation Insurance policy you are buying you need to read the policy wording. Or better still; speak to an experienced specialist Event Insurance Broker.

Organisers will consider buying Event Cancellation Insurance to protect them from what they consider unforeseeable circumstances such as heavy snow or adverse weather which might lead to there event being disrupted.

Unfortunately this disruption does not necessarily mean that the Organiser is covered by their policy.

In all situations two things must occur if a claim made be made.

1) The Organiser must suffer a loss and be able to quantify it financially.

2) The incident that caused the loss must be covered (or not excluded) by the policy.

Whilst adverse weather itself is not excluded for indoor events. Some other losses or claim scenarios are actually excluded by the policy wording.

Due to the nature of adverse weather and indoor events, the event itself will not normally be completely cancelled. The reason being is that the Venue will normally be operating fine, so there are no funadmental reasons why the doors should not open as normal.

Where we have seen the biggest impacts due to snow and adverse weather are actually on the Reduced Attendance at the Event.

Many organisers rely on the "foot-fall" for on the day ticket sales, food & drink sales and ultimately the positive PR a good attendance generates. On certain consumer shows this may account for a huge proportion of the actual event revenue.

Unfortunately many Event Cancellation policies do not often extend to cover losses due to "Reduced Attendance". Irrespective of why the attendance has been reduced.

It is important to check your policy wording for the terms "reduced attendance" or "pre-contracted revenue cover". You might be surprised that you are missing the one item of cover that you were taking for granted.

In most circumstances this cover can be included very easily. Just speak to your broker.

A specialist event insurance broker can help you when making your decisions on cover. Visit www.heartlandevents.co.uk/resources.php for more helpful resources on Event Insurance.

Accidentally left a car-window open in heavy rain and your car insurance doesn't cover the damage? Here's some tips to help dry out your car. Be quick! You don't want to spend hundreds of dollars in cleaning costs after it gets smelly or mouldy.

• Run your car's air conditioning on recycle with the windows closed. This will tend to remove humidity from the air inside the car and draw moisture from the trim. Make sure that you replace the air inside the car regularly to avoid the air inside the car becoming stale.

• If your car does not have air conditioning, make sure the air setting is on fresh and drive the car with the windows open a few inches.

• If your carpet is soaked in rain water see if you can remove some of the simpler trim near the doors so that the carpet can be lifted. Place an object under the carpet to keep an airspace to assist drying.

• Try to park in the sun with the windows opened a fraction. Be careful not to leave the windows too open so as not to tempt thieves.

Got a leak from somewhere else?The water's getting in somehow and it could be coming from a number of sources. The sun-roof drain channels are not working or are blocked, the windscreen seal is broken, or one of the rubber grommets that allows wiring to pass from the engine bay to the cabin may be missing or broken. You will need to find the leak first before you can dry out your car.

You car is smelly/mouldy? Once the interior of the car does get smelly or mouldy, the only real solution is to remove the carpets and trim and wash them in warm water and detergent and let them dry outside the car. Unfortunately this is not a job for the average person. Get professional help.

Before booking any limo, check out their website, inquire about payment methods, check out the limos in person, ask about the driver, and go over their contracts. And if it's for any specific events like a Wedding or a Grad, you should know when and where the limo is required so they can ensure there are no complications or misunderstandings, and be where they need to be on time. A low-cost and unlicensed limo service provide is not likely to provide quality and hassle-free service. It is important to look around and see what each company offers and decide what is right for you.

Depending on the event, whether it be a Graduation, a Wedding, a Birthday Party, or just a Night on the Town, it is important to go for the right size limousine. You won't be able to fit 12 people in a Lincoln Town car, so you will have to go for an SUV to seat everyone comfortably. The feature in the limo are also important. Being in a limo where you can't play your own music, is dark and dull, and a bad ride is going to ruin your experience and leave you regretting your decision. There are many places to go in Edmonton for any event. Get a ride to Whyte Ave for a night out, go to the Jubilee Auditorium or Shaw Conference Center for a concert or graduation. Whatever the destination, make sure you arrive in comfort and style.

Picking a clean and safe limo, which is the right size and loaded with feature and lights, will not only give a very enjoyable experience, but also ensure that you arrive in style. Check out the limo before hand and see if will be able to seat everyone and whether will provide a great experience. The company should provide drinks, and pop, and must have a liquor license (from the Alberta Gaming & Liquor Commission) in order to service alcohol to those over the age of 18. Not all limo companies in Edmonton have the proper licensing or insurance, so be sure to check that the company is properly certified by the City or the Government of Alberta.

Wedding are a very important day, and can be ruined by choosing the wrong limousine service. Picking an experienced company that will provide quality service by making sure the limousines are clean, drinks are provided, decorations are included, chauffeurs are respectful, are on time, and know when and where they are needed will provide a hassle-free experience. Thus allowing you to enjoy your special day with friends and family, creating the experience of a lifetime. In Edmonton, there are many places where one can have their wedding. There are a number of golf courses, hotels, convention centers, gardens, and halls to choose from for your Wedding.

Graduations are also important, and being late to your own Grad would ruin it for you, so make sure that doesn't happen by finding a quality limo service provider. Being there on time is important, but so is arriving in style. Choosing a limo to get you noticed during Grad can make your Grad even better. Making sure everyone will be satisfied is another key factor when determining which limo and limo company to go with. Pick up all your friends from their house or get picked up from one locations. Ask if the limo company can come to your high school, whether it's Wagner, McNally, or Jasper Place, so you and your friends can see the limo in person before grad.

In the modern American culture, pets are increasingly treated as family members. Dogs, cats, birds, and other small animals have always been an important part of the family. As American culture evolved in the last twenty years, these domesticated companions have taken on an even more important role.

More young couples are not just getting married later in life; they are delaying having children until older. As a result, pets seem to have taken the place of children in the lives of young couples and as such, they are treated much the same way that children are. Indeed, many people refer to their pets as their "kids" and owners are themselves referred to as "pet parents" by those in the companion animal industry.

For middle aged American couples, pets are a welcome relief to empty houses as their children grow up and move out. These pets help make the transition easier. For older Americans, a pet often helps one get through the death of a spouse or loss of a job.

Whole industries have been created to service these pet families. These include dog walkers, pet sitters, doggie daycare, backyard "pooper" scoopers, pet insurance, and of course, the pet photography specialist. Several major insurance companies have even added options for pet insurance. It makes sense that this unique member of the family is included in the annual family portrait and at other family functions. Dogs are even showing up at weddings as part of the wedding party and are included in the wedding portraits as well. More often we are seeing portraits of a dog or cat on a co-workers desk along with their other family members. Some proud pet owners even carry small sized photos of their pal in their wallet.

Unlike thirty years ago, an animal in a family portrait is no longer considered an oddity, but is seen as just another loved family member. Are your "furry friends" included in your family portraits?

The insurance total loss process is simply a racket! I am sick of reading emails from just about every corner of the country from people seeking some kind of consumer protection. It also seems that every insurance company is guilty as charged. Look, I make my living by dealing with insurance companies, and I truly believe in the societal need for insurance. However, when it comes to total loss claims, the consumer is getting the short end of the stick. Let me explain and I will let you form your own opinion.

The process is designed in such a way that the insurance carrier can make you take what they believe your car is worth. They decide this by finding comparable values in your area. These comparables are often assessed by independent third party companies. Insurance companies argue that they do not have any "control" over this information. However, I argued that this is not the case. The insurance total loss process is controlled and paid by the insurance company.

Who are these companies suppose to advocate for, the ultimate consumer or the person that pays them? Many people argue these companies are paid to act objectively, but in reality, they have few costumers
(big insurance carriers). If the insurance carrier believes that this companies total loss values are high, guess what? They will stop dealing with that specific company.

These third party companies are in business only because of insurance carriers. The consumer has no say regarding which third party company should look at their car. The result is simple. These companies must satisfy their client (the insurance carrier), and what is the best to do that? Low comparable values so the insurance company can settle you for less. Don't believe me? Simply Google "total loss class action".

You will see the amount of litigation for unfair vehicle values. There are ways to protect yourself when
disputing comparables and getting a fair settlement.
To learn how to dispute unfair total loss values, click here.

Offering less than the fair market value of your car is illegal. Insurance companies must be fair, but somehow they get away with very low total loss values. There are other insurance practices that are not illegal per se, but they are unfair an unethical. There are ways to fight those too!

The pressure of the total loss adjuster will be incredible; they want you to settle in the first call. Your car maintenance records will not be even considered. In many states, no new equipment will be looked at in
assessing the value. If you have rental coverage, most states allow the total loss adjuster to cut off your rental three days after the vehicle damage is deemed a total loss. Some states (like Texas) allow the insurance carrier to cut off your rental car the day they decide that there is a total loss. Note: not the day they pay. You are supposed to negotiate the value of your car while you either pay for a rental car out of your own pocket or you take the bus to work.

Cutting the rental car is in compliance with state legislation. Most states allow insurance companies to do this. Next time that insurance commissioner elections and/or your state legislators want initiatives, it is a good time to try to change this. Think about it, even if you settle your insurance total loss the day they call you, it will take at least three business days to get the check on the mail. You will not be compensated for any expenses while you go car shopping (it can take a long time).

Although the technique outline above is legal. I believe it is unfair. This gives unequal footing in a negotiation. Most people cannot afford to be paying for rental cars until they get to a settlement with an
insurance company. They need to get to work.

Insurance adjusters have a duty to act in good faith and fair dealing. It is implied in every insurance policy in the United States. However, this duty is "enhanced" when you are dealing with your own insurance
company. Insurance adjusters must "help you" and "explain" the process to you. They are supposed to explain how you can argue your claim, and how you can document the value of your car. Most will not. They will tell you "this is my last offer, let me know when you want to send me the title of your car, and I
will send you this amount." That is about it.

There is no question that we need insurance and that there is social benefit on having it. However, when it comes to the total loss process, some adjustments must be made to protect the ultimate consumer. Check you state regulations and see what this process entails. If you don't like it, then call your state legislator.

Bad credit personal loans are fast emerging as the most special loans in the American credit market. Bad credit personal loans are specially designed for people with bad credit. There are millions of Americans who are under huge credit card debts. They have either carried high balances or missed out on payments due to many possible reasons. Those reasons could be: lack of experience, illness, unemployment, or over-spending.

Bad Credit Loan Purposes

If you are one of those who have a bad credit, but still wish to buy jewelry, you can utilize bad credit personal loans. Bad credit personal loans can be utilized for buying gold jewelry, electronic goods, a car, a new home, and many other goods. There are different banks that have different maximum loan amounts, security conditions, and eligibility criteria. You can check out the different offers and the dissimilar rates of interest charged and compare prices to see which one best suits your needs.

Loan Amount & Interest Rate

The amount that can be made available to you through bad credit personal loans depends on the kind of credit rating that you have. Banks and financial institutions are focusing more and more on customers who shop or are retail customers and the amounts offered keep growing. As long as your income allows it, the only thing that your credit score will determine is the interest rate rather than approval of the loan.

Gold prices have increased and many people who are fond of jewelry have started looking at bad credit personal loans to satisfy their passion and also for a way of investing their money. Many are requesting loans, buying gold items and selling them later for higher prices making a significant difference.

The sales figures for jewelry reach their peak during the wedding season. The majority of jewelry buyers are women. The minimum amount that can be availed through bad credit personal loans is $200 to $400. The maximum amount can go up to anywhere between $2000 and $6000. The amount of the loan depends upon the bank and the borrower's credit history.

Requirements For Approval

The eligibility for bad credit personal loans depends on the lender's criteria and basically on the credit report of the applicant. An insurance policy, or a pledge for the ornaments, is commonly used for giving out loans to non-working borrowers. However, the most important requirement for loan approval is income. If you can prove that you have a steady and suitable income to afford the monthly payments, chances are that you won't have any problems in getting approved for a bad credit loan to buy jewelry.