(ARA) - From flowers to guest lists, engaged couples spend months planning the perfect wedding. After the vows are said and the reception is complete, most newlyweds are ready to relax. But there are several steps newlyweds should take before their happily ever after can begin.
“Settling into life as a married couple takes some work,” says Lindsey Leesmann, a recent newlywed and contributor to YesYouCanOnline.info. “If you’re taking your husband’s last name, you must complete the name change in several places. You also have to discuss managing money as a couple and learn how to live together.”
Leesmann offers the following to-do list for newlyweds changing their last names:
Obtain a copy of your marriage license
If you stated you’d be changing your last name when purchasing your marriage license, you’ll receive a copy of the license in the mail. This license should be taken to each location on your path toward a new last name.
Go online
Next, acquire a new Social Security card and update your passport. Complete Form SS-5 and take it to the local Social Security office to obtain a new card. The form can be found on the Social Security Administration’s Web site (www.ssa.gov). Your passport can be changed by completing Form DS-5504, found at www.travel.state.gov.
Drive to the DMV
The next stop for newlyweds is the local Department of Motor Vehicles. Each state is different, so make sure to bring all the items required to get your name changed and renew your driver’s license.
Check in at your bank
Most banks simply need a copy of the marriage license and the account holder’s signature to approve a name change. Some may also require your spouse to be present.
Drop by the post office
To change your name at the post office, just pick up a change of address envelope, fill it out and mail it back.
Once the name change is complete, newlyweds can focus on managing money as a couple.
“Money is often a tricky topic for new couples,” says Sam Goller, award-winning author of “Yes, You Can… Achieve Financial Harmony.” “But it’s important to start communicating about money at the beginning of your marriage.”
Goller offers the following suggestions for newlyweds working to manage their finances as a couple:
Determine priorities
Prior to creating a financial plan, talk about your histories with money and what’s most important to each of you when it comes to money.
Find missing dollars
You have to understand your spending habits before you can spend money in a way that helps meet your goals. Consider keeping a spending journal to find out where your money really goes.
Choose a system that works for you
You may prefer to sit down each month as a couple to pay bills and develop a monthly budget. Or maybe one of you is better at handling expenses and prefers to do it alone. Find a system that works with your needs.
“The key to managing money as a couple is to never stop talking,” says Goller. “With shared determination, a plan and open communication, newlyweds have the power to improve their financial position both now and well into retirement.”
For more information on managing money as a couple, visit http://www.YesYouCanOnline.info .
ARA) – What is the secret to a wonderful marriage? “If more people knew the answer the divorce rate in this country wouldn’t be so high,” says Gerry Leeds, 85, of Long Island, N.Y.
At a time when statistically, between 40 and 45 percent of U.S. marriages end in divorce, Gerry and his bride, 80-year-old Lilo, have been happily married for 58 years. “People often ask us what the secret to our success is and I tell them it’s simple really. The secret lies in the long lost principles of love and respect.”
Gerry and Lilo met quite by chance back in 1950 at a ski lodge in the Adirondacks. “I was there with another date when I saw a pretty girl sitting on the floor playing an obscure European game I knew with another boy,” explains Gerry. “She said, ‘Do you know how to play?’ I said, ‘Sure!’ She won the game, but I won in the long run.”
After that chance encounter at the Speculator Ski Lodge, Gerry couldn’t stop thinking about Lilo. “We had so much in common, I knew she was the one for me, and that we had to be together,” says Gerry. It took him six weeks to track her down again and, you could say, the rest is history. They were married a short time later.
Gerry and Lilo raised five children together, and now have 15 grandchildren. “Like any other couple, we’ve had plenty of squabbles over the years, but unlike most, we always kiss and make up before going to bed. That’s our golden rule,” laughs Gerry.
Over the years, they’ve been asked for advice on how to build a marriage that, like theirs, will stand the test of time so many times that they recently decided to write a book on the subject. “Wonderful Marriage, A Guide to Building a Great Relationship that Will Last a Lifetime (BenBella Books) hit store shelves on April 1, 2008, the date of their 58th wedding anniversary.
The book is divided into three sections, each offering great advice to people in the various stages of a relationship: looking for love, starting a great relationship and building a joyful life together.
“No matter what stage of the game you’re in, it’s imperative that you have a lot in common with your significant other if you want the relationship to grow,” explains Gerry. When he and Lilo first met, both enjoyed skiing, and had similar beliefs about what Gerry calls “The Big Six.”
1. Religion: You have to agree on and feel comfortable with what role religion plays in your lives.
2. Money: You have to share common views on money — how you’ll earn it, save it and spend it.
3. Sex: You both have to enjoy sex together and feel that sex between you is important and great — and be willing to make it even better.
4. Children: You need to agree on whether you plan to have children, when, how many, how and where you plan to raise them, and what to do if you can’t have them.
5. Recreational activities: You have to share ideas about how you will spend your time together — what recreational activities you both enjoy — and how you’ll sometimes spend your time on your own.
6. Unacceptable behavior: You have to be totally comfortable with each other’s behavior and agree on what is acceptable — and what is not.”
“If I had to add a 7th rule,” says Gerry, “It would be: Don’t settle for a relationship that isn’t great. Before you get married, make sure the person you are pledging to spend the rest of your life with is definitely the one for you.”
“You know you have a great marriage when 10, 20, 30, even 58 years down the road, you can still say to each other, ‘I’m glad you married me,’” adds Lilo.
“Wonderful Marriage, A Guide to Building a Great Relationship that Will Last a Lifetime” is available in bookstores everywhere, through online retailers or on the publisher’s Web site: http://www.WonderfulMarriage.com .
Here are six essentials every woman should keep in her make-up kit this summer to keep skin looking healthy, glowing and gorgeous:
1. Foundation that Offers SPF Protection
Do double duty – hide imperfections and be protected from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. The Body Shop’s Flawless Skin Protecting Foundation with SPF 25 is an innovative cream-to-powder foundation that provides medium to full coverage. A perfect color blend for a healthy-looking, flawless complexion and has a mineral defense shield to protect skin to boot. The unique formula contains Vitamin C to brighten skin and Community Trade marula oil to condition and moisturize.
2. A Bronzing Powder to Mimic that Sun-Kissed Glow
Housed in a retro-style compact, Sun Lustre Bronzer, which is part of The Body Shop’s new limited edition Summer Make-Up Collection, comes in two colors: Bronze Gleam which is a natural sun-kissed bronze and Radiant Blush, a pretty, pink illuminating shade.
3. A Water-Proof Mascara
You never know when the mood might hit to take a spontaneous jump in the pool, and you don’t want your make-up to suffer. Find a mascara that will survive the water, and also coat lashes with long-lasting color, while helping to condition and protect. The Body Shop’s Waterproof Mascara is a great find, and contains Community Trade marula oil.
4. Bright Eyeshadow
Bright, bold, colorful eye shadow helps to enhance the sun-kissed look. The Body Shop’s Summer Shimmer Cubes come in Sea Blue which is a deep ocean blue with a hint of silver; Fiery Red which is an intense, vibrant red with softer pink overtones; Green Meadow, a stunning, bright emerald green; and Golden Sun which offers a rich, warm, golden glow.
5. Sparkly, Sheer Lipstick to Brighten Up Face
Dark, heavy lip color is best worn in winter, for the summer months try a sheer color that still adds some color to your look. The Body Shop Sheer Lip Lustre is a pearlescent lip balms with a hint of sparkle. The Lip Lustres are infused with a “White Tea” fragrance for a deliciously summery scent and available in three different shades: Flush pink is a pretty pink with a hot pink sparkle. Golden Rose is a golden pink with a golden sparkle. Rose Shimmer is a rose shade with multi-colored sparkle.
6. Faking It – Self-Tanners Instead of Sun-Bathing
Because you still desire a deep-tanned look but are wary of exposing your skin to the sun’s harmful UV rays to achieve it, use a self tanning product. The Cocoa Butter Everyday Summer Body Lotion from The Body Shop helps gradually build that even sun-kissed glow. Start by applying to dry and well cleansed skin, and allow to set in before dressing for your night on the town. The Everyday Summer Body Lotion uses Community Trade cocoa butter from Ghana to soften skin and improve elasticity, so you are helping to improve the texture of skin while also adding that ‘fresh from the beach’ glow.
Also, to enhance your look even further, smooth on a Body and Leg Shine to your arms, legs and chest before hitting the beach. It’s a wash-off product that goes on with minimal blending to give you a slimmer, more toned appearance along with fabulous color. One of the key ingredients is Community Trade aloe vera which is known for its soothing and hydrating effects. There are shades available for fair to medium skin tones, as well as medium to dark skin tones.
Then at the end of the day when you return home from the beach, there’s one more essential you don’t want to be without — a tube of The Body Shop’s new Peppermint Purifying Foot Mask. Made with Community Trade Peppermint Essential Oil from the U.K that will leave your feet feeling cool, refreshed and fragranced, and Sesame Oil from Guatemala that moisturizes and protects the skin, the mask will deep cleanse and soothe tired, achy feet that have spent the day running across the hot sand.
To find the Body Shop location nearest you, log on to http://www.TheBodyShop.com .
Courtesy of ARAcontent
SIDEBAR:About Community Trade
Community Trade is a unique targeted purchasing program created by The Body Shop, sourcing accessories and natural ingredients from disadvantaged communities around the world for more than 20 years. The program is now making a world of difference in more than 20 countries from Bangladesh to Zambia.
In exchange for providing good, quality products at a fair price, participating farmers get a sustained source of income which can be used for improving education or sanitation, building homes and modernizing farming methods
(ARA) – Placing disposable cameras on reception tables has become a modern American wedding tradition. The cameras make guests feel involved because they are helping to create a photo record of the most important day of your life. Sometimes the pictures they capture are among the most heart-warming, moving images from your wedding day.But what do you do with those hundreds of pictures once the honeymoon is over and the developing done? Will you let them languish – disorganized and unseen – in a shoebox or drawer? And what about the dozens of pictures guests will take with their own digital cameras or cell phones to e-mail to you later?
“The sad truth is many newlyweds simply don’t know what to do with all those pictures,” says Donna Burt of PhotosYourWay.com, a new social networking and photo-sharing Web site. “They hold on to them, but often not in a manner that allows the couple or their loved ones to enjoy these precious memories.”
A growing number of smart brides are turning to photo-sharing Web sites to preserve, organize and share amateur images from their weddings, and to create keepsakes like photo books and memorabilia. Most sites allow you to easily upload your images and make them available online for viewing by others. Other options such as organizing and sharing vary considerably from site to site.
Here’s what you should know about photo-sharing Web sites before you choose one to host your precious wedding day images:
* There should be no charge for uploading, storing or sharing your images. “If a site wants to charge you for these basic services, look elsewhere,” Burt advises. “Sites make their money from prints and products. A handful also make a small percentage when you sell an image – through their site – to a third party like an advertising agency or online content publisher.”
* You’ll potentially be uploading hundreds of wedding images, so look for large storage capacity. For example, PhotosYourWay.com provides 7 GB of free storage, enough to upload and store thousands of photos.
* Look for a site that offers the greatest flexibility for organizing images. Seek a site that will allow you to organize those images in a variety of ways, such as by who took the pictures (Photos by Uncle Joe), subject matter (Who Danced with the Bride) or chronology (Pre-wedding Prep, Walking Down the Aisle or Post-Reception Partying).
* Consider how the site allows you to share images. Can you send e-mails inviting friends and family to visit and view your images? Can you designate your images “private” or “public” at the time of upload? Does the site allow you to launch your own “community,” where your pictures can be viewed by not only your loved ones but other Internet users who may share your interest?
* Comparison shop on prices for prints and other products, such as photo books, canvas prints, mugs, T-shirts and other memorabilia. Be aware of shipping charges, which can amount to more than the cost of the prints or products themselves.
* Does the site allow those you share the photos with to download the images and print them on their own? Or will they be required to purchase prints through the Web site? PhotosYourWay.com will allow you or any of your family and friends to download the photos themselves and print them on their own or wherever they choose.
* Does the site offer you the opportunity to sell your images online to third parties, like advertising or public relations agencies, online publishers and others who need stock photography? PhotosYourWay.com is one of the only sites that offer users the chance to make money from their images.
“There’s a huge demand for wedding-related images,” says Burt. “That adorable photo of your father dancing with your niece may warm your heart, but it could also make you some money if someone wants to buy or rent it for use in their marketing materials.”
To make money from your wedding photos, simply designate them for public viewing – and available for rent – during the upload process. The images will be funneled through PhotosYourWay’s sister site, ImagesYourWay.com, where clients who need a steady stream of fresh, quality images will have the chance to view and rent them. You will pocket 60 percent of the rental price for your photo – as much as $180 in some cases.
To learn more about organizing and sharing your wedding photos, visit www.PhotosYourWay.com.
(ARA) - Money can be a complicated aspect of marriage, especially when it comes to merging finances. Finding a system that works for both individuals can help couples achieve financial harmony.
“Figuring out a fair and comfortable way to share responsibilities and expenses can be challenging,” says Sam Goller, award-winning author of “Yes, You Can… Achieve Financial Harmony” and contributor to YesYouCanOnline.info. “But it’s essential for a healthy relationship. Couples should look at their monetary values and beliefs and work together to decide what type of system allows them to achieve their dreams
as a couple.”
Talking about finances can be difficult for many people. Jim Stowers, co-author of the new book “Yes, You Can… Reach Your Goals and Achieve Your Dreams,” recommends asking questions to begin a dialogue.
“Asking questions is a good way to toss the conversational ball into the other person’s lap,” says Stowers. “It not only helps you learn their point of view, but also what they believe and the direction their thinking is taking.”
Goller suggests couples ask themselves the following five questions to help facilitate a discussion about spending and saving as a couple.
1. How many bank accounts will we have?
2. Who will pay the bills?
3. Are we getting our money’s worth for what we buy?
4. What are our money histories — what did our parents teach us about money?
5. What dreams do we have as a couple? What do we need to do financially to accomplish these dreams?
A couple’s answers to these questions will help define a financial system that provides a foundation on which the relationship can grow. Goller offers three options for couples looking to merge their finances:
The Joint Account — Whether checking or savings, this type of account allows couples to combine all of their financial resources. This option can make life easier for some couples by centralizing the household finances. However, if one person is in charge of managing the account, the other person can feel left out of the financial picture. It also requires that both partners diligently share when they use funds out of the account.
Separate Accounts — Some couples prefer the autonomy of separate accounts. With this system both people are responsible for maintaining their own account, which may include paying some of the bills. If couples choose this option, Goller cautions that individuals may need to work harder to be equally involved in the financial relationship.
“Just because you have separate accounts, doesn’t mean your financial decisions have separate consequences,” says Goller. “You still need to meet on a regular basis and discuss how you are using your money to achieve your common goals.”
A Combination of Accounts — A combination of joint and separate accounts is another viable alternative. This option allows both partners to contribute while maintaining their autonomy. Couples often determine a percentage of income that will be put in both the joint and separate accounts. Individual accounts can be used for personal purchases. The joint account can contain funds for bills and joint purchases. With a clear definition of who’s paying which bills couples can work together to bring financial balance and emotional harmony to the relationship.
“Regardless of the financial style a couple chooses, communicating about finances is key,“ says Goller. “The more you discuss how and why you each spend money, the deeper and stronger your relationship will grow.”
For more information on merging finances as a couple and achieving financial harmony, please visit http://www.YesYouCanOnline.info
ARA) - When it comes to planning a wedding, most couples don’t want to settle for cookie-cutter solutions that will make their wedding appear impersonal or even unremarkable. Instead, they want the biggest day of their lives to represent the two of them and no one else.
This yearning for personalization doesn’t have to translate into more money. On the contrary — whether you’re planning a formal wedding or a more casual event, you can incorporate personalized touches without breaking the bank by renting the materials you will need.
From 250 identical vases, to chandeliers, to helium balloons or faux floral centerpieces, rental businesses provide endless amounts of materials that can make the difference between a run-of-the-mill event and your dream wedding.
“You can rent just about anything to make your wedding perfect,” said Christine Wehrman, CEO of the American Rental Association (ARA), the global trade association for the rental industry. “By renting products for your wedding, you don’t have to settle for items that don’t fit your personalized vision. You’ll get exactly what you’re looking for and you’ll have access to products that may have otherwise been too expensive in large quantities.”
Make an impression by choosing table linens in your wedding colors, or go with all–white, then add chair covers with a bow-tie sash and matching napkins in accent colors. Rental businesses will have hundreds of colors to pick from. Be sure to ask for sample swatches of the linens so you can coordinate colors with your bridesmaid dresses and flowers. Add your choice of china and glassware to the arrangement for each table and get a rich and sophisticated setting.
If you’re looking for the beauty of an outdoor location without the worry about the weather, tents are a great way to create the wedding of your dreams. ARA member rental businesses have beautiful tents to create the venue, as well as everything you need to make it beautiful and comfortable.
Huge tents and elegant canopies come in wedding white and many also come with clear tops — thus allowing guests access to the drama of a sunset or a sparkling night sky. However, if you plan on incorporating a tent into your wedding, make sure you give the rental business — and yourself — enough advanced notice. Depending on the time of year, the rental business will need plenty of notice to reserve all the equipment you will need.
Also, many ARA member rental businesses offer personalized service through their Certified Event Rental Professionals who are trained to help you choose the right rentals to make your dream wedding come to realization.
They can help ease the tension of pre-wedding set up with their knowledge and experience. Many businesses even help you throughout the event as well, keeping it on track and flowing smoothly.
You can also rely on rental service experts to help before you book your venue. They can help you assess the site for things like power accessibility, ground water issues, or overhead power lines that may interfere with your vision of a tall tent, among other situations.
All events, no matter how big or small — even for the Oprahs or Trumps of the world — include rented materials. Visit www.rentalhq.com to find your local ARA member rental business.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
GARNER, N.C. – What are the latest floral trends for spring weddings? What types of rings are couples choosing these days? These and other wedding-related questions are answered in the February/March issue of Triangle East Magazine available now.
“We found that spring 2008 wedding flowers will be all about sassy colors that make a statement – with a little bit of bling adding an exclamation mark,” says Kerry Watson Garner, editor of the magazine. “Engagement rings used to be the star of the show, but wedding bands, now lavishly detailed, are giving engagement rings a run for their money.”
TEM’s first annual “Tastes of Triangle East” article highlights the region’s eclectic dining options from wiener schnitzel, sushi, chicken salad sandwiches and dry-aged, bone-in sirloin to pickle chips, buffalo wings, steamed oysters and more. Featured restaurants include Kaze Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi, Sunny Side Too Oyster Bar, Edelweiss Bakery & Café, The Pink Teacup, Cleveland Draft House and 1705 Prime.
This issue’s Community Focus centers on the Garner Senior Center, which welcomes 2,000 active adults every day. Between the Tai Chi classes, card games, aerobics and multitude of other offerings, the center buzzes with activity from open until close.
Readers can also discover great treats for Valentine’s Day in the magazine’s Sweet Spot section, featuring raspberry cheesecake fudge from Sweet Carolina Gourmet, truffles from The Chocolate Works & More, and sweet potato sticky buns from The Plain Jane Baking Co.
The February/March issue of Triangle East Magazine is available now at 24 retail locations throughout eastern Wake and Johnston counties, including Barnes and Noble Booksellers and Borders Books and Music in Raleigh. Subscriptions may be ordered directly by visiting www.triangleeastmagazine.com or by calling (919) 674-6020.
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
(ARA) – With a twinkle in her eye and sparkle on her finger, it’s no wonder the bride-to-be has a contagious glow. For the bevy of brides who got engaged during the holiday season, it’s time to begin the exciting, yet sometimes hectic task of planning their special day.
To better understand the preferences and attitudes of today’s brides and offer the most relevant wedding planning advice, the second annual “What’s on Bride’s Minds?” survey was conducted by Leflein Associates, Inc. for David’s Bridal, the nation’s leading bridal authority. Following are some up-to-the-minute planning tips to help each woman achieve her own wedding unique style, without breaking the bank:
Keep an Eye on the Bottom Line
First and foremost, establish a budget. Determine which aspects of the wedding are most important, and scale back on items that are not a top priority. Almost two-thirds of survey respondents said that the wedding dresses they found were too expensive. To keep finances in check without sacrificing quality or style, shop at a store that offers a wide selection of designer looks and matches your budget.
Online Oasis
The Internet is a wonderful planning tool and a great time-saver, so it’s no surprise that 53 percent of brides-to-be ranked wedding Web sites as a top resource for useful wedding planning advice, tips and ideas. Today’s brides shop for a variety of wedding products online; invitations were cited as the most popular item, followed by favors, bridal accessories and jewelry and bridal gowns. Among the top Web sites catering to brides, is davidsbridal.com, which offers more than 4,000 unique wedding related items and services. Check out the new db Online Collections featuring stylish bridal and bridesmaid dresses to suit any size, budget and timeline. Or, use the unique Dress Your Wedding tool to create your own virtual wedding party online.
Consult the Experts
When searching for that dream dress, take advantage of bridal consultants’ advice, as they provide great insight into the gowns’ quality, fit and construction. In fact, more than four out of five brides agreed that their consultant positively affected their shopping experience. In addition to these gown gurus, it’s a good idea to bring along a trusted friend or family member to provide honest feedback.
Time is On Your Side
Sixty-three percent of recently engaged women give themselves less than six months before their wedding to purchase their gown, while 38 percent wait until the final three months. If you are planning on getting married under a tight timetable, visit a bridal shop where you can try on the dress in your own size and take it home that day. David’s Bridal stocks a wide array of affordable bridal gowns ($299 - $1200), including designer collections from Oleg Cassini, Monique Luo and Galina, in sizes 0 to 26W, as well as select styles in petite sizes, so you can tell exactly how your dream dress looks and feels on you.
Obliging Bridesmaids
Searching for the perfect bridesmaid dress? The top issue brides found with dressing their bridal party was agreeing on one style to fit all different body types. Coordination remains in vogue, with almost three-quarters of respondents wanting their bridal party to wear the same color or color scheme, and thirty-four percent planning to have their bridesmaids wear the same dress in the same color. It’s a good idea to select a national retailer that carries a large assortment of bridesmaid styles, in a wide range of sizes and colors, for ease of shopping and to ensure everyone looks and feels their best.
Customization is Key
If you’re looking for ways to personalize your look without paying a hefty custom price tag, you’re not alone. Over 60 percent of brides said they would like to customize their gown to reflect their personality, but 40 percent felt it would be difficult to do so without costing a fortune. To solve this all-too-common dilemma, look for cost-effective solutions for personalizing your wedding dress. Try adding optional sleeves, a colorful sash that matches your wedding color scheme or a sparkling brooch. Don’t forget to ask your consultant about coordinating accessories, such as tiaras, veils, handbags, shoes and jewelry; you can never go wrong by selecting pieces that complement your dress and personal style.
Showcase Your Style
To create a seamless look, visit a one-stop-shop and choose a personalized color scheme that makes it easy to coordinate every aspect of the big day. From save-the-date cards and invitations to ceremony and reception items, right down to the icing on the cake, David’s Bridal offers an amazing assortment of options, available both in-store and online, to create a perfectly coordinated event.
While finding the love of her life is up to the bride, following these simple steps will help ease the wedding-planning process and make it more enjoyable. So when the big day finally arrives, her only responsibility will be to enjoy herself as she dances the night away.
To find the David’s Bridal store near you, call (877) 693-BRIDE or visit www.davidsbridal.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
(ARA) - Ever since Amanda Davis was a little girl, her grandmother dreamed of giving her a wedding gift close to both their hearts. Bettie Gullion planned to pass along the cherished china she received for her own wedding back in the early 1940s. She managed to keep most of her precious collection through the decades, but somewhere along the way the cups and saucers disappeared. Guillion’s daughter, Linda Bohannon, thought it would be impossible to replace the missing pieces for her niece, Amanda.
“My mother picked her china out of the Sears and Roebuck catalog more than 60 years ago, so we knew there was just no way we’d ever find it,” says Linda Bohannon. “The only thing she could remember about her china was that it was made by Homer Laughlin. That didn’t seem like much to go on, so at that point I just hoped we could find some nice cream colored pieces Amanda could use with the set.”
Around the same time, Bohannon came across an advertisement for Greensboro, N.C. based Replacements, Ltd., the world’s largest supplier of discontinued and hard to find china, crystal, silver and collectibles. She visited the company’s Web site, easily singled out a list of all china made by Homer Laughlin, and noticed the company had images of most patterns. She started conveniently clicking away, and was almost speechless when she came across something that looked very familiar.
“I called my mother up and asked her, does your china have little pink and yellow roses on it, and could the pattern name be ‘Countess’?” Bohannon remembers. “That was it; that was her china! I was completely flabbergasted. It never entered my mind we would be able to find the exact pattern. My mother and niece were absolutely thrilled!”
Amanda isn’t alone in registering for family heirloom treasures. Rather than choosing brand new china, crystal and flatware, more brides want to complete collections lovingly handed down from mother to daughter to granddaughter (sometimes even longer). Unfortunately, if the patterns are especially old there is a good chance that the manufacturer no longer produces the pieces, making it nearly impossible to track down at most department stores.
That’s exactly what happened to how-to guru and eHow.com founder Courtney Rosen. In an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Rosen recalled how her husband’s grandmother passed along the family china to them as a wedding gift, but she needed more settings. Rosen wasn’t sure where to start, because she didn’t know the pattern name or even the company that made it. Like Bohannon, she turned to the experts at Replacements, Ltd.
“We photocopied both sides of the china and faxed it over to them, and they were able to tell us which pattern it was,” Rosen said. “They were able for us to register for our wedding for these pieces and we received all of them. It was our absolute favorite wedding present!”
With more than 11 million pieces of inventory from over 250,000 patterns of china, crystal and silver, Replacements has a research team dedicated to helping customers track down unidentified pieces. In fact, most department store chains refer folks searching for both discontinued and hard to find patterns to Replacements. As Rosen mentioned, the company offers a bridal registry, ready to ship worldwide.
“One great bonus is the fact we’re a single location, so the bride only has to register one time as opposed to having to set up at multiple stores,” says Donna Braswell-Bray, who oversees Replacements’ bridal program. “This makes it really convenient for brides to track their gifts and eliminates the chance of getting more pieces than they want of, say, a dinner plate. The bride can switch gifts in the system without the hassle of going through exchanges.”
Bridal registry customers can make purchases at Replacements’ 12,000 square foot showroom, or shop by phone.
“Specialized customer service in our telephone sales area is another big advantage for us,” adds Braswell-Bray. “We’ve put together a group of associates to specifically handle all registry requests. Because these folks are really familiar with our bridal customers, we can offer more personalized attention. It’s almost like having your own personal shopper!”
Even though Amanda is now married, her aunt plans to use Replacements again. “I hope to go back and buy more pieces in the years ahead to help Amanda add to her collection,” adds Bohannon. “There’s just no other place I could have found these pieces, I can’t thank Replacements enough for the service they provide.”
Replacements, Ltd. is open daily to the public. For more information, visit www.replacements.com or call 1-800-REPLACE (1-800-737-5223) between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. EST.
Courtesy of ARA Content
People with money seem to be on a binge to prove their status and
flaunt their wealth by staging large, catered parties. As a
matter of fact, in some circle of affluency, a party or social
get-together isn’t considered an event of any significance unless
it’s a catered affair.
With the same kind of reasoning, businesses of all sizes are
using catered lunches, cocktail parties and dinner meetings to
build their images and increase company sales. It’s a matter of
keeping up with the competition in promoting a company and/or
product.
On a smaller, but just as busy marketing scale, more and more
working mothers are paying to have catered birthday and
graduation parties, as well as wedding receptions handled by
caterers. The reasons are simple to understand–if she’s working
outside the home, today’s mother just doesn’t have the time or
the energy to do all the planning and staging of a memorable
party.
Besides those reasons for turning everything over to a caterer,
working mothers feel a little guilty about the time away from
their children they lose because of their jobs. Thus, they’re
ready and willing to make it all to them by paying for a lavish
party the child will remember for years to come.
Caterers handle everything from birthday parties for children, to
breakfast in bed and intimate candlelight dinners for two, to
company dinner parties for 50 and wedding receptions involving a
thousand or more guests. This kind of entrepreneurial business is
definitely growing and becoming more popular with people of all
income levels.
An imaginative caterer in a large metropolitan area can easily
gross $150,000 per year, while a small part-time caterer in a
small town can count on at least $10,000 to $15,000 per year. One
small, but very ambitious caterer is reported to have grossed
$250,000 after only 2-years in the business!
You don’t need special education or training to become a
successful caterer. You do need a affinity for people and a kind
of intuition as to what people enjoy in different environmental
settings.
A quick survey of successful caterers across the nation shows
that began with zero capital by working out of their homes. The
basic starting up investment would appear to be around $500, with
some big spenders capitalizing their idea with as much as $15,000
in order to get off to a fast start.
This seems to be an ideal business for an ambitious couple to
start and operate with very little capital investment required.
One person can spend his time hustling up business while the
other would do the planning, organizing and actual catering.
As with any business, your success will be directly related to
the soundness of planning and the working of that plan.
Understand exactly what your client wants, and give him what he
wants in the way of service that reflects upon the client in a
complimentary manner.
Basically, you can start with an advertisement in your local
newspapers. This advertisement need not be much more than a
simple announcement: Creative Catering-Specializing in personal
service- We can handle any party or special event from start to
finish-no idea to small or too large- Your satisfaction is always
guaranteed! We can handle everything for you.. Call us, and let
us make your parties worth remembering…
Naturally, the first thing you want from anyone calling to ask
about your services, is that anyone calling to ask about your
services, is that person’s name, address and phone number. Then
you want to know what kind of party or event they have in mind.
As soon as you have this information, relax a little bit and
inquire to find out about the person or the company–the
people–sponsoring the party and their ultimate goals or reasons
for the party.
If it’s to celebrate birthday, graduation, anniversary or a
wedding reception–finding out about the interests, background
and ambitious of the guest of honor will be of value to you in
your planning. Taking a few minutes to learn everything you can
about whoever the party is for, and the people giving the party,
will also make it much easier to close the sale than any sales
pitch or special persuasive tactics.
People like to talk about themselves, and they especially like to
tell everyone why they’re honoring someone, even when they
pretend to keep it a secret who initiated the idea. So, it’s
important that you be a good listener, that you have the ability
to get people to talk about themselves, and that you take notes
on the things they tell you.
This same principle applies to business people, regardless of
who’s talking to you or the purpose of the catered affair. The
more polished and adept you can become in getting your prospects
to talk about themselves, the more information relative to their
background you can elicit, and the more you listen; the better
your parties will be, and the greater success you’ll attain in
the catering business.
You take the information you glean from this first interview and
plan/organize the event on paper. This means you’re going to have
to have contacts or at least working relationships with
innumerable service businesses.
If your client wants to stage a birthday party for a 12-year
old—he or she greets the guests as they arrive, makes sure
everybody knows who he is—then what about party favors—a soft
drink and a conversation leader until all the guests arrive–the
opening of presents–ice-cream and cake–and games to play, a
thank you gift for coming, and a reason to end the party at a
pre-determined time…
Do you greet the guests, does the mother or father, or the little
boy or girl? Where do you come up with the party favors at less
than regular retail prices? Where are you going to get the soft
drinks-your cost and the glasses or paper cups to serve them in?
What about ice? What kind of games to play? Who’ll be the
conservation leader? Will there be a clown or someone special to
keep everything moving according to plan? Where do you get the
ice cream and cake? What games to play? How to get everyone
involved? And finally, a feasible and polite reason for ending
the party and sending everyone home…
All this takes planning, organization, and if you’re going to
make a profit, a definite awareness of cost control. Get it all
down on paper as a proposal to the people who want to pay you to
carry it off. Figure out your costs, the time involved in putting
it all together, and then get back to your prospect.
Always leave room for changes in your proposal. In fact, expect
them–invite input and suggestions from the client–and always
have an alternate idea in your mind for each of those on your
written proposals. Discuss your proposal with the client just as
you would a script for a television show, make the suggested
changes and ask for a 50-percent advance deposit. From there,
it’s just a matter of following your plan.
Regardless of size or type of party–whether your client is a
working mother or a giant corporation–the format is always the
same: initial inquiry, interview, your proposal, 2nd interview
for any changes, agreement, deposit, staging the party itself,
and your final payment. As mentioned earlier, success in this
business comes from your planning–having a lot of contacts–and
working your plan.
An important word of caution: Try not to get “boxed in” to
setting or even revealing a tentative price until you’ve had a
chance to listen to what the prospect wants, to study your own
capabilities, and to make a formal written proposal. If a
customer wants to know how much you charge–and if you feel it
necessary in order to eventually close the sale–you can tell him
50 to 100 dollars per hour, plus expenses, and of course,
depending on the type of event the customer wants.
As for how much the average party costs, again tell him that it
varies anywhere from 50 to 5,000 dollars.
Always keep in mind that you are a professional, and that if the
ordinary person had your knowledge, contacts and ambition to do
it himself, he wouldn’t be calling you on the phone. He needs
your help for any number of reasons. You specialize in this kind
of work or service just as a doctor specializes in medicine and a
lawyer in legal matters. Therefore, you should, and do expect to
be paid accordingly.
Something else–this business thrives on word-of-mouth
advertising–referrals–and thus, is direct “freeway’ to the kind
of customers where money is of no concern. However, on order to
gain access to this market, your business emphasis has to be on
service.
This means the capability of handling everything for the
customer, from having the invitations printed and sent out to
cleaning up after the last guest has left. Businesses and people
in the upper income brackets, like to pick up the phone–tell
someone they want a party on a certain date–and then forget
about it, knowing everything will be taken care of without
further worry or time involvement from them. Once you’ve
developed your expertise and clientele to this level, you’ll have
a business in the $200,000 to $250,00 per year range.
Definitely arrange for a display ad in the yellow pages of your
telephone directory. You’ll probably get 40% of your inquires
from this source alone. Generally speaking, radio and/or
television advertising will be too expensive when compared with
the immediate results. However, it is recommended that you
consider these media prior to special holidays.
Working with restaurants, supper clubs, bridal shops and
entertainment business in general. can bring in hundreds of
referrals for you. Rubbing shoulders with, and circulating as a
part of your area’s civic and service clubs, should also result
in more business for you.
Keep your eyes and ears on the alert. Where ever you go, and with
whomever you associate, always be ready to promote and sell your
services, if not on the spot, at least make a note to follow up
when conditions are more in your favor. Promoting and selling
your services will require at least half your time, and that’s
why two people operating catering services are so successful from
the start.
The actual selling is quite simple so long as you emphasize the
service and time-saving aspects. The more time-consuming work you
can handle for the client, the easier it’s going to be for you to
close the sale.
Handing out business cards is one of the least expensive ways to
advertise, promote and sell your services. One enterprising
caterer makes arrangements with the sponsors of all his parties,
to see that each of the guests gets one of his business cards.
Another gives each of his clients a stack of his business cards,
and tells them he’ll pay them $25 for each prospect they refer to
him. He tells them to write their name on the backs of the cards,
and to hand them out to their friends. And then, whenever a
person tells him that John or Jane suggested he call, and he
presents the card with John or Jane’s name on the back, this very
successful caterer sends John or Jane a $25 check.
Another very successful caterer pays commissions to a group of
housewives and college students who solicit–via their home
phones–interviews for him with brides-to-be. They get their
leads from announcements, and pictures of brides-to-be in the
local papers.
Many caterers pay sales people a commission for letting them know
when they hear about a party or special event being planned by
one of their business customers.
The possibilities go on and on, and are seemingly unlimited.
Time is becoming more valuable to a lot more people every day,
which means there are more and more opportunities for great
wealth and personal independence as a professional caterer. In
reality the success for just about any person entering this
field, will be limited only by his or her own imagination and
energy.
There is definite opportunity for great wealth within the
catering field. Anyone with a sense of service to others can
succeed. Very little “readycash” is needed to begin. Therefore,
the only thing standing between you and the realization of your
dreams, is the action it takes on your part to get started…
