The Gown Event Newsletter:: Bridal Blogger

Amy Jean {The Relentless Bride}

Pondering the unique idea of having her wedding celebration commemorated in an oil painting, by a Live Event Artist, charismatic Bridal Blogger, Amy Jean of The Relentless  Bride blog, shared (as she does with many posts about her wedding planning endeavors)  this post with her many 'Followers'.  Deciding that she could not pass up this once in a lifetime opportunity to have her wedding reception frozen in time, excitedly, Amy Jean shared her decision about this  amazing find in a post.

With great delight & enthusiasm (and permission from Amy Jean) without further ado  :: MAKING ROOM IN MY BUDGET

Yes sir-ee Bob, I found me a live event artist thanks to this post I did last week. Heidi @Heidzillas commented saying one of her brides was doing this for her wedding. I emailed her back instantly asking for more info. I didn't even know where to begin in searching for someone with this type of talent... And Luckily for me, Heidi's bride, Tara didn't mind sharing. In fact she wrote me this email with all of her live event artist's info and how she found her. And although Tara's getting married in Cleveland, Ohio... lucky for me, her live event artist is actually from Orange County, CA. And Who's getting married in the OC? ME!!!!!!!!

So i contacted Karen @Karen Wall Garrison who is a custom fine artist/muralist/live event artist just to appease my curiosity. I really didn't think I could afford this and didn't know where to cut corners to try to make this work. After a few email's back and forth, I decided having this would be worth it, and surprisingly, her rates are VERY affordable.

Here are a few more examples of her work below... and you will notice, she is the newest addition to sponsor my site. Ladies... negotiate away. I was able to wrangle a discount by bartering services with her. We all know how powerful the blogosphere could be, and Karen who is amazingly talented will also find out that blog referrals are the best and plentiful.

So visit her blog, or her site and check out her amazing work. I can't wait to memorialize our wedding with this once in a lifetime chance to get it on canvas!

{photos via here via here::specialthanx}

*{"All images are from Karen's website and used with her permission!"}

Now the real question is: Do i have her paint our ceremony or part of our reception?
What would you do?

{Back to The Gown Event Newsletter}

What You Should Know ....

...about Your Marriage

The question has been asked and the planning is underway.  The excitement is mesmerizing, the anticipation almost unbearable.  The planning process certainly has its ups and downs, its highs and lows - peppered with the many visions  for that special day.  Each vendor meeting, venue visit and cake tasting has brought about a new, sometimes trying learning experience.  During this planning process, there are a few essentials that should not get lost in the planning.  One of which is YOUR  'financial fitness'.

    Yes, financial fitness!  I know, your financial fitness is the last thing on your wedding 'to-do' list.  But it is very necessary... so here we go!

        
                                                   5   Things Every Married Women
                                           Should Know About Marriage & Money

  Know What is in the marital estate.  If you and your honey have (or plan to have) established any joint accounts, be sure to stay vigilant in knowing account balances.  Know the value is worth of your home and pension. 

  

If, going into the marriage, you and/or your spouse own a business
(rather individually and/or jointly) determine the value of the business at the start of and during the marriage.  Same rule holds true if a business is acquired during the marriage.

             
Keep your health insurance current.  You owe it to each other to be in the healthiest and fittest state that you can be.  Besides, financial fitness feels great, especially when you are in great health! 
             

Be selfish!  About YOUR inheritances and  family 'gifts'.  If you have a family heirloom and/or inheritance already established in your name - be selfish.  Leave it in your name.  If you have transferred those personal assets into a joint account, transfer them back into YOUR account.  If, down the line, you and your spouse want to delve into some home improvements (or the like), resist the temptation to use these assets as leverage.  Some things you just have to be downright selfish about.


Last, but certainly not least, establish YOUR own credit, in YOUR own name.  This one is as simple as the lyrics to this popular song  - 'God bless the child that got his own...'