I just got off the phone with Samantha Goldberg, wedding planner extraordinaire, and she has seen some amazing wedding emergencies - torn dresses, security issues, fallen cakes, ruined tuxedos, torrential downpours - you name it and she’s seen it.

The icing on the cake is that she still loves to plan weddings no matter what mishaps occur. After all, no wedding is perfect!

Still we’d all love for your wedding to go on without a hitch so print out our most popular and most downloaded form our on site:

• Bride’s Wedding Day Emergency Kit

Look for our wedding emergencies story on the site next week, just in time for the wedding season!

Have a wedding catastrophe story that you would love to share? Email us! We just might put your tip and story on the site!

We just sent out our latest Two Tips for Two Days newsletter that featured two great wedding-related tips. The tips are so fantastic, I just had to post them here on our blog as well:

WHN TIP #1: After a Disaster, Create a Registry
My parents had a house fire that was such a complete loss. To help jog their memories about what was in their home, they went to Target, created a wedding registry, and scanned the items they lost in the fire.

Granted, the items they lost weren’t exactly the same, but it gave them a printed inventory list to use to create their property claim. We all got a good chuckle about my 45-year-married parents having a “new wedding date”.

- Jill A., MN

WHN TIP #2: Don’t Forget the Dress!
I was a bride who used your wedding day emergency kit list and followed it to the letter.  The only thing we forgot, since it wasn’t on the list, was the dress, veil, undergarments, and shoes!!! By adding these items to your list, you could save the bridal party valuable time and automobile fuel.

- Jenn J. W., bride

We’re working on a few wedding stories at the moment. What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen at a wedding? We’d love to hear the crazy stories! Post them in the Comments section below or send us an email!

In honor of National Weddings Month, Keith Ross, Regional Director at Roni Deutch Tax Center, has written up these top tax tips for newlyweds or soon-to-be married couples:

“For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part, and most of all, to lower our taxes.” Yes, that is correct: getting married and filing jointly can perhaps lower your taxes.

1. Filing jointly.

Being married allows you to file “Married filing jointly”, and this alone, can lower your taxes paid to the IRS each year. Once your combined adjusted gross income reaches above $7850, you may be able start saving on taxes. Although there is not a lot of savings, but every little bit helps.

2. Filing separately.

Filing separately may seem to be the solution when one party is normally accustomed to a tax refund and the other party pays into their taxes at the end of each year but the filing status “Married Filing Separately” could have its downfall, too.

For instance, you will not get to utilize certain credits filing this way, such as “Earned Income Credit or Education Credits” and if there are children to report on your return you are giving up on other credits, such as “Child Dependant Care Credit.” So consult with a tax professional before making your filing status choice. A lot can change, in regards to your tax matter, when tying the knot.

3. Name change.

When you are accepting the last name of your spouse, it is important to inform the Social Security Administration of your name change, prior to using your new last name on your future tax returns. (you’ll need to complete and file form SS-5). By not submitting a SS-5 to Social Security, this may cause a processing delay in your tax return.

4. Taxes withheld.

You may also want to make proper changes to your Employee Withholding Allowance Certificate (W-4). Making the Change from “Single” to” Married” means having less federal tax withheld. This again may require consulting with your tax professional or the payroll department of your employer.

• Want more? Other marriage legalities and benefits…

Thanks to Keith Ross! Have an administrative marriage tip? Share below!

Productivity and frugality blog, WiseBread, has a great post about the top 6 professionals that you should have in your phone’s contact list…just in case. I’ve narrowed their list down to three and added in one extra professional I think you really should have in case of emergencies:

Attorney: Whether it’s a car accident, medical lawsuit or helping you draw up a will or other important document, everyone will probably need or meet with a lawyer at least once in their lifetime. Before something major happens, do the scouting now:

• Nolo.com (this is a commercial site but they have good, basic information on how to find a lawyer and understanding fees)

Doctor: Even if it’s just a cold, having a doctor that you can trust can make the world of difference. Build that relationship now before you feel under the weather:

• Choosing a Primary Care Doctor
• Choosing a Pharmacy and Pharmacist
• Finding the Right Hospital

Insurance Agent: Auto, car, life, medical, home owner’s and rental insurance…doesn’t matter what coverage you’ve got, you’ll need a great agent to get the coverage you need and help you get the most out of your claims.

• Auto Insurance Coverage: What to Ask Your Agent
• Home Owner’s Insurance: What to Ask About Your Coverage
• Purchasing Flood Insurance
• Working With a Claims Adjuster

Mechanic: Let’s face it. Someday (could be tomorrow, could be next year), something in your car will break. You’ll need a great mechanic you can trust to get your car back on the road - and fast. Otherwise, you’ll be back in the shop before you know it.

• Choosing a Mechanic

What professional couldn’t you live without? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below! (Thanks, WiseBread!)

Karen and Mark Cline were teenagers when they got married and did not have $150 to pay a photographer for their wedding photos.
But now they have the pictures, just in time for their 27th anniversary on last week, after their photographer surprised them with a photo album (Read the full story at Happy News).

Photos are irreplaceable, especially after major disasters like the California Wildfires or Hurricane Katrina. Take inventory of your most precious photos and make extra copies. Keep your photos in a safe place and add them to your “to-go” kit - the one box to grab in an emergency situation.

Had your photos damaged? There are photo restoration companies out there, such as a nonprofit organization that offers free restoration services to the Hurricane Katrina victims - read about it here.

Many brides and grooms are choosing to forgo the church wedding traditions and instead opt for more simpler, informal ceremonies. One example of a trend: the couple asks a friend to become an ordained minister (usually done online) in order to officiate their wedding.

However, this might not be legal in some states. According to a recent article in the NYTimes, some states “do not recognize marriages performed by someone who became a minister for the sole purpose of marrying people.” Even in Las Vegas, “it is illegal for individuals to perform a marriage if they do not have a congregation.”

To avoid the hassle of legalities, ask to see your officiant’s credentials before signing a financial agreement or contract. Check the marriage laws in your state or contact the license bureau to find out what is or isn’t legal.

• Additional officiant advice
• NYTimes article

Welcome to Day Five of WHN’s Wedding Week!

If you’re changing your name, your spouse is changing his/hers or, you’re both changing your names, here are a few tips:

1. Don’t change your name before the honeymoon! (See yesterday’s post for more honeymooning tips).

2. Order extra copies of your marriage certificate, if possible, from the office where the certificate was filed.

3. You will need to notify government agencies, financial institutions and other organizations about your name change. Bring along a copy of your marriage certificate with you. Click here for a suggested list of institutions you might wish to notify.

4. In some instances, an organization might not accept or recognize your name change. You might then need a court order. Read this article from Nolo.com to learn more.

That’s all for WHN’s Wedding Week! Missed a day? Click on the links below to catch up. Thanks for reading!

• Welcome to WHN’s Wedding Week!
• Tying the Knot…Legally
• Insuring Your Wedding and After…
• The Big Day
• The Honeymooners

Welcome to Day Four of WHN’s Wedding Week!

Congratulations!!

Before you head out on your honeymoon, whether you’re driving or flying, here’s a quick list of helpful tips and articles to make sure your trip is smooth sailing:

1. If you’re traveling for your honeymoon, your passport name must be the same as the name on your travel documents and tickets. Consider using your maiden name on your honeymoon and wait to change your name until you return home. (See tomorrow’s Name Change post)
2. Mention that this vacation is your honeymoon when booking hotels or additional tours and services. You might be able to get a discount or an upgrade. (Remind them when you check in, too!)
3. Traveling abroad? Make sure you get a passport in time before your trip (expect it to take at least 10-12 weeks)!!

Travel Articles

• Be Prepared - Air Travel
• Be Prepared - Car Travel
• Going on a Cruise
• Hotel Tips
• Renting a Car

Have honeymooning tips? Share them in the Comments section below!

You’ve planned for your wedding day your whole life. Of course nothing will go wrong - but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Bring along a wedding day emergency kit!

It helps -
• for her: Spot on her dress? Use white baby powder.
• for him: Rip in his trousers? Bring a sewing kit - with thread that matches the bridal party’s clothes!
• for everyone: Photographer’s a no-show? Have a disposal camera on-hand.

Below are two checklist guidelines - one for the bride and one for the groom - each with more than you need - or maybe not enough?? In any case, just like your big day, make this list your own.

• Bride’s Emergency Kit
• Groom’s Emergency Kit

Feel like we’ve left something off the kit list? Add it in the Comments section below!

Marriage is a life-changing event - legally and financially.

Right now, you may be swamped with wedding planning details, but it is also important to take a moment and re-evaluate your financial security before the wedding.

Wedding Insurance

Wedding insurance is similar to travel, car or home insurance. If a hurricane or blizzard prevents your wedding from happening, you get sick before your honeymoon, or any other mishaps occur, you may be partially reimbursed for certain services. Click here to read more about wedding insurance…
Reviewing Your Insurance Coverage

Insurance agents recommend reviewing your current insurance policies and coverage options before you tie the knot.

WHN TIP: Some insurance agents might have a pre-marriage packet or pamphlet to walk you through your coverage options. Your coverage options will vary by state, employer and insurance company. Ask your insurance agent about all of your coverage options.

Click here to read more about your tying the knot on your insurance policies…