The number one thing couples should splurge on is their wedding photographer, and with good reason!

Sad as it is to acknowledge, most of the wedding details that you worked so hard on will be mere memories the next day. The food will be eaten, the dress put away, the monogrammed napkins crumpled. But the photographs will be there to remind you of the memories and document your wedding day. So make sure that they’re top notch by splurging to get the best photographer that you can.

Be Smart Take the time to shop around and find a photographer who you feel comfortable with, and who fits in your budget. Give the photographer a list of pictures you will definitely want, like a four generation picture with Great-Grandma, and go over it in detail at your meetings. Consider packages, which often give you a better bang for your buck. Be sure to ask to swap out things you don’t want, and be savvy about expensive extras like “Deluxe Wedding Albums.” Make sure that you get a set of pictures printed by the photographer – the finishing work (editing, cropping, printing) should be far better than what you could do yourself. But see if you can get a CD of the images so that you can cheaply print out extras for extended family members and friends who want a picture.

The color purple is definitely a popular color for February weddings.  With its traditional associations with royalty, purple can create a very luxurious ambiance at a wedding. This impression can be heightened by the use of hints of gold, creating a sort of gilded atmosphere. But for a less traditional, fun approach, purple can also be paired with bright, almost neon colors such as magenta or tangerine. The effect is very cheerful, creating a heightened aura of festivity.

What colors are you pairing with purple?

Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. Celebrated annually on January 26th, the day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788, the hoisting of the British flag there, and the proclamation of British rule over the eastern seaboard of Australia.

If you are heading to Australia this winter, you will find several of their “summer” activities in store. You can walk along the coastal cliffs in Sydney or enjoy the beaches, vineyards, national parks, golf courses and day spas at Mornington Penninsula, Melbourne’s Summer Playground. Add some sunshine to your life in the Swan Valley, a scenic pocket of food, wine and history just 25 minutes from Perth. Celebrate the new year with a sampling of fine Tasmanian food and wine, entertainment and sailboats on Hobart’s historic waterfront.  See turtles nest and hatch near Bundaberg and mass coral spawning on the Great Barrier Reef during summer from November to March. Or find yourself amongst native Australian animals and ancient Aboriginal artifacts on a summer bushwalk, bike ride or drive in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.  A great trip any time!

Are you heading to Australia soon?  Tell us your plans -

For the second year in a row, the number one New Years Resolution was to “Manage My Debt” and many people are considering borrowing from their 401(k) in order to do this.

The advantages of borrowing from your 401(k) are that since you are effectively borrowing your own money, from yourself, the interest you pay, as well as the principal, goes right back into your account. The loan process is fairly easy and you have 5 years to repay the debt.

However, there are several disadvantages as well.  First, if you happen to leave your job or are fired, the money you borrowed will be due in one lump sum within days or weeks of your departure.  If you do not have the money to repay the loan at that time, your remaining loan amount will be taxable to you as ordinary income.  If you are younger than 59 1/2 at that time, you will also pay a 10% federal penalty. 

Second, in order to give you the money, investments in your portfolio are liquidated which translates in to a loss of interest income and ultimately retirement income.  If you can avoid a loan from your 401(k) plan, please do.

How are you managing debt this year?

Is one of your New Years Resolutions to lose weight but you still want to satisfy your sweet tooth?  Check out Metromint Water.  It is a zero calorie chocolate mint treat!

Made with cocoa essence and real mint, once you try it you will be hooked.  (In fact they are currently sold out on the metromint website, but you can still order as they will be getting more soon.)

Although Chocolate Mint may be your favorite, Metromint also offers Cherrymint, Lemonmint, Orangemint, Spearmint and the original Peppermint.   There is one for every mint lover in your circle.

Metromint water can be found in several stores across the country and  makes a great gift. A case of 24 sells for $38 and comes with free shipping.  Take advantage of their great offer today.

Are you planning a LasLas Vegas Wedding? Check out award winning, Christie McCoy and her team at CLM Weddings and Events.  Among a wide variety of services, Christie offers full coordination, day of coordination, virtual planning and commitment ceremonies.  She has a unique and creative approach to wedding planning and will make sure your day is done your way.

Are you recently engaged and looking for the newest wedding color combinations?  The Knot  recently reported on the six hottest trends that we will see in 2010:

• Chartreuse & Aqua
• Blush & Mauve
• Garnet & Tangerine
• Lavender & Creme & Chocolate
• Fuchsia & Navy
• Lemon & Celadon

Which one will you choose?

The positive effects of travel and leisure activities on health and well-being are well known.  Interactive surveys by the U.S. Travel Association (USTA) show that, despite the tightening of budgets, Americans still value vacation time as a way to strengthen family bonds, rekindle relationships and create new memories, especially during the holiday season.

However, trends in travel behavior are not immune to current economic constraints.  The USTA website also mentions the growing trend of planning “stay-cations,” or trips to destinations closer to where travelers live.  While stay-cations may give you a break from the 9-5 grind, considering trips to different locations away from home may be more advantageous.  A change of scenery effectively rejuvenates the mind and body and increases work performance levels and overall feelings of well-being when everyday life begins anew.

Where do you like to vacation or stay-cation?

Do you need something to do on New Years Eve?  How about trying a Wine-O party with your friends….

Have each of your guests bring two bottles of red or white wine.  (Usually works better if everyone brings the same color) Upon each guests arrival, you will need to keep a private list of who brought what and the number you are assigning to them. Then put 1 bottle in a paper lunch bag, with that persons number written on the outside, and tape the bag to the bottle, so people can not see the label.  The other bottle is stored in a back room until after the party.

You will need little tasting cups, paper and pencil for each guest.  Set the bottles on one table, or around the room in “tasting stations” so people can mingle about – depending on the number of guests.  Let each guest know they are to taste each wine, rank it on a scale of 1-10 and write a comment next to the number.

Once the tasting and comments are completed. You tally up  the points for each wine and determine the winner!  You can read aloud the comments they received and hear the differrence from number 1 to last place.  The winner gets to take home half of the 2nd bottle stash in your back room. The 2nd runner up gets 30% of the back room stash and and 3rd place gets to take home 20%.   The last place loser has to take their crappy bottle of wine back home.

It is a ton of fun and a clever idea for ringing in the new year with friends.  Enjoy and let me know how it goes!

Pick your favorite! At  The Carolina Cupcakery in Chesapeake, VA  you can choose from a number of decadent, drink-themed cupcakes.

They have more than a dozen liquor filled treats, including this one of Kahlua & Creme.

Other favorites include: Chocolate After Dinner Mint, Amaretto Joy, Champagne & Strawberry, Chocolate Guiness and Apple Martini. Cheers!