10 Ways to Save Money On Your Wedding

Your wedding is the biggest day of your life, but that doesn’t mean it has to be the most expensive. Follow these ten money-saving tips from American Investment Planners to keep your costs down without sacrificing any of the excitement:

1. Don’t get married on a Saturday. Since Saturday is the most popular day for weddings, venues can get away with charging more – up to 20% more. Save hundreds (or thousands) by booking on a different day, perhaps a week day that falls next to a holiday so everyone is off from work.

2. Get married at the end of the off-season. Peak wedding season starts in May and goes through October. Getting married towards the end of April will generally land you cheap prices with good weather.

3. Choose your own vendors. Don’t select a venue which forces you to use their vendors. Choosing your own music, food, drink, and photography can easily save you thousands.

4. Shop at non-wedding retailers. Whether you are shopping for decor, flowers, or a cake, try stores that don’t specialize in weddings for more economic pricing.

5. Cut costs on decor. Small decorations for your venue can really add up over time. Save money by choosing a space which is already well-decorated, or using second-hand items. You can also resell your decor after the big day to recoup some costs.

6. Go paperless. Hand-written wedding invitations can cost up to $5 per person when all is said and done. Skip this expense and save the environment by making a wedding website to keep your guests updated.

7. Have your ceremony and reception in the same place. This will not only save you money on transportation costs, it prevents potential headaches and out-of-town attendees from getting lost.

8. Skip the ceremony all together. Getting married in the courthouse saves you an immeasurable amount of time, money, and stress. Have a small family and friends reception after to celebrate tying the knot.

9. Cut down the guest list. Everybody in their mother doesn’t need to be invited to your wedding. The less people who attend, the less money you spend.

10. Separate your needs from your wants. It can be easy to get caught up in the excitement and go overboard during the planning process. Know what you absolutely need and what you can get away without.

American Investment Planners, LLC helps individuals across the country plan for life’s biggest moments. No matter what’s on the horizon, our advisors can sit down with you and help construct a plan that meets your needs and budget. To schedule an appointment with one of our consultants, please call (516) 932-5130 or email info@americaninvestmentplanners.com.

Financial Tips For Newlywed Couples

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

It's officially summertime, and that means wedding season is in full swing! With temperatures rising and the sun shining, now is the time that many couples often choose to say "I do." However, while tying the knot is an extremely exciting time for both the couple and their families, there are also serious matters that must be discussed to ensure a smooth transition into this chapter of their lives - money, for example.

To make the process of dealing with finances and financial situations easy from the start, we've put together the following list of tips for newlywed couples:

Communicate: Although money can be a sensitive subject, as life partners it's important for married couples to be open about it. From day one, newlyweds should make it a priority to discuss money regularly so that there is no awkwardness about it down the line. Especially if joint accounts will be opened, they'll need to feel comfortable discussing budgeting, loans, and various other financial topics.

Prepare: Once individual and joint accounts are taken care of, newlywed couples should discuss a plan for how they will prepare for financial emergencies. For example, will a separate bank account be opened just for this purpose? Or, will a small stash be set aside in the home? Either way, it's important for couples to have an emergency fund available to cover unexpected costs.

Budget: Before getting married, each individual was likely only responsible for their own expenses and probably had their own budget to follow. However, with a partner involved and new joint expenses, such as a mortgage and groceries for two, chances are that budget is going to change. To feel financially stable and secure when it comes to paying the bills each month, newlywed couples should make creating a budget the number one item on their to-do list.

Update: A beneficiary is the person who will receive some type of financial benefit upon an individual's passing, which is why it is so important to have the right name listed. After getting married, it's a good idea to update the beneficiary on all legal documents to reflect the spouse.

Last but certainly not least, once things have calmed down it is essential that newlywed couples sit down with a financial planner to get all of their money in order. Between planning for retirement, figuring out taxes, updating insurance and more, meeting with an expert in the field is the best way to ensure that they are headed in the right direction.

To learn how the team here at American Investment Planners LLC can help newlywed couples and their families with financial planning, please visit www.americaninvestmentplanners.com or call (516) 932-5130.