Wedding Checks:

Should you save them or splurge? Whether your cash gifts total $1,000 or $1,000 you'll want to make the most of every dollar. And that doesn't mean blowing it on a new plasma t.v. Here's what SCBC personal finance expert Suzie Orman would do with it.

First take care of your immediate needs. For most newly weds, this will involve some aspect of nesting, like putting down a deposit on a rental apartment. buying basic home appliances or purchasing a bigger bed.

Next work out a way to decrease your monthly expenses. This usually means addressing the debt you have. from acrued credit cards and home loans. Line up your debt payments from the highest to the lowest. Pay off the bills with the highest interest rate first.

Set up an eight month emergency fund. Even two happy newly weds need one. Sock the ,omey in an fdic secured account, so that if one of you looses your job you will be able to pay basic bills.

Start a savings account for your house. The best bet for any young marrieds is to start an emergency account as soon as possilbe. Start your account for the down payment on a home for the two of you. Shop around for an account that will bring you the highest yield.

Fund your retirement account. Invest in a 401 k or put your wedding money into a Roht Ira. That way, the money over time, won't be taxed. After all the best way to start marital life is not being just young and fabulous but solvent too.

Wedding Gown Preservation

You took the time to choose the gown that is just right for you, so after the wedding take the time to take care of the gown you choose so that you can pass it down to your daughters......Find a preservation specialist that you trust. Get recommendations from your friends. Ask your preservation specialist what precautions will be taken with your prized gown. Make certain it is put into an acid free environment, museum quality archival wedding chest lined with fabric or acid free.

Never store your gown in a plastic bag or a shrink wrap container. Plastic emits fumes that can yellow the fabric and trap moisture in the packaging mildewing your gown.

Avoid storing your gown in the attic or basement where there are extreme changes in temperature or humidity from season to season.

If traveling out of town for your wedding, ask your specialist to prepare your gown for the travel with you or for shipment to your destination.

Persian Weddings

When a Persian bride and groom get married the father walks down the aisle to the beat of a daf, an ancient drum. The ring bearer carries the wedding bands in a moss lines wooden jewelry box belonging to a relative. To ward off evil spirits, incense burns in a carrier used at a number of past family weddings . Contemporary touches to say the least. The officient receives a special ordination to perform the vows. Sacred script will be read and a small prayer book belonging to a dear relative will be placed in the brides bouquet to symbolize something old something new. Guests receive hand blown monogrammed votives as lovely gifts. The bride and groom choose a symbol of their love as a logo to be used at the wedding ceremony.