A Wedding is an Expensive Affair, just Ask the Father of the Bride

>> Oct 7, 2012

Traditionally it is the father of the bride who foots the bill for the wedding of his daughter. Although times are changing and many families share the cost, there is still a lot to pay for. Wedding venue, wedding reception food, entertainment, wedding gown, bridesmaids’ dresses and myriad other odds and ends which complete a traditional wedding all add up. If you have an A list film star income no problem; if you're income is of more modest means perhaps you should read on…

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What does an average wedding and all the trimmings cost?

If you know what an average wedding costs it may be because you have had to pay out for one in the recent past, or maybe in the process of organising one. If you don’t know and are prepared to find out, make sure you're sitting down first. The average cost of a wedding in the UK at the last count was somewhere in the region of £20,248.00 in 2012. Thank goodness that there are bank loans which can be arranged to take up the slack if you run out of money.

Whatever you do don’t put the cost on a credit card, even if it is only a few hundred pounds. Bank loans are the most cost effective and cheapest method of borrowing money other than borrowing it from a relative, but seriously how many people have relatives with that much cash on the hip ready to loan out? Given that interest rates are at historically low levels bank loans are now better value than they have been for many years.

Forget the wedding - be scared of the honeymoon

If you thought the cost of a wedding and all the trimmings on the day was an expensive item, don’t even think about the honeymoon. Thirty five years ago a weekend away in Norwich or some other provincial town would have sufficed, or maybe a week on the Isle of Wight. Nowadays it is the Maldives, Dominican Republic or other exotic destination which beckon and a honeymoon there wouldn’t be complete without:

● Swimming with dolphins

● Snorkeling a local reef

● Learning to scuba

● Sightseeing the local ruins, temples or markets

● Champagne breakfasts

These items and more cost money and increasingly the cost is being shared round between both sets of parents and the bride and groom themselves, such is the expense. Rather than have a wedding list many couples prefer to have a cash contribution which they can use to pay for the honeymoon or other wedding expenses.

You could say don’t be too extravagant but for more and more people their wedding day is the one special day they can look back on together with their honeymoon holiday and say they did it their way, before reality sets in and kids come along.

If you can pay for it outright with cash you're probably one of the lucky ones and all power to your wallet. For everyone else there is the option of bank loans from your local friendly bank to spread the cost and keep your stress levels low.

Western Crowned Pigeons (Goura cristata)

>> Oct 6, 2012

Captured at Ragunan Zoo (Jakarta, Indonesia). They are also known as the Common Crowned Pigeon or Blue Crowned Pigeon. This lovely bird has large, blue-grey pigeon with blue lacy crests over the head and dark blue mask feathers around its eyes. Both sexes are almost similar but males are often larger than females.

The Western Crowned Pigeon is found in and is endemic to the lowland rainforests of Papua, Indonesia; the other species of crowned pigeon inhabit different regions of the island. The diet consists mainly of fruits and seeds.

Hunted for food and its plumes, it remains common only in remote areas. Due to ongoing habitat loss, limited range and overhunting in some areas, the Western Crowned Pigeon is evaluated as vulnerable species on the IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. Source:Wikipedia.

Camera Critters

To Make Your Last Will and Testament in Easiest Way

My late father died -in a sudden- in one Friday morning at January 6^th, 2012. Though he left in peace while he’s sleeping on his favorite sofa; his departure really shocked us. He left his three sons and one daughter without any previous message. My husband and I have lived together with my father for almost ten years but he never discussed things that relate to his properties. My father owned two houses and a plot of land at different towns. Since he didn’t make a last will and testament document, we don’t have guidance on how to handle his inheritance. This case made me realize how important to make your own last will and testament. Death is a certainty and it may occur at any time. After your leaving, it would be better not placing your family in confusion, right?

Writing your own last will and testament can be a difficult job. To avoid any mistake, you need help of a lawyer to write a proper one. Your last will and testament should contain in details what will happen to everything you own –after your death. It can become reference to your heirs since the will and testament utters who obtains and what time, who will be in charge and what sort of authority he’ll get and also other conveyed wishes.

When making your last will and testament; it’s essential to note down items as complete as possible and not to exclude anything valuable. Fortunately nowadays, making this document can be much simpler; even Texas citizens can order online a texas last will and testament at MyTexasWills.com. You’ll get professional help from the Law Firm of Rick Villareal that has broad experience in Probate, Trusts & Wills.

All you need to do is completing the questionnaire and based on it, their attorneys will develop the last will and testament document for you. Special requests are allowed to add and if it’s needed, you may obtain free consultation. Once the documents are on your hand, they will offer you with instructions on how to sign the legal documents. Keep the signed will securely and tell your trusted one where you store it. Knowing that you have planned everything in your will document will surely give you peaceful mind!