Family Decisions
Marriage and Commitment
Statistics show that people are waiting until later in life to get married and start families, but if it is you are ready to be in a committed relationship, the preplanned process can be vastly rewarding.
Engagement
When a couple decides to commit to a life together, they become Engaged, or formally pledged to each other. An engagement period of six months to a year allows the couple time to prepare for the wedding, make plans for the future, and set joint goals.
Premarital Counseling
Many honest discussions about goals and values should precede the wedding. For example, if one person wants to have a child and the other does not, this difference could present an insurmountable obstacle.
Ceremony Plans and Costs
Planning for the wedding ceremony should begin at least six months in advance. The bride and groom and each set of parents should prepare guest lists and then combine them. The number of guests and the size of the wedding party will determine the number of invitations needed, size of the church or facility, cost of the reception, and so forth. The Wedding Party consists of the people who are active participants in the wedding ceremony: the bride and groom, best man, maid or matron of honor, bridesmaids, ushers, flower girl, and ring bearer.
The size of the wedding, time of day, location, and formality of the bride's dress determine the style of the wedding. A Formal Wedding may be held in the evening, and guests wear formal attire. A Semi-Formal Wedding usually is held in the afternoon and guest usually wear clothing fittable to a special occasion. An Informal Wedding may be held outside, in a church, or almost anywhere. No special attire is required for the bride, groom, wedding party, or the guests. Some Couple prefer a Civil Ceremony, which is a wedding performed by a public official, such as a judge or justice of the peace, rather than a member of the clergy. This is the quick and inexpensive way to get married.
The Honeymoon
Immediately following the wedding reception, the newly married couple often takes a honeymoon trip. Honeymoons may be inexpensive car trips, elaborate cruises, or flights to exotic islands. It may last from several days to several weeks and cost several thousand dollars.
FAMILY FINANCIAL DECISIONS
Family Goals
Couples should examine their needs and set goals for their future together. Short-term goals involve decisions about the near term, such as where to live, whether both partners will work, major purchases to make this year and next, and leisure activities.
Intermediate goals are those the couple wants to pursue in the next five or so years.
Family Budget- allocates spending, saving, borrowing, and investing of the family's pooled resources to meet future goals.
ITINERARIES
If you plan your vacation activities ahead of time, then you can use your vacation time to do them rather than wasting time finding hotels, figuring out transportation, and handling other practical details. Start your planning by writing out what will happen, when at what cost, and how. An itinerary is a detailed schedule of events, times, and places.
Statistics show that people are waiting until later in life to get married and start families, but if it is you are ready to be in a committed relationship, the preplanned process can be vastly rewarding.
Engagement
When a couple decides to commit to a life together, they become Engaged, or formally pledged to each other. An engagement period of six months to a year allows the couple time to prepare for the wedding, make plans for the future, and set joint goals.
Premarital Counseling
Many honest discussions about goals and values should precede the wedding. For example, if one person wants to have a child and the other does not, this difference could present an insurmountable obstacle.
Ceremony Plans and Costs
Planning for the wedding ceremony should begin at least six months in advance. The bride and groom and each set of parents should prepare guest lists and then combine them. The number of guests and the size of the wedding party will determine the number of invitations needed, size of the church or facility, cost of the reception, and so forth. The Wedding Party consists of the people who are active participants in the wedding ceremony: the bride and groom, best man, maid or matron of honor, bridesmaids, ushers, flower girl, and ring bearer.
The size of the wedding, time of day, location, and formality of the bride's dress determine the style of the wedding. A Formal Wedding may be held in the evening, and guests wear formal attire. A Semi-Formal Wedding usually is held in the afternoon and guest usually wear clothing fittable to a special occasion. An Informal Wedding may be held outside, in a church, or almost anywhere. No special attire is required for the bride, groom, wedding party, or the guests. Some Couple prefer a Civil Ceremony, which is a wedding performed by a public official, such as a judge or justice of the peace, rather than a member of the clergy. This is the quick and inexpensive way to get married.
The Honeymoon
Immediately following the wedding reception, the newly married couple often takes a honeymoon trip. Honeymoons may be inexpensive car trips, elaborate cruises, or flights to exotic islands. It may last from several days to several weeks and cost several thousand dollars.
FAMILY FINANCIAL DECISIONS
Family Goals
Couples should examine their needs and set goals for their future together. Short-term goals involve decisions about the near term, such as where to live, whether both partners will work, major purchases to make this year and next, and leisure activities.
Intermediate goals are those the couple wants to pursue in the next five or so years.
Family Budget- allocates spending, saving, borrowing, and investing of the family's pooled resources to meet future goals.
ITINERARIES
If you plan your vacation activities ahead of time, then you can use your vacation time to do them rather than wasting time finding hotels, figuring out transportation, and handling other practical details. Start your planning by writing out what will happen, when at what cost, and how. An itinerary is a detailed schedule of events, times, and places.