Merging Your Finances
Check out this guide on what to consider prior to getting married when merging your finances. Lyndsey Kreske, Ameriprise Financial Planner
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new passport fees July 13, 2010
New Schedule of Passport Fees
to Take Effect on July 13, 2010
On June 28, 2010, the U.S. Department of State published its Schedule of Fees for Consular Services in the Federal Register. The schedule includes fees for passports, immigrant visas and other consular services. The changes will take effect on July 13, 2010. The revised fees will cover actual operating expenses for the 23 domestic passport agencies.
The adjusted fees are based on a Cost of Service Study completed by the Bureau of Consular Affairs in June 2009. The study, which was the most detailed and exhaustive ever conducted by the U.S. Department of State, established the true cost of providing these consular services, which the Department recovers through the collection of fees.
In their official public announcement the State Department says, “While the Department of State is aware of the financial impact this fee increase may have on individuals and businesses, its passport processing operations must be self-sustaining to the extent possible, and it has accordingly set these fees at a level that will allow cost recovery–and not more. The Department also maintains that the increase in passport fees is not significant in comparison with the overall costs of international travel.”
The most significant changes are increases in standard adult passport fees from $75 to $110 and standard minor passport fees from $60 to $80. Passport cards will increase in cost from $20 to $30 ($15 for minors). The Department of State expediting fees remain at $60 per application. The Department will begin charging $82 for adding extra pages to existing passports, plus applicable State Department $60 expediting fees. In the past, the Department provided extra pages in a customer’s passport, at no charge. The Department found that the cost of the pages themselves, having the pages placed in the book in a secure manner by trained personnel, and of completing the required security checks results in a cost to the U.S. Government more than $82 per passport book, therefore, the Department will charge the same for previously free service.
A Briggs suggests that the traveler request a larger 52-page passport book offered by the State Department for travelers who anticipate needing more than 28 visa pages over the lifespan of the passport. Any passport applicant may request a larger book at the time of application by including a letter of explanation. The larger passport is issued at the discretion of the Passport Office and is available at no additional cost.
| State Department Fees (July 13, 2010) | Execution | State | Expedite | State Dept |
| Fee | Dept | Fee | Totals | |
| Lost/Stolen Passport Book | $ 25 | $ 110 | $ 60 | $ 195 |
| Mutilated/Damaged Passport Book | $ 25 | $ 110 | $ 60 | $ 195 |
| New Passport Book (16+ years) | $ 25 | $ 110 | $ 60 | $ 195 |
| New Passport Book (Under 16 years) | $ 25 | $ 80 | $ 60 | $ 165 |
| Name Change (1+ year since issuance) | $ - | $ 110 | $ 60 | $ 170 |
| Renewal Passport Book | $ - | $ 110 | $ 60 | $ 170 |
| Secondary Passport Book | $ - | $ 110 | $ 60 | $ 170 |
| Add Visa Pages to existing Passport Book | $ - | $ 82 | $ 60 | $ 142 |
| Name Change (less than 1 year since issuance) | $ - | $ - | $ 60 | $ 60 |
You can get your passports at the post office and a local county clerk office (if available) or one of the federal branches. You’ll need to have a certified copy of your birth certificate (I recommend ordering two) and your passport photos. Please verify requirements for children. For more information go to:
Here Comes the Bride
wedding dresses Have you thought about what style/shape of dress looks best on your body type? Since all eyes will be on you, here are some tips to assist you with making such an important decision.
If you are petite, a huge ball gown style will swallow you up. Concentrate on narrower shapes with vertical lines. As you know, vertical lines give the illusion of greater height. Dresses with empire waists or A-line shapes are great if you don’t want a clingy style.
If your hips are wider than your top half, you probably want to steer clear of mermaid style or other very clingy dresses. Look for dresses with some fullness in the hip area (yes, it sounds counterintuitive but it actually deemphasizes your wider hips). Detailing at the neckline of the dress will draw the eyes up and away from your bottom half.
If you have more of a straight up and down shape, you want to focus on dresses with a nipped in waist to give you curves. A dress with a belt (quite trendy right now) is great for you. You can get away with details on top and bottom, so work it girl!
An hourglass figure can wear just about any shape dress. You can go either form fitting or voluminous depending on your taste so have fun and pick the one that makes you cry for joy.
If you are voluptuous (plus size) you want to stay away from clingy dresses which will emphasize every part of your body. Remember that shine equals perceived volume so use detailing that is less shiny and more matte (pearls are better than crystals). An empire waist style will look great on you. A full skirt will also compliment your shape.
If your top half is larger than your bottom half, you can focus on ball gowns and other styles with large, sweeping bottoms. You have many options with all of the detailing you want on the bottom half, so get that big bow or flower you were wishing for. Keep the detailing on the top half to a minimum.
These tips will assist you in looking the way you’ve dreamed about. Congratulations!
see photos
Fitted dress Full dress
Written by: Kimberly Gomez, Impeccable Image LLC
I Do!Chicago Ties The Knot… at the Chicago History museum
Opens to the public at 12:00 noon, Saturday, May 22, 2010
Nearly every part of a wedding celebration is steeped in history and tradition, with religion, culture, family custom, and superstition having shaped the Big Day since the first couple said “I do.” The exhibition explores an array of wedding traditions through costume, and how some of those traditions were standardized by Chicago retailers to create the wedding industry we know today.
Call CruiseOne Waukesha for great rates on hotel rooms. Visit transitchicago.com for tranportation to the museum.
Dancing Tips for your Wedding Day
- Decide on a song that suits you best for your special dance as Husband and Wife. Having the song prepared will be easier for your instructor to help you through the first dance you want to achieve.
- Remember that no one wants to out do the host. If you want a fun and lively reception, you want to be able to dance the whole night. Learning more than just your special dance will help keep the entire evening fun for both you and your guests.
- All new students feel as though they have 2 left feet. No worries, there hasn’t been a student that we haven’t been able to teach and find that Right Foot.
Audrey Kuphal, Pewaukee Fred Astaire
6 TIPS FOR PLANNING THE PERFECT DESTINATION WEDDING
Imagine the wedding of your dreams on a tropical Caribbean island, glacier in Alaska, gorgeous Hawaiian beach, or a quaint ship chapel. There are many places and reasons to have a destination wedding. Convenience and cost-savings top the list. With over 4 million marriages each year, more than 10% of couples want family & friends to celebrate their special day in an exotic and fabulous location while enjoying a relaxing vacation.
The top honeymoon destinations are Hawaii, St. Lucia, US Virgin Islands, Italy, and Tahiti. However, the top destination wedding locations are Hawaii, Caribbean, Bermuda, Las Vegas, Mexico, Lake Tahoe, and the South Pacific. Couples celebrating anniversaries and wanting vow renewals can use the same tips listed here.
1. Determine who you want to have with you and see if this type of wedding is feasible for them. Children in attendance will be a deciding factor on the type of resort or cruise. Some couples have their exotic wedding and return home later for a reception. Plan early for the best values and locations.
2. Select a travel specialist that is certified or has experience in destination weddings and honeymoons. Having a certain number of guests can provide the wedding couple with extra amenities. It’s important that your travel professional has a background working with groups. The right travel person can handle all the details plus save the couple time and money. They will have the requirements for marriage ceremonies for each country, assist in finding the best location that fits your needs, and provide personalized service along with other invaluable information. With the specialist making all the arrangements for your guests, this allows the couple to focus on the most important part, the wedding itself.
3. This is not the time to make these arrangements yourself, searching the internet for the cheapest trip. The internet will not be there if you encounter issues, let you know of rate reductions, negotiate the best prices, or be the most valuable resource. Most internet reservationists are “order takers” and have never visited any of the places you’re considering! Do you want to take that risk with the most important day of your life?
4. Cruise weddings can be done in port prior to departure, on a tropical island, and other port locations. Princess Cruise Lines has the option for the captain to officiate the ceremony at sea. However, most cruise lines, along with private suppliers offer various wedding or vow renewal services. Cruises are available for every budget with various activities for all ages and vary in length from 2-3 nights or more. The wedding couple may be able to cruise free depending on the number of guests sailing.
Resort weddings allow more flexibility of when guests can arrive and depart. These take place on the beach or garden at the resort. Many resorts offer a “free wedding” which can be upgraded. Other amenities such as gifts, free airfare, or complimentary nights may be available.
5. The typical fee for wedding services and a local license starts around $600 up to $3000. This is still a substantial savings over a traditional wedding. Depending on the wedding options selected, an on-site wedding planner may be included on the ship or at the resort. Combining the wedding and honeymoon will make the big event cost-effective plus very memorable for all.
6. A wedding or honeymoon registry and a wedding website make it easy for guests all around. Even without a formal registry, guests can make arrangements with the travel specialist for money or other special service gifts. Photos or the event (live) can be viewed via the website for those guests unable to attend.
Whether you’re dreaming of a destination wedding or exotic honeymoon, following these simple tips will make planning a breeze and leave lifetime memories!
Submitted by: Katie Cianciolo, CruiseOne – Waukesha
Hello Wedding Couples (friends & family)!
Welcome to our blog…we will post various helpful articles from the business that help make your dream wedding a reality.