Bridal Guide 2017

12

February 2017

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

www.havredailynews.com

Salvador and Christina Rivera ~ August 13, 2016

Dylan and Haley MacLean ~ June 11, 2016

Kevin and Haley Velk ~ May 13, 2016

10

February 2017

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

After the Wedding Checklist o Return all rented tuxedoes. o Return all rented equipment. o Return all borrowed accessories. o Write thank-you cards. o Preserve your bridal bouquet. o Send your wedding gown to the cleaners and have it sealed in a vacuum bag or box. o Decide on filing taxes jointly or separately, and update your tax forms at work.

o Add your spouse to your employer's health insurance. o Make your spouse the beneficiary of any retirement and 401(k) plans. o Purchase life insurance. o Start financial planning and consider meeting with an accountant and financial advisor for strategies that fit your goals as a married couple.

Name Change Check List o SOCIAL SECURITY CARD o DRIVER'S LICENSE o PASSPORT o BANK ACCOUNTS o CREDIT CARDS o SAFE DEPOSIT BOX o INVESTMENTS o LOANS o WILL o PROPERTY TITLES o UTILITY COMPANIES

o POST OFFICE o MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS o CAR REGISTRATION o INSURANCE POLICIES o VOTER REGISTRATION o DOCTORS o DENTIST o EMPLOYEE RECORDS o SCHOOL RECORDS o CLUB MEMBERSHIPS o ANYONE WHO BILLS YOU

www.havredailynews.com

How to Publish Your

Engagement & Wedding Announcement In The Havre Daily News

Use this guide to help you format your announcement to be published on Fridays in the Havre Daily News Community section. Deadline is 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, prior to the requested Friday publication.

Engagement announcement suggested content: Full name of bride-to-be and groom-to-be, bride's parents' names and city, groom's parents' names and city, bride's education and year(s) of graduation, bride's employment and city, groom's education and year(s) of graduation, groom's employment and city, wedding date and location, couple's future home city.

Wedding announcement suggested content: Full maiden name of bride, full name of groom, noting if the bride is keeping her maiden name; wedding date, time and location; bride's and groom's parents' names and city; first and last name and title of officiant; name and city of maid or matron of honor, of best man; name and city of bridesmaids and groomsmen, flower girl, ringbearer, candlelighters, ushers and musicians; location of reception and hosts; bride's and groom's education and year(s) of graduation; bride's and groom's employer and city; honeymoon location; and couple's new home city.

Call 406-265-6795 with any questions or for more info.

You may submit your photo and announcement these ways: Deliver in person: 119 Second Street, Havre, MT 59501 Email: smantle@havredailynews.com Mail: P.O. Box 431, Havre, MT 59501 Fax: 406-265-6798

3

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

February 2017

www.havredailynews.com

How to file for a marriage in Montana

By Tim Leeds, Havre Daily News

One part of the often-lengthy planning in holding a wedding has fairly simple requirements in Montana: to receive a marriage license, people need to fill out an application with a clerk of District Court in the state, swear the information is true, pay the $53 fee and either have a blood test completed or sign a waiver of that requirement, then get married within six months.

The only major change this year is the ruling by federal courts that same-sex marriage is legal in Montana. The requirements are still all the same. On the state application, everything is gender neutral and now refers to applicants as spouse 1 and spouse 2.

While people in Montana can have a common-law marriage, going through the official steps can save some trouble later on. Commonlaw marriages result from actions of a couple — typically living together as husband and wife while of legal age and not being legally married to someone else — holding themselves forth as a married couple and having an agreement to be married, says a brochure by Montana Legal Services Association.

But common-law marriages have been known to cause troubles with applying for or receiving insurance or Social Security benefits and other issues because of a lack of a license to prove a marriage exists.

In Montana, people also can be married without a ceremony by filing a written declaration of marriage with a clerk of court. Even that could cause problems depending on whether it would be recognized under rules in other states, including by insurance companies.

The requirements in Montana to apply for a marriage license are fairly simple and straightforward. Residents of the state don’t even have to apply for marriage in the county where the ceremony will be performed.

A license issued in Hill County, for example, can be used in any Montana county.

If neither party to the marriage is a resident of the state, Montana Code Annotated says that the license may be obtained from the clerk of court in the county where the ceremony will be performed. If one person is a nonresident, that person’s section of the application may be completed before an official authorized to accept such applications in the county and state where the party resides, the law states.

The application is fairly simple, requiring information including the names of the par-

ties, their residence and address, names of the parents and their birthplaces, race, education and information about any previous marriage and its termination.

The participants are required to swear under oath that the information provided is true, and state law specifies that the parties must pay the filing fee.

The law requires that the parties applying provide satisfactory proof that they will be at least 18 years old when the license is issued, or will be 16 and have judicial approval of the marriage, generally with the consent of the parties’ parents. The parties must also be able to provide proof that their marriage is not prohibited under state law, such as a marriage between first cousins or an uncle and a niece.

Montana law does specify that the woman applying for a marriage license must submit a blood test confirming immunity to rubella, but also allows the parties of the marriage to request a waiver of the requirement after reading information about the need to ensure rubella immunity to protect any children conceived. Infection of a woman with the rubella

virus during early pregnancy can lead to complictions with the pregnancy or a variety of congenital defects, the waiver reads.

The marriage must take place within 180 days of the application being completed, though there is no waiting period before the ceremony can take place, a change in former law. Previous Montana law required a threeday waiting period before the marriage could take place.

Once the marriage is completed and the license issued, it is kept on record both in the county where it was filed and on the state level.

Another issue people might need to remember is taken care of after the marriage: making sure any name changes are on record.

If a name is changed due to marriage — such as the woman taking the family name of the husband — it is important that the change is recorded by any agencies or entities that need to know. That would include the Social Security Administration, for recording income and issuing benefits; insurance companies; bank and other financial accounts including mortgages, and making sure names — and addresses — are correct on driver’s licenses, passports and other identification, as well as any other documents or entities that require a name to be on file.

Tips for a special mother/son dance (METRO) — Weddings celebrate the unions of happy couples ready to pledge their lives to each other. In theory, the wedding day spotlight should be shared equally by brides and grooms. But brides often eclipse their grooms, as guests are drawn to stunning bridal gowns.

Though grooms might play second fiddle for much of their wedding days, there is one

moment when all eyes are on the groom and a special lady in his life. The mother/son dance is a wedding tradition that many grooms embrace as their opportunity to show their mothers how much they love and appreciate them. The mother/son dance is an ideal t i m e t o c re a t e a s p e c i a l moment, and the following are some tips to personalize the dance.

• Precede the bride and her father. Make your own tradition and switch up the timing of the dances. Be the first to take a spin on the dance floor and set the tone for the other traditional songs to come.

• Create a photo montage.

Work with an entertainment company or photographer to create a slideshow of images showing you and your mother together and separately. If pos-

sible, include some photos that were shot during the wedding ceremony, asking the photographer to capture the look on your mother’s face during pivotal moments of the ceremony.

• Show off your dance skills.

One increasingly popular wedding trend is for fathers and brides to choreograph the father/daughter dances.

Grooms and their mothers can follow suit, particularly if you

both have some stellar dance moves.

• Let Mom choose the song.

Give your mother the opportunity to express her sentiments to you, as mothers of the groom do not typically toast their sons during weddings or even rehearsal dinners.

• Invite other son/mother duos up. If the idea of dancing alone with your mother is a bit intimidating, give other moth-

ers in attendance an opportunity to share the spotlight.

Celebrate all mothers in attendance, encouraging any mothers and sons who are present to dance together.

Grooms may not garner the bulk of guests’ attention on their wedding days. But they can take steps to make their special dances with their mothers more memorable and unique.

2

February 2017

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

www.havredailynews.com

Picture perfect Wedding

11

February 2017

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

www.havredailynews.com

By Pam Burke, Havre Daily News

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a bride and groom’s wedding day is an opportunity to say volumes about one of the most important days of the couple’s new life together.

Picking the right photographer and having a clear understanding about what the end-product will be are key elements to capturing the event and preserving those special memories of the day.

Why go with a pro Photographs are a permanent document of your wedding, but more than that, they are among the first treasures of your lifetime together and the company of family of friends who helped you celebrate this life-changing event.

“You hear this time and time again — the one thing that people grab on the way out of their house if there’s a fire is photographs because they’re one of things that are most difficult to replace,” said Steve Helmbrecht, longtime owner and photographer at Helmbrecht Photography in Havre.

Wedding photographs are a key

thread in the fabric of your future and family, said Mary Kaercher, owner of and photographer for Merry Character Photography in Havre.

“My personal belief is that on your wedding day this is the very first day of your legacy,” she said.

Some day in the future your grandchildren will look back on those photos and see not just where their family started, but also a glimpse of who you were and are, Kaercher added.

And hopefully, said Teresa Getten, a 15-year photography veteran who is starting Teresa Getten Photography in Havre, the photos capture the wedding tale on the day, along with the family and friends who share in the life event.

“I like to make sure the story is told from beginning to end,” she said, adding, “That’s kind of the most important thing is knowing when to shoot it and where to shoot it, where the composition is, and telling the story throughout the wedding. An expert, professional, n See Picture Perfect Page 5

Mose and Rose Windy Boy ~ June 25, 2016

Lane and Taryn Schmitt ~ July 23, 2016 Photo by Teresa Getten Photography

Shaneen Raining Bird - Hammond & Zachary Hammond Sr. November 10, 2016

Lane Frost and Stephanie Rose Denny October 21, 2016

12

February 2017

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

www.havredailynews.com

Salvador and Christina Rivera ~ August 13, 2016

Dylan and Haley MacLean ~ June 11, 2016

Kevin and Haley Velk ~ May 13, 2016

2

February 2017

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

www.havredailynews.com

Picture perfect Wedding

11

February 2017

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

www.havredailynews.com

By Pam Burke, Havre Daily News

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a bride and groom’s wedding day is an opportunity to say volumes about one of the most important days of the couple’s new life together.

Picking the right photographer and having a clear understanding about what the end-product will be are key elements to capturing the event and preserving those special memories of the day.

Why go with a pro Photographs are a permanent document of your wedding, but more than that, they are among the first treasures of your lifetime together and the company of family of friends who helped you celebrate this life-changing event.

“You hear this time and time again — the one thing that people grab on the way out of their house if there’s a fire is photographs because they’re one of things that are most difficult to replace,” said Steve Helmbrecht, longtime owner and photographer at Helmbrecht Photography in Havre.

Wedding photographs are a key

thread in the fabric of your future and family, said Mary Kaercher, owner of and photographer for Merry Character Photography in Havre.

“My personal belief is that on your wedding day this is the very first day of your legacy,” she said.

Some day in the future your grandchildren will look back on those photos and see not just where their family started, but also a glimpse of who you were and are, Kaercher added.

And hopefully, said Teresa Getten, a 15-year photography veteran who is starting Teresa Getten Photography in Havre, the photos capture the wedding tale on the day, along with the family and friends who share in the life event.

“I like to make sure the story is told from beginning to end,” she said, adding, “That’s kind of the most important thing is knowing when to shoot it and where to shoot it, where the composition is, and telling the story throughout the wedding. An expert, professional, n See Picture Perfect Page 5

Mose and Rose Windy Boy ~ June 25, 2016

Lane and Taryn Schmitt ~ July 23, 2016 Photo by Teresa Getten Photography

Shaneen Raining Bird - Hammond & Zachary Hammond Sr. November 10, 2016

Lane Frost and Stephanie Rose Denny October 21, 2016

10

February 2017

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

After the Wedding Checklist o Return all rented tuxedoes. o Return all rented equipment. o Return all borrowed accessories. o Write thank-you cards. o Preserve your bridal bouquet. o Send your wedding gown to the cleaners and have it sealed in a vacuum bag or box. o Decide on filing taxes jointly or separately, and update your tax forms at work.

o Add your spouse to your employer's health insurance. o Make your spouse the beneficiary of any retirement and 401(k) plans. o Purchase life insurance. o Start financial planning and consider meeting with an accountant and financial advisor for strategies that fit your goals as a married couple.

Name Change Check List o SOCIAL SECURITY CARD o DRIVER'S LICENSE o PASSPORT o BANK ACCOUNTS o CREDIT CARDS o SAFE DEPOSIT BOX o INVESTMENTS o LOANS o WILL o PROPERTY TITLES o UTILITY COMPANIES

o POST OFFICE o MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS o CAR REGISTRATION o INSURANCE POLICIES o VOTER REGISTRATION o DOCTORS o DENTIST o EMPLOYEE RECORDS o SCHOOL RECORDS o CLUB MEMBERSHIPS o ANYONE WHO BILLS YOU

www.havredailynews.com

How to Publish Your

Engagement & Wedding Announcement In The Havre Daily News

Use this guide to help you format your announcement to be published on Fridays in the Havre Daily News Community section. Deadline is 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, prior to the requested Friday publication.

Engagement announcement suggested content: Full name of bride-to-be and groom-to-be, bride's parents' names and city, groom's parents' names and city, bride's education and year(s) of graduation, bride's employment and city, groom's education and year(s) of graduation, groom's employment and city, wedding date and location, couple's future home city.

Wedding announcement suggested content: Full maiden name of bride, full name of groom, noting if the bride is keeping her maiden name; wedding date, time and location; bride's and groom's parents' names and city; first and last name and title of officiant; name and city of maid or matron of honor, of best man; name and city of bridesmaids and groomsmen, flower girl, ringbearer, candlelighters, ushers and musicians; location of reception and hosts; bride's and groom's education and year(s) of graduation; bride's and groom's employer and city; honeymoon location; and couple's new home city.

Call 406-265-6795 with any questions or for more info.

You may submit your photo and announcement these ways: Deliver in person: 119 Second Street, Havre, MT 59501 Email: smantle@havredailynews.com Mail: P.O. Box 431, Havre, MT 59501 Fax: 406-265-6798

3

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

February 2017

www.havredailynews.com

How to file for a marriage in Montana

By Tim Leeds, Havre Daily News

One part of the often-lengthy planning in holding a wedding has fairly simple requirements in Montana: to receive a marriage license, people need to fill out an application with a clerk of District Court in the state, swear the information is true, pay the $53 fee and either have a blood test completed or sign a waiver of that requirement, then get married within six months.

The only major change this year is the ruling by federal courts that same-sex marriage is legal in Montana. The requirements are still all the same. On the state application, everything is gender neutral and now refers to applicants as spouse 1 and spouse 2.

While people in Montana can have a common-law marriage, going through the official steps can save some trouble later on. Commonlaw marriages result from actions of a couple — typically living together as husband and wife while of legal age and not being legally married to someone else — holding themselves forth as a married couple and having an agreement to be married, says a brochure by Montana Legal Services Association.

But common-law marriages have been known to cause troubles with applying for or receiving insurance or Social Security benefits and other issues because of a lack of a license to prove a marriage exists.

In Montana, people also can be married without a ceremony by filing a written declaration of marriage with a clerk of court. Even that could cause problems depending on whether it would be recognized under rules in other states, including by insurance companies.

The requirements in Montana to apply for a marriage license are fairly simple and straightforward. Residents of the state don’t even have to apply for marriage in the county where the ceremony will be performed.

A license issued in Hill County, for example, can be used in any Montana county.

If neither party to the marriage is a resident of the state, Montana Code Annotated says that the license may be obtained from the clerk of court in the county where the ceremony will be performed. If one person is a nonresident, that person’s section of the application may be completed before an official authorized to accept such applications in the county and state where the party resides, the law states.

The application is fairly simple, requiring information including the names of the par-

ties, their residence and address, names of the parents and their birthplaces, race, education and information about any previous marriage and its termination.

The participants are required to swear under oath that the information provided is true, and state law specifies that the parties must pay the filing fee.

The law requires that the parties applying provide satisfactory proof that they will be at least 18 years old when the license is issued, or will be 16 and have judicial approval of the marriage, generally with the consent of the parties’ parents. The parties must also be able to provide proof that their marriage is not prohibited under state law, such as a marriage between first cousins or an uncle and a niece.

Montana law does specify that the woman applying for a marriage license must submit a blood test confirming immunity to rubella, but also allows the parties of the marriage to request a waiver of the requirement after reading information about the need to ensure rubella immunity to protect any children conceived. Infection of a woman with the rubella

virus during early pregnancy can lead to complictions with the pregnancy or a variety of congenital defects, the waiver reads.

The marriage must take place within 180 days of the application being completed, though there is no waiting period before the ceremony can take place, a change in former law. Previous Montana law required a threeday waiting period before the marriage could take place.

Once the marriage is completed and the license issued, it is kept on record both in the county where it was filed and on the state level.

Another issue people might need to remember is taken care of after the marriage: making sure any name changes are on record.

If a name is changed due to marriage — such as the woman taking the family name of the husband — it is important that the change is recorded by any agencies or entities that need to know. That would include the Social Security Administration, for recording income and issuing benefits; insurance companies; bank and other financial accounts including mortgages, and making sure names — and addresses — are correct on driver’s licenses, passports and other identification, as well as any other documents or entities that require a name to be on file.

Tips for a special mother/son dance (METRO) — Weddings celebrate the unions of happy couples ready to pledge their lives to each other. In theory, the wedding day spotlight should be shared equally by brides and grooms. But brides often eclipse their grooms, as guests are drawn to stunning bridal gowns.

Though grooms might play second fiddle for much of their wedding days, there is one

moment when all eyes are on the groom and a special lady in his life. The mother/son dance is a wedding tradition that many grooms embrace as their opportunity to show their mothers how much they love and appreciate them. The mother/son dance is an ideal t i m e t o c re a t e a s p e c i a l moment, and the following are some tips to personalize the dance.

• Precede the bride and her father. Make your own tradition and switch up the timing of the dances. Be the first to take a spin on the dance floor and set the tone for the other traditional songs to come.

• Create a photo montage.

Work with an entertainment company or photographer to create a slideshow of images showing you and your mother together and separately. If pos-

sible, include some photos that were shot during the wedding ceremony, asking the photographer to capture the look on your mother’s face during pivotal moments of the ceremony.

• Show off your dance skills.

One increasingly popular wedding trend is for fathers and brides to choreograph the father/daughter dances.

Grooms and their mothers can follow suit, particularly if you

both have some stellar dance moves.

• Let Mom choose the song.

Give your mother the opportunity to express her sentiments to you, as mothers of the groom do not typically toast their sons during weddings or even rehearsal dinners.

• Invite other son/mother duos up. If the idea of dancing alone with your mother is a bit intimidating, give other moth-

ers in attendance an opportunity to share the spotlight.

Celebrate all mothers in attendance, encouraging any mothers and sons who are present to dance together.

Grooms may not garner the bulk of guests’ attention on their wedding days. But they can take steps to make their special dances with their mothers more memorable and unique.

4

February 2017

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

www.havredailynews.com

Tax tips for newly

married couples (BPT) — In most parts of the country, the months of June, August, September and October are the most popular for weddings. Whether recently married or anxiously counting the days until you tie the knot, there are some important tax implications that you and your spouse can't afford to overlook.

"In between the flurry of wedding planning, dress shopping and bridal showers, few engaged couples stop to think about how getting married will affect their income taxes," explained TaxAct spokesperson, Shaunna Morgan. "While it's important to understand the tax consequences, keep in mind that you can still do your own taxes. TaxAct, a leading DIY tax solution, asks simple questions about life events like marriage to guide you through the tax implications and help you get all of your deductions to maximize your refund."

Name changes Your name(s) and Social Security number(s) are critical elements of your tax return.

Both identifiers must exactly match the information the Social Security Administration has on file. That means if you legally change your name after you get married, the SSA needs to know.

To get a Social Security card with your new name, you'll need to provide proof of identity, such as a marriage certificate, fill out an application and either mail it or deliver it in person to your local SSA office.

You'll want to do this long

before you file your income tax return.

New address If you're moving, remember to report your new address to the IRS. The fastest way to make the change is to complete Form 8822 available at www.irs.gov.

New filing status Once you've said, "I do," you'll have the option to claim one of two filing statuses on tax returns: married filing jointly or married filing separately. If you and your spouse each earn an income, consider running the numbers to determine if you have a lower combined tax by filing one way versus the other. Some tax software packages do the calculations for you so it's easier to make an informed decision when selecting a filing status. TaxAct Deluxe, for example, gives users a Joint vs. Separate Analysis report that does all the calculations on estimated refund amounts for each filing status.

For many couples, married filing jointly results in lower income tax liability.

Keep in mind that no matter when in the year you get married, you are considered married for the full year. Even if your big day is Dec. 31, you will have a married status in the eyes of the IRS for the entirety of that tax year.

Changing your tax withholding Any time you have a life change you should revisit your Form W-4. Getting married is

definitely one of those times. If both you and your spouse work, you'll likely have a higher combined income, which may put you into a higher tax bracket. In order to ensure the right amount of withholding, you'll want to update your Form W-4.

Affordable Care Act premium tax credit If you or your spouse receive health insurance through a government-sponsored marketplace and receive advance payments of the premium tax credit to help offset the cost of your premiums, you'll want to review your coverage after the wedding, and notify the marketplace of your newly married status. Reporting this change will help you avoid having too much or too little premium assistance paid and ultimately, help you steer clear of owing additional money or getting a small refund when you file your taxes. If you elect to keep your coverage "as is," separate from your spouse, or wish to add your spouse to your coverage, you should notify the marketplace of your special changes in coverage. If you elect to go under your spouse's health plan, be sure to cancel your marketplace coverage.

Health insurance laws are in flux this year, so be sure to check with your insurance agent about requirements ond coverage options.

For more information, visit www.irs.gov and www.taxact. com/taxinfo.

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THE BRIDAL GUIDE

February 2017

www.havredailynews.com

Hi-Line wedding Venues

By Paul Dragu, Havre Daily News

From churches to golf courses to Beaver Creek Park, when it comes to wedding venues, there’s no shortage of options on the Hi-Line.

The Hansen Family Campground, located about 10 miles east of Havre, is one of the newer venue options.

Paul and Mandy Hansen completed a campground renovation a few years ago and part of that renovation is a large 60-by-64-foot red barn, which allows room for several tables and chairs.

The barn is surrounded by plenty of space to take some the ceremony

or festivities outside, too. Co-owner Paul Hansen said another great option about using the campground barn for a wedding is that guests can camp out on the grounds for the weekend. The campground can accommodate 21 campers.

Beaver Creek Park offers couples thousand of acres to have a wedding on. Any campground can be used for a wedding, a park employee said, but the Eagles Campground and the Railroad Pagers campground are the only ones that have electricity.

A popular option is the Beaver

Lodge at Camp Kiwanis, which includes a hall. Camp Kiwanis takes reservations up to two years in advance and is a popular venue for all types of celebrations so should be booked as soon as possible.

The Duck Inn’s upstairs Olympic Room not only provides a venue, but also catering. This is another venue that is popular for many types of events, so Duck Inn representatives asked that reservations be made no less than six months in advance.

As for churches, Community Alliance is one of many church

options. Pastor Tim Zerger said the church can be used for a “love offering” rate. Those interested in using the church sanctuary are encouraged to call the church for details on options and criteria.

Fifth Avenue Christian Church is a larger church venue option. The sanctuary can accommodate anywhere between 250 to 300 guests and has the option of a premium sound system. Other options are a large dining hall with a full size kitchen, for those who want to have the reception there as well. Those who

are interested can call the church secretary for details and discuss details with the coordinator.

Beaver Creek Golf Course only has a few slots left for the summer of 2017.

People are required to book at least six months in advance, and the kitchen staff can prepare just about anything if the couple wants the reception catered, the owners have said. Wedding ceremonies can be held on the course as well as in the clubhouse, but receptions are in the clubhouse.

Newlyweds: Money-saving tips for your first move together (BPT) — With the average wedding costing upwards of $30,000, starting your new life together takes a lot of careful budgeting. After you've finished paying for the flowers, reception hall, caterer, photographer and everything else related to your big day, you may not have much money left over when it comes time to move into a new home together. However, managing your move can be your first big DIY home project together, and it's one that's very doable on a budget.

Whether you're moving in together for the first time or moving up from a smaller apartment to the home where you'll start your married life, you can save money and make your move go smoothly with a few tips:

Streamline If you were both living on your own before marriage, you probably have duplicate items you won't need, such as two sets of pots and pans, dishes, glassware and furniture. You also likely received some wedding gifts that can replace old stuff.

Don't take things you don't need with you to your new home.

Instead, streamline by selling or donating excess stuff. Selling unneeded items can put some money in your pocket when you need it most. Or, donating goods

can help you get a tax credit for charitable contributions when you file your taxes next year.

Hold on to gift cards If you received gift cards for your wedding, you might be tempted to spend them right away. However, every item you buy before the move is one more thing you'll have to pack and haul. Put off using gift cards until after the move, when you can use them to help decorate or furnish your new home.

Line up your moving truck Renting a truck and doing your own packing and driving are great ways to save money on your move. If you're moving from a small apartment or condo into a larger home, you probably have less stuff, and a smaller vehicle, such as a 12- or 16-foot Penske rental truck, should be big enough. Generally, moving experts recommend you plan for 150 cubic feet of space for every furnished room you'll be moving. Be sure to reserve your truck at least two weeks in advance, and ask about discounts; Penske Truck Rental offers discounts for AAA members and military personnel.

Pack wisely You'll need multiple sizes of sturdy boxes to pack and protect

your belongings for the move.

Your local truck rental store will have all the packing supplies you need. Start early and pack over time so the job doesn't feel overwhelming. Label each box with the contents and the room where it will go in your new house, tape it securely and it's all ready to go onto the truck on moving day.

Get help Moving day is a great excuse for a party! Ask friends over to help, and when the job is done treat everyone to take-out in your new home. For particularly heavy or fragile items, like an antique armoire or big sectional, it may make sense to hire professionals to help you pack and load those items.

Loading up Loading the truck well maximizes the use of the space and helps protect your belongings while they're in transit. Load the heaviest boxes and items first, placing them on the bottom of the truck. Next, load lighter items and boxes on top. Rental companies can offer tips on stacking and securing loads, and Penske's Truck Wizard app helps plan how best to pack the truck.

Drive safely Your move may be the first time you've driven a vehicle larg-

er than an SUV. Safely driving a moving truck takes some caution, such as using your mirrors to help navigate turns, avoiding abrupt stops or lane changes,

and setting the emergency brake every time you park. For more tips on driving a moving truck, visit pensketruckrental.com.

Moving into your first new

home together can be an exciting experience. With some planning and care, you can accomplish your move smoothly and on budget.

8

February 2017

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

www.havredailynews.com

Make proposals special and successful (METRO) — A marriage proposals is a couple’s first official step toward the altar. Tradition dictates that men pop the question, with their surprised — and hopefully soon-to-be-fiancées — ultimately deciding if wedding bells will be on the horizon.

Proposing marriage can be nervewracking. However, if the time seems right and love is in the air, popping the question can be exciting. Regardless of who is proposing marriage, the following strategies can help make proposals memorable and successful.

Turn the tides An old Irish tradition known as “The Lady’s Privilege” was established in the fifth century by a nun named St. Brigid.

She decided to create an opportunity for women to propose marriage. This day fell on every leap year, February 29.

Centuries later, women can still use this tradition as the impetus to take the marriage reins into their own hands. But women need not wait for the next leap

year to propose.

Many women view proposing as an empowering action that is tied to the evolving view of independent women.

Couples are negotiating more in the marriage process, and the dissolution of commonly held practices is occurring more often.

Choose a sentimental location Couples will remember the proposal for the rest of their lives. So choose a proposal location that has sentimental connections. Think about where the first “I love you” was uttered or where a first date occurred. These can be prime locations to pop the question.

Note her style Engagement rings play a big role in many couples’ proposals. One person’s style is not necessarily what his partner will like. Bigger isn’t always better.

Rather, choose a ring that reflects your partner’s preferences and personality.

5

■ From Page 2 wedding photographer knows what pictures to take.”

With a little leg work and some forethought, you can assure that you will get the right wedding photographer who will capture the special moments with beautiful photos that compliment the occasion.

Ask for the family’s blessing

What to look for

Capture the moment Though we live in an age when every moment of people’s lives is documented with videos and photographs posted to social media, proposals still stand out as extra special moments. Hire a professional photographer to discreetly capture the proposal and your partner’s reaction so it can be cherished for years to come.

www.havredailynews.com

Picture Perfect: Kaercher recommends booking the venue or the photographer first, whichever is the priority

Take your partner jewelry shopping and see which types of jewelry he or she is most drawn to. Certain preferences can serve as a jumping off point for ring designs.

Men no longer need to ask their girlfriends’ fathers for “permission” to wed their daughters. However, asking your partner’s family for their blessing is a sign of respect and can add a romantic and heartfelt touch to the proposal.

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

February 2017

Helmbrecht, Kaercher and Getten talked about the following points that will help couples pick a wedding photographer.

• Have a budget set prior to meeting with a photographer and some understanding of what you want for numbers of photos and what events will be photographed. Ask what kinds of service packages and products the photographer offers, such as a package deal with engagement photos and a bridal shoot prior to the wedding day along with wedding day photos, or products such as customized “save the date” cards, large photo canvases and a slide show for the wedding or reception.

Helmbrecht emphasized the importance of getting an album of the event along with the digital images.

“They should expect to get some kind of permanent record, and the best permanent record is a photographic picture, so there’s no question the most viable document of their wedding is a wedding album,” he said, adding that if you only have digital images, it’s easy to lose your photos, whether it’s from something happening to the image storing device, or the evolution of technology.

• Research the photographer’s work, even ask to talk to some of the other brides the photographer has worked with to get a description of their experience with this person.

Professional photographers will put their best photos on display in their studio and online because that’s just good business, Kaercher said, but ask to see the whole gallery of photographs taken for some wedding shoots to get a clearer idea of the full body of what you will be buying.

• Look for quality. That means photos are color corrected, with prints on quality paper with industrial inks, Helmbrecht said. Called giclee prints, these photos are fine art quality digital prints made on inkjet printers. The quality of the giclee prints is on par with traditional processes and commonly found in museums, art galleries and photo galleries.

And if you are buying products like invitations, albums or guest sign-in books, ask to see those products rather than just photos of them.

• Find a photographer whose style matches your own or your vision for the wedding.

Helmbrecht said he likes to get traditional photos for the parents and contemporary shots for the couple’s style.

Most professional photographers can do a range of styles, Kaercher said, but some things

might be outside a particular photographer’s wheelhouse. She added as an example that she tends more toward a fun-loving style, so if the couple wants an artistically darker edginess to their photo style she would have to recommend another photographer.

Getten said her degree and work in photojournalism, including formerly working for the Havre Daily News, feed into her natural editorial style of capturing moments as they happen and even working for posed shots not to look overly posed.

• Figure out whether or not you have a rapport with photographer, also.

“I always suggest to meet your wedding photographer in person,” Getten said, “because the photographer more than anybody — or any other professional at the wedding — is going to be there, right next to the bride and groom the entire night. So you have to be able to get along with their personality and you have to have a similar style.”

Kaercher said that engagement photo sessions can improve the experience of the wedding day shoot — when nerves and excitement can affect the day and the working relationship with the photographer.

“Most of my packages include an engagement session which I think are really, super important to have with your photographer even if you don’t need the engagement pictures,” she said. “… It’s so important to have that moment with your photographer to understand how they work, how they pose you, how you work together.”

Some photographers, like Kaercher, prefer to sit down with the couple and map out a schedule for wedding day photos so people know when to be on hand and to make sure everyone gets a break. And others, like Getten, like to leave the schedule more open and allow time to capture the spontaneous moments and to remain flexible in case of changes or problems.

• Remember that a destination wedding doesn't mean you can’t still work with a local photographer. Photographers generally have a local range they will travel at no added expense and many will do destination shoots, billing the clients for agreed-on travel expenses.

• And know exactly what you are getting for your money. Kaercher recommends having a contract. This guarantees what you are getting and what days you will be meeting, how much the photo sessions will cost, what products you will get, how many photos you will get, whether or not a second photographer will be on hand, and more.

Last thoughts One of the most important things to remember, the experts said, is to book your photographer at least six months in advance.

Helmbrecht said that if your wedding is during a popular time of year, booking a photographer up to one year in advance might be

best.

“Obviously, the spring and the fall are the most popular times, and you just never know (when a photographer is going to be busy) because there are people who get married on Valentine’s, too,” he said. But it helps to find and book a photographer early, “especially if they’re in one of those popular times.”

Kaercher, who already has two bookings for 2018, said the couple has a lot of vendors and at least one venue, if not two, to book, so they should look at what their must-have element is and book that first.

“We always say, pick your venue because your venue will really decide whether you can get the date or not, but then your next step, I say, is call your photographer, but of the two, whatever you want most call first,” Kaercher

said.

When the time comes for a photo session, Getten said, whether it is for engagement, bridal, wedding day or a post-wedding “trash the dress” shot, leave plenty of time for fixing hair and makeup and “whatever you want to do to make yourself feel beautiful and comfortable.”

She also recommended getting plenty of sleep the night before and eating at least a snack because it is hard to smile and look happy when you are hungry and tired.

All the work put into finding the right wedding photographer pays off not just on the wedding day, but potentially into future generations. n See Picture Perfect Page 7

6

February 2017

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

www.havredailynews.com

The Normandy Wedding A traditional proposal

Brett and Shelby Normandy met in high school and were married July 23 at Camp Kiwanis in Beaver Creek Park.

“We started dating, all the way through high school and through college. Right before I got into nursing school, he asked for my hand in marriage from my father first, and then me,” Shelby said.

Brett not only asked permission to marry her, Shelby said, but he also asked permission from her father when they first started dating.

It’s just the way he does things, she said, of Brett.

The Normandys booked Camp Kiwanis two years in advance. They wanted a campout wedding.

“We had friends and family bring their campers and stuff. People who wanted to stay in town stayed in town, but quite a bit of people stayed at the campground,” she

said.

The weekend started on a blowy Friday.

“The night before it was crazy windy, like during the rehearsal dinner. We had one of the big tents, and we had to pull my father-inlaw’s pickup to pull the tent so it wouldn’t blow over,” she said.

They didn't keep track of the exact number, but Shelby said anywhere from 200 to 300 people attended the wedding.

Although it had been a rainy year, Shelby’s biggest concern was the wind would ruin the ceremony.

The lodge had been prepared in case the weather would prevent an outside ceremony. But all along, she wanted the outside wedding.

And when the time came, she said — as if divinely scripted — the wind halted just in time.

“It was beautiful,” she said. “The wind stopped 15 minutes before the

By Paul Dragu, Havre Daily News

ceremony. It was perfect.”

The groomsmen, in jeans and gray shirts, and the bridesmaids in purple dresses, filed in to their respective places and family friend and local pastor Kevin Barsotti married Brett and Shelby Normandy.

For the reception, which took place inside the hall and lodge, they had food, music and dance.

The cuisine matched the setting of their summer campout wedding — pulled pork and homemade buns, varieties of salads and a large fruit display Shelby said her aunt made.

The DJ played mostly ‘80s country and some casual ‘90s music.

“It was a wide variety — it’s whoever really wanted music went up there and said: ‘Hey, do you have this song?’ and he played it,” Shelby said.

“I was happy with the outcome of the wedding,” she said.

7

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

February 2017

Picture Perfect: After the ceremony has ended, the photos will still bring the day to life ■ From Page 7 “It truly is one of the most important events of their life. After the cake is eaten, after all the presents are used, years and years down the line, the one thing that perseveres is their photographs. They should just keep that in mind,” Helmbrecht said. “Twenty-four hours after the ceremo-

ny, the flowers are gone, the cake is gone.

It’s the one element, the one document of their wedding that is, hopefully, going to be with them for the rest of their lives.”

—— (Helmbrecht Photography is located at 224 4th Ave. and online at www.helm-

Photo by Merry Character Photography - Un-Edited Version

Brett & Shelby Normandy July 23, 2016 Camp Kiwanis in Beaver Creek Park

Photos by Merry Character Photography

www.havredailynews.com

brecht.com, Merry Character Photography can be found online at www.merrycharacters.com, on Facebook and Instagram; and Teresa Getten Photography is in the 305 Building on 3rd Avenue and will be online at www.teresagettenphotography.com.)

Mary Kaercher Photography Mary Kaercher of Merry Character Photography said she does most of her editing adjustments in the camera during the shoot, but provided these before, left, and after, right, photos to show how professional editing can fine-tune already good photo quality, in this case with the lighting and contrast.

Photo by Merry Character Photography - Edited Version

6

February 2017

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

www.havredailynews.com

The Normandy Wedding A traditional proposal

Brett and Shelby Normandy met in high school and were married July 23 at Camp Kiwanis in Beaver Creek Park.

“We started dating, all the way through high school and through college. Right before I got into nursing school, he asked for my hand in marriage from my father first, and then me,” Shelby said.

Brett not only asked permission to marry her, Shelby said, but he also asked permission from her father when they first started dating.

It’s just the way he does things, she said, of Brett.

The Normandys booked Camp Kiwanis two years in advance. They wanted a campout wedding.

“We had friends and family bring their campers and stuff. People who wanted to stay in town stayed in town, but quite a bit of people stayed at the campground,” she

said.

The weekend started on a blowy Friday.

“The night before it was crazy windy, like during the rehearsal dinner. We had one of the big tents, and we had to pull my father-inlaw’s pickup to pull the tent so it wouldn’t blow over,” she said.

They didn't keep track of the exact number, but Shelby said anywhere from 200 to 300 people attended the wedding.

Although it had been a rainy year, Shelby’s biggest concern was the wind would ruin the ceremony.

The lodge had been prepared in case the weather would prevent an outside ceremony. But all along, she wanted the outside wedding.

And when the time came, she said — as if divinely scripted — the wind halted just in time.

“It was beautiful,” she said. “The wind stopped 15 minutes before the

By Paul Dragu, Havre Daily News

ceremony. It was perfect.”

The groomsmen, in jeans and gray shirts, and the bridesmaids in purple dresses, filed in to their respective places and family friend and local pastor Kevin Barsotti married Brett and Shelby Normandy.

For the reception, which took place inside the hall and lodge, they had food, music and dance.

The cuisine matched the setting of their summer campout wedding — pulled pork and homemade buns, varieties of salads and a large fruit display Shelby said her aunt made.

The DJ played mostly ‘80s country and some casual ‘90s music.

“It was a wide variety — it’s whoever really wanted music went up there and said: ‘Hey, do you have this song?’ and he played it,” Shelby said.

“I was happy with the outcome of the wedding,” she said.

7

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

February 2017

Picture Perfect: After the ceremony has ended, the photos will still bring the day to life ■ From Page 7 “It truly is one of the most important events of their life. After the cake is eaten, after all the presents are used, years and years down the line, the one thing that perseveres is their photographs. They should just keep that in mind,” Helmbrecht said. “Twenty-four hours after the ceremo-

ny, the flowers are gone, the cake is gone.

It’s the one element, the one document of their wedding that is, hopefully, going to be with them for the rest of their lives.”

—— (Helmbrecht Photography is located at 224 4th Ave. and online at www.helm-

Photo by Merry Character Photography - Un-Edited Version

Brett & Shelby Normandy July 23, 2016 Camp Kiwanis in Beaver Creek Park

Photos by Merry Character Photography

www.havredailynews.com

brecht.com, Merry Character Photography can be found online at www.merrycharacters.com, on Facebook and Instagram; and Teresa Getten Photography is in the 305 Building on 3rd Avenue and will be online at www.teresagettenphotography.com.)

Mary Kaercher Photography Mary Kaercher of Merry Character Photography said she does most of her editing adjustments in the camera during the shoot, but provided these before, left, and after, right, photos to show how professional editing can fine-tune already good photo quality, in this case with the lighting and contrast.

Photo by Merry Character Photography - Edited Version

8

February 2017

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

www.havredailynews.com

Make proposals special and successful (METRO) — A marriage proposals is a couple’s first official step toward the altar. Tradition dictates that men pop the question, with their surprised — and hopefully soon-to-be-fiancées — ultimately deciding if wedding bells will be on the horizon.

Proposing marriage can be nervewracking. However, if the time seems right and love is in the air, popping the question can be exciting. Regardless of who is proposing marriage, the following strategies can help make proposals memorable and successful.

Turn the tides An old Irish tradition known as “The Lady’s Privilege” was established in the fifth century by a nun named St. Brigid.

She decided to create an opportunity for women to propose marriage. This day fell on every leap year, February 29.

Centuries later, women can still use this tradition as the impetus to take the marriage reins into their own hands. But women need not wait for the next leap

year to propose.

Many women view proposing as an empowering action that is tied to the evolving view of independent women.

Couples are negotiating more in the marriage process, and the dissolution of commonly held practices is occurring more often.

Choose a sentimental location Couples will remember the proposal for the rest of their lives. So choose a proposal location that has sentimental connections. Think about where the first “I love you” was uttered or where a first date occurred. These can be prime locations to pop the question.

Note her style Engagement rings play a big role in many couples’ proposals. One person’s style is not necessarily what his partner will like. Bigger isn’t always better.

Rather, choose a ring that reflects your partner’s preferences and personality.

5

■ From Page 2 wedding photographer knows what pictures to take.”

With a little leg work and some forethought, you can assure that you will get the right wedding photographer who will capture the special moments with beautiful photos that compliment the occasion.

Ask for the family’s blessing

What to look for

Capture the moment Though we live in an age when every moment of people’s lives is documented with videos and photographs posted to social media, proposals still stand out as extra special moments. Hire a professional photographer to discreetly capture the proposal and your partner’s reaction so it can be cherished for years to come.

www.havredailynews.com

Picture Perfect: Kaercher recommends booking the venue or the photographer first, whichever is the priority

Take your partner jewelry shopping and see which types of jewelry he or she is most drawn to. Certain preferences can serve as a jumping off point for ring designs.

Men no longer need to ask their girlfriends’ fathers for “permission” to wed their daughters. However, asking your partner’s family for their blessing is a sign of respect and can add a romantic and heartfelt touch to the proposal.

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

February 2017

Helmbrecht, Kaercher and Getten talked about the following points that will help couples pick a wedding photographer.

• Have a budget set prior to meeting with a photographer and some understanding of what you want for numbers of photos and what events will be photographed. Ask what kinds of service packages and products the photographer offers, such as a package deal with engagement photos and a bridal shoot prior to the wedding day along with wedding day photos, or products such as customized “save the date” cards, large photo canvases and a slide show for the wedding or reception.

Helmbrecht emphasized the importance of getting an album of the event along with the digital images.

“They should expect to get some kind of permanent record, and the best permanent record is a photographic picture, so there’s no question the most viable document of their wedding is a wedding album,” he said, adding that if you only have digital images, it’s easy to lose your photos, whether it’s from something happening to the image storing device, or the evolution of technology.

• Research the photographer’s work, even ask to talk to some of the other brides the photographer has worked with to get a description of their experience with this person.

Professional photographers will put their best photos on display in their studio and online because that’s just good business, Kaercher said, but ask to see the whole gallery of photographs taken for some wedding shoots to get a clearer idea of the full body of what you will be buying.

• Look for quality. That means photos are color corrected, with prints on quality paper with industrial inks, Helmbrecht said. Called giclee prints, these photos are fine art quality digital prints made on inkjet printers. The quality of the giclee prints is on par with traditional processes and commonly found in museums, art galleries and photo galleries.

And if you are buying products like invitations, albums or guest sign-in books, ask to see those products rather than just photos of them.

• Find a photographer whose style matches your own or your vision for the wedding.

Helmbrecht said he likes to get traditional photos for the parents and contemporary shots for the couple’s style.

Most professional photographers can do a range of styles, Kaercher said, but some things

might be outside a particular photographer’s wheelhouse. She added as an example that she tends more toward a fun-loving style, so if the couple wants an artistically darker edginess to their photo style she would have to recommend another photographer.

Getten said her degree and work in photojournalism, including formerly working for the Havre Daily News, feed into her natural editorial style of capturing moments as they happen and even working for posed shots not to look overly posed.

• Figure out whether or not you have a rapport with photographer, also.

“I always suggest to meet your wedding photographer in person,” Getten said, “because the photographer more than anybody — or any other professional at the wedding — is going to be there, right next to the bride and groom the entire night. So you have to be able to get along with their personality and you have to have a similar style.”

Kaercher said that engagement photo sessions can improve the experience of the wedding day shoot — when nerves and excitement can affect the day and the working relationship with the photographer.

“Most of my packages include an engagement session which I think are really, super important to have with your photographer even if you don’t need the engagement pictures,” she said. “… It’s so important to have that moment with your photographer to understand how they work, how they pose you, how you work together.”

Some photographers, like Kaercher, prefer to sit down with the couple and map out a schedule for wedding day photos so people know when to be on hand and to make sure everyone gets a break. And others, like Getten, like to leave the schedule more open and allow time to capture the spontaneous moments and to remain flexible in case of changes or problems.

• Remember that a destination wedding doesn't mean you can’t still work with a local photographer. Photographers generally have a local range they will travel at no added expense and many will do destination shoots, billing the clients for agreed-on travel expenses.

• And know exactly what you are getting for your money. Kaercher recommends having a contract. This guarantees what you are getting and what days you will be meeting, how much the photo sessions will cost, what products you will get, how many photos you will get, whether or not a second photographer will be on hand, and more.

Last thoughts One of the most important things to remember, the experts said, is to book your photographer at least six months in advance.

Helmbrecht said that if your wedding is during a popular time of year, booking a photographer up to one year in advance might be

best.

“Obviously, the spring and the fall are the most popular times, and you just never know (when a photographer is going to be busy) because there are people who get married on Valentine’s, too,” he said. But it helps to find and book a photographer early, “especially if they’re in one of those popular times.”

Kaercher, who already has two bookings for 2018, said the couple has a lot of vendors and at least one venue, if not two, to book, so they should look at what their must-have element is and book that first.

“We always say, pick your venue because your venue will really decide whether you can get the date or not, but then your next step, I say, is call your photographer, but of the two, whatever you want most call first,” Kaercher

said.

When the time comes for a photo session, Getten said, whether it is for engagement, bridal, wedding day or a post-wedding “trash the dress” shot, leave plenty of time for fixing hair and makeup and “whatever you want to do to make yourself feel beautiful and comfortable.”

She also recommended getting plenty of sleep the night before and eating at least a snack because it is hard to smile and look happy when you are hungry and tired.

All the work put into finding the right wedding photographer pays off not just on the wedding day, but potentially into future generations. n See Picture Perfect Page 7

4

February 2017

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

www.havredailynews.com

Tax tips for newly

married couples (BPT) — In most parts of the country, the months of June, August, September and October are the most popular for weddings. Whether recently married or anxiously counting the days until you tie the knot, there are some important tax implications that you and your spouse can't afford to overlook.

"In between the flurry of wedding planning, dress shopping and bridal showers, few engaged couples stop to think about how getting married will affect their income taxes," explained TaxAct spokesperson, Shaunna Morgan. "While it's important to understand the tax consequences, keep in mind that you can still do your own taxes. TaxAct, a leading DIY tax solution, asks simple questions about life events like marriage to guide you through the tax implications and help you get all of your deductions to maximize your refund."

Name changes Your name(s) and Social Security number(s) are critical elements of your tax return.

Both identifiers must exactly match the information the Social Security Administration has on file. That means if you legally change your name after you get married, the SSA needs to know.

To get a Social Security card with your new name, you'll need to provide proof of identity, such as a marriage certificate, fill out an application and either mail it or deliver it in person to your local SSA office.

You'll want to do this long

before you file your income tax return.

New address If you're moving, remember to report your new address to the IRS. The fastest way to make the change is to complete Form 8822 available at www.irs.gov.

New filing status Once you've said, "I do," you'll have the option to claim one of two filing statuses on tax returns: married filing jointly or married filing separately. If you and your spouse each earn an income, consider running the numbers to determine if you have a lower combined tax by filing one way versus the other. Some tax software packages do the calculations for you so it's easier to make an informed decision when selecting a filing status. TaxAct Deluxe, for example, gives users a Joint vs. Separate Analysis report that does all the calculations on estimated refund amounts for each filing status.

For many couples, married filing jointly results in lower income tax liability.

Keep in mind that no matter when in the year you get married, you are considered married for the full year. Even if your big day is Dec. 31, you will have a married status in the eyes of the IRS for the entirety of that tax year.

Changing your tax withholding Any time you have a life change you should revisit your Form W-4. Getting married is

definitely one of those times. If both you and your spouse work, you'll likely have a higher combined income, which may put you into a higher tax bracket. In order to ensure the right amount of withholding, you'll want to update your Form W-4.

Affordable Care Act premium tax credit If you or your spouse receive health insurance through a government-sponsored marketplace and receive advance payments of the premium tax credit to help offset the cost of your premiums, you'll want to review your coverage after the wedding, and notify the marketplace of your newly married status. Reporting this change will help you avoid having too much or too little premium assistance paid and ultimately, help you steer clear of owing additional money or getting a small refund when you file your taxes. If you elect to keep your coverage "as is," separate from your spouse, or wish to add your spouse to your coverage, you should notify the marketplace of your special changes in coverage. If you elect to go under your spouse's health plan, be sure to cancel your marketplace coverage.

Health insurance laws are in flux this year, so be sure to check with your insurance agent about requirements ond coverage options.

For more information, visit www.irs.gov and www.taxact. com/taxinfo.

9

THE BRIDAL GUIDE

February 2017

www.havredailynews.com

Hi-Line wedding Venues

By Paul Dragu, Havre Daily News

From churches to golf courses to Beaver Creek Park, when it comes to wedding venues, there’s no shortage of options on the Hi-Line.

The Hansen Family Campground, located about 10 miles east of Havre, is one of the newer venue options.

Paul and Mandy Hansen completed a campground renovation a few years ago and part of that renovation is a large 60-by-64-foot red barn, which allows room for several tables and chairs.

The barn is surrounded by plenty of space to take some the ceremony

or festivities outside, too. Co-owner Paul Hansen said another great option about using the campground barn for a wedding is that guests can camp out on the grounds for the weekend. The campground can accommodate 21 campers.

Beaver Creek Park offers couples thousand of acres to have a wedding on. Any campground can be used for a wedding, a park employee said, but the Eagles Campground and the Railroad Pagers campground are the only ones that have electricity.

A popular option is the Beaver

Lodge at Camp Kiwanis, which includes a hall. Camp Kiwanis takes reservations up to two years in advance and is a popular venue for all types of celebrations so should be booked as soon as possible.

The Duck Inn’s upstairs Olympic Room not only provides a venue, but also catering. This is another venue that is popular for many types of events, so Duck Inn representatives asked that reservations be made no less than six months in advance.

As for churches, Community Alliance is one of many church

options. Pastor Tim Zerger said the church can be used for a “love offering” rate. Those interested in using the church sanctuary are encouraged to call the church for details on options and criteria.

Fifth Avenue Christian Church is a larger church venue option. The sanctuary can accommodate anywhere between 250 to 300 guests and has the option of a premium sound system. Other options are a large dining hall with a full size kitchen, for those who want to have the reception there as well. Those who

are interested can call the church secretary for details and discuss details with the coordinator.

Beaver Creek Golf Course only has a few slots left for the summer of 2017.

People are required to book at least six months in advance, and the kitchen staff can prepare just about anything if the couple wants the reception catered, the owners have said. Wedding ceremonies can be held on the course as well as in the clubhouse, but receptions are in the clubhouse.

Newlyweds: Money-saving tips for your first move together (BPT) — With the average wedding costing upwards of $30,000, starting your new life together takes a lot of careful budgeting. After you've finished paying for the flowers, reception hall, caterer, photographer and everything else related to your big day, you may not have much money left over when it comes time to move into a new home together. However, managing your move can be your first big DIY home project together, and it's one that's very doable on a budget.

Whether you're moving in together for the first time or moving up from a smaller apartment to the home where you'll start your married life, you can save money and make your move go smoothly with a few tips:

Streamline If you were both living on your own before marriage, you probably have duplicate items you won't need, such as two sets of pots and pans, dishes, glassware and furniture. You also likely received some wedding gifts that can replace old stuff.

Don't take things you don't need with you to your new home.

Instead, streamline by selling or donating excess stuff. Selling unneeded items can put some money in your pocket when you need it most. Or, donating goods

can help you get a tax credit for charitable contributions when you file your taxes next year.

Hold on to gift cards If you received gift cards for your wedding, you might be tempted to spend them right away. However, every item you buy before the move is one more thing you'll have to pack and haul. Put off using gift cards until after the move, when you can use them to help decorate or furnish your new home.

Line up your moving truck Renting a truck and doing your own packing and driving are great ways to save money on your move. If you're moving from a small apartment or condo into a larger home, you probably have less stuff, and a smaller vehicle, such as a 12- or 16-foot Penske rental truck, should be big enough. Generally, moving experts recommend you plan for 150 cubic feet of space for every furnished room you'll be moving. Be sure to reserve your truck at least two weeks in advance, and ask about discounts; Penske Truck Rental offers discounts for AAA members and military personnel.

Pack wisely You'll need multiple sizes of sturdy boxes to pack and protect

your belongings for the move.

Your local truck rental store will have all the packing supplies you need. Start early and pack over time so the job doesn't feel overwhelming. Label each box with the contents and the room where it will go in your new house, tape it securely and it's all ready to go onto the truck on moving day.

Get help Moving day is a great excuse for a party! Ask friends over to help, and when the job is done treat everyone to take-out in your new home. For particularly heavy or fragile items, like an antique armoire or big sectional, it may make sense to hire professionals to help you pack and load those items.

Loading up Loading the truck well maximizes the use of the space and helps protect your belongings while they're in transit. Load the heaviest boxes and items first, placing them on the bottom of the truck. Next, load lighter items and boxes on top. Rental companies can offer tips on stacking and securing loads, and Penske's Truck Wizard app helps plan how best to pack the truck.

Drive safely Your move may be the first time you've driven a vehicle larg-

er than an SUV. Safely driving a moving truck takes some caution, such as using your mirrors to help navigate turns, avoiding abrupt stops or lane changes,

and setting the emergency brake every time you park. For more tips on driving a moving truck, visit pensketruckrental.com.

Moving into your first new

home together can be an exciting experience. With some planning and care, you can accomplish your move smoothly and on budget.