Can you hear him? Can you hear the taxman? Below are a few things brides/grooms (past and present) should make note of.

For those Canadians who were married in 2008 and made a charitable donation in 2008 in lieu of wedding favours/bomboniers, these may be able to go towards your 2008 taxes. Why do I say maybe? Make sure they are indeed acceptable/registered taxable charities.
Canadians: Do a search on your charity.

Donations must be made by December 31st to be claimed against your income for the current year. However, you do not have to claim all of the donations you made this year on your current-year return. You can carry forward any donations you do not claim in the current year and claim them on your return for any of the next five years. You can only claim donations once.

For those Canadian brides/grooms who have decided to donate to a charity, check which charity is registered so you can take advantage of this tax break. Remember, the “Human Fund” is not considered a registered charity

Lastly, if you were married in 2008, you are now required to submit taxes as a couple. “Regardless of when you were married, if on Dec 31, 2008 you were “married” the government considers you married for the entire year for tax purposes”. Source, my accountant.

Disclaimer: I am not qualified to provide tax advice. Please refer to your personal accountant and/or government sources for valid tax recommendations. If I have stated anything that is non-factual, please email me and I will update this post with accurate information.

Recommended sites:

Canada Revenue Agency

Internal Revenue Agency

Canadian Tax Blog

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Authored by Hot Pink Petticoat

That sparkle in your step separates you from everyone else – your wedding should be no different. A Hot Pink Petticoat smoothly weaves your personality, charm and style with our proven creativity, organization and experience. Whether you need complete planning for a weekend-long bash or day-of assistance for an intimate reception, our Toronto-based team has you covered. Best of all, A Hot Pink Petticoat puts couples at ease – our clients don’t worry about their wedding day – they enjoy it!

When you ask the groomsmen to be in your wedding it’s assumed they will be renting tuxedos, usually at their own expense. While rental offers range from $50 to $150, I have personally found most rentals end up averaging $120, and can be as much as $200. Each tux is a different price and most brides & grooms gravitate to the nicer fabrics because they feel and look better, but also cost more. Some stores charge extra for shoes & accessories such as vests. That entry level deal is rarely the out the door price. 

Another option is to buy a tux. The problem is most people won’t have enough occasions over the next 5 to 10 years to justify the cost. After all you may want to wear a 3 button coat to your wedding while the next one is a 2 button. Then you’re back to square one. The point at which it makes sense financially to own a tux is if you will wear it 3 to 4 times a year. Less than that and you are buying one because you want to wear YOUR tux and not one a hundred other guys have worn.

When the Bride & Groom decide they want their wedding somewhat formal but different from the norm, the third option comes into play.  That is when the Groom & Groomsmen wearing a matching suit. The fathers usually enjoy being a part of this as well. 

The great thing about it is the Groom gets to come out of the ceremony not just with a beautiful new wife but also with a very nice & useful suit he can wear for years to come. 

This isn’t for every wedding ceremony & if it’s not in the budget then don’t even consider it. Here’s when it might be right to do so: 

• The Groom & Groomsmen will get plenty of use out of a nice suit later 
• You would feel a little awkward wearing a tux that you don’t where it’s been 
• The Bride or Groom’s family can subsidize the purchase OR 
• The Groomsmen have the ability to buy their own suit 
• The Groomsmen are already out $100-200 for a rental tux anyway so why not put that money towards a purchase. 
• You would like your special day to not be a cookie cutter wedding 
• Your wedding is out of town, making a rental last too long & cost too much 
• You would like to have a lasting memento of your special day 
• Add your own reason here_______________________ 

Some Grooms like to wear something a little different to stand out in the wedding party. Perhaps he’s in Black and the Groomsmen are in charcoal grey. Or for a summer wedding outdoors during the day he’s in tan and they wear brown. Usually the couple likes to arrange for colored ties and pocket squares to match the bridesmaids if the theme isn’t black & white. 

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Authored By Jeff Collins

Jeff Collins has been a professional haberdasher since 1998. (206.399.9453) www.MyHaberdasher.com

I meet with the Bride and Groom to talk about styling, color, pricing etc. I then go out to each of the local groomsmen to take their measurements. Sometimes the Groomsmen will have a get together and I can take everyone’s measurements at once. The suits are then made for each man individually out of the same cloth. I bring them to them a few weeks later for a fitting and deliver them after any minor adjustments are done if necessary.

I offer special wedding pricing. Because you’ve have found me here you will at least get a 10% discount. (Please mention this article). You also have the choice to have the Groom get $100 off per each Groomsman buying a suit or have everyone get a $100 discount.