News, Tips & Offers delivered to your inbox.

The first thing you probably did after he proposed was call your parents. The next thing you should probably do is insure that gem.

“If you have renter’s or homeowner’s insurance, the ring will be covered, although usually not for its full value,” says Carolyn Gorman, vice president of the Insurance Information Institute. “Have the ring appraised and then purchase a floater, a separate policy to cover the loss of the ring.” If you have no prior insurance, take out a policy for the ring. After all, it isn’t just about a jewel—it’s about protecting what’s precious to you.

Your Brilliant Budget

“I always wanted a glamorous reception, so we chose a ballroom in a historic hotel in our city. It wasn’t cheap, but with the chandeliers and beautiful architectural details, we realized we could keep the flowers really simple, and we ended up saving a bundle.”

What a Deal!

Ready to click on great bargains? If you’re hunting for reception décor items or favors for a themed wedding, including everything you need to go DIY, try topweddingsites.com. For wedding accessories and nifty, reasonably priced gifts for attendants, go to theweddingshopper.com. And if you can’t decide what to buy for your guy, redenvelope.com has personal shoppers who can offer ideas—in real time. A terrific source for pretty stationery, in affordable flat printing, is sugarpress.com. For your home, go to cb2.com, a lower-priced relative of Crate and Barrel. (We saw some very cool bed linens at very nice prices.) Happy searching!

Losing Pounds, Not Money

Weight-loss programs come at a price. Here, the latest numbers for some of the top regimens.

Weight Watchers Fee: 8-week program, $79.60, plus $15 registration fee. How it Works: Choose between the no-counting plan, based on a list of foods from all food groups, and the traditional point plan. Online: Recipes, tips and self-assessments.

Jenny Craig Fee: One-year membership, $399; meals, $12-$16 per day. How it Works: Personal consultants provide support for following a low-fat diet. Food items are designed to help maintain portion sizes. Online: Consultations and menus.

The South Beach Diet Fee: $65 every 13 weeks (for the online program) How it Works: "Not a no-carb, no-fat plan," this diet incorporates all kinds of food, in moderation, into your regimen. Online: customized meal plans and tools to track weight and diet goals.

Nutrisystem Fee: 28-day program, $310.51. How it Works: Prepackaged meals and desserts delivered; foods include so-called good carbs, i.e., those that encourage stable blood-sugar levels. Online: Classes and counseling.

Dr. Sears Zone Fee: None. How it Works: Dr. Barry Sears's "moderate-carbohydrate, moderate-protein, moderate-fat diet" is designed to maintain a "hormonal" balance. Online: Food items, supplements and other products may be ordered at the website.