Groom Advice: Selecting the Ring

Our blog isn't just for the brides, we're here to support the grooms as well! The groom has a very important role in the wedding tradition - in fact, he typically initializes the whole thing by the proposal. What is the key ingredient in a proposal? The ring, of course!

If this is your first time picking a ring for your bride-to-be, you might have some feelings of nervousness and intimidation.

The Basic Raid

Take a look in your girlfriend's jewelry before you even step foot in a store. Get an idea for her "style" and what she likes and doesn't like. If almost all of her jewelry is smaller and "dainty", don't purchase a huge, thick ring that takes up half of her hand. Is she simple and "solitaire"? Or is she unique and colorful? If you can, bring some of her jewelry into your jeweler as they can help you pick something out based on her current taste and style.

The 4 Cs

You should also probably research the basic diamond knowledge: the 4 C's. If you need help, just ask your favorite jeweler. The 4 C's stand for cut, clarity, color and carat.
The cut of the diamond now only refers to the shape, but also the precision behind the cut of the diamond.  not only to shape of the diamond, but also to the precision behind the cut. The color of the diamond does not refer to the color of the diamond itself, rather the lack of color.
The diamond’s clarity is rated based on how many imperfections can be seen under a microscope.
The carat simply is the term that refers to the weight of the diamond.

The Price

This part of the guide is solely based on you and your budget. Sit down and think of what you have in mind to sell. Let your jeweler know ahead of time so that he doesn't waste your time showing you rings that are too expensive.

Good luck and happy shopping!

 Wedding Essentials

Letting Your Guests Create Bridal Memories

 

If you’re planning a wedding on a budget, you might understand the stress that many brides feel. Let’s be honest: planning a wedding is expensive. When you think about the costs such as the dress, venue, food, décor, cake, etc. Then you have to factor in the outside resources such as limo services, rental companies, DJ’s, and even the photographer.

For my wedding, I cut costs when it came to the photographer. I did this for a reason. I knew that I have a very nice camera which takes high quality photos. Of course I wanted several pictures to put in frames, albums and give to family members. I was not about to compromise this. I just simply couldn’t afford a professional photographer (because I opted for the stretch Hummer limo, of course!).

So I gave my uncle my camera and appointed him the “camera man”. I also scattered beautiful disposable cameras around the tables for my guests to use. Guess what? I loved these candid pictures more than the actual wedding photos!

Once all of these were developed, after all of the wedding bliss, I gathered my closest friends and family members and we had a photo “viewing” with some wine and snacks. These small cameras were a great choice! I saved money and ended up getting some beautiful shots! The fact that they blended with my wedding theme were a bonus as well!

Weddingstar Disposable Camera

Adding Illumination to Your Wedding

Weddings are a time for celebration and laughter, but the romance aspect can't be left out. It's hard to really capture how romantic a wedding can be if you don't have the right "mood". I find that you can really create a nice atmosphere with simple lighting and illumination.

Anybody can light some candles. Really, I can't knock the candles because there are so many beautiful candles out there. In fact, I encourage the use of candles. Just think outside the box for how you display them. Take the above Vellum Shades by Kate Aspen. These inexpensive decorations totally mask the candle by creating a lamp. All you need is a standard wine glass and a white votive candle. These shades dim the lights and really turn this simple votive candle into a premium wedding decoration.

If you want some light but don't want the candle effect, try the water activated diamond lights by Weddingstar. These versatile accessories can be used as centerpieces or as decorations around your reception area. My favorite part? The light can shine a different color with just a few drops of inexpensive food coloring. That means you can coordinate these with your color scheme or wedding theme - very cheap!

 

We have mentioned how illumination and lighting can enhance your reception, but don't forget that they can also be used in your ceremony. Many brides and grooms incorporate the unity candle ceremony into their ceremony. This light really shines at the altar where the bride and groom are exchanging vows. There are so many unity candle sets on the market - some can be personalized or coordinated with your wedding theme. The great thing about the unity candle ceremony is that these items can be kept as keepsakes.

Wedding Accessories