You May Now Kiss The Bride

Did you ever wonder where that custom came from? Well... it is believed it comes from the western world, but has reach the four corners of the earth. The kiss between the bride and groom is believed to have started in ancient Rome, for a strange reason, as written in A Treasury Of American Superstition. A suspicious husband in Rome pressed his lips on his wife's to to learn if she had been drinking wine! Then in time this led to the betrothal or marriage kiss to show good faith between lovers.

At most weddings the "free for all" kissing the bride takes place right after the wedding, but there has been interesting variations of bride-kissing. In Scotland, the pastor had to be the first to kiss the bride, it is believed her happiness depended on it. There was another custom that when the husband kissed the wife she had to cry, if she didn't her married life would be full of tears. There was another custom that the bride had to kiss all the men present.

Today, however the grooms kiss seems to be a part of the ceremony as a symbolic gesture to seal the matrimonial sacred vows just exchanged. So now when you kiss your husband you know the meaning behind the kiss, you may even want to cry.

by Kitty Ariza

Creating Informal Invitations for Your Wedding

If you are considering a very informal wedding, there are some simple, but elegant invitations available. If you are on a tight budget for your wedding, you can still hold a fabulous event, even if it is informal.


For informal wedding invitations, you might consider printing them yourself. Many of the laser printers found in home offices nowadays are comparable to what a custom print shop can provide. There are terrific box sets of blank wedding invitations available at many fine stationary and printing shops. You'll find the card stock, envelopes and reception cards are already included. This is a terrific way to save some money, but yet send out a beautiful wedding invitation.

One nice aspect to printing your own invitations is that how much you can personalize the wedding invitation. You may wish to provide a photo of the two of you, or personalize each invitation to a specific guest. Most informal weddings are usually smaller than formal affairs. This is the perfect time to let your uniqueness as a couple to shine through. You might consider simple wedding note cards, instead of complete wedding invitations. Some people often reserve the invitation only for their family members as a memento and invite friends by word of mouth.

Since printing for these types of invitations are normally completed at home, you and your soon-to-be spouse can take the time to plan out what you want on the invitations. You might be surprised at what the two of you can come up with for a beautiful, unique invitation. Consider something as informal as hand written note on pretty stationary.

If you want to have your invitations professionally printed, watch for specials that are often offered in the early spring. You may also find some bridal shops that offer a great deal on invitations, floral arrangements, or dresses. You may find this is a terrific way to budget several of your wedding items at once.

Online printing shops are also a good option for wedding invitations on a budget. Most of these sites offer templates where you are able to mix and match designs and styles to meet your needs. You will be able to see a proof of what the finished product should look like, and most also offer a money back guarantee. Be cautious of the print shops that promise deals that seem too good to be true. Look for reviews of some of the print shops you are interested in and do your research. A bargain is only a bargain if you don't have to have it reprinted again.

Informal wedding invitations do not mean you must sacrifice quality. It simply means you don't have to use the formal wording or expensive supplies. There are many beautiful invitations available for an informal wedding. You only have to do a little research to find the set that meets your expectations and budget. After all, the invitation is only a small part of the much more important event.

By Janine Sinclair

How To Manage Your Wedding Invitations

There are many things which are important for the wedding ceremony. One of the main elements of the wedding arrangements and preparation is the wedding invitations which have to express the theme of the ceremony, the character of the groom and bride and the common atmosphere of the holiday. Below the main recommendations which can help you to prepare the invitations are presented.

One of the best variants is to prepare the invitations by you. In this case they will be special and unique. Besides, they will impress the guests. If you will choose the handmade invitations, you will have an opportunity to find the most appropriate decorations and fabric depending on your wishes and tastes. If you will choose handmade invitations, you can be sure that nobody else has, had or will have the same invitations.

Do not forget to mention all essential information in the invitation card. They gusts must receive all information about the events, the location of the ceremony, the theme of the party, the date and time, and, if you wish, amount of guests.

Pay attention also on the style of the invitation. There are many available variants, such as type and size of envelopes, layout and wording, color schemes and design, etc. All depends on the budget and your tastes.

Pay attention on the return envelope and the seal. It is very important. Send the invitation beforehand to give your guests some time to prepare and to arrange their plans. The best decision is to send the cards three months before the ceremony. In this case everyone will respond and you will have an opportunity to make all arrangements concerning the placing of the invited people.

If you will follow the recommendations which are given below, you will save your money, efforts, time and nerves and prepare the unforgettable and unique invitations.

By: Cynthia Allen

Great Wedding Ceremony Tips

Planning a wedding ceremony is one of the most exciting things any person can do, but it can also be one of the most nerve wracking and stressful times of their life.

Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of planning a wedding knows just how difficult and time consuming it can be, and it is important to give this vital job the time and consideration it deserves.

A great wedding doesn't just happen; indeed a memorable ceremony is the result of hundreds of hours of careful planning, and it is important to start as early as possible.

When To Start Planning

Many wedding planners recommend that brides to be start planning for ceremony as the question has been popped.

Choosing a date can be a job in itself, and it is important to schedule that wedding date as far in advance as possible.

Planning as far ahead as possible will help to ensure that the church and reception hall will be available for the wedding day, and it will give all the guests and members of the wedding party plenty of time to prepare as well.

Using A Wedding Checklist

After the date has been set it is time to start planning the ceremony in earnest. One of the best places to start is with a well thought out ceremony checklist.

This checklist can be used to determine all those large and small details that will need to be worked out. From the perfect dress to the freshest flowers, there are plenty of details to be worked out when planning a wedding. A checklist can make the process a lot easier and much less stressful.

A Checklist Will Make Things Easier

Having a wedding ceremony checklist in hand will also make it easier to work with caterers, wedding dress designers, florists, photographers and other wedding professionals.

A written checklist is a great way to ensure that everything has been taken care of and a great way to avoid misunderstandings with vendors. Preparing a checklist will help ensure that everything gets done on time and that the wedding ceremony is the event of a lifetime.

By: Shaunta Pleasant

India Jewelry for your Wedding

India wedding jewelry consists of sets of in gold, diamonds, pearls and other precious metals and stones. These jewelry sets consists of earrings, chokers and bangles. It is customary for the bride's family to gift these jewelry sets to their soon to be married daughter. In India, you could say, marriage and jewelry go side by side.

The India wedding jewelry consists of different ornaments such as the mangal sutra, bindi, earrings, bangles, nose ring and rings, which are worn by brides all over the country. Earlier, ornaments like armlets and waistbands used to be worn but are now no longer in vogue.

Among India wedding jewelry, rings are a traditional symbol of matrimony and are worn by both men and women. A married woman in India of the Hindu origin must wear the mangal sutra or a thaali around her neck. The mangal sutra also worn around the neck consists of a necklace of black beads strung on a gold chain with a pendant at the end, which is either a symbol of OM or the gods. The black beads are supposed to protect the marriage against evil. The thaali is normally worn by women from South India which is a pendant worn on a thick yellow thread. When the thread wears out a new one replaces it.

The chura is another symbol that consists India wedding jewelry. It is a set of red bangles given to the bride from the maternal side of the family. As a symbol of being married the bridegroom also presents the bride with toe rings. In North India, however, women deck their arms with bright green and red bangles. This is called the chooda, which is presented by the mother of the bride to symbolize her newly acquired marital status, which she has to wear for at least 40 days after the wedding ceremony. Traditionally, the chooda is a set of ivory bangles with inlay work on them. There are modern versions available in a cheaper form in plastic and acrylic.

In the north eastern states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar married women must wear the bichwa or toe rings as it is called. Among Sindhis, married women wear the traditional gold earrings each studded with nine diamonds. Up further north, in the Himalayan region, Kashmiri Brahmin women wear the dejhoru and aath horu, which is an ornament worn in the pierced cartilage of the ear which has a cord suspended from it at one end. Among muslim married women, the nose ring is vital.

By: F. Peris

Beauty Foods That Will Keep U Young & Healthy

You’ve heard that old saying: True beauty comes from within. Well, now nutritional experts have confirmed that you really are what you eat.

Forget French fries and fatty hamburgers. If you want to look beautiful and feel young and healthy, you’ll eat a generous variety of super foods that have been proven to work wonders on the human body.

Whether you’re on a low fat diet, low carb diet, or no diet, adding these super foods to your plate should become as second nature to you as putting your lipstick on in the morning.

Healthy Skin – Eat: blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, currants, purple grapes, pumpkin, carrots, butternut squash, sweet potatoes

Healthy Eyes – Eat: broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, bok choy, kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, mustard greens, turnip greens

Strong Bones – Eat: yogurt, kefir, soy, tofu, Drink: skim milk

Reduce Stress – Eat: beans (navy, pinto, red, black, etc.), green beans, sugar snap peas, green peas, chick peas

Boost Immune System – Eat: turkey, skinless chicken breast, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, spinach, Drink: black or green tea

Sun Protection for Skin – tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit

Wedding Etiquette Today

For so many couples, the wedding invitations (and everything associated with the invitations) prove to be the most problematic part of the wedding planning process. Perhaps both sets of parents have remarried or the Bride and Groom have decided to host the wedding on their own. In this day and age, there is no standard definition of a wedding. So, to help you in your woes…here are some invitation etiquette rules made easy:

A traditional wedding invitation should be worded as follows:

Mr. and Mrs. Bride’s Father’s First Name / Last Name
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter

Bride First / Middle Name
To Mr. Groom First / Middle / Last Name

Day and Month of the wedding spelled out
year spelled out
at time spelled out

Location of the Ceremony
City, State

Or rather…

Mr. and Mrs. William McLucas
Request the pleasure of your company
At the wedding of

Abigail Dee
To
Tait Elliott Larson

Saturday, the twenty-seventh of August
Two thousand and seven
At half after five o’clock

Old South Church
Boston, Massachusetts

It’s good to use this as your template, then customize with your own unique details. For most couples, however, it simply isn’t this straight forward. Here are some ways to tackle the more unique situations:

Bride and Groom are Hosting the Wedding

Ms. Bride First Name / Last Name
and
Mr. Groom First Name / Last Name

request the honour of your presence
as they celebrate their marriage

Day and Month of the wedding spelled out
year spelled out
at time spelled out

Location of the Ceremony
City, State

Both Sets of Parents are Hosting the Wedding

Mr. and Mrs. Bride’s Father’s First Nam / Father’s Last Name
and
Mr. and Mrs. Groom’s Father’s First Name / Last Name

request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of

Bride First / Middle / Last
and
Groom First / Middle / Last

{etc}

Parents/Parent has Divorced or Remarried

Mr. and Mrs. Bride’s Mother {New Husband’s} First Name / Last Name
and
Mr. and Mrs. {New Wife} Groom’s Father First Name / Last Name
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Bride First / Middle / Last

{etc}

Small Wedding then Large Reception

…to the ceremony and reception

Mr. and Mrs. Bride’s Father’s First Name / Last Name
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Daughter first name / middle name
to
Mr. Groom First name / Last name

Day, Month spelled out
Year spelled out
at time spelled out

Location of Ceremony
and afterward at the reception
Location of Reception

…to the reception only

Mr. and Mrs. Bride’s Father’s First Name / Last Name
request the pleasure of your company
at the wedding reception for their daughter

Daughter’s First Name / Middle Name
and
Mr. Groom’s First Name / Last Name

Day, Month spelled out
year spelled out
at time spelled out
Location
City, State

When a Parent or Parents Have Passed

(It should be sent only from the living parent…)

Mr. (Mrs.) Father/Mother’s First Name / Last Name
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of his/her daughter

Bride First Name / Middle Name
To
Mr. Groom’s First Name / Middle / Last

{etc}

When the Groom’s family hosts the wedding

Mr. and Mrs. Groom’s Father’s First Name / Last Name
request the hour of your presence
at the marriage of

Miss Bride’s First Name / Middle / Last
To
their son
Groom’s first Name / Middle Name / Last

{etc}

Although these are many of the more common circumstances, they of course, barely crack the surface. There are so many ways to phrase a wedding invitation, depending on your own familial situation. What IS important is that you convey the tone of the wedding thru the invitation. Sometimes, proper etiquette isn’t the only element to consider.

For those of you that are more whimsical, and less inclined to follow tradition, here are some fun, quirky ways to phrase a wedding invitation…

Traditional…but Cheeky

Mr. and Mrs. Eric P. Brown
request the honour of your presence
as their daughter
Emily Cecilia
bids single life adieu
and makes an honest man out of
Mr. Tad Everett Jennings
Saturday, the fourth of May
two thousand and six
at half after five o’clock
St. Mary’s Church
Smithville, NY

Traditional…but Cute

Mr. and Mrs. Eric P. Brown
together with
Doctor and Mrs. Charles E. Jennings
would be honoured by your presence
as their children
Emily Cecilia
and
Tad Everett Jennings
promise to love, honour and
respectfully disagree with each other
{about the quickest way to get to 89th and 5th}
Saturday, the fourth of May
two thousand and six
at half after five o’clock
St. Mary’s Church
Smithville, NY

{customize to suit your personalities}

Traditional…With Personality

Mr. and Mrs. Eric P. Brown
together with
Doctor and Mrs. Charles E. Jennings
request the honour of your presence
as their children
Emily Cecilia
and
Tad Everett Jennings
tie the knot, take the plunge, and otherwise “seal the deal”
Saturday, the fourth of May
two thousand and six
at half after five o’clock
St. Mary’s Church
Smithville, NY

Casual and Sweet

Elissa and Eric Brown
and
Charles and Meredith Jennings
would be honoured
to share with you the moment at which the lives of their children
Emily Cecilia
and
Tad
will be forever—and most beautifully—changed
This celebration of love, new beginnings and {first date} that brought them together
will be held on
Saturday, the fourth of May
two thousand and six
at half after five o’clock
St. Mary’s Church
Smithville, NY

{personalize to suit your own moment}

Casual and Personal

The only thing that could make us happier than
the marriage of our {pragmatic} daughter
Emily Cecilia
to
the {adventurous} Mr. Tad Everett Jennings
is if you’d share in the occasion with us
The couple will wed on
Saturday, the fourth of May
two thousand and six
at half after five o’clock
St. Mary’s Church
12 Winding Way
Smithville, NY
After witnessing their vows
we invite you to join us for libations and merrymaking

(customize to suit your personalities)

Theme Weddings

How many times have you been standing at a good friend's weddings, albeit having a good time, but you couldn't tell it from the other good friend's wedding that you attended last weekend? You can only go to so many before you've seen a lovely ballroom with an ocean of round tables covered in stark white linens and buffets adorned with baby's breath. It's been done, and far too often!!!

The hot, new trend is to take the traditions established by your families and find a new setting for them. Weddings, in general, take a great deal of tedious planning. Add an unusual twist and you're definitely going to need some help. Don't stress yourself out by pretending that you can take all of this on. Consultants and bridal specialists produce these sorts of functions often.

Once you've come to your senses and hired a wonderful professional, you can relax and actually have fun. The sky is the limit. Sit with your betrothed and brainstorm. It's very important for you to find your style. Come up with five adjectives to describe you and/or your relationship. Talk about how formal or informal your function should be. How many guests should you invite?

If you met one another in Cancun, then what could be more romantic than traveling back there to exchange vows on that same stretch of beach? Host a clambake for your closest friends and family with a shoe check and lots of seashells, driftwood, cheese cloth and twinkle lights.

If you both have theatrical backgrounds, then choose your favorite piece of work by Shakespeare or Rodger & Hammerstein and build your day around it.

Television buffs could host a We Love Lucy Party. Imagine recreating Ricky's nightclub, the Tropicana, with everything in black and white and shades of gray and your favorite episodes on screens around the room. Work on some Technicolor reds (Lucy's hair,) some pink tulle and hearts (from the opening sequence.) The heart could become a whole "logo" on all your pre-printed material - invitations, menu cards, thank you notes, etc. ... Send your guests home with a bottle of Vitameatavegamin!

The possibilities are endless! Build on holidays - Christmas, Valentines Day, St. Patrick's Day, Halloween, and Equinoxes. Display your pride in your heritage or ethnicity. Host an English tea party. Use plaid and hire bagpipes if you're Scottish. If your family is from Spain, serve paella and hire flamenco dancers. If one of you is from New York and the other from Mississippi, stage a Mason-Dixon Line party. Confederate vs. Union - the whole thing writes itself! Military balls are gorgeous and a bride or groom or both who have spent any time in the service will appreciate all of the structure, pomp and circumstance.

There are no rules, except that you have fun. Thousands of dollars and a lot of planning later, all you are left with are beautiful memories and a gorgeous photo album. Make sure that when you pour over these pictures with your children and grandchildren that, in them, you are smiling and having the time of your life. Or "a legendary good time!"

Multi Ethnic Ireland, Multi Cultured Weddings

400.000 foreigners live in 2006 Ireland. That means 10% of the country's population, but what do we know about their wedding habits? These are some traditions of the most represented nationalities in Ireland.

Arabic Weddings
They vary depending on the country and religion. In Moslem weddings, men and women are separated in different areas and the women symbolically mourn the loss of the bride by doing the "wedding wail". The groom may not see his bride until the wedding day and her hands and feet are painted with henna.

Chinese
Wedding invitations and also some gifts are wrapped in red, as red and gold are the traditional colours of happiness and wealth. Bride and groom must pay homage and respect to their elders for their guidance and wisdom. To chase any evil spirits away from the newlyweds, firecrackers are lit after the ceremony. The bride will be presented in at least three different wedding outfits.


French
Laurel leaves are scattered outside as the couple leaves the church. At the reception, the newlyweds toast using a two-handled cup, Coup de marriage, that has been passed through the generations. After the wedding reception, some of the friends will bang pots and pans and sing loudly outside their bedroom window. The groom is supposed to invite them in.

Indian
It could be a three day celebration. Uninvited guests go to the bride or groom's parents' house to be part of the celebrations. The bride, after a ceremonial cleansing, is painted with henna on her hands and feet. After the ceremony, the brothers of the groom toss flower petals to chase the evil away from the Newlyweds.

Lithuanian
The couple are given bread and salt, wine and honey, considered the elements of life.

Polish
The couples' way is blocked by children that the best man must pay "toll" to, on the way to the church. The parents of the bride and groom give them bread and salt, as they meet at the reception. That represents the good things and also the bitterness they might meet in their life together. Guests give the bride money, and she gives them small gifts.

Quaker
In Quaker tradition, all the guests must sign the wedding certificate, as their ceremony doesn't include clergy. The bride is presented to the groom by herself, as it is believed that she belongs to no one but herself.

Which Wedding Vows You Use?

Traditional wedding vows are still perhaps the most popular choice for those special words that will marry you.

After all, there's a good reason they became sacrosanct classics. And if you're like me, they've also been engrained as "the wedding words" through years of attending weddings, watching movies and tv, and society at large. So if you're a traditional couple, look at these traditional wedding vows.:

Traditional Wedding Vows 1:

I, (name), take you (name), to be my (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.

Traditional Wedding Vows 2:

I, (name), take you, (name), to be my [opt: lawfully wedded] (husband/wife), my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward.

In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live.

Traditional Wedding Vows 3 (traditional civil ceremony vows):

(Name), I take you to be my lawfully wedded (husband/wife). Before these witnesses I vow to love you and care for you as long as we both shall live. I take you with all your faults and your strengths as I offer myself to you with my faults and strengths. I will help you when you need help, and I will turn to you when I need help. I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life.

Traditional Wedding Vows 4:

I, (name), take you, (name), to be my beloved (wife/husband), to have and to hold you, to honor you, to treasure you, to be at your side in sorrow and in joy, in the good times, and in the bad, and to love and cherish you always. I promise you this from my heart, for all the days of my life.

Wedding Trend in 2008: a Predictions

We talked now about the 2008 wedding predictions. Well I looked the some favourites and popular bridal publications - but you know what is HOT on the coasts...does not necessarily trickle down to us....so some of my predictions are based on local experience.

1. AFTER PARTIES - couples are wanting to keep the party going way after midnight by going to a secondary location with their guests. They may not sponsor the party, but they will plan for it.

2. BANQUET/FAMILY STYLE - is coming back here to the Tri-State. We are also seeing more and more people using the square tables (two banquets bumped together). Mix and match at the reception with the table sizes!

3. HOT COLOR -They said that pink is the hot color for 2008. I think it is beautiful, but I foresee it not being as popular until later this year. Instead, I prediction the color chocolate to continue on from last year and start showing up earlier in the year (not just in the fall).

4. REMOVING TRADITIONS - Couples are opting to plan their reception, their way. That may mean: less speeches, no garter/bouquet toss, and multiple desserts offered (instead of just the cake).

5. DETAILS ON THE WEDDING DRESS - Very popular around here is the wedding dress that gets bunched up and tucked. Also - look for more details on the back of the wedding dresses....

Whats about yours?

Where to go on your Honeymoon?

Weddings are stressful. No matter how much planning and preparation you do the stress levels never seem to go down. There always seems to be that opportunity for things to go wrong. So why not reward yourself with a fantastic holiday at the end of it?

One of the biggest things the bride and groom have to look forward to is their Honeymoon. Personally I would never recommend delaying the honeymoon particularly for work commitments. You will find you need this time to chill after an enjoyable but stressful period.

The Wedding Day takes so much preparation and planning that the Honeymoon is the ideal way for the bride and groom to relax, de-stress and enjoy their first few days or weeks of married life together.

Where to go on your Honeymoon can be as big a decision as any of the other Wedding Day decisions you have just spent weeks if not months making. Do you both like the same things when on holiday or are you going to have to find compromise with your Honeymoon destination?

Some of the more popular Honeymoon choices are all-inclusive resorts where everything is paid for in advance. For a Honeymoon this can be the ideal choice after the expense of the Wedding. You can order snacks, meals and refreshments without worry about a final bill.

Many people envisage themselves on Honeymoon relaxing surf side with a cocktail in hand, the sun high in the sky and everything done for you. But if that's not your idea of a good time then why not Honeymoon somewhere that little bit different. Honeymoon in the mountains at a secluded ski resort has a certain appeal.

What time of year your Wedding takes place can have a bearing on where you choose for your Honeymoon destination. If you have chosen a winter wedding then you may want to continue the theme whilst on Honeymoon and a ski resort with roaring fire is ideal. Maybe you want the complete opposite and are looking for some winter sun on Honeymoon.

Whatever it is that you are looking for on Honeymoon spending time with your partner after the stress of the Wedding is the most important thing. Use your Honeymoon to unwind and relax and wherever you go.....have a ball!

by: Lorna Mclaren

Searching the perfect wedding ring

Mostly, most of the love birds will go together in a quest searching for their perfect wedding rings. This way, both parties have the chance to discuss what they like, dislike, and in the end, make sure that the final selection is the one they both agree. This way is great if the couple want to have similar ring in design. 3 things to consider are :

1. Ornament. Couple can decide whether they want their ring to be plain, moderately ornated, or full ornated.
2. Size. The best thing attending the store together is couple can get their ring size right on the spot. Try it first, just like you buy a shoes so there's no chance of slipping rings during ceremony ;-)
3. Matching band is less pricey. Everything in a set is usually less pricey compare to buying it separately. So, this matching wedding ring will cost you less. That means you can allocate the money to another post
   

When both parties can't meet a decision, the last resource is to buy a completely different wedding ring. So this way, bride and groom can choose the ring that match their heart's desire. The bride are happy with her petite white gold ring with diamond as its ornament, and the groom is confident with his plain gold ring. Even though couple are deciding to have not matching wedding ring, it's best to be advised to keep searching the ring together, so both will learn each other's preferences. At last, as long as the bride and groom are happy with their own selection and honor what is important to each other, the wedding ring will have the true meaning.

Wedding Ring: 14k Yellow Gold Round Diamond Solitaire

Whether you give it as a wedding ring, an engagement ring or a promise ring, this diamond solitaire ring is a classic choice.

Crafted from 14 karat yellow gold, it showcases a single genuine round-cut diamond, with a weight of 1/4 carat.

The diamond is held securely in a raised prong setting of 14 karat white gold. The diamond featured in this ring has a color grading of J-K, meaning it ranges from near colorless to a faint yellow.

It has a clarity rating of I3 and contains some visible inclusions.

Wedding Dresses – The Latest Trends!

Wedding dresses are such an opportunity for any bride to show their unique sense of style and to really make a fashion statement. Gone are the days of the plain ‘meringue’ style wedding dresses with a little cute well-placed bow; now we are daring to be different!

In fact, one of the latest trends is to offer wedding dresses that can be used again. Not only is this a great idea from a budget point of view, but it is also reflective of the simple lines that are part of the modern trend in wedding dresses. Arguably, this fashion is due to the ever increasing age of first time brides as well as the large number of second weddings.

Wedding Dresses for the Winter Wedding
Whenever we think about wedding dresses, we automatically think of a warm, summer’s day, with a crisp, wafting white dress to match. However, there is a growing trend towards winter weddings. Winter wedding dresses may not be pure white and are often the preferred choice for second time brides.

Trends in winter wedding dresses include deep red colored dresses or dresses that include a large amount of black. Another great idea is to include a fur collar, or long fake fur coat. If you love a touch of luxury and you want something a little different, then winter wedding dresses may just be the thing for you!

Wedding Dresses for the Summer Wedding
The key to summer wedding dresses, this year, is color. Many wedding dresses are now using substantial amounts of colored fabric to add a classic touch to an otherwise traditional white or cream dress.

Weddings are becoming much more sophisticated; generally, brides will select a theme that they will maintain throughout all aspects of their wedding. Wedding dresses must, of course, fit into this theme and as such colors and accessories are vital. Popular, seasonal colors for wedding dresses include lilac, pink, blue and yellow. Often, brides will choose a half-color theme where the bodice is colored or the skirt is colored, but the other half of the dress is kept in a plain cream or white.

Subtle is the name of the game with modern wedding dresses.

Wedding Dresses – Standing Out From the Crowd
Today, wedding dresses are all different; no-one wants to look the same as the next bride and, naturally, brides go to extreme lengths to make sure that they stand out from the crowd. Of course everyone wants to do so in a classy and not trashy way! It seems that individually designed wedding dresses are the way of the future. By commissioning a made to measure dress you can make sure that it fits perfectly, is exactly what you want and above all, is unique.

Wedding dresses are an expression of your personality, so don’t hold back; let your imagination run wild!

by: Elsie Gilbert

Grooms Get Personal With Their Rings

With this ring, or maybe that ring, grooms have more choices than ever before.
Once upon a time the plain gold band was the only choice for a man’s wedding ring. While brides-to-be deliberated over filigree, gem stones and other detailing, grooms simply told the jeweler their finger size and went on their way. But times have changed.

Today grooms have a host of options, from intricately detailed to customized creations. Wedding rings come in a variety of styles, metals and finishes to fit the personality of every groom. The trend today is definitely about individual style.

While gold will always be a popular choice, other metals are currently gaining favor. “Many men are stepping outside the box to personalize their wedding band by using alternative metals to express their individuality,” says Marsha Bryant, senior buyer for 18K gold and platinum at ShopNBC. “This season, men’s rings are both functional and fashionable.”

Platinum, a silver-colored precious metal, is a big trend right now. According to the Platinum Guild International, the number of brides and grooms choosing platinum rings has reached 40 percent. A matte finish is hot right now, as it gives a subdued, modern look. While more expensive than gold, it is also more durable, making it a good choice for those who work with their hands.

No longer just a girl’s best friend, many grooms are adding diamonds to their rings. Nothing over the top, according to wedding Web site, TheKnot.com. These rings give just a bit of sparkle, often in a style that compliments the bride’s ring. Most popular are channel-set or gypsy-set stones that offer a flush mounting and secure fit.

For a personal look, many grooms are adding special details. Custom engraving is a great option for grooms who want a ring unique to them. Rings like the Personalized Message Ring from ShopNBC allow couples to imprint names, dates or a special phrase on the outside of the ring, creating a treasured family heirloom. Some grooms are creating jewelry wardrobes by matching key pieces. “Rings that compliment watchband styles were recently introduced at this season’s international jewelry shows,” says Bryant.

Many grooms unaccustomed to wearing jewelry are discovering the newest ring metal: titanium. This lightweight, durable metal comes in either satin or polished finishes, often with an accent stripe of gold. Titanium rings provide an up-to-date look at an affordable price.

When shopping for a ring, remember to check for marks that indicate you’re getting the metal you pay for. Gold is stamped according to its karat: 14K or 18K. Platinum is marked with PLAT, PT, PT950 or IRIDPLAT. Look for a ring that not only matches your taste, but also your life. Intricate carvings will catch debris, and may not be a good choice for those who engage in messy work. Matte finishes tend to show scratches more quickly. And some people are sensitive to metals and may have skin allergies that make one metal a more desirable choice than another.

Take your time when selecting a ring. Remember, long after the tuxedos have been returned and the limo ride has ended, your wedding ring will be with you each moment to remind you of your lasting commitment.

By Courtesy of ARA Content

Dressing, the Mother-of-the-Bride

So you are getting married. You are so excited infact your whole family is so excited! What do you want as a present? What will your hair be like? Are you really going to wear that color of dress? All questions that may be fired at you during the course of the next few months. But one question can strike fear and trepidation into the strongest of brides. What is your mother going to wear?

The mother-of-the-bride outfit is probably the most talked about outfit other than what the bride is wearing. Not even the grooms choice of morning suit, kilt or sneakers and jeans will be talked about as much as what the mother-of-the-bride will be wearing.

Even if bride and mother-of-the-bride have a fantastic relationship outside of wedding planning, when it comes to what your mother is going to wear on your wedding day things can go horribly wrong!

She will have dreamt about this day from the moment you first opened your eyes and stared into hers. She will have planned and re-planned her outfit several times, over each decade that has passed, hopefully moving with the times!

She will have a definate idea of the image she wishes to project and how she wants to look on this wonderous day and hopefully that will coincide with your own ideas.

If you are lucky she will co-ordinate with the rest of the bridal party and your photographs will be a riot of harmonious color. If you fall into the not so lucky catergory then the photographer may experience diffculty placing her beside someone she doesnt clash with or horror of horrors the mother-of-the-groom turns up in the same dress!!!

If your parents have divorced and re-married then this situation can actually get worse. You only have one mother and she carries the mother-of-the-bride mantle but people, and its just human nature, will be looking at your fathers second wife's oufit almost as closely as the mother-of-the-bride's.

I did hear a story where a bride in this situation suddenly realised that the two women in question had indeed bought the same dress. Approaching her mother tactfully she mentioned that it might be an idea to take back the dress as she would have no other appropriate celebration to wear it to. Her mother smiled and replied that of course she would get another dress for her daughters big day but would be wearing the original dress to the wedding rehearsal dinner!

When is comes down to it the main thing is that everyone is happy and it would be foolish to let a disagreement over a mother-of-the-bride dress get in the way of your wedding. Always remember girls one day you may be the mother-of-the-bride!

by: Lorna Mclaren

Affordable Wedding Jewelry

Finding the right wedding jewelry is an extremely important aspect of the ceremony because the wedding bands in particular will be worn by the bride and groom forever. Wedding bands have gotten to be a great deal more ornate than they used to be. Diamond wedding bands have reached a peak in recent thanks to the celebrities who proudly display theirs.

Wedding bands have even surpassed the usual gold and are now moving into platinum and titanium bands. It used to be that 10k gold rings were the “in” thing to buy and these days they are looked down upon by most couples who would prefer to buy their gold in 14k or higher.

Simple diamonds are still a popular buy, but colored diamonds are gaining momentum thanks to J-Lo’s pink princess cut diamond ring with Ben Affleck. Other popular diamond colors are yellow, blue and aquamarine.

With the ever growing popularity of platinum rings, many couples are looking to shining silver and white gold as a cheaper substitute. White gold has a similar look of platinum, but is a fraction of the price. It is a great alternative.

In the past, the men’s ring was often of little concern to either as long as the woman’s ring was attractive, but these days, men want a nice ring or diamond studded ring almost as much as the women do.

Beautiful ring sets can be found from nearly any source. If you can afford it, you can locate good deals on sets at jewelry stores.

For the most part, the entire wedding ceremony is completely symbolic and that symbolism reaches its peak the moment the rings are exchanged.

Knowing this, can it really be a wonder that the chosen rings are just as important as the chosen couple?

You can virtually choose to go with any type of ring from any source. These days even department stores are offering great knock offs to the popular celebrity rings at extreme discounts.

The popular ring worn by J-Lo; which was a platinum pink diamond ring with a princess cut and accented with two white diamonds on either side can now be purchased at Wal-Mart in a white gold setting with zirconia’s and pink topaz stones.

Wedding bands still look better in a plain band style, but some people might prefer to accent the bands with diamonds. Whatever your taste is, you can pretty much find the right bands for you and your spouse to be anywhere.

All you really need to do is decide what look you want; what style that you want; and how much money you can afford to pay and then go on your search.

In order to get the best overall deals, you should comparison shop online. If you do it soon enough, you can have the bands ready way before the ceremony.

by: Mike Lindsey

Wedding Dresses: What Not to Wear

So you've set a date with the man of your dreams? The only thing, well one of the many things, you have to do to get ready is choose the perfect dress. If you want help with that, you're reading the wrong article. This advice is to keep you from choosing the WRONG wedding dress. Below are practical ideas to keep you from making a very expensive mistake (no, I'm not talking about your fiance).

• It's gotta fit. This might seem obvious to you, but many brides swear they are a size six and cram their bodies into dresses much too small for them. This unflattering approach to wedding dress shopping can make for bad pictures, not to mention discomfort on your big day.

• Style is a must. Not every woman has the desire to be current with wedding dress fashions, but there are some definite no-nos. Stay away from halters, giant puffy sleeves, and mermaid style skirts (tight around the hips and knees and flared at the ankles). Also avoid any dress that you saw in a wedding more than 5 years ago.
  

• Consider the setting. Don't choose a dress for a different wedding, even if it's been your dream since you were a little girl. Long sleeved dresses should NOT be worn at an outdoor wedding in August. (I knew a bride once who did this and put a ziploc bag of ice down the back of her dress) Conversely, don't choose a sleeveless dress for an outdoor reception in November. (Again, the bride who did this turned into the Wicked Witch of the West during pictures) Lastly, and this is a little known fact, don't wear lots of tulle for an outdoor event. This one I learned personally. The fabric attracts bees like crazy. I had those flying pests in between all 12 layers of my tulle skirt.
  

• Love it. Don't buy a dress that you don't absolutely love. You only get one chance to have your perfect day. Choosing the cheapest, or the most sensible, or even the one that your best friend likes the most will not cut it for your wedding. If you don't love it, leave it.

Hopefully this advice will keep you from making a mistake when it comes to your wedding dress. This is one of the only elements of planning a wedding that is almost entirely in your control. You may order flowers that come in silk instead of fresh. Perhaps your invitations spell your parents names “Joan and Jill.” Maybe your caterer had a death in the family. Well, you won't have all of these things happen. At least, probably not. But, at least you will have not picked a bad dress.

by: Jessica Deets

Wedding Hairstyles

How you wear your hair at your wedding is important. Above all else you Wedding Hairstyle has to be comfortable. It should compliment not only your face but your dress as well.

It does no harm to have your regular hairdresser practise on you a few times. By doing this you may decide that the particular Wedding Hairstyle you have dreamt about having since you were a small child actually does nothing for the shape of your face!

If you want a wedding updo and you have relatively short hair then although with many grips and much hairspray it is possible, do remember that your hairdresser can do the impossible but miracles are outwith their reach!

Try to get a rough idea of what sort of style you are looking at for your wedding hairstyle as far in advance as possible. This gives your hair a chance to grow to a length that is more manageable for your hairdresser. After all long hair can easily be cut but it is harder and more expensive to add to your hair.

Always remember it is you that is getting married and not some fairytale image of you that you have held in your imagination since you were six! You dont want to walk down the aisle to your beloved and have him not recognize you because you wedding hairstyle is so different!

Try not to go for something very different. Chances are you will get fed up with it. If an updo requires a lot of help to stay up then as a wedding hairstyle it probably isn't right. Your wedding hairstyle has to stay in place for up to 10 hours, a lot to ask of any hairstyle but particularly difficult when a veil is shoved in, you are being swung around the dance floor and everyone wants to hug you!!

If you decide to opt for flowers or a tiara amongst your wedding hairstyle then make sure that they are securely attached but not hurting.

I would suggest go for elegance and comfort. Something that suits you and brings out your best features. If you can mange a wedding hairstyle that looks just as good down as up then you grab it with both hands, a comb and some grips!!

by: Lorna Mclaren