If you fear that your H2B and his groomsmen will also be clueless on your big day and that your mother-in-law or wedding planner will not be around at just the right moment, then here are a few videos that give you step by step instructions on how to tie the perfect cravate or bow tie.

How to tie a cravate for a wedding suit

How to tie a cravate

How to tie a bow tie

How to tie a bow tie

Forward these to your H2B, wish him good luck and don’t forget that practice makes perfect!

Preserve your top tier cake
Preserve your gown
Preserve your bouquet

You can also download checklists such as:

Change your name
Moving
Buying your first home
Merging money
Create a will

Other fun and creative post-wedding ideas are also showcased such as:

• Root the greenery from your bridal bouquet and watch it grow.
  
• Frame your invitation and/or your marriage contract.
  
• Create a time capsule of your wedding day with a copy of the newspaper from that day, your horoscopes, and jot down your favorite song, book, movie, TV show, restaurant, etc. Seal it up and open it on a future anniversary.
  
• Save (or buy) a bottle of wine from your reception dinner to drink on your anniversary.
  

Lot’s of help, advice, practical tips and ideas at your fingertips to ensure a smooth transition into married-hood.

That’s why we’ve come up with our own exclusive Top 5 list of fabulous bridesmaids gifts, guaranteed to suit all types of bridesmaids from the most sophisticated and chic to the most down-to-earth and practical.

Make every day happy : A message that deserves to be shared with all those we love, especially on our wedding day ! This site proposes a fantastic selection of fair trade accessories created by Aissata Malhaire. The company’s origin stems from a beautiful human and ethical adventure. All products are 100% handmade. We love the selection of bags embroidered with its spangly leitmotiv. They are perfect to wear around town or on the beach. Add a little glitter to your bridesmaids lives. This collection is sure to please the most discerning bridesmaids around.

My Tikka Shop : This is another favorite of ours. From the laptop covers to the iphone and/or MP3 covers, each with a great selection of unique fabrics to choose from, to the handbag organiser, make-up bags and purses…you will be spoiled for choice! Perfect for the most practical and chic bridesmaid.

Laptop covers:

Handbag organiser :

Tutti Frutti Cordials : For the fun and funky bridesmaid, why not offer her a selection of mini cordial fruit drinks to mix the perfect colorful non-alcoholic cocktails to sip at home, at a party or alongside the pool? The bright bottles contain original flavors such as banana bonbon, cactus, chewing gum, crumble, poppy or liquorice and will add a splash of color to any kitchen. They also sell spray oils (olive and basil or olive and truffle) which are simply divine!

Cocktail mixing party : For those of you who have bridesmaids who like the real deal, why not treat them to a girly evening in, with a twist! Invite a professional barman to come and teach you how to mix the perfect cocktail before creating your own and sampling them all! Guaranteed to get you giggling and tipsy by the end of the demonstration. Make sure taxis are ordered to ensure everyone makes it home safely or invite everyone to crash at your place! A simple online search will provide you with names of local companies offering this service. Shaken not stirred please J

Decadence and Indulgence : Perfect for bridesmaids with a sweet tooth who love to indulge! Offer them one of this site’s unique and affordable combinations of chocolates with champagne, chocolates with tea, chocolates with flowers and other decadent gift ideas.

…and for those of you planning your perfect destination wedding in France, think about asking your wedding planner to order the gifts and have them delivered directly to them, thus saving on shipping costs and leaving some much needed space in your baggage for the million and one other things you will need to pack J Happy shopping!

Match your wedding favors to your wedding theme

If you are hosting a beach wedding on the Mediterranean Coast in the south of France or on the Amalfi Coast in Italy, why not provide comfy flip-flops and propose a stroll along the beach at sunset or a personalized beach towel?

Respect the season

For a spring or fall wedding when there is the risk of a chill in the air during the evening, provide the ladies with a pashmina (shawl) to match your color theme and mini bottles of whiskey to warm the guys up from the inside.

For a high summer wedding, fans are a great way to fend off the heat or pretty summer parasols. Bulk buying from dedicated websites in Asia will reduce the costs despite the transport expenses.

Winter weddings provide a multitude of wedding favor possibilities. Why not consider white fur or fake fur handwarmers for the ladies and matching gloves for the men or heated hand warmers in the shape of hearts or a personalized Christmas bauble to take home to decorate the Christmas tree!

Get the party started

To pack out your dance floor, distribute maracas or kazoos or even rally towels for a bit of fun.

Eco-friendly favors

For those environmentally conscious couples, several ideas spring to mind. Personalised packets of flower seeds of your favorite flowers or locally made organic jams in recycled pots that match your wedding colors. Alternatively, give a double use to your dinner table centerpieces by offering them to your guests as favors. A group of small glass vases with a different herb planted inside each one are great giveaways and look fresh and attractive as centrepieces.

Sweet tooth

If you’d like to stick to the food theme, why not provide bags or mini tubes of love heart sweets or personalised M&Ms with your photos printed on them!

Luxury wedding favors

If you really want to spoil your guests who have travelled from far and wide to attend your destination wedding, think about providing them with personalized gift baskets/bags. Include some local specialties such as a mini bottle of champagne or wine, Calissons d’Aix (mini almond marzipan cakes – see photos below) for weddings in Provence or Foie gras for weddings in the south-west…to name but a few!

As you can see, the sky is the limit, or should we say your budget is the limit! Whatever you choose, make sure it’s meaningful to you and corresponds to the theme and ambiance of the wedding.

Photo credits : Wikipedia; www.prixmoinscher.com; www.oriental-decor.com; www.lovehearts.com; www.mymms.com; www.calisson.com

Imagine the surprise on your guest’s faces as they open their inbox and see a personal message from you with a link to a video…but not just any video! By clicking on the link they will discover your very own video wedding invitation.

Make it as professional or amateur as you like and as fun as you like. For those of you on a tight budget, simply grab your camcorder and film yourselves together or separately talking about each other, how you met and the proposal, before coming together and inviting everyone to your wedding.

Don’t forget to clearly state the date, the venue, the dress code, the theme (casual, formal, etc.), whether children are invited and any other important messages you wish to communicate. Tell them how to RSVP or direct them to your wedding website to do so. Wedding websites marry very well with this type of invitation and will give your guests the opportunity to get more information about the venue, directions, etc. after viewing the video.

For those of you who are more creative or tech savvy, why not integrate some photos from your holidays or birthdays you have celebrated together. The video footage can be filmed by you or you could hire a professional videographer. Don’t forget to integrate music to add to the overall effect and why not some special effects?

There are web agencies that can create tailor-made video wedding invitations for you or you can choose from some more standardized templates. These are good options if you don’t have much time or if you are far too camera shy to appear on the film in person.

The most important thing is to enjoy yourself when creating or choosing the video and ensure that it accurately reflects your lifestyles, your humor and personalities. Here is one we particulary enjoyed viewing: Not Your Average Wedding Invitation.

Follow through with the video theme on the day of your wedding by setting up a video booth where your guests can make their own short videos as souvenirs for you to view and keep after the big day!

Check out this YouTube page for more inspiration.

But, did you know?…

1. The diamond is the toughest natural substance on the planet, and can only be cut with other diamonds.
2. Engagement rings are traditionally worn on the third finger of the left hand because of an Egyptian belief that a “vein of love” ran directly from there to the heart.
3. The Archduke Maximilian of Austria triggered the trend for diamond engagement rings when he proposed to Mary of Burgundy in 1477.
4. Unearthed in South Africa in 1905, weighing a whopping 3,106.75 carats, the Cullinan was the largest rough diamond ever found. Cut into the Frist Star and the Lesser Star of Africa, they are both now part of the British Crown Jewels.
5. The UN took a stand against the sale of blood diamonds – sold to finance terrorism or civil war – by establishing the Kimberley Process in 2003. Check out www.kimberleyprocess.com to find out more or rent “Blood Diamond”, the movie starring Leonardo diCaprio that helped bring this illegal trade into the limelight.

Don’t forget that diamonds can be any color. More affordable orange diamonds are available from Namidia and purse-friendly grey colors are also divine. Check out Fiona Knapp’s divine jewelery designs and gemstones.

Credits: Content taken from Marie Claire UK magazine. Photo credit : www.urbanpath.com

Title and artist : Chasing cars by Snow Patrol (YouTube) Who will like it : The younger generation Best time to play it : To walk down the aisle to meet your H2B (like one of our recent brides did !) or as one of the opening dances

Title and artist : Amazing Grace by Susan Boyle (YouTube)

Title and artist : Everything by Michael Bublé (YouTube) Who will like it : Everyone (especially the ladies)
Best time to play it : First dance

Title and artist : Only
You Can Love Me This Way by Keith Urban (YouTube) Who will like it: The country-music lovers Best time to play it: During the photo slideshow

Title and artist : I Got a Feeling by Black Eyed Peas (YouTube) Who will like it: Your guests who are ready to party. The lyrics « I got a feeling that tonight’s gonna be a good night » will set the mood for later.
Best time to play it: As you make your reception entrance

Artist and title : You & Me by Dave Matthews Band (YouTube)
Who will like it: The bride, the groom, and the rest of the lovebirds Best time to play it: The second dance

Title and artist : My Life Would Suck Without You by Kelly Clarkson (YouTube) Who will like it: Your best girlfriends
Best time to play it: During a girly moment on the dancefloor

Title and artist : When love takes over (featuring Kelly Rowland) by David Guetta (YouTube) Who will like it : The party animals
Best time to play it : When the dance floor is hot and pumping

Title and artist : It Must be Love by Enrique Iglesias (YouTube)

Title and artist : Say Hey (I Love You) by Michael Franti and Spearhead (YouTube)
Who will like it: Everyone Best time to play it: The cocktail hour or between dinner courses

YouTube Wedding Song

We have all heard of Destination Weddings, but how about Destination Wedding Cakes? …

Once in awhile brides deciding on a destination wedding to France or Italy will ask us for a traditional American wedding cake as they are accustomed to seeing in the U.S.A. So we say, “ when in Rome, do as the Romans”… what we mean by that is simply that to duplicate a three-tier traditional American wedding cake with fondant icing is not impossible, it’s just very seldom done in France or Italy. The few caterers who will do this for you are generally located in major cities and far away from most destination wedding venues; and they will charge you a fortune compared to the U.S.!

So instead of spending all that money on a three-tier wedding cake with icing, why not go all the way with your French destination wedding and have a French Wedding cake instead…

A croquembouche is the traditional wedding cake of France. It is a pièce montée, formed in a pyramid shape consisting of a mass of tiny cakes, profiteroles to be exact (choux filled with pastry cream) bound with caramel, and usually decorated with threads of caramel, sugared almonds, chocolate, flowers, or ribbons. The name comes from the French words “Croque en bouche” meaning “’crunch in the mouth”. The choux buns can also be made with savory fillings and the cake can be designed to your wishes in all kinds of different shapes.

Below are three different croquembouches which the bride decided on instead of the one large pyramid, the theme was a Chateau Wedding in the Loire Valley. The pastry chef duplicated the castle below the cakes and added sparklers for a more dramatic effect.

Just before the cutting of the cake, the bride and groom filled a Champagne glass pyramid, toasted to each others health and happiness and lit up the cake; sparkles ignited and were perfectly coordinated with the start of a dazzling firework show alongside the Loire River which lasted a whole ten minutes. Truly French and truly spectacular!

As for Italy, the custom is to serve a “ Mille-Foglia”, which is an Italian cake made from many layers of light filo pastry, chocolate and vanilla creams, topped with fresh strawberries.

Depending on where you are in Italy, wedding traditions can defer from one region to the other, for instance in Sicily, the wedding dessert course is often presented as a Venetian Table. This is a dazzling array of pastries, fruit, scrumptious coffee and cakes, presented in great quantities. This is called the Venetian Hour.

To sum all of this up, when in France, do as the French! When in Italy, do as the Italians!!! When Catherine-Zeta-Jones married Michael Douglas her wedding cake rose 12 tiers high, a mix of dense chocolate cake layered with creamy ganache, yellow butter cake with a taste of blood oranges and Key Lime, bitter sweet expresso tiers made of hazelnut filling, all enrobed with white sugar flowers, tulips, lilies, lilly of the valley and baby’s breath, wow!!! Can you imagine eating that cake after a 4 star wedding reception in France or Italy, no way! But of course this was in Hollywood… Stick with what your host country knows best, a croquembouche or a Mille-Foglia…

Till another time…

References: www.wikipedia.org, googleimages.org, Instyleweddings.com, marthastewart.com

The best-man is the chief male assistant to the bridegroom at a wedding. In North America and Europe, the groom extends this honor to someone who is close to him, generally either a brother or his closest male friend. While the best man’s required duties are only those of a friend, in the context of an American/European wedding the best man will typically:

• assist the groom on the wedding day,
• keep the wedding rings safe until needed during the ceremony,
• act as a legal witness to the marriage, and most importantly make a toast to the bride and groom at the reception!

This is where many best-men get into trouble if the toast is not well prepared and thought out… There have been hundreds and hundreds of books written on the matter, here are a few hints I have gotten from the many sites and manuals available on this subject. Below are some ideas taken from the leaders called “www.thebestmanspeeches.com”

The best man speech is an important part of any wedding ceremony, and will be remembered long after the special day is over. The speech traditionally honors the groom, but the bride should also be recognized and the happy couple should be congratulated. Being a best-man is not a joke and should be taken seriously.

Best Man Speeches, also known as toasts, should be prepared well in advance, not simply improvised on the spot. To be successful the speech must be respectful, but also funny. Your comments about the bride and groom should also be personal and sincere, though it is also important to ensure your words are appropriate for a general audience of all ages. Hence best man speeches require you to walk a fine line between impertinence and respect; making personal observations, while ensuring they are understood and appreciated by an audience including both children and the elderly.

Before you set ink to paper, consider the personality of the groom. Is the groom a “prankster,” who laughs easily and appreciates a good joke at his own expense? If so, your speech should mirror the groom’s personality, including funny comments and perhaps even “roasting” the groom a bit (you don’t want to go too far with this — remember it’s all about balance).

Other grooms may be more traditional, serious or sentimental. Again, your speech should mirror these personality traits, including more complementary and respectful anecdotes. You can still include a few jokes; just balance them with plenty of sincere and respectful comments.

Many best man speeches go on way too long. But on the other hand, you don’t want to simply rise and say a few words and then sit back down. As a general rule, shorter is usually better; just make sure the speech is long enough to show that you put some thought and effort into it. A 5 to 10 minute speech is plenty.

When the time is right, you will be called upon to deliver your speech, and it is extremely important that you do not drink too much before you stand to speak. Part of your responsibility as best man is to delay your own fun until you have fulfilled your responsibility to the groom and bride. And there’s no greater breach of etiquette than a best man who drinks heavily and delivers a slurred or incomprehensible speech.

Without a doubt, the most difficult aspect of best man speeches is the opening. The first sentence or two will set the tone for the entire speech. One important tip is to avoid the temptation to start with a big joke or outrageous, attention-getting comment. It is far better to begin simply and respectfully, and save the jokes and more personal comments for later in the speech.

One tried and true method of delivering a best man speech is to begin simple and respectfully (to set the tone). Then move gradually into humorous observations and jokes. Finally, wrap things up on a sentimental and congratulatory tone. This is sometimes known as “the sandwich technique,” because you begin and end with polite and sincere comments, while including funny stories and jokes in the middle of the best man speech.

Here is word of caution, when you intend to deliver a real stunner of a best man speech you should be well organized with all the resources you have so that you could use them to its fullest extent to compose your best man’s wedding speech. Outstanding best man speeches require that you first create a best man speech outline and then start building your actual speech on that foundation. Besides it makes the task that mush easier. This is easily one of the most effective best man speech tips that you should ponder.

Short best man speeches are preferred simply because the audience doesn’t like long tedious wedding speeches. So, make it a point to keep your wedding speech short and sweet. If you happen to be the groom’s brother, you should find it rather easier than others as you are the part of the same family. An article about best man speeches by brothers tells you more about it.

Remember, the golden rule of public speaking is to be yourself. An audience can tell when you’re being natural and when you’re not. If you’re nervous, that’s fine — people understand that public speaking can be nerve-racking, and they’ll usually be very sympathetic. Don’t be afraid to poke fun at yourself — and even your own nervousness. This will disarm your audience and make your best man speech a big hit.

SO, to all the future best-men out there… remember these few hints: this is NOT a joke, you should take your role of best-man very seriously. Do not lose the rings please, this would create a disaster and make the bride cry! Keep your toast clean, fun, imaginative, but mostly respectful and keep the drinks to a minimum before your speech otherwise you will make a fool of yourself and the entire wedding party. Thanks for reading!

References: www.wikipedia.org, www.thebestmanspeech.com, www.googleimages.com

Your big day can have a huge impact on the environment; an Eco-Friendly Green Wedding can reduce that damaging carbon footprint on the earth. Going “Green” for your wedding is a great way to showcase your creative side and show your family and friends what your true values are.

From everything I have read so far, there is no right or wrong way to a Green Wedding and you don’t have to be obsessive about it either. Naturally green, recycled retro or vintage glamour which is very hot this year—take your pick; the possibilities are endless.

Here’s how to start planning the kind of wedding the nuptial gurus at TheKnot.com and many others have praised as the “hot new thing!”

The Ring… A green wedding begins with the engagement and of course the ring. Don’t start off on the wrong foot… If anyone reading this remembers the movie” Blood Diamonds” with Leonardo DiCaprio, you know exactly what the term means. These are diamonds that are minded in war zones and fund conflicts. There are many alternatives to these blood diamonds: Vintage rings, whether a family heirloom or an antique find or lab-created diamonds, diamonds mined in peaceful Canada or Australia, one of kind wooden or ivory bands, colored gemstones such as Aquamarines and Citrines and my favorite, the green Peridot.

The Location … Consider choosing a setting that’s convenient to most guests to minimize travel impacts, having the ceremony and the reception at the same place, or providing eco-friendly transportation between them, picking a unique local spot like an art gallery, non-profit space, organic restaurant or farm, a green hotel, or a botanical garden, an outdoor setting perhaps a beautiful castle with exquisite gardens which will require less decorating, arriving at the ceremony in a horse-drawn carriage or sleigh, a rickshaw, or a hybrid car.

The Invitations… this is the first impression guest’s will get of your Green Wedding. Make sure everyone is on board with your Green Theme. Look for recycled, handmade, tree-free paper made out of hemp, banana stalks, bamboo, kenaf, (a plant related to the okra and cotton family) or organic cotton. Look for a printing company that will use paper with a high percentage of consumer recycled content. Papers that are not plastic-coated or metallic, (makes them hard to recycle). Opportunities to reduce paper-use, like sending a postcard instead of multi-enveloped notes, for your save-the-date, and probably the most important—use Cyberspace to send online invitations and start a wedding blog to let people know about the upcoming events, (the venue, the rehearsal dinner etc.)

The Wedding Gown… Eco-Friendly brides have lots of alternatives when choosing their gown and accessories. You can purchase a gown made of organic materials such as silk or cotton. Wear a vintage gown, either from a family member or purchased at a vintage store. Go for vintage jewelry or borrow pieces from friends. Go barefoot for a beach wedding! Wear all natural beauty products; donate your wedding dress to a charitable organization after the event.

The Decorations… Add beauty and style to your wedding décor, naturally and organically. Opt for organic flowers, find a florist who is diligent about recycling packaging and will source locally raised flowers. Decorate with branches, dried grasses, grains, greens, berries or live plants, dried or potted arrangements. Choose beeswax or soy based candles for the ceremony and reception, arrange to have the flowers moved from the ceremony to the reception if you have separate sites. Throw biodegradable confetti or organic rose petals or lavender instead of releasing doves or butterflies. Donate the flowers to a hospital or rest home. Use small stones or river rocks instead of place cards; you can paint the rocks and write on them with gold calligraphy pens then put the rocks in a small wooden box painted in the same color as the stones, guests will be delighted to take this home as a keep-sake.

Food and Drinks… Spoil your guests by basing your menu around local, organic, and seasonal foods. Ask the venue’s preferred caterers and bakers if they can cater your wedding organically. Consider vegetarian selections and seek out cruelty-free meats and wild, rather than farmed fish. Make sure the venue offers comprehensive recycling facilities, and ideally composting too. Have your cake decorated with organically grown flowers or other natural materials, no plastic toppers! Rent real glassware, dishware, and linens instead of using disposables. For your china mix and match thrift-store plates and dishes, donate them when you’re done. Use biodegradable utensils and dishes made out of cornstarch, potatoes, wheat, or sugar cane. Make arrangements to donate leftover food to a local food bank or homeless shelter. And please don’t forget the organic wine, beer, and Champagne or spirits, and the free-trade, shade grown coffee and tea! There are many excellent organic Champagnes out there coming out of France and other European countries.

Photos… For lasting memories, whether you prefer film or digital photographs, look for a photographer who offers digital proofs to save paper and chemicals. Avoid single-use cameras, but ask friends with digital cameras to share their photos with all the guests online.

Gift Registry… How about asking for gifts to charity instead of material goods? Register with a site that gives a percentage of gift purchases to your chosen cause, registering with stores that offer local, fair-trade, handmade, organic, or other eco-friendly products , registering for outdoor gear or contributions to an eco-friendly honeymoon, creating a custom wish list of eco-friendly items like a fresh-produce subscription from a local farm, organic gardening supplies, organic linens, park and museum passes, gift certificates to organic restaurants, and subscriptions to green publications or memberships in green causes.

Wedding Favors: For your favors, give something your guests will really use and enjoy not disposable plastic souvenirs. Gourmet organic chocolates or another organic or local food item, attractive bags of fresh or dried organic herbs or seeds in a commemorative container, reusable cloth tote bags and natural soaps, soy or beeswax candles, a downloadable play list of your favorite songs, a small charitable donation in each guest’s name.For your helpful, loyal attendants, you’ll want to splurge a little, perhaps with: gift baskets of organic skin-care products , recycled jewelry, wallets, handbags, or drinking glasses, selections of organic coffees, teas, and chocolates, recycled paper journals and stationery, great bottles of organic wines, beer or Champagne.

The Honeymoon … Begin your new life together with a honeymoon that’s light on the Earth. Consider going somewhere local or engaging in eco-tourism, which can be as rugged or luxurious as you want it to be. Take a trip that benefits an environmental group; perhaps walking the Italian Alps. Skipping the cruise and taking a relaxing, romantic train trip, getting around at your destination by renting bikes or taking public transportation, staying in a family-run B&B or inn, a luxury teepee , or a green hotel that’s working to save resources and reduce waste.

As I said before the possibilities are endless… Just go out there and look for nature to guide you ! If you’re not sure how to pull this off then I strongly recommend hiring a wedding planner who is well versed with the eco-friendly theme wedding. He or she will have many creative ideas and will already be in touch with green vendors you can trust. I read in a survey taken by SuperWeddings.com that 72 percent of recently married couples who did not use a wedding planner wished they had and if they had to do it all over again, they would hire one.

On a personal note, I would like to thank one of my dearest friends Allan who is an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) expert and member.The FSC is an international non-profit organization that promotes responsible management of the world’s forests. He has taught me a lot about the environment and I am very grateful to him for sharing his knowledge with me. I am also grateful to Vice-President Al Gore who has opened our eyes to global warming with his book” The Inconvenient Truth”…. Gore was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.

We hope that you have enjoyed this “crash-course” in Green Weddings, for further information please do not hesitate to contact us via this site and we will answer all your questions.

References:www.superweddings.com,www.theknot.com, www.mywedding.com,www.sierraclub.typepad.com, www.panda.org, www.wikipedia.org

According to the encyclopedia, an engagement ring is a ring worn by a woman indicating her engagement to be married. In some countries, such as Great Britain and France, the ring is worn on the left-hand ring finger, while in other countries, such as Germany, Poland and Ukraine, it is customary for the ring to be worn on the right-hand. In the United States, the ring represents a formal agreement to a future marriage.

In classical times it is said to date back from an early usage reportedly referring to the fourth finger of the left hand as containing the vena amoris or “vein of love”!

In Egypt, Brazil and many European countries, both the man and the woman usually wear engagement rings, most often in the form of matching plain bands of white, yellow, or rose gold. In these countries the man’s engagement ring often also eventually serves as the wedding ring. Some men wear two rings, but this is rarer. The woman’s wedding ring can sometimes have a precious stone. In Spain, the woman sometimes buys a wristwatch for the man as an engagement present.

THE FOUR C’S

Men still surprise their girlfriends, and heirloom rings are still being passed down from generations to generations, these days a ring usually involves a shopping expedition that is often taken together. Whatever guides your choice of an engagement ring, you and your fiancé should learn a few basics before buying… The four “c’s” represent the basic guidelines: carat, clarity, cut and color. Diamond professionals use these four factors to describe and classify diamonds. When taken together, they help in evaluating the finished diamonds you buy. They are often called value factors.

CARAT

The carat weight measures the mass of a diamond. One carat represents 200 milligrams. Fractions of a carat are called points; a half-carat is equal to 50 points. Much tinier gems used as side stones are often called pointers. The price per carat increases with carat weight, since larger diamonds are both rarer and more desirable for use as gemstones.

CLARITY

Clarity is a measure of internal defects of a diamond called inclusions. Inclusions may be crystals of a foreign material or another diamond crystal, or structural imperfections such as tiny cracks that can appear whitish or cloudy. The number, size, color, relative location, orientation, and visibility of inclusions can all affect the relative clarity of a diamond. Diamonds become increasingly rare when considering higher clarity grading. Only about 20 percent of all diamonds mined have a clarity rating high enough for the diamond to be considered appropriate for use as a gemstone; the other 80 percent are relegated to industrial use. Of that top 20 percent, a significant portion contains one or more visible inclusions.

CUT

Diamond cutting is the art and science of creating a gem-quality diamond out of mined rough. The cut of a diamond describes the manner in which a diamond has been shaped and polished from its beginning form as a rough stone to its final gem proportions. The cut of a diamond describes the quality of workmanship and the angles to which a diamond is cut. Often diamond cut is confused with “shape”. The more skillfully the cut is made, the more perfect the proportions and the more brilliant the stone will appear. The best cut stones are ranked in descending order: ideal, premium or good. Inferior cuts are graded poor. Brilliant cuts have facets shaped like triangles and result in a particularly fiery gem. Step cuts, used on emerald and cushion shapes, are ones that run up the sides of the stone like a staircase. Mixed cuts, such as princess shapes, combine both step and brilliant cuts.

COLOR

Gemologists use letter grades from D through Z to denote a white diamonds color or rather the lack of color. The best, rarest diamonds are pure white, which allows the most light to pass through them; they have a rating of D. The next has very slight traces of color which can be detected only by a diamond expert. These are graded as E color or F color diamonds. Diamonds which show very little traces of color are graded as G or H color diamonds. Slightly colored diamonds are graded as I or J or K color. A diamond can be found in any other color also other than colorless. Some of the color diamonds such as pink are very very rare diamonds and are priceless.

THE VARIOUS CUTS

Here we will look at the various cuts of diamonds from classic to antique and contemporary cuts

THE CLASSIC CUTS

ROUND

The round brilliant cut is by far the most popular shape available today. It was introduced in 1919 and so for almost 100 years, diamond cutters have been using advanced theories of light behavior and precise mathematical calculations to optimize the fire and brilliance in a round diamond. In addition to being the most popular and researched shape, a round diamond will typically give you more flexibility in terms of balancing cut, color, and clarity grades while still getting the fire and brilliance you want. Round brilliants work in a variety of settings, from simple to ornate, sleek to modern. The prong setting was invented by Charles Lewis Tiffany in 1886 as a way to showcase a round brilliant.

EMERALD

This rectangular shape was developed in the art-deco period in the 1920’s. It has long glamorous lines with lean facets extending down the sides. What makes this shape different is its large table, the flat surface on the top which shows off the stone’s clarity better than any other shape, though this also means that any flaws will appear more magnified. Also, emerald-cut diamonds can vary greatly in how rectangular they are; if you prefer an emerald cut with a squared outline; look for an Asscher-cut diamond.

OVAL

An oval diamond has beautiful brilliance that’s similar to a round diamond. Oval diamonds are also very popular as their length can accentuate long, slender fingers. Ovals can be set either vertically or horizontally, and look particularly pretty when paired with tiny diamonds.

PEAR

This brilliant-cut diamond is also called a teardrop for its single point and rounded end. The unique look of the pear shape helps make it a popular choice for a variety of diamond jewelry. If you choose an elongated pear shape, the length of the diamond creates a subtle slimming effect on the fingers.

MARQUISE

The shape of a marquise diamond can maximize carat weight, giving you a much larger-looking diamond. This brilliant-cut diamond looks beautiful set with round or pear-shaped side stones, and the length of the marquise makes fingers appear long and slender. This distinctive shape is for woman who wants to make a statement.

HEART

The heart is the ultimate symbol of love. Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece wears this style of stone in her engagement ring. When choosing a color grade, consider that while the price of a J-color heart shaped diamond is exceptional, color may be slightly visible in its corners.

THE ANTIQUE CUTS

ASSCHER

This beautifully unique shape is nearly identical to the emerald-cut, except that it is square. Created in about 1900 by Dutch jeweler Abraham Asscher, this shape was popular in the 1930’s and has come back into vogue with fashion’s renewed love for vintage styles.

CUSHION

This unique shape has been popular for more than a century. Cushion-cut diamonds (also known as “pillow-cut” diamonds) have rounded corners and larger facets to increase their brilliance. Cushion-cut diamonds are available in shapes ranging from square to rectangular. As with any emerald cut, any imperfections will be more visible on a cushion than on shapes with brilliant-cut facets. The cushion diamond had its heyday a century ago but is now coming back into style.

ROSE

A rose cut diamond is domed and covered with concentric facets, making it look like a rose. The pretty floral shape first emerged during the 15^th century in India, although it had long been out of style, it has begun to blossom again…

PRINCESS

The Princess diamond was designed in 1961 in London. This is a very popular non-round diamond. Its beautiful brilliance and unique cut makes it a favorite for engagement rings. The princess has pointed corners and is traditionally square in shape. When choosing a color grade, consider that while the price of a J-color non-round diamond is exceptional, color may be slightly visible in its corners. Also, princess-cut diamonds can vary greatly in how square or rectangular they are.

RING STYLES

CLASSIC SOLITAIRE

Simply put, solitaire means one. For an engagement ring, this means the ring has one simple diamond, without side stones, accent stones, or other gem embellishments. Solitaire engagement rings need not be dull or plain, however, and for many women, the simple elegance of a single, sparkling stone is the ultimate symbol of the single love that two people share. While round brilliants are most commonly used for solitaires, any shape of diamond can work in this simple presentation.

SIDE STONES

Marc Anthony gave Jennifer Lopez a ring with side stones. The most traditional version features a round diamond with two tapered stones on each side known as baguettes because they resemble the classic loaf of French bread. The two side baguettes flood the center diamond with light and make it sparkle even more.

WIDE BAND SOLITAIRE

This style is sleek and modern; it embeds a single diamond in a thick metal band an is ideal for brides who do not want to stack an engagement ring with a wedding ring band. It’s also flattering for women with larger hands and fingers who might not feel comfortable with dainty rings.

VINTAGE

Anyone looking for a retro or retro-modern style should look no further than a vintage engagement ring. Whether it’s a delicate or glamorous art-deco look, vintage rings have recently caught on with brides looking for something different. Keep in mind that stones cut in the 19^th century and earlier on, give off a softer glow than the more fiery contemporary versions of these styles. The reason is that the technology did not exist then to facet stones the way jewelers can today.

MICRO-PAVÉ

This method was invented in Paris about 20 years ago; it is a setting technique that involves placing many tiny stones closely together on a ring so that it looks covered with diamonds.

OTHER STYLES

COLORED DIAMONDS

THREE STONE DIAMONDS

CELEBRITY ENGAGEMENT RINGS

Elizabeth Taylor, when engaged to her third husband, Michael Todd, wore a nearly 30-carat emerald cut diamond. Lady Diana Spencer wore an 18-carat deep blue oval sapphire circled by fourteen diamonds when she promised to become Princess Diana. Catherine Zeta-Jones’ nuptial promise to Michael Douglas was sealed with a 10-carat antique horizontal set marquise diamond. Paris Hilton’s short-lived engagement was highlighted by the 24-carat emerald cut diamond ring. Donald Trump presented his bride-to-be Melanie Knauss with an overwhelming 12-carat emerald cut engagement ring reported to cost a cool $1 million. Jackie Kennedy was given a modest 3-carat emerald set with nearly three additional carats of diamond accents when she accepted John F. Kennedy’s proposal. Jessica Simpson’s 4-carat engagement ring was an unusual pear-shape set in platinum with two side stones. Katie Holmes’ 5-carat ring from Tom Cruise is a classic oval shape in a pavé setting. Reese Witherspoon’s 4.5 carat Asscher cut engagement ring is set in a stunning 1920s art- deco style. Camilla Parker Bowles wed Prince Charles with an emerald ring accented by baguettes on each side, set delicately in platinum with an art deco style. Madonna’s 5-carat total weight ring is a three stone design with bezel settings.

And finally remember that the purpose of an engagement ring and or a wedding ring is to be a constant reminder of a spouse’s constant love, you can’t put a price on that, so have fun exploring !!

Should you want to know more on this topic, simply contact us at our blog site and we will answer all your questions.

References: www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond,www.theknot.com,  www.GoogleImages.com,www.InStyleWeddings.com,  www.Lovetoknow.com, www.howtobuyadiamond.gia.

Timing for Orders and Mailing

Wedding invitations are usually mailed six to eight weeks before the wedding date. To place your invitation order in time, count backward from your mailing date. As a general rule, plan on at least two months for printing and delivery of formal invitations, enclosures and envelopes. The wait may be less for nontraditional invitations, but get a reasonable time frame from your stationer or supplier.

If planning a Destination Wedding in a foreign country, you will want to make allowances for extra time, generally six months to mail all your invitations to your wedding planner who will then mail them back directly to your guests from abroad with a distinctive foreign stamp. This time frame also allows for delays in RSVP from your guests as well as time needed for your wedding planner to book transportation, hotels and activities abroad.

Here are Invitation Tips from “Peggy Post”, Emily Post’s great grand daughter in law, who is today’s recognized leading authority on “Etiquette”:

What’s Your Style?

Traditional Formal Invitations

The formal wedding invitation has a precise form and style. It’s printed on a heavy-weight paper of ivory, soft cream, or white. The paper can be flat or have a raised plate mark or margin. Formal invitations may be a large double sheet that is folded twice, a sheet folded once, or a single sheet. The lettering style for a formal invitation is generally classic and conservative, a serif type such as Roman and is printed in black or dark gray ink.

Traditional Wording for a Wedding Invitation

Invitations are customarily written in third-person style, and the wording and spelling are governed by the following conventions:

§ The words “honour” and “favour” (“the favour of a reply…”) are traditionally written in the British style. But the American spellings, “honor” and “favor” are acceptable.

§ The phrase “request the honor of your presence” is correct for an invitation to a ceremony held in a house of worship and may also be used for formal and semiformal weddings in other locations.

§ For invitations to a reception only, the wording is “request the pleasure of your company…”

§ While traditional invitations use the phrase “at the marriage of” it is correct to alter the wording to make grammatical sense in a less formal invitation. For example: “invite you to the wedding of”.

§ When a Roman Catholic mass is part of the ceremony, invitations may include the phrase “and your participation in the offering of the Nuptial Mass” on a separate line below the groom’s name.

§ There is no punctuation except periods after abbreviations (Mr., Mrs.,) and when phrases requiring commas appear in one line (“on Saturday, the ninth of December”). “Senior” and “Junior” may be abbreviated.

§ Names on invitations are written in full. Initials are not used. If someone prefers not to use his or her first or middle name, leave it out.

§ Numbers in the street address mentioned on the invitation are written in numerals: “3737 West End Avenue”. But when there is just one number, it is spelled out: “Thirty West End Avenue”.

§ Half hours are written as “half after seven o’clock” not “half past seven” or “seven thirty”.

§ Numbers in the date of the wedding are spelled out: “the twenty-sixth of July”, this form is perfectly correct. The year is spelled out” two thousand and eight”. The full date of the wedding, including year is always used in wedding announcement.

§ When the invitation is to the wedding only, it does not include an RSVP.

§ The invitation to the reception only or a combined ceremony-reception invitation does request a reply either RSVP or “The favor of a reply is requested.”

Semiformal and Informal Invitations

Semiformal and Informal invitations are often written in a more intimate, first-person tone, though the information is the same as in a formal invitation. The paper and design might incorporate the theme of the wedding, and stationery manufacturers now offer a wide variety of color schemes, borders, and designs. Color inks and contemporary type faces are acceptable, so long as they are easy to read. Today’s couples may prefer to design their invitations to reflect the nature of the occasion and their personal style.

Please Save the Date

Save-the-date cards, giving advance notice of an upcoming wedding, can be very helpful to guests who must make travel plans or when the wedding will be held at a time when there may be conflicts with other activities, such as on major holidays.

Save-the-Date cards are especially useful for alerting guests about a Destination Wedding and a thoughtful gesture, giving guests plenty of time to book flights.

Save-the-Date cards are usually mailed three to four months prior to the wedding. In the case of a Destination Wedding at a distant location, your wedding planner will notify you on when to send your save-the-date cards.

This is done as soon as you finalize the wedding date and confirm the reception hall.

Be sure that everyone who receives a save-the-date card also receives an invitation. Printed on single, standard invitation-sized or postcard-like cards, save-the-date can be informal or formal to match the style of the upcoming wedding or event.

Hand Written Invitations

If your wedding is small and informal, you might consider hand-writing the invitations yourself or hiring a calligrapher to do them. Long after the advent of the printing press, the aristocracy continued to have their invitations hand-lettered as a sign of status. But, this is a major undertaking when the guest list is lengthy. Generally, handwritten notes and invitations are suited for small weddings at which the guest company will be made up of family and close friends. Notes can be written by the bride and groom and /or their families, and each invitation can be issued by the person closest to the invitee. A note must convey the necessary information and can be as original and personal as the writer wishes.

Invitation to the Reception

When all guests are invited to both the ceremony and the reception, you can combine the invitation.

Six Invitation Mistakes to Avoid

The beauty of the traditional invitation is that it’s hard to get wrong. Still mistakes happen, and the time to catch them is before anything is printed.

§ Spelling errors can be avoided by checking, double checking, and having others check your wording. Be particularly attentive to the names and addresses of ceremony and reception sites and the spellings of all names.

§ Any mention of gifts or listing of gift registries in unacceptable. Also do not include a note like “No gifts, please.”

§ If you don’t want children, don’t invite them. Never add notations such as “no children” or “Adults only” to the invitation.

§ Dress notations are not included on a wedding invitation unless the ceremony and reception invitations are combined. If it’s essential to indicate” black tie” or “white tie”, the notation is printed on the lower right corner of the reception invitation.

§ References to food and alcohol service are not included on invitations, although food choices may be mentioned on reply cards.

A Mailing for Travelers

Out-of-town guests usually need to know more than can be included on a direction card, so you may want to prepare a separate mailing. If you are considering a Destination Wedding Abroad, your wedding consultant will provide you with all the necessary information.

JUST REMEMBER …that the way you decide to make the announcement – through your choice of paper, format, type style, printing method and embellishment – will make a first and lasting impression of your wedding, hinting at the tone and of the event just weeks away and serving as a keepsake for years to come!

If you are planning a Destination Wedding abroad and would like to know more about the etiquette of that particular country is, simply contact us at our website and we will run a full article on our next blog.

References: www.wikipedia.com, www.peggypost.com, www.affordableweddinginvitations.net,