This article has been provided to us by Article provided by Cred Jewellery
An engagement ring is a very special piece of jewellery that lasts a lifetime and symbolises so much, so it is important to get it right.
Style:
What style of ring do you want? A traditional diamond solitaire, traditional with a twist, or something more modern? Think about her fashion style or what jewellery she usually wears as the ring will need to fit in with these. But also bear in mind she will be wearing it for the rest of her life, so will need to suit her just as well at 66 as at 26.
Browse for some ideas online and get an idea of the designs that you like, or think she may like.
If you are looking for something completely unique, then you can speak to a designer about a bespoke design.
Stone:
The traditional engagement ring would be a solitaire diamond. There has been a lot in the press about ‘blood diamonds’ or ‘conflict’ diamonds’. The Kimberley process was set up internationally to ensure that all diamonds come from certified non-conflict sources, but there are companies that go above and beyond this to give complete traceability, are sourced from small-scale mines and have looked after the environmental processes too.
Or why not choose an alternative precious stone entirely? An amethyst, emerald or sapphire make just as dramatic a statement as diamond, and you will love bearing an unusual ring that is personal to the two of you.
A trilogy ring gives you the best of both worlds as you can have a central coloured stone straddled by smaller diamonds.
Cut:
For the main stone in the ring you have a few options for the cut – this makes a difference to the way the light is reflected around the stone. The two main cuts for diamonds are Brilliant or Princess. Brilliant cut is round, with slightly more sparkle than a princess cut because it has more facets wheras the Princess cut is a more modern square cut.
Setting:
There are many settings for stones which can be set into or above the ring. The setting enhances the beauty of the diamond and is designed to present the stone at its best and holding it securely for a lifetime.
Some of the different settings include:
- Open – designed to let the maximum amount of light pass through to give the diamond sparkle.
- V – Allows the same amount of light through as an open setting, but slightly is stronger & architectural looking.
- Gallery – the most traditional setting for engagement rings giving a balance between secure setting and light getting through.
- Cradle – a modern, secure setting, but the light still gets though.
Colour:
Do you wear more white-gold or yellow-gold jewellery? You’ll want to consider this carefully and get your wedding ring made in the same quality (i.e. 18ct or 9ct) to match the engagement ring, and possibly as each others wedding rings. Platinum is even harder wearing than white gold, but has a similar look.
Size:
Have your finger measured. Any jewellery shop will be able to do this for you if you have the finger to hand. Once you know your size you have the freedom to choose an engagement ring you have seen online.
However, if your proposal is a surprise you may want to secretly find out her ring size using a ring she currently wears. Download a free ring-sizer to lay the ring on, but be aware that this will still be an estimate without the real finger to measure so check that the ring can be easily re-sized if necessary.
More information on fair trade gold, ethical diamonds and tips on choosing the right engagement ring for you can be found at www.credjewellery.com, or call 0203 176 7839.
If you would like to visit Your UK Wedding Directory, you can find out more about Wedding Planning, Wedding Stationery, Wedding Accessories, Wedding Rings and Wedding Flowers.
This article has been provided by Sally Cherri of Bomboniera Events
There are many factors that go into planning a successful wedding, which could in fact be the most important social event of your life. Every detail helps add up to the grand picture of a truly memorable day, and wedding centrepieces are one of these details that can really help set up a unique atmosphere. These will be admired by guests during the reception, generally. You want to make sure that they are the ideal size, so that they will not overwhelm the table, but will manage to be a topic of interest and capture the imagination of your guests at the same time.
To this end, there are a number of prevailing trends that have gone into the current state of wedding centrepieces. Floral pieces are the most traditional, but they can receive a new shot of modernity if you arrange them in unique or unexpected combinations. One of the most popular types of floral centrepiece is one that utilizes tropical flowers, or orchids. These are classic yet have a bit of a twist or flair that will help saturate your wedding with colour. Displaying flower bulbs instead of fresh cut flowers can have a unique effect, and is another example of how to make your piece stand out.
Fruits and vegetables are another hot trend in wedding centrepieces. If the ultimate effect that you are trying to achieve is something that is eye-catching and colourful, these could do the trick much in the same way that flowers are able to do. Baskets of fruit give a festive feel and one of abundance, and are also traditionally thought to be good luck. Some of the little twists that wedding planners and decorators have been giving these arrangements include using carrots instead of flower stems, or filling a clear vase up with various coloured fruits. The possibilities are virtually endless variations on a theme.
Within the realm of fruits, flowers, and other accessories to liven up these various wedding centrepieces, you can also think about how to then place them on the table. They need not always go directly in the centre, and could be placed on their own mat or directly on the table. Placing flowers on mirrors can add extra dimension and depth to the arrangement, as this helps amplify the image. It’s a good idea to experiment with a variety of different arrangements before making this important decorating decision.
If you would like to visit Your UK Wedding Directory, you can find out more about Wedding Planning, Wedding Stationery, Wedding Accessories, Wedding Rings and Wedding Flowers.
Reducing the carbon footprint is very important but how do you ensure that you are environmentally responsible when it comes to your wedding. The Wedding Planner School gives their top ten tips for making your wedding not only eco-friendly that will also help to keep it in budget….
- Keep it Local – Choose a wedding venue that is local to you or to the majority of your guests, which reduces carbon monoxide and other car emissions and saves money on fuel. When it comes to researching suppliers and venues think local and use the internet and telephone to do most of the research for your shortlist.
- Potted Decorations – Instead of cut flowers that are generally imported from Holland or Africa and die a few days after your wedding, source potted plants & flowers that are grown locally thus reducing your carbon footprint and ensuring fair trade. Consider having organic non-genetically modified plants, which can be used both for decoration and given as favours or gifts at the end of the day. If you prefer the idea of candles adding to the ambience opt for those made from soyawax rather then beeswax.
- Stationery & Communications – Using the internet and telephones to invite your guests reduces the need for paper, ink and postage. E-reply cards should also make for quicker responses. Where invitations need to be sent in hard copy choose a simple design on chlorine-free paper with organic inks or opt for a postcard design saving paper and money and don’t forget to recycle stationery such as Orders of Service. Consider a wedding website to provide details, directions and a gift list without doing any printing.
- Wedding Planner - The Wedding Planner School offers a free graduate wedding planner service for brides nationwide. If you are enjoying planning your eco-friendly wedding so much you want it to last forever book yourself onto a course to learn how to turn your passion into a successful career, money saving tips and how to avoid nasty surprises!
- Fashionable Green – Vintage dresses are very fashionable so you can be socially responsible and bang-on-trend. Consider renting or borrowing a dress or alternatively have a dress made to measure with locally sourced fabrics. Charity shops do second hand dresses, which are so popular that in 2007 stocks were exhausted, and you can donate them back afterwards.
- Rings – Buy antique rings instead of new ones as diamonds, platinum, silver and gold always have to be imported and may contain blood diamonds.
- Food Miles – Opt for locally sourced, organic food, which is in season. Thus reducing food miles and the use of chemical fertilisers.
- Gifts – If you have already set up home have an ethical gift list so that your guests can make donations of time or money to charity.
- Transport – A romantic horse-drawn carriage is a very eco-friendly way to travel to your venue or you might want to walk if it is nearby. Imagine how beautiful a procession of your guests led by you and new husband would look strolling through town. If you want to arrive by car consider using a regular car rather than a limousine or vintage car, which only do about ten miles to the gallon.
- The Honeymoon – You don’t have to go abroad to enjoy a wonderful honeymoon so consider honeymooning in the UK or if you do want to head abroad use public transport to reach your destination. Some travel agents will actually calculate the carbon footprint resulting from the honeymoon so you can plant trees to offset the carbon emissions.
If you would like to visit Your UK Wedding Directory, you can find out more about Wedding Planning, Wedding Stationery, Wedding Accessories, Wedding Rings and Wedding Flowers.
Every bride wants to feel like a fairytale princess on her wedding day. If you want to bring some magic and sparkle to your big day too, The Wedding Planner School, trainers of top wedding planners worldwide, offers some great ideas for all budgets…- Stationery Fit for a Princess – Model invitations in the form of Cinderella’s shoe, which needs to be returned to its owner as soon as possible or as a story book, where guests can read all about the fairytale wedding. Name your tables after fairytales with Cinderella (top table), Sleeping Beauty etc and why not have carriages holding your place cards or table centres.
- Colour Scheme – Silver and pink are the colours of a fairytale princess. Incorporate them into all aspects of the big day from pink champagne to silver candles; decorate the venue with swathes of pink and silver fabric – tulle and net are on trend for bridal gowns and bridesmaids dresses in 2010.
- A Magic Castle – Castles are a big feature but if they are out of budget introduce some regal decorations instead such as swan ice sculptures, sparkling chandeliers and if Posh and Becks can have thrones so can you!
- Glass Slippers – Maintain that soft fairytale look by contrasting the feminine pinks with your dashing groom in grey tails or a chic white suit. Don’t forget the all important shoes, which are available as clear ‘glass’ slippers.
- Romantic Ringlets – Soft up or half up hairstyles with romantic ringlets held in place by your very own tiara!
- Storybook – Have the story and pictures of your lives and your fairytale romance displayed in a storybook for all your guests to read.
- Horse and Carriage – The perfect arrival for a princess in your own horse drawn carriage (provided they don’t turn into mice)! You could even have some doves (or dove balloons) to release after the ceremony.
- Flowers – Roses with their thorns removed so that ‘Prince Phillip’ can reach his ‘Sleeping Beauty’!
- Fairy Cakes – A wedding cake made up of lots of little fairy cakes would bring the fairytale and modern tastes together. Alternatively opt for a beautiful castle-shaped cake or a plain tower with an icing shoe on top!
- Fairy Godmother – No fairytale would be complete without a fairy godmother overseeing events and ensuring that everything is magical for your special day. In other words …. a wedding planner. The Wedding Planner School offers a free wedding planner service or to learn the tricks of the trade, why not book on one of their courses for yourself!
If you would like to visit Your UK Wedding Directory, you can find out more about Wedding Planning, Wedding Stationery, Wedding Accessories, Wedding Cakes and Wedding Flowers.
