One-of-a-Kind

I want my own special engagement ring, that's why I've decided to get a custom-design engagement ring, but here is a couple with some seriously original thinking. Check out the dancing wedding procession here.



Pretty cool, huh? Pretty bridemaid dresses too. Very pretty.

Custom Design Engagement Rings

If you think a custom-design engagement ring has to be expensive, think again. When I decided I wanted to design my own engagement ring (my boyfriend had already told me he didn't want to try and surprise me and then find out I didn't like it), I googled 'custom design engagement rings' and found Diamond.com.

Not only is their online build-a-ring application a lot of fun, but it produced some really reasonably priced rings (under $1000). I like the fact that you can set a ceiling price that you can't afford to go over and it will only show you designs that meet that. I wish salesmen were so cooperative!! Instead they want to talk about it being a great investment and their low-interest loans. But we're trying to get out of debt, not into more!

Good luck in your wedding ventures!

Shannon

Choosing Jewelry that Looks Good on You

If you decide you want a custom-design engagement ring, you'll want to think a bit about how to choose jewelry that looks good on YOU, right? Here are some tips:

How to Select the Most Flattering Jewelry Styles

For thousands of years women (and men) have enjoyed adorning themselves with jewelry. Whether made of wood, wool, metal or stone, jewelry’s primary purpose was to create a desired appearance.

Regardless of whether you are looking for jewelry for daily wear or to complement formal attire, you want it to draw attention to your best features or possibly camouflage less desirable areas. Here are some guidelines to help you with your selection.

NECKLACE

Are you tall? Average? Petite? Your choice of necklace can minimize or emphasize your size. To create or emphasize a taller appearance, choose longer necklaces and V-shapes. A necklace that falls past the bustline but above the waist will elongate, while a choker style or shorter U-shaped necklace resting on the breast bone will shorten your appearance.

The size of your necklace should also be considered. Fuller figures can complement their proportions with larger, chunkier pieces that might overwhelm an individual with a smaller frame.

EARRINGS

Face shape (oval, rectangle, heart or square) is important when selecting earrings.

Individuals with an oval face shape can wear any style while other people should look for styles that contrast their face shape. Selecting a hoop or button style for a round face would only emphasize the round shape. Square or long shapes will de-emphasize a round face.

The same is true with other face shapes; a long, rectangular face should stay away from long, dangling earrings and choose smaller studs instead. Square faces need the softness of round or hoop earrings and heart shaped faces are complemented with triangular shapes with a wide base that contrasts a narrow chin.

BRACELETS AND RINGS

Do you move your hands a lot while talking? Then select the jewelry on your hands just as carefully as that near your face.

The guidelines for bracelets and rings is similar to that for necklaces. Women of average build and height will find a wide bracelet most complimentary. Petite women should look for more delicate pieces. Bigger women should layer small bracelets or choose something more substantial, avoiding very delicate pieces that can look lost.

When selecting rings make sure that the setting doesn't cover your knuckle, which can make fingers look short, as well as being uncomfortable. Shorter fingers benefit from oval settings while longer fingers look best with wide bands or simple, round settings.

CHOOSING WHAT YOU LOVE

Use these general guidelines to help you select flattering jewelry. However, remember above all to select jewelry you love to wear. Jewelry lasts a lifetime, so ultimately make a decision based on what makes you FEEL wonderful.

Choosing a Diamond for Your Engagement Ring

I know you can find information about choosing diamonds everywhere. But that's just it, I found the amount of information a little overwhelming. So here are my notes that I collected about choosing a diamond when I was designing my own engagement ring.

Buying Diamonds

A truly flawless diamond is very rare and expensive. As a product from nature, diamonds have distinct irregularities. While many think that diamonds are always crystal clear, they actually come in a wide array of colors and shades, including pink, blue, orange, green and yellow.

When buying diamonds you want to know as much as possible about the stone. Here are the more important characteristics of diamonds. Known as the 4 C’s, the following attributes affect a diamond’s value.

Clarity - with less irregularities and natural flaws the better the clarity. The more flaws in a diamond the cheaper it would be. Clear diamonds are brighter.

Cut - the brilliance of diamonds depends on its cut. How a diamond refracts light will depend on the many angles in the finish, symmetry, and polish. A well-cut diamond dances with brilliance.

Carat - The unit of weight by which a diamond is measured. One carat equals 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams. Normally, the larger (and heavier) the diamond the more expensive it is.

Color - with exception of rare colored diamonds (i.e. blue, green and pink) the less color a diamond has the better. Colorless diamonds refract light better and dazzle the eye.

Always buy diamonds from a respectable store, whether online or offline. Ask to see the GIA certificate or AGS certificate of your diamond. If basing a decision on a written appraisal, verify the appraiser.

While there are formulas to determine the monetary value of a diamond ring, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. A diamond should compliment the hands and personality of the wearer. But mostly it ought to be something you really want to wear! Might seem obvious, huh? But you know, you can sometimes forget that when people are talking about 'lifetime investment, blah, blah, blah'.

My next post is going to be about choosing jewelry (in general, not just rings) that complement you visually.

Picking an Engagement Ring - First Step

Picking an engagement ring, whether you design your own engagement ring, have someone else custom-design one for you or simply purchase an existing ring, is an exciting first step in planning engagement, wedding and marriage.

A friend of mine wrote this article about planning engagements and weddings and gave me permission to post it here.

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Low-Stress Wedding Planning

Whose Day Is It?

This is your wedding, so the day should be about what you and your partner want, right? Yes and no. You may want to remember that you can’t please everyone and therefore focus on simply pleasing yourself and your partner. On the other hand, when parents are footing the large bill for a wedding, they can feel they are hosting the event. Often parents pitching in financially may feel they are owed a say in how the money is spent and wedding or reception details. This is particularly true if a significant number of guests are their long-time friends or relatives.

Avoid upsetting people by learning the art of compromise. Making decisions that everyone can live with is a skill which will improve the odds of you having a happy marriage.

Planning

Start planning right away. Use a folder, notebook or even a computer program to list all the tasks you can think of related to your wedding, including the honeymoon. List dates when jobs need to be completed and check them off once done. Keep a record of everything: deposits, receipts, phone calls and written confirmation of any bookings.

Budget

Work out a budget for your wedding and try not to exceed it by more than the smallest of margins. Wedding costs have a habit of getting blown out of proportion. If you are over budget, look for areas where you can economize. Could you borrow a friend's car instead of hiring one? A wedding doesn't need to expensive to be great.

Share the Workload

Once you have a list of everything that needs to be done, enlist help. Ask family and close friends to assist or even be responsible for various tasks. Many people love a wedding and love to be involved, so let them. But don’t begrudge those who politely decline.

Problems

Keep problems in proportion. If the bridesmaids' shoes are one shade lighter than you wanted, it isn't the end of the world. Learn some relaxation techniques or have a soothing massage if it all gets too much.

Enjoy the lead up The time leading up to your wedding is a special time that will go very quickly. Don't spend it obsessing over wedding preparations or arguing with everyone. Don't say things you may later regret. If you feel yourself losing your cool, walk away for a while and calm down. Sometimes it helps to pop in a movie or read a book about someone less fortunate than yourself. Those off-shade bridesmaids' shoes really will seem trivial when you consider people living in poverty or battling major illnesses.

Take Time Out

Each week take time out with your partner and agree not to mention the word 'wedding' or anything related to weddings. Go out to dinner, see a movie or enjoy other activities for two. (wink, wink)

The Big Day

Finally, enjoy every moment of your wedding day and help your guests do the same. It’s the shared moment of a wedding day that you will treasure the most.

P.S. Feel free to comment below on your own wedding plans!