Showing posts with label bride-to-be. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bride-to-be. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Diamonds Are Forever

Newly Engaged? Here’s All You Need To Know To Keep That Ring Sparkling Forever.



Demetrios Emerald-Cut Diamond Halo Engagement Ring by Rogers & Hollands

To ensure that you and your diamond ring never part company, follow these expert tips.

A CARE PACKAGE

•    Have your jeweler inspect the setting after about six months of wear; the prongs can sometimes loosen as the ring conforms to the unique shape of your finger. After this, get your setting checked at least once a year.

•    Store in a safe place, like a ring holder or jewel box.

•   Never wear your engagement ring while swimming. Water is slippery, and cold water is especially tricky. Often it can cause the width of your finger to contract making slippage even more likely.

•    While traveling, keep your engagement ring locked in your hotel’s in-room safe.

•    Be sure to get your ring insured. Most policies offer to replace your engagement ring while others offer cash.

SQUEAKY CLEAN

Lotions, soaps, dirt and natural oils your fingers encounter over time will eventually dull your diamond’s sparkle. Therefore, you need to clean it frequently. Here are some options:

•    The Pro: Bring your ring to your jeweler, who will probably steam-clean it—a powerful blast of hot steam expels buildup and scours the stone’s surface.

•    At Home: Your jeweler can recommend a brand. Most call for soaking your ring in a specially formulated solution that includes ammonia and water.

•    DIY: Soak your ring in an ammonia and cold water solution for about 30 minutes; rinse and carefully dry. Pressed for time? Spray some ammonia-based window cleaner onto your ring, and then wipe it clean with a soft cloth.

By Patricia Canole
For more wedding planning tips and trends, visit ForTheBrideMag.com

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Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Valentine's Day Inspiration

Clever Ideas To Personalize Your Party With Flair.

February 14th is the perfect day for love and romance. But even if it's not your big day, consider including some of these touches!

Opening Shot - Beautiful Day Photography


ATTIRE An old-fashioned look is always romantic. You'll want to wear a classic style gown and tuxedo. Another option is to go for a dress with red accents—a cherry red sash would be stunning. Have your bridesmaids wear dresses shades of pink and red; groomsmen will look handsome with red ties with coordinating red and pink boutonnières.

Gabrielle by Claire Pettibone

DÉCOR Create a romantic atmosphere by blanketing the aisle with rose petals. For the reception dress each table with rose tea-light holders. The simple DIY project begins by removing the rose stem, then open the bloom to remove several center petals to accommodate space for your candle.

COCKTAIL HOUR Serve crimson-hued cocktails and give them Valentine-themed names like “Cupid’s Kiss," and "Be My Valentine.”

MENU Fan the sparks among your guests by including some aphrodisiacs on the menu by including an oyster bar, almond-crusted salmon rolls, or chicken with mole (a Mexican chocolate sauce). Surprise guests with an all-red dessert lounge of chocolate-covered strawberries, a raspberry tart, and even red velvet cupcakes.

FAVORS Gift your friends and family with heart-shaped boxes of candy or macaroons and a note attached saying “Thank you for being our Valentine!”

SPECIAL TOUCHES Rather than table numbers, why not name each for a famous couple (real or fictional). Antony and Cleopatra, Romeo and Juliet, Napolean and Josephine, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor come to mind.
   
By Patricia Canole

Shutterstock

Monday, January 26, 2015

Weddings Made Easy

GET SMART ABOUT STATIONERY

Lilah Paper

Wedding invitations can be expensive: custom designs and letterpress printing are just the beginning. But you don't have to settle for less quality to save. Here’s how to get it all without breaking the budget.

SHOP AROUND While stationery stores are a great place to see a wide selection of invitations, there are other options. Office supply stores including Staples, Walmart and other discount outlets plus online websites like Wedding Paper Divas are just a few of the alternatives available. Remember to order samples so that you can see the quality and printing before purchase.

Staples

NO RECEPTION CARD If your ceremony and reception will be held at the same site/venue, there is little need for an additional card. Instead, have your reception time and place printed at the bottom of the invitation instead of on a separate card. You’ll not only save on cost of the paper but additional postage too.
 Wedding Paper Divas

PROOFREAD A no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people find errors on their invitations. Get your bridesmaids and friends to help check for extra assurance. Be sure all the details are included: names, date, time, location and response card info.

A PACKAGE DEAL Look for stationers who offer discounts when ordering the entire wedding stationery ensemble all at once: save-the-dates, invitations, place cards, thank you cards, etc. If you don’t see a reduction...just ask!

Wedding Paper Divas
Wedding Paper Divas

STAMP OF APPROVAL Some people think if invites weigh an ounce, they can use a regular first-class stamp. Not true! Most invitations weigh more than an ounce. And according to the U.S. Post Office website, you'll incur an additional surcharge on anything over one ounce. There are other considerations as well including if the envelope is oversized or square, contains rigid items such as wood/metal, or has clasps, buttons, or similar closures. Be sure to check with your local post office beforehand.

PRINTING TECHNIQUES An engraved wedding invitation is the ultimate—but also pricey! Thankfully there are alternatives that are equally satisfying and less costly ways to announce your wedding. Thermography will give the same raised look and feel while laser printing is perfectly acceptable for a more casual wedding.

Lilah
THE LITTLE EXTRAS Although invitations with bows, multiple layers of papers and other intricate embellishments are popular today, these little extras will add to the final cost. In addition, there might be hidden assembly fees—or extra work for you. Opt for a simple invitation printed on high-quality paper.

Wedding Paper Divas

WHAT’S ON THE MENU? If you’re holding the reception at a hotel/restaurant, have them create menu cards as part of the deal. It’s usually not a problem, and it will save you an extra expense.

MORE IS BETTER Forgot to invite a college pal? It doesn't hurt to order a few extra invitations to have on hand. Sure it will cost you a little extra now, but save you rush charges later.

By Patricia Canole
For more wedding planning tips and trends, visit ForTheBrideMag.com

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Friday, January 16, 2015

Planning: APPmazing!

A New App to the Rescue

It seems wedding apps are taking over the app store world, making a search for an all-rounder a bit too confusing for most couples-to-be. Recently I tried Trello, a new online/mobile tool you can use to create lists, make plans, jot down ideas and inspiration, too. In a matter of minutes, I got to enjoy the ease in creating boards with checklists of duties for bridesmaids and even starting a map of seating assignments at the reception. Here, a few of the ways Trello can make it all happen.



1. Create Your Timeline


2. Segment each list on your board in order of urgency and list important dates, locations and vendor details. You’ll have everything you need to take care of in one central place.  















3. Create a board to configure your seating arrangements for the reception. You can even add special details about your guests and note if they have food allergies. It’s so easy to stay up-to-date with your bridesmaids from where to get their dresses, lists of what they need to complete, important details about bachelorette party/bridal showers, and more. Your bridal party will be in constant contact with one another and have access to any and all information they need to know in one organized place.














4. Once the wedding is over, you can easily lose track of things and items you need to take care of such as sending out thank you notes or finalizing any outstanding bills.













By Patricia Canole
For more wedding planning tips and trends, visit ForTheBrideMag.com
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Friday, December 12, 2014

Planning: The Guest List

5 EASY WAYS TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL.




















1. DON’T PUT OFF “THE TALK” 
From the beginning, communicate with your parents and determine the number of guests that your budget allows. Traditionally, each family get half of the desired total; that translates into four lists—one each for the bride, the groom, the bride’s parents, and the groom’s parents. Focus on numbers first to avoid painful cuts later.

2. DIVIDE AND CONQUER 
Sort possible guests into categories, and then eliminate by groups. Always be sure to make across-the-board, clear-cut distinctions however. For example, you might decide to invite all of your aunts and uncles but forego cousins and other relatives. Just make sure to cut each category equally to avoid any hurt feelings.

3. SEPARATE WORK AND PLAY 
It is acceptable to leave out all of your office associates—or most of them. If just family and close friends are attending your wedding, your coworkers should understand that you had to make the cut-off. If you do end up inviting a few colleagues include those who are also among your closest friends.

4. AVOID PAYBACK 
This is not the time for your parents to insist on reciprocity for weddings they’ve attended over the years. It's your party! Of course, listen to your parents’ suggestions and ideas for the guest list, but know that this is a decision that you and your fiancé should make, and your list of invitees takes priority.

5. FAR-AWAY PALS 
If you think having to travel a great distance will prevent some people on your list from making it to your wedding, call them to find out if that is the case. While you might still want to send invitations to your closest long-distance friends and family, you can send announcements after the wedding to the others.



By Patricia Canole
For more wedding planning tips and trends, visit ForTheBrideMag.com
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates!