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Engagement Ring Trends

January 18th, 2010

Source: moissanite.com

Lots of people are finding an alternative to diamond engagement rings. Reasons differ among couples, but some do it for cost, while others do it for uniqueness. Sometimes people try to define “unique” engagement rings by finding something that no one else has (which is difficult with diamond rings). But I think that’s the wrong route. “Uniqueness” is finding a ring that describes the bride and it’s not always with a diamond.

A friend proposed with a moissanite ring, a stone that came from a meteor, because he did not want to risk buying a conflict diamond. It looks very similar to a diamond and the cost is not as expensive. You can check their site for retailers near you. If you’re wondering if your diamond ring is a conflict diamond, then you should know that most jewelry companies released a statement stating that their diamonds are not conflict diamonds after the Blood Diamond movie. You can check out that vendor’s press releases on their website.

My friend's unique engagement ring

Some brides get an engagement ring with their birthstone. eHow explains how to select a birthstone engagement ring. A friend was proposed with an onyx ring and I can’t explain in details why, but it represents her personality very well. She doesn’t like to follow what other people do and she’s not into diamond rings.

Have you considered a unique engagement ring?

by Christine | posted in Accessories | 4 Comments »

Not long ago, I posted up the Pantone 2010 Color for the Year.

Well, for you brides who are scheduling a 2011 wedding, I have some news for you! La Cuir A Paris (a French fashion fair/expo that attracts fashion designers from around the world) have released their color forecast for Spring/Summer 2011.

Here’s what they say about the following color palettes:

“Archaic Garden” – The range is whitened, stony, mineral or delicately fruity. The softness of faded, evanescent, light and serious colors.
“Underwater Variation” – The range delves into the blue, and extends to an aqua green. Sea anemone pink is enhanced by inky blues and purples. Navy and brown darken the landscape. White soap bubbles refresh the saturated atmosphere.
“Tropical Dramaturgy” – The range is solar, incandescent, spicy and suffocating. Yellow singing at the top of its voice, uninhibited parrot green, the orange of Tibetan monks, the entire spectrum of reds from purple to salmon pink. Bushy brown, deep blue.
“Enchanted Picnic” – The range sets your teeth on edge. The neon colors are whitened. Jelly pink is transparent, the pastels are over-bright. The brights are on fire, tempered by a reasonable grey and a measured beige.
“Shadowy Shores” – The range is tinged with vegetal colors. Bathed in red, boat hull; dark navy, hut; strong green, canvas. Or lightened colors, bleached by the salt, faded by the sun and the sea.

“Tropical Dramaturgy” and “Archaic Garden” are my favorites – what are yours?

by auschick | posted in Design Ideas | No Comments »

Trunk Show with Free Veil!

January 14th, 2010

A friend from our audience shared this email with us. A purchase at the show will get a free veil!

Source: Crystal Bridal Gallery

DATE: Jan. 16, 2010 (Saturday)
TIME: 10am-6pm
LOCATION: 8496-B Tyco Rd Vienna VA 22182(2nd Floor)
By Appointment Only
703-288-3066

If you go, let us know what you think of the store!

by Christine | posted in Events | No Comments »

Bridesmaid Baby Bumps

January 13th, 2010

A few of my recently married friends have started to have the “baby talk” and as more and more of my friends are getting engaged and starting to plan their weddings, the possibility of being a pregnant bridesmaid has come up in conversation a couple of times. It’s tough because no one wants to be that bridesmaid with a baby bump, but at the same time why should someone put off starting a family or adding to their family because they’re going to be in a wedding or two this year? If you are a bridesmaid that might be pregnant on the day of the wedding, just be honest with the bride and give her as much notice in advance as possible. That way the bride and the rest of the bridal party can plan accordingly for the bridesmaid dresses, shoes, accessories, etc. The bridesmaid dresses are especially a major concern if a bridesmaid is going to be pregnant at the wedding. Luckily, there are a lot of options as more and more designers are creating maternity dress lines. One bridesmaid that I know is going to be almost 8 months pregnant at her sister’s wedding in the spring and the bride was able to select dresses for the bridal party that offered a few maternity options. Granted, you can’t always plan for the future, but if you know or have an inkling that a bridesmaid might be pregnant at the wedding here are a few gorgeous maternity bridesmaid dresses that I came across from simpledress.com to consider:

Source: simpledress.com This dress can be worn at anytime during the course of pregnancy.

This dress can be worn at any time during the pregnancy.

Source: simpledress.com This dress is recommended for women who are 4 to 6 months pregnant.

This dress is recommended for women who are 4 to 6 months pregnant.

Source: simpledress.com This dress is recommended for women who are 4 to 7 months pregnant.

This dress is recommended for women who are 4 to 7 months pregnant.

Source: simpledress.com This dress is recommended for women who are more than 7 months pregnant.

This dress is recommended for women who are more than 7 months pregnant.

Do you have any pregnant bridesmaids? What dresses have you been able to find?

by Caitlin | posted in Attire | No Comments »

More Bridal Shows

January 13th, 2010

Source: Washington Bridal Showcase

Bridal shows are fun if you know what you’re looking for! I posted earlier about the Great Bridal Expo on January 16th for DC area and January 18th for NYC area. Checkout the checklist before you go. The Bridal Showcase in DC area is having three events:

  • Sunday, January 17 in Greenbelt, MD
  • Sunday, January 24 in Bethesda, MD
  • Sunday, January 31 in Chantilly, VA

It’s $5 if you purchase tickets online and $10 at the door. There are also Baltimore and Houston events. I hope you find what you need!

by Christine | posted in Events | No Comments »

At Home Weddings

January 12th, 2010

Source: Washington Post

In an earlier post, I mentioned a trend of brides holding their wedding at their home or home of someone they know. The movitation is usually to save money but Washington Post writer Dina ElBoghdady shares the highs and lows of doing it at home. You could save money by having your wedding at home but there are many extra things you have to pay for, such as tents, power generators, parking valet, etc. In the end, you could spend more and you risk the negatives, like property damage. I’ve never attended a wedding at home, but in my opinion, I would recommend it only if it were a small wedding, nice house, and the bride had a good deal on something like catering that would set the budget on a good foot. Otherwise, it seems like too much heartache and risk.

Have you attended an at-home wedding? How did it go?

by Christine | posted in Budget | 3 Comments »

Last week I went on a spending spree at one of my favorite stores – Michael’s.  Whatever the theme of your wedding, and regardless of when your wedding is during the year, as Christine has already mentioned, you can always make use of Christmas decorations!

Baubles are probably my favorite for using in weddings, and are available in tons of colors.  You can fill up a tall clear vase with baubles that fit your theme and use them as centerpieces – just make sure the tops of them aren’t visible from the outside so they look like regular balls and not Christmas decorations!  These balls can also be used to create a wedding wreath, perhaps with some fake or real flowers included too.

Baskets are also usually on clearance around new years, and these can be used for holding programs, rose petals (think flower girls), and bathroom supplies.

If the theme of your wedding is either red, silver, or green, finding ribbons and wrapping paper that are on Christmas clearance are also good finds – just make sure to get patterns that aren’t adorned with Christmas trees or other obvious Christmas patterns.

Another thing to stock up on is tape that’s on clearance – double sided is especially handy, but you’re more likely to find gift wrapping tape. Depending on what you’re doing for favors or thank you gifts, this can be especially useful.

"Love" Garland from the $1 section at Target last year

We’re now getting closer to Valentine’s day, so that means everywhere you go, you’ll find cute/kitschy heart adorned candy, decorations, and kitchen products.  If you’re hosting a bridal shower or bachelorette party sometime this year, Valentines Day is a great time to stock up on bits and pieces for the party!  Keep an eye on Target’s $1 section for some great buys! Last year I found a silicone heart shaped icecube tray in that section and I included it with my sister’s bridal shower gift.  I also found a red glitter heart garland which I used at the entrance to her bacherlorette party.

Valentine's Day M&M's are great for bachelorette parties and bridal showers.

Have you used holiday ornaments in a wedding before? Share how you have used them, or intend to use them!

by auschick | posted in Design Ideas, General Planning | No Comments »

Recently the question, “what is a charger?” has been brought up frequently in conversations in regards to table settings. I’ve seen a variety of table setting at weddings, from informal to formal. Depending on your wedding venue or caterer, you may need to supply some, if not all the items needed to host your wedding reception and serve your guests. Every venue/caterer is different, so you be sure to clarify with the representative which items are provided and which you must provide.

image from gearpatrol.com

Formal dinner

The tableware pieces that make up the setting:

  1. Salad Plate
  2. Charger (Service Plate)
  3. Bread Plate
  4. Dinner Plate

Silverware:

  1. Dinner knife
  2. Dinner fork
  3. Teaspoon
  4. Salad fork
  5. Soup spoon
  6. Bread knife
  7. Cake fork
  8. Dessert spoon

Crystal:

  1. Water glass
  2. Red Wine glass
  3. White Wine glass
  4. Cup and Saucer

image from gearpatrol.com

Informal Setting

At an informal setting, fewer utensils are used and serving dishes are placed on the table.

The tableware pieces that make up the setting:

  1. Dinner Plate

Silverware:

  1. Dinner knife
  2. Dinner fork
  3. Teaspoon
  4. Salad fork
  5. Soup spoon

Crystal:

  1. Water glass
  2. Wine glass

So, to answer our question what is a charger? It is essentially a decorative plate for a well-dressed table.  The charger plate is larger than the dinner plate and salad plate that actually hold the food. In my opinion a charger is unnecessary at most dinners but it is nice to for the eyes to have a placeholder when in between course servings.

by Mel | posted in Etiquette, Reception | 1 Comment »

Garden and Tools Shower

January 10th, 2010

Source: InvitationBox

My male co-worker told me that he was invited to several “tool showers” the last couple years. We both think this idea is a marketing ploy for tools/hardware companies to get involved in the wedding industry, but regardless, it could be an appropriate theme for your friend. In fact, this past year, Scott and I have purchased many tools for our new home so it makes sense to me to throw this kind of shower for a friend that will be living in a single-family home. If you go this route, here are some invitations for a “Tools Shower” or a co-ed “Garden and Tools Shower.” This type of shower could also be a tame bachelor party if you include beer and BBQ. :O)

by Christine | posted in Design Ideas, Engagement | No Comments »

Source: Michaels

For our DIY fans, knock yourself out this weekend at Michaels with a coupon for 20% off your ENTIRE purchase. They have lots of wedding items but it’s also worth it to peruse through the Christmas items they’re getting rid of. I once used a silver Christmas garland with pearl beads to dress hurricane lamps at my friend’s wedding (sorry I wish I had a picture. I might provide one in the future). I bought out what they had left in the store and it was perfect for the reception tables. You could never tell that it was for Christmas. Have a great weekend!

by Christine | posted in Design Ideas, News | 1 Comment »

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