A Comparison of Diamond and Moissanite Engagement Rings

For a very long time now, couples have been searching for an elegant and suitable replacement for diamond engagement rings. Recently, moissanite has emerged as a growing trend in the engagement ring market because it looks as brilliant and gorgeous as diamonds at a fraction of the cost. Also, unlike cubic zirconia and other knockoff diamonds, moissanite isn’t a cheap copy of real diamonds but an elegant gemstone. This major difference between moissanite and other diamond substitutes for engagement rings has led to a huge increase in their sales as the price of diamonds has become unreachable for many younger couples.

What is Moissanite?

Discovered in 1893, moissanite is a natural mineral that was found while Henri Moissan was examining samples of rocks found in the crater of a meteor in Canyon Diablo, Arizona. At first glance, Henri assumed that he has discovered a vein of diamonds that were either created by the meteor or incidentally were uncovered by the impact. However, upon closer examination in 1904, he realized that the beautiful crystals he had uncovered were made of silicon carbide; which doesn’t exist or form naturally on earth and is incredibly rare to find. Because the mineral was so rare, thus making it precious, there was a race to create a synthetic version of the moissanite in laboratories by scientists. In 1998, moissanite was first used in retail jewelry and introduced to the marketplace with a remarkably warm welcome. Since its release, it has steadily gained popularity as a valuable and quality gemstone that fits nicely into the fine jewelry market.

Benefits of Moissanite vs. Diamonds

Though most people would rank the lower cost of moissanite as its best property, there is actually another feature that makes moissanite a great choice for an engagement ring compared to diamonds. One thing many people don’t know is that moissanite has superior optical properties compared to diamonds; making them sparkler more brilliant and reflect light off of the facets more beautifully.

Drawbacks of Moissanite vs. Diamonds

Obviously, by most people’s standards, diamonds are a superior gem to virtually any other type of stone on earth. Though there are minerals that are more rare than diamonds, such as tanzanite, diamonds continue to hold their place in the market as the most expensive and popular stones. With this prestige comes a certain amount of pride when you show off a good quality diamond perched upon your ring finger.

Furthermore, since moissanite is all lab created, there is something to be said about a mineral that is formed geologically over millions of years by the earth compared to something created in a laboratory in a much shorter time span. Though moissanite is more brilliant and flawless to the eye, there simply is no replacement for the original and beautiful diamond for their engagement ring.

Where to Buy Wedding Sparklers in Colorado

With so many weddings each year, it’s easy to see why couples are wondering where to buy wedding sparklers in Colorado. Home to the Rocky Mountains, which offer majestic views and beautiful photo opportunities, Colorado is an obvious wedding destination for anyone looking for natural beauty or who loves the great outdoors. Also, with huge cities like Denver, Colorado Springs, and Boulder, the well over 5 million people who live in the state are getting married in record numbers each year. Areas like Rocky Mountain National Park offer couples the scenic and serene getaway that dream of for their wedding ceremony, but also offer a relaxing and romantic place to stay for their honeymoon.

With so many great venues and high demand in the state’s wedding market, the sales of wedding sparklers have kicked into high gear and are present at nearly 10% of all weddings. However, there are some major reasons that you need to buy quality wedding sparklers instead of generic sparklers that are made for the 4th of July, New Year’s, or another holiday, especially when you are in a dry state like Colorado. Unfortunately, Colorado is stricken with forest fires that decimate entire areas of this beautiful landscape, and many of these fires are caused by human negligence. From campers leaving fires burning at their campsites to people throwing lit cigarettes out their windows, some as small as a poor quality wedding sparkler can quickly create a raging inferno.

Fortunately, there are high quality wedding sparklers available that won’t fall apart as they burn and won’t smolder after you put them out. Until recently, many couples were just buying whatever was cheap or available after the summer sales for the 4th of July were over, but now a more educated population is actually seeking out where to buy wedding sparklers in Colorado that are going to be high quality and safe for their guests to use without incident. There are many good companies selling wedding sparklers online that can ship directly to your doorstep in Colorado, just make sure your take your time and buy from a reputable company that only deals in high quality products and the leftovers from other events.

Another thing to keep in mind when deciding where to buy wedding sparklers in Colorado is that you need to check with your local and state laws before you purchase. As we mentioned before, there can be restrictions on when you can use your wedding sparklers because of dry conditions and the potential for forest fires, so make sure you stay on top of the rules and double check the Colorado fireworks laws at the time of your wedding. You will also need to check with your venue to make sure you can use your sparklers, especially if you’re going to be in the mountains. Many campgrounds and National Parks ban the use of fireworks and sparklers as a safety precaution, so you’ll want to check into that before making your purchase. As long as you do your research and follow all the rules, you should be able to include sparklers into your Colorado wedding experience safely and legally.

3 Tips for Photographing Wedding Sparklers

Probably the most desirable and popular facet of using sparklers at your wedding is the fun and excitement they can bring to your wedding photos. Simply adding some lit sparklers to any part of your ceremony or reception can make ordinary pictures turn into unforgettable moments captured on film. However, depending on how you will be using your wedding sparklers and whether your photographer has taken pictures of wedding sparklers before, there are a few things to keep in mind as you prepare for your photo shoots. Below, you will fun 3 tips for photographing wedding sparklers that will help you get the most out of your experience.

Choose the Right Length

While this may seem obvious to many couples planning their wedding, having sparklers that burn out before you can get those memorable photos is the fastest way to disappointment. When determining which length of sparklers to purchase, you need to think about the amount of time you will need to be posing for pictures as well as the amount of time it will take for everyone to get their sparklers lit and into position. It may seem like 1-2 minutes of sparkler is enough, but if you have to coordinate several people getting lit and into position; this can quickly prove to be much less photo shoot time than you expected.

Plan Everything in Advance

Once you’ve chosen the appropriate length sparklers based on the type of photos you are after and how many people will be involved, the next thing you should do is plan out all the details in advance. By creating a good strategy for everything from the order people will light their sparklers to exactly where they will be positioned, you can eliminate any last second hang-ups or errors than can cause your sparklers to be wasted. Also, it’s a good idea to have a fast and efficient way to light your sparklers to save as much of the “sparkle” time for your wedding photos. Grill lighters (barbecue lighters) or candles care a great choice for this purpose because the large flame lights your sparklers quickly; or you can use another lit wedding sparkler to get your going.

Camera Settings

If you have a very experienced wedding photographer who has capture sparklers on film before, then this part will already be handled for you. However, if you are having a friend act as your photographer or have a professional that has never done this type of work before, there are a few things to keep in mind for your photos to turn out.

Depending on what you will be doing with your sparklers, there are a few techniques that can be used to capture them in photos in perfect clarity. If you are going to be writing shapes or words in the air with your sparklers, you will want to make sure you have the exposure set to a much longer time. It is a good idea to experiment with your camera settings in advance using only one sparkler at a time to get everything correct before lighting several sparklers and having everyone get into position for the final shoot.

If you are going to be getting photos of your sparklers during a sendoff line, first kiss, or other similar type of scenario, then you should be able to use the same settings you use for nighttime shots. Since most people use digital cameras these days, you should likely be able to see the results on your screen immediately. The same rule applies as with the method above; practice your shots in advance to fine-tune the camera settings and take as many pictures as possible during the event. This will give you the most photos of your wedding sparklers to sort through and find the ones that turned out the best.

Where to Buy Wedding Sparklers in California

With California having such a huge population, it is easy to see why people are wondering where to buy wedding sparklers in California. Also known as “The Golden State”, California is home to massive cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Sacramento; just to name a few.  With a state population exceeding 38 million, California is home to tens of thousands of wedding each year; driving the need for wedding sparklers to be sold year round. Also, many people flock to the state to have their destination wedding with beautiful beaches, stunning mountain ranges, and unparalleled weather. Places like Napa Valley are on the top of the list for many couples looking to have a romantic destination wedding getaway, and many couples take advantage of having their honeymoon in the same state to save money without compromising the adventure of a lifetime.

Unfortunately, California fireworks laws are very strict and items such as sparklers can be very difficult to find during certain parts of the year. The good news is that there are mail-order companies setup to address this issue and give peace of mind to couples searching for where to buy wedding sparklers in California. Though there is a bit of a delay in shipping and it requires some advance planning, ordering your wedding sparklers by mail and having them shipped into the state will save you time, money, and the headache of finding them at a retail store.

Some Things to Keep in Mind

As we mentioned before, California can have some pretty strict laws pertaining to the use and sales of fireworks. The laws can vary from city to city and county to county, so it is important to familiarize yourself with the local ordinances before seeking out where to buy wedding sparklers in California. Many places only allow fireworks to be sold around the 4th of July, and there may also be restrictions on the time of year that using fireworks is allowed. Also, with wildfires being a constant threat in California, there may be seasonal restrictions when it is a dry month or there is a state-wide drought.

Furthermore, you will want to check with your wedding venue before purchasing wedding sparklers for your California wedding experience. Some venues may require extra insurance or deposits before you are allowed to use sparklers, only allow them in certain areas on the property, or not allow their use at all. The last thing you want to do is spend some of your precious wedding budget on sparklers only to find out that you can’t use them when your big day arrives.

As long as you do your due diligence in advance and have a firm understanding of all the local laws, you should be able to have your wedding sparklers shipped in plenty of time for your celebration and have no problems being able to use them at your wedding venue in California. Most venues are more than happy to give you all the help and information you need about the local guidelines, companies that ship wedding sparklers to California usually can have them delivered in only a handful of days.

3 Fun Wedding Reception Games

Wedding receptions can be a lot of fun whether you are doing something traditional or something unique like these 3 fun wedding reception games. While many couples opt to stick with classic and time-tested practices, there are several new and exciting traditions emerging as younger generations begin to put their mark on the wedding industry. We will go over 3 fun wedding reception games below that you may not have ever thought of or that will give you inspiration to create your own brand new tradition.

Roll the Dice

Many couples are looking for ways to make their wedding reception more fun and interactive for their guests. One great way of accomplishing this feat is to integrate games into parts of the reception that are otherwise ordinary.

One of the most common ideas is to add a new twist on the traditional act of clinking glasses to get the bride and groom to kiss. Instead of having to endure this noisy tradition, you can have couples at each table roll a dice and if they roll a certain number; they have to kiss. If they roll a different number, the bride and groom have to kiss. This simple type of “roll the dice” game will make the kissing moments at your wedding reception more fun for the guests and less irritating for you.

First to the Buffet

Another game that many people are choosing is a “first to the buffet” game. While it has been common practice to have tables go to the reception buffet one at a time, in a sequential order, this normally mundane event can be leveraged into a fun addition to your wedding reception by simply turning it into a game.

Simply have someone walk around to each table and have them either draw a card or roll some dice to see what thy get. The table with the highest card or number on the dice gets to go to the buffet and dish up their plates first, followed by the next highest number and so on. There are certainly other ways to decide which table “wins”, so use your imagination and creativity to give this fun game your own special touch to make the event even more memorable.

Honeymoon Destination

Probably one of the most controversial wedding reception games is also one of the most fun and memorable. However, it takes a very open-minded couple to want to have their guests participate so directly in the choosing of their honeymoon destination, so this wedding game is certainly not going to be for everyone.

Basically, the bride and groom make a list of the places they would enjoy going for their honeymoon. The more honeymoon destinations that are on the list, the better; but make sure they are all places you would actually want to go since it may be the place you end up going. Next, you have a few options. You can either write all the destinations down on paper or draw one from a hat, or you can hand out “ballots” to each of your guests. Each guest then places and “x” by whatever honeymoon destination they are voting for and put their ballots into a box. A delegated person from the wedding party, usually the best man or maid of honor, counts the ballots and announces the winning destination. The bride and groom then make reservations and plan their exciting getaway.

While some couples would obviously prefer to choose their honeymoon destination themselves, this can be a fun and exciting wedding reception game for an adventurous or indecisive couple.

Where to Buy Wedding Sparklers in Arkansas

If you are planning a wedding in Arkansas, you may be wondering where to buy wedding sparklers in Arkansas. This is actually a pretty common question because Arkansas is known for its natural beauty and many things to do outdoors; which makes it a perfect place for a traditional southern-style wedding. Arkansas also has many other cool things to do including visiting the largest municipal park in the United States located in Little Rock. If you want to have sparklers at your wedding and live in Arkansas, you may find it difficult to track down places that sell them. While there are many types of fireworks available in the state, most are designed to cater to people around the 4th of July and are usually restricted to sales in that timeframe. Fortunately, there are many place you can buy wedding sparklers online for you Arkansas wedding.

People choose to have sparklers at their wedding for many reasons, but most commonly they are used as part of the sendoff line. However, there are also several other creative uses for them, which is why it is important to consider a few factors when choosing where to buy wedding sparklers in Arkansas. If you are going to hand them out to your guests as wedding favors, you may want to go with 10 inch sparklers because of their low price. If you want something a bit more decorative, then you may like heart shaped sparklers that blend well into the motif of a wedding. Regardless of which style of wedding sparklers you are considering for your Arkansas wedding, you want to make sure that you are selecting the right ones for the purpose and buying from a vendor who only sells quality sparklers.

Another thing to keep in mind when deciding where to buy wedding sparklers in Arkansas is that you need to check with your wedding venue before you purchase them. There are many wedding venues that have banned the use of sparklers as part of a wedding ceremony, or have restrictions on where they are acceptable to be used. For instance, some venues require that you use your wedding sparklers outside, while other venues simply require an additional safety deposit or fir insurance before you can legally use them indoors. Ultimately, each wedding venue will have its own rules and guidelines pertaining to the use of wedding sparklers, so it is important to find out what they will allow before you make your purchase.

The last thing you will want to consider about using wedding sparklers at your Arkansas wedding celebration is the state and local laws. Arkansas fireworks laws can vary greatly from county to county, and even change depending on which city you are in. While one area of the state may allow year round use of wedding sparklers, another area may restrict their use to only certain parts of the year; or even ban them altogether. Also, if your wedding is going to be held outdoors, local governments may restrict the use of sparklers during peak drought season to avoid incidental forest fires. For all these reasons and more, it is very important to make sure you check with the local regulations and Arkansas fireworks laws before making your wedding sparklers purchase to ensure it is not something you will end up regretting.

As long as you plan ahead and consider all the factors when choosing where to buy wedding sparklers in Arkansas, you should be able to enjoy all the fun and joy that they can bring to your special day in a safe and legal manner. Nothing ruins a wedding like injuries or legal issues, so make sure to use good common sense and do your homework to ensure everything goes off without a hitch.

Best Size Sparklers for a Sendoff Line

The most popular use for wedding sparklers is to be used as a replacement for rice, confetti, or birdseed during the sendoff line. The biggest benefit with using sparklers for this purpose is that there is virtually zero cleanup, and they make for much more dramatic photos. If you are planning to use sparklers for your sendoff line at your wedding, you are probably wondering what the best size sparklers for sendoff lines are. While their really isn’t a “correct” answer for this question, I believe 36” wedding sparklers are your best option, and I will discuss their many benefits for this purpose below.

Duration

Probably the most important feature that 36” sparklers bring to the table during a sendoff line is that they last for over 3 minutes. This can be of vital importance because you want your wedding sparklers to burn long enough to get everybody’s lit, handed out, and then get everyone into position for your sendoff line. While choosing sparklers that are shorter than 36” sparklers will seem to save you money at first, you will end up using more sparklers total or have people without their sparklers burning still. Duration is crucial when choosing the best size sparklers for a sendoff line, and 36” sparklers reign supreme in this category.

Size of Effects

Another major benefit of using 36” sparklers for your sendoff line is that they produce much bigger effects than other sparklers. The reason for this is that they are not only much longer; they are also much thicker than any other sparkler. This makes for some very large sparkles that are captured easily and beautifully on film for your scrapbook, and also makes the entire experience much more visually stunning.

Ability to Handle Easily

One of the most overlooked benefits of using 36” sparklers for your sendoff line is that they are easy to handle and get high in the air. Some of the coolest effects are created when your guests can their sparklers high in the air above your heads, and then the sparkles can “rain” down from above like a waterfall of magic. This also makes 36” sparklers safer than many other types of sparklers for this purpose because the sparkles will have time to cool before they fall too far; which ensures that you won’t have any damage to your wedding dress or other delicate items. While this is usually not a problem, it is nice to have the peace of mind that you are protecting your most valuable purchase while enjoying your sendoff line.