How to Choose a Stone for Your Engagement Ring

Getting engaged is the first step toward a lifetime of happiness together, meaning that a lot of pressure is put on purchasing an engagement ring. The good news is, there are no rules, so long as you choose a ring with your spouse-to-be in mind, taking into account any hints you’ve been given and what their typical jewelry style is, you’re all set!

One of the most important, yet most challenging parts of buying an engagement ring is choosing the stone(s) for the ring. We’ve broken down what details to keep in mind when purchasing a stone so you can focus on what’s really important, getting engaged!

Diamonds – If you’re opting for a classic look, you can’t go wrong with a diamond. When shopping for a diamond, what you’ve heard is true, the 4Cs are the key to purchasing the right one for your ring (cut, clarity, color, carat). First, decide, how many carats you want the ring to be (be sure to set a budget before shopping so you have a price point in mind for what size stones you are looking at).

Once you have chosen a total weight, decide how you want the carat weight of the ring to be broken down. Do you want one stone, a center stone surrounded by a halo (or two) of small diamonds, or maybe just two to three diamonds of equal size?

After you have chosen the carat weight of your ring, the next option is deciding the color of the stone(s). Does the ideal ring have a colored center, a colorless center with a colored halo, vice versa? Diamond colors are measured on the GIA Diamond Color Scale ranging from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown tint). Colorless diamonds go better in white gold or platinum settings as yellow gold would reflect, making the diamond look yellowed. If colored diamonds are what you are looking for, yellow and “chocolate” diamonds are available options.

A diamond’s physical appearance is also impacted by clarity, which refers to the visual appearance of internal characteristics (inclusions) and external characteristics (blemishes) of the diamond. Clarity is measured on the GIA Diamond Clarity scale ranging from Flawless to Included (I1, I2, and I3) meaning that inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification.

Each diamond you choose for the ring has its own cut. Simply put, the cut refers to the shape and number of sides the diamond has. Cuts include round, oval, pear-shaped, princess-cut, and others. The shape will affect how the stone(s) are set on the band.

Lab-grown diamonds – Whether you’re looking for a more cost effective diamond or want an ethically sourced option, a lab-grown stone is a great choice for you. The best lab-grown diamonds are indistinguishable to the naked eye, and often hard for jewelers to differentiate from mined diamonds.

These diamonds are not like cubic zirconia or moissanite as they do not wear down or lose shine over time. Lab-grown diamonds are taken care of just like mined diamonds, and will wear the same way for just as long if treated properly.

Gemstone – Diamonds are not a requirement for engagement rings. In fact, engagement rings look just as beautiful with other gemstones, and there are plenty of other stones to choose from, such as emeralds or rubies. Gems make an excellent center stone or colored accent stones to surround a center diamond. If you know that she wants a spin on tradition, a gemstone ring is the way to go. It still creates a classy, elegant ring with a change of color and different look.

Article Written by Emily Rochotte

Amazing Tips to Plan a Memorable Evening Wedding

Ultimately, a wedding is about celebrating the love between you and your partner. Well, there is another goal popping up in your mind; throwing an epic party for your guests to cherish forever. What will be your steps to make this big day stand out in the crowd? There are different ways available to upgrade your standard nuptials experience and make your event the master of all weddings your guests have attended so far. Here's what you need to know.

Planning for a wonderful wedding:

To start, you should think about the evening wedding experience as a whole. Surely, your closest friends and family members are elated to see you walking down the aisle. However, waiting for more than an hour is not what a celebration means or is supposed to feel like. Always remember that most of your guests have travelled a long way to spend some memorable time with you. So, they might not feel extremely happy if they're forced to wait for such a long time. Here's some things to keep in mind.

• Guests always come first: Make a list of the number of guests approximately who are going to attend your wedding, as you need to manage the food and beverages accordingly. Knowing your number means you can arrange for space too.
• Music and dancing entertainment: It’s your wedding, and it’s all about the celebration. Therefore, always remember to arrange a best DJ for your evening so your guests can enjoy. Having some groovy music to tap their feet and hit the dance floor is enough to make your guests go gaga over the evening.
• Add a touch of light: As you are planning hard to make your wedding evening a memorable one, you should arrange for some nice lighting. How about incorporating disco lights just above the dance floor to create a completely new aura of celebration? Well, sounds great, doesn't it?
• Listen to the weather forecast: Before you fix up a date, you should be aware of the surrounding weather patterns. Of course, you cannot control the weather and drastic weather change can happen anytime, but still you can try to plan for a wedding date in the summer months or when the winter season starts to approach.
• A perfect wedding venue: Whether you are planning to accommodate a small group or entertain a larger one, you need to choose the venue accordingly. Opt for either an indoor or outdoor platform, whichever suits your needs and budget.

These are some of most amazing tips I've encountered over the years that will make your wedding a wonderful memory for you and your guests. Striking a chord between entertainment and fun is all that you need to make your evening wedding ceremony and reception special for everyone who comes.

Nighttime Wedding Ceremonies

Having your wedding ceremony at night can be a beautiful way to celebrate your love, but it comes along with its own set of unique challenges. In order to pull it off without too much hassle, you’ll need to make sure that you have the proper lighting throughout the ceremony venue to avoid any tripping hazards or confusion amongst your guests. Additionally, the decorations and other accessories that you choose for your wedding will be much different than those selected for a normal indoor or daytime wedding ceremony. Here are a few fun ideas to help you make the most of your nighttime wedding.

Party Lanterns

First off, you’ll need basic lighting for your venue. You don’t want it too bright by using halogens or other bright light sources, but you also want your guests to be able to see where they are going and who they are talking to at your reception. Consider buying some LED party lanterns that create the perfect amount of light and ambiance to make your nighttime wedding a glowing success.

LED Balloons

Balloons have been a staple wedding decoration since they were invented, but most of the time they are easy to see because the wedding is either held indoors or during the day. For nighttime weddings, consider using different colored LED balloons throughout the venue to add some accents and highlight certain areas. You won’t need too many to get the desired look; just enough to make the venue look more exciting and fun.

Wedding Sparklers

Though they are very popular for indoor use because they don’t create any smoke while they burn, by far the best way to use sparklers at your wedding is to use them outdoors when it is as dark as possible. Using sparklers at a nighttime wedding will yield some of the coolest pictures in your scrapbook; especially if you use them to draw hearts or words in the air! Best of all, they are pretty much the cheapest wedding favor you can buy.

Sky Lanterns

Lastly, there is nothing more romantic than a coordinated release of sky lanterns at the end of your wedding ceremony to solidify your union and signify that the reception is about to begin. During the day, most people use the white colored lanterns because they are easy to see against a blue sky backdrop. However, at a nighttime wedding, you can choose color sky lanterns instead because the illumination from inside each one will create a colorful and dazzling display as they fade into the distance over the course of several minutes.

Embracing the darkness of night for your wedding can quickly turn an ordinary event into a timeless classic that you’ll remember for a lifetime. Just remember that shopping for decorations and accessories for your nighttime wedding is vastly different than shopping for an indoor wedding, and that lighting should always be one of your primary concerns.

Top 3 Wedding Films of All Time

When you’re planning your wedding, there’s nothing like watching a wedding movie to give you some inspiration; or sometimes just add a bit of levity to a situation! Wedding planning takes a long time and can be very stressful, and movies are notoriously a great way to unwind and relax. However, over the years there have been a lot of terrible movies made in every niche, and wedding movies are no exception. The problem has become even worse over the last few years with movies going straight to DVD, streaming, or digital download because movie standards have precipitously fallen as a result. So, without further ado, here are 3 wedding movies that are considered all-time classics and will always be a great choice no matter what the circumstances happen to be.

Bride Wars

Starring two of the most loveable Hollywood leading ladies; Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway, this movie knows how to cheer you up regardless of what wedding planning woes you’re facing. The plot consists of two best friends who are planning weddings at the same venue and, through a series of circumstances, have the same date booked. I won’t spoil the entire plot, but the “war” that follows between them is hilarious to say the least, and it will make you smile even if you are going through a very rough patch during your wedding planning.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

An all-time classic that never disappoints, this one will make you laugh and cry at different times during the film. Incredibly heart-warming, My Big Fat Greek Wedding celebrates all that is wonderful about love and family while always embracing your heritage. This is always my go-to movies for friends who need a little sappy joy in their lives.

Wedding Crashers

Okay, so it’s not really a movie about your wedding and it could possibly get you thinking about hiring security guards for your reception, but you just have to love this movie! Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson are a classic duo in comedy, but in my opinion they never did it better than they did in Wedding Crashers. Just take my word for it: watch the movie, laugh your butt off, and go to bed with a big smile on your face.

Where to Buy Wedding Sparklers in Michigan

If you and your partner are planning a wedding in Michigan, you’re not alone. In fact, Michigan is one of the most popular places in the United States to get married; per capita, of course. Michigan offers couples many things that you can’t find anywhere else in America, and that means there is a cozy little niche built right into the state’s natural wonder and beauty.

For couples who love snowy weather, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is by far the area that sees the most snow in the continental United States. Michigan’s weather in the U.P. is much more reminiscent of Canada versus the rest of our country, and that adds to the charm and attraction for young couples planning their wedding. Also, with so much great hunting, fishing, and outdoor activities in general, Michigan is a dream wedding destination for any couple who adores the outdoor lifestyle.

For couples who are more into a traditional style indoor wedding, there are also options for you. Detroit features some of the finest upscale wedding venues in the country, so you won’t have to look hard to find something you love. You can even hire a professional fireworks crew to light up the Detroit skyline, or you could just buy some wedding sparklers to avoid hiring the pros. However, you can’t just run out looking for where to buy wedding sparklers in Michigan; there are a few things you need to know first.

Michigan Fireworks Laws

Fortunately, the rules in Michigan for using sparklers and other fireworks are actually quite lenient. Obviously, you need to be over 18 years old to buy fireworks, but there are other regulations that must be followed. A quick review of the Michigan fireworks laws will tell you that it’s okay to use sparklers at your wedding along with other small fountains and novelty item, but launching big fireworks into the air is only left to the professionals. If you want the big stuff, you need to hire a company. If you’re okay with just wedding sparklers, then you’re able to buy and use them at your own discretion.

Best Places to Shop

Shopping for wedding sparklers in Michigan is also quite easy because there are many year-round fireworks stores throughout the state. Choosing where to buy wedding sparklers in Michigan is as simple as finding your closest store. However, I always suggest heading to the store to see what they’re selling and what their prices are. With that knowledge in hand, you can head home and shop online because you can buy wedding sparklers on the internet for much cheaper than in a local store.

Whether you’re planning an upscale wedding in Detroit or a scenic outdoor wedding in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan offers couples sights and attractions that no other state can. Plus, to make your big day even more spectacular, finding where to buy wedding sparklers in Michigan couldn’t be easier.

6 More Songs to Avoid At Your Wedding Reception

When you hit the dance floor at your wedding reception, you’ll probably give your DJ a list of songs you’d like to have played. Odds are you’re already choosing songs that will really sum up your relationship with your spouse, remind you of your romantic history, and fill you up with good cheer to keep you dancing through the night. Just do yourself and your guests a favor: if you have any of these songs on your playlist, ditch them now.

Hoobastank, The Reason

People seem to think that this is a romantic song, maybe just for the lyric “and the reason is you.” But at its heart, this isn’t a song about a healthy relationship. It’s more a half-assed apology than a love letter. The singer is sorry that he hurt his lover, but seems more concerned with his own suffering. Hurting her is “something he must live with every day.” Poor guy. Hasn’t she considered how hard it is on him, having hurt her like that?

Anything Mentioning Romeo and Juliet

There’s a meme making the rounds on the Internet, which goes something like, “stop saying Romeo and Juliet are romantic. Their relationship lasted 3 days and caused 6 deaths.” We’ll add to that, “including their own.” Romeo and Juliet were a pair of teenaged twits who end up dead at the end of the story. So skip the Taylor Swift.

Dave Matthews Band, Crash

If you take even a cursory listen to the lyrics, this song is just kind of...well, gross. It just makes you feel grimy, once you get past the sugary violins. “you’ve got your ball, you’ve got your chain / tied to me tight, tie me up again,” Dave sings. He’s all about being “tied up and twisted,” and later describes how great it is to peek through his crush’s window to watch her undress. Ick. For a less gross DMB tune, try “You & Me.”

Eric Clapton, Tears in Heaven

We’ve been to several weddings where this ends up on the playlist, and we’re still not sure what would possess anyone to play it. Is it just that it’s a slow song? That the guitar is kind of pretty? They were trying for “Wonderful Tonight” and hit the wrong track? Whatever the reason happens to be, this song is about the death of a three-year-old child. Not romantic at all.

Billy Idol, White Wedding

Sure, it’s a wedding, and people are wearing white, so why not play White Wedding? Well, for starters it’s not a great song for dancing to, either slow or fast, so it’s likely to clear the dance floor. And more importantly, it was written as an anti-wedding song, with Idol sarcastically making fun of his sister for marrying too young.

Whitney Houston, I Will Always Love You

Sure, the chorus says, “I will always love you,” over and over again ad nauseum, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s a romantic celebration of eternal love. Simply put, it’s a break-up song. It’s about letting someone go and walking away because you know it’s best for them, and you’ll never see them again no matter how much you love them. So it’s pretty much the opposite of the sentiment you want for a wedding.

In the end, of course, what you choose for your wedding music should reflect you and your partner’s musical tastes. But if it’s at all possible, avoid these six tunes. Your wedding guests will thank you.

Great Quotes for your Wedding Vows

It’s becoming more and more popular to replace the traditional wedding vows with some heart-felt promises from one partner to the other. Most couples are writing their own vows, for better or for worse (ha!). If you find yourself at a loss for words when you’re thinking about those vows, consider these quotes for inspiration. You can include one in your vows--they’re nice and brief--or just let them be a guide to show how you can talk about love in an honest, sincere, but not overly-sentimental way.

“To get the full value of joy, you must have someone to divide it with,” --Mark Twain

“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” —When Harry Met Sally

It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life. — Rita Rudner

Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” —Franklin P. Jones

“To find someone who will love you for no reason, and to shower that person with reasons, that is the ultimate happiness.” —Robert Brault

“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” —Mignon McLaughlin

“I have a paperback heart, dog-eared and creased by the world,
the color is faded and the spine is worn,
but I’m glad to see it’s finally in good hands.”--Unknown Author

“You don’t marry the person you can live with … you marry the person you can’t live without.” —Unknown Author

“Remember, we all stumble; every one of us. That is why it’s a comfort to go hand in hand.” —Emily Kimbrough

“Love is when you meet someone who tells you something new about yourself.” --Andre Breton

“Love is a game that two can play and both win.” --Eva Gabor

“Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real love to be silly.” --Rose Franken

“I love you not only for who you are, but for who I am when I am with you”--Elizabeth Barrett Browning

“I love you. I am at rest with you. I have come home.” --Dorothy L. Sayers

“Immature love says: ‘I love you because I need you.’ Mature love says ‘I need you because I love you.’” --Erich Fromme

“Love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking together in the same direction.” --Antoine de Saint-Exupery

“When you like someone, you like them in spite of their faults.
When you love someone, you love them with their faults.”--Elizabeth Cameron

“Do you want to know how great my love is? Count the waves.” --Unknown Author

“You may only be one person to the world
But you may also be the world to one person.”--Unknown Author

Whether you’re an expert wordsmith or need help putting together a sentence, these quotes can provide a jumping-off point for a heartfelt set of vows. Just keep it sincere, simple, and honest, and you’ll do fine.