Wedding Ring Metals: What Are My Options?

Choosing the right metal for your wedding ring is just as important as choosing the right diamond! Here is some information on what is available to you as you make one of the largest jewelry purchases in your life.

Platinum
Platinum has become a very popular metal for wedding rings. It is extremely durable, and is great if you have sensitive skin (platinum is hypoallergenic). It’s a good choice if you have a diamond that is very clear. However, if you are on a tight budget, this may not be an option for you, as platinum is rare and can be expensive.

Gold
Gold is probably the most traditional ring metal for all rings, not just wedding rings. It has definitely stood the test of time, and because it is more available, it is less expensive than platinum. But, gold prices have risen in recent years, so keep that in mind as you shop. With gold, you have the option of choosing what karat you desire. A karat is a measure of purity for gold, so the higher the karat number, the purer the gold is (and of course, the more expensive).

White Gold
White gold is a mixture of gold and a white metal such as silver or platinum. Similar to yellow gold, it comes in various karats, based on the amount of gold in the ring. Typically, white gold rings are coated in rhodium, which will make the gold look more white. However, this coating does not last, so you will need to have your ring re-coated to maintain its appearance.

Silver
Silver is the least expensive of the available metals and is a good choice for brides and grooms looking for an economical option. However, keep in mind that silver can be an irritant to some, and because it is soft, it can show wear over time.

Tungsten
Tungsten is a very rare metal that retains its polish and finish very well. This metal has become a very popular one for wedding rings, particularly for men, who are attracted to its permanence. Because it is a rare metal, it can also be expensive.

Titanium
Titanium is a white metal with a slightly gray appearance. It’s a bit darker than silver and white gold, and is very strong. It is also hypoallergenic and can be inexpensive. It’s another great option for men!

Palladium
Palladium is a rare, silvery-white metal that resembles platinum, but it lighter than platinum. It has become more popular in recent years as an option for wedding jewelry. If you want the platinum look, but do not have the budget for it, palladium is a good alternative.

Your Planning Assignment
As you can see there are MANY options in wedding ring metals. Take your time when making this very important decision, since you plan wear your wedding ring for a long time. Brides, as you consider what to purchase for your groom, take into consideration what kind of work he does. If he works outdoors or in a factory setting, he may need something that’s very durable, or something with few (or no) stones.

Happy Planning!

Magician for Wedding Entertainment

Hmmm....interesting! Thanks to Wedding 101 Blog for sharing.

http://wedding101blog.wordpress.com/2010/09/28/entertain-your-wedding-guests-with-a-little-magic/

If you don't think this will work for your adult guests, I think it's an excellent way to keep younger guests entertained. What do you think?

How Much Does Your Parents' Marriage Affect Yours?

I found this very interesting article on the OurWeddingDay blog. Please comment and share your thoughts!

http://blog.ourweddingday.com/How-Much-Does-Your-Parents-Marriage-Affect-Yours-11262956

A Beginner’s Guide to Linens

You have chosen your reception venue…and although you love it, you want to make the look of your reception all your own. One tool that can be used to transform a room is linens. This article will educate you on the basics of linens, so you can be ready to choose the perfect accessories for your venue!

Tablecloths
Tablecloths are the foundation of your linen choices, and will set the background palate for the other items you choose. Make sure you know the correct table size so you can order the right size tablecloths. For an elegant look, you want your tablecloths to be floor length (guests should not see the legs of your tables).

Napkins
Napkins add color to the foundation you’ve laid with your tablecloths, and are a must for a formal setting. They can be folded in a variety of ways, or can be placed neatly inside of a beverage glass or coffee cup. Check out this website that gives you step-by-step instructions on how to fold napkins in a number of different ways. http://www.napkinfoldingguide.com

Overlays
An overlay is another linen accessory that is placed on top of a tablecloth (just as the name implies, it ‘lays over’ a tablecloth). An overlay can add an additional dimension of color to your table.

Runners
A runner is another accessory that is placed on top of a tablecloth, but it is generally long and rectangular in shape. It ‘runs’ from one end of a table to another. These are ideal if you are using long tables instead of round ones for your reception.

Chair Covers
Chair covers can turn plain banquet chairs into elegant seating for your guests! When ordering your covers, be sure you know what kind of chairs will be used in your venue (banquet chair, folding chair, etc), so that you order the right size. Nothing is worse than having chair covers that are too short!

A great option that I’ve seen used a lot lately is the pillowcase chair cover (shown above). They slip around a chair, very similar to the way a pillow is placed in a pillowcase. It’s a great look!

Sashes
Sashes are an accessory that accompany chair covers, and can be coordinated with your napkins, overlays or runners. There are countless ways to tie sashes (YouTube has several videos that give you detailed instructions on tying sashes).

Chair Sleeves
A chair sleeve is an accessory that is slipped over the back of a chair (on top of your chair cover) and can be used instead of a sash. Just like the sash, it can be coordinated with your napkins, runners or overlays.

What types of material are available?
Your choices are almost endless! You can go with simple, solid linen, or you can choose organza, satin, velvet, sheers, shag, taffeta, or lace. Before you make a decision, it’s best to get a swatch of what you are considering so you can get a feel for the texture of the material.

Your Planning Assignment
Do your homework! Again I suggest ordering swatches of items you are considering. Or, if there is a reputable linen company in your area, make an appointment to see what they have to offer.

Happy Planning!

French Bridal Veil

I really like this look...what do you think?

http://blog.ourweddingday.com/search/french+veil

I Want An Outdoor Wedding…Where Do I Start?

Have you always dreamed of getting married outdoors? Whether it’s the beach, a farm, or a large family backyard, there are several things that must be considered when planning this type of wedding.

What time of year/season is your wedding?
One of the first things you should do is take a serious look at where you plan to marry and how the weather typically behaves around your wedding date. Are you getting married in the southern part of the US or on an island during the summer? If so, don’t forget about hurricane season! Is your wedding date in the middle of winter in the northeast? If so, don’t forget about snow storms! Yes, the weather is unpredictable, but you can expect to have a certain kind of weather during certain seasons of the year.

What are my options for keeping my guests comfortable while outdoors?
One of the best things to consider is tents. Tents can provide overhead covering only, can include curtains for an airy feeling, or can be completely enclosed with ‘windows’ around the sides and even skylights in the ceiling (a skylight is an excellent idea for evening events, so you can see the stars!) If your concern is cold or hot weather, tent heaters and fans can be rented to make the space very comfortable (in fact, they can feel so good, your guests may forget all about the weather outside!)

Things to consider when planning an outdoor event
Planning an outdoor event takes much more coordinating than an event in a banquet hall or hotel ballroom. Some of the items you will need to rent include chairs, tables, china, linen, silverware, glassware, and lighting. And depending on where you plan to set up, you may also need to rent restroom facilities for your guests. If your tent is open, don’t forget about insect repellent, so your guests are not swatting bugs away all night!

Should I have a Plan B?
Absolutely! What if a major storm is predicted to blow through your town on your wedding day? Yes you may have a tent lined up, but if the winds are too strong, it may not be an option for you. Always have a plan B in place to address the unexpected!

Your Planning Assignment
Ponder the option of an outdoor event very carefully. Because of the many details that have to be coordinated and executed, an event planner may be just the person to help you pull it all together!

Happy Planning!

Tulle Wrap Cascading Train

I ran across this from WeddingAces and just had to share. I think it's SO elegant! What do you think?

http://www.weddingaces.com/2010/09/tulle-wrap-cascading-train/