By Georgina Clatworthy

An engagement ring is something for life, so choosing the perfect ring can be an overwhelming experience.  Choosing a ring to give to your beloved can be as hard as choosing one for yourself which is why many couples these days will shop for an engagement ring together.

There is an old saying that an engagement ring should cost around two months salary.  Today this considered somewhat out dated these days so don’t be concerned that it should cost you the price of a small house or that you have to make some kind of bold gesture with your choice.  Truth is that many brides-2-be are choosing smaller and less ostentatious designs these days because they want a piece of jewelry they can wear everyday.  They may also want a ring which matches their eventual wedding band.

Some budding suitors may find themselves lucky enough to have ring belonging to the family which has been traditionally passed down through the generations.  However, only consider it as an engagement ring if you intended likes it!  And don’t even try to give her a ring that once belonged to a former fiancée!

If you really want to shop for the ring on your own then make sure you know her style and taste.  Does she prefer yellow, white or rose gold?  Which stones does she like? Does she like traditional or contemporary designs?  If you are in any doubt about the answers to these questions then take female relative or friend of hers along with you.

Diamonds are the most popular stone for engagement rings as it is said to represent everlasting love.  But you should familiarize yourself with the three C’s which determine the value of the stone:

• Cut is the way the diamond is shaped and which gives it its sparkle. Modern diamonds tend to have more sparkle than vintage ones because modern diamonds are more commonly cut by laser than hand which gives them more light reflecting facets.
• Clarity is the flawlessness of the diamond and the determining factor in its value. Most stones will have some imperfections which affect the color however, these cannot usually be seen with the naked eye and only a jeweler with a magnifying glass can spot them.
• Carat is the weight of the diamond. A large diamond is more valuable because they are rarer, however, some smaller diamonds can cost more than a larger one because they have better clarity.

You don’t have to buy a diamond though and couples often opt for other precious gemstones instead.  Often you will get more stones for your money with gems other than diamonds and some are actually rarer than diamonds.  Gemstones are said to each represent a different virtue:

• Emeralds symbolize hope
• Rubies symbolize contentment
• Sapphires symbolize balance
• Garnets symbolize truth
• Topaz symbolizes faithfulness
• Opals symbolize love

By Georgina Clatworthy

It is customary to give the members of your wedding party a gift to thank them for all their help and support with your wedding.  The wedding gifts you give don’t need to be very expensive but it is nice to give something that will become a keepsake or memento of your wedding day and their part in it.

Some couples choose to give these gifts out during the rehearsal dinner before the wedding day, so they can give a more personal thank you to each person.  Other couples may choose to give the gifts during the wedding reception after the speeches so that the wedding guests can join in thanking them with you.

It is also customary for the members of the wedding party to exchange gifts with each other.  The bride and groom exchange gifts, the bride’s parents give a gift to the groom; the groom’s parents give a gift to the bride.  The groom gives a gift to the best man, the ushers, the bridesmaids, flower girl and page boy. Finally the bride and groom give gifts to their mothers.

Gifts for the best man and ushers are usually cufflinks which are given before the wedding so they can be worn on the day.  There is a variety of designs available with a wedding party theme, with a collection designed with the best man and ushers in mind.  You may want to choose more unique designs so that these cufflinks could be worn more often.

Other gift ideas for the male members of the wedding party include tie pins, money clips, hip flasks, wallets and novelty items.

For the Father of the Bride and the Groom’s Father you may want to give any of the gifts mentioned above.  Make them something a little more special such as engraved glasses, wristwatches or bottles of vintage wine.

For your maid of honor and bridesmaids the traditional gift is usually jewelry.  Items such as charm bracelets, lockets and pendants are all good gifts as they often make wonderful keepsakes.  Some brides will buy all or part of the bridesmaid’s outfits as a gift.   Photograph albums or frames are another nice idea for your female attendants.

For the Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom it is usual to give a bouquet of flowers to each.  Make sure you budget a good amount for them and make them nice big bouquets from a florist.  Other ideas include a beautiful photograph frame into which they can place a photograph from the wedding.

Other suggestions for your parents include giving them a gift for them both to share such as vouchers for a restaurant or tickets to the theatre.  Perhaps they have a shared interest in which you could purchase a suitable gift. 

If you have a flower girl and page boy then you will need to purchase something appropriate to their ages.  Toys are an obvious gift, but make them something special. Keepsakes such as flower girl jewelry are nice for the girls and perhaps a set of books for the page boy.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Your wedding cake can comprise a significant portion of your budget, particularly if you are having a large wedding.  Wedding cake prices are worked out on a per slice basis, with additional costs for fancy flavors and intricate icing and decorations.

With the average wedding cake costing around $500 it is little wonder that many couples will look for cheaper alternatives for their wedding day.  But there is also a rising trend to stray away from the traditional multi-tiered cake and instead go for something a little different.

If you are looking to reduce the cost of your wedding cake then there are a few options open to you.  Firstly you could have a single cake made and iced according to your requirements, this will be the cake you will cut at the wedding reception.  Behind the scenes in the kitchen will be trays of cutting cake, plain iced and ready to be cut up and served to the guests.  The cutting cakes will cost significantly less then a large fully decorated cake and your guests will never know they are not eating the same cake you cut into just moments earlier!

Other options revolve around baking the cake yourselves and have a professional ice it for you.  This can work well but it does rely you on being able to bake a fairly level cake in the first place!  Supermarkets are being to get in on the wedding act and some offer wedding cake services.  If your local supermarket doesn’t do specific wedding cakes then have a look for un-iced cakes in various sizes which would tier-up together and which are ready to be iced.

If budget isn’t a problem but you would like something different for your wedding cake then the most popular alternative is to have cupcakes instead of large cakes.  However, don’t be fooled into thinking that cupcakes would be cheaper, despite their size these little cakes take more work to produce than a larger cake and typically cost upwards of $8 each.

Aside from cupcakes, mini cakes which are squares cut from a larger cake and covered in icing are a stylish option.  Both cupcakes and mini cakes make good wedding favors meaning you could double them up for both roles, saving money in the process.

If you have cupcakes or mini cakes then you will need an appropriately big stand to display them on.  Many couples also still want the cake cutting ceremony which means they must also order a small cake to sit on top of the stand which they will cut into.

As an alternative to a wedding cake these smaller cakes are more expensive but they do make a fabulous display and wonderful focal point in your reception.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Whether you budget for multiple forms of wedding transportation or just a single car for yourselves, it always exciting to think about arriving at your wedding venue in style.  But what style will you choose?

Wedding cars range from stretch limo’s, classic limo’s classic cars or vintage cars.  Often the hire package will include the driver and decorations such as flowers in the back window and a ribbon across the front. 

Stretch limo’s offer the practicality of being able to fit several people inside making them a good choice for those on a tight budget.  Hiring a limo like this means you can transport yourself (the bride), your father and your bridesmaids in one car – providing you don’t have too many bridesmaids that is!  Traditionally, though just the bride and groom would travel in the car to the wedding reception so it may seem an extravagance for just two on the return journey!

Classic cars range from black luxury limousines to luxury cars such as Mercedes or BMW.  These are a nice idea for a formal wedding but they won’t accommodate as many people as a stretch limo so you will need to hire more of them to get everyone to the ceremony.

Vintage cars are a wonderful way to arrive at your wedding and perfect if your wedding is styled with vintage in mind.  Often these cars have open tops making them a wonderful way travel on a hot summer’s day!

A horse and carriage is a popular choice after cars as wedding transportation and particularly with romantic brides looking for a fairytale feel to their day.  Carriages range from traditional coach built carriages to replicas of Cinderella’s pumpkin coach.  Be aware that traveling by horse and carriage can take longer than by car so make sure you factor that into your schedule.  If you are having a winter wonderland wedding and are expecting snow then a horse drawn would be a wonderfully romantic form of wedding transportation!

There are also a range of more novel methods of arriving at your wedding including fun cars such a VW beetle, or perhaps a sports car like a Ferrari!  Maybe a tank would be your preferred option or you could down the green route and arrive by bicycle or rickshaw!

Whichever you choose don’t forget that you will need transport to the ceremony and to your reception venue if it is in a different location.  You will also need transport to take you away from the reception later on. 

You also need to remember that it is not just you or your groom that will need transport.  Remember the best man is responsible for taking the groom to the ceremony, which means you will need transport for yourself, your father, your mother, your bridesmaids and any other members of family such as grandparents. After the ceremony you will need to arrange sufficient transport to take all of these people to the reception venue and from the reception to their homes after the wedding.

By Georgina Clatworthy

I cannot possibly give you definitive bridal hair styles and tell you which one you should have – there are just too many factors to consider! But I can give you some guidelines and tips that should lead you to that perfect hair-do.

Choosing a hair style be it bridal or everyday requires careful consideration of your appearance, your face shape and your style.  When it comes to bridal hair your options are far ranging, from loose styles to fabulous up-do’s and combinations in between, but it is choosing the right look for your wedding style, your face and your wedding dress that will make it a success.

When it comes to choosing your hair style you need to think about what would suit you best.  The best advice is to not stray too far from your everyday style, but weddings can bring out the style diva in us and we want to go for something different, something that we will probably never have again and that creates a dilemma!

Firstly you need to find a good stylist.  If you don’t have a regular stylist whom you trust implicitly with your wedding hair, then you will need to find one.  Start as early as you can as it is important to build a relationship with them and build that trust.  Get recommendations from family and friends and visit as many salons as you can.  When you make a visit to a salon, ask to see a portfolio of styles including evening and bridal ones so you can judge the quality of their work. If the styles all look very similar to each other you may want to go elsewhere, unless that is a style you like of course!  Some salons do not get much by way of bridal work and so have very few styles in their repertoire, however if you are not after a formal style then they may be the right choice.

A good tip is to collect together pictures of bridal hair styles you like.  Look through bridal and hair magazines and take out pictures of different styles – up-do’s, down-do’s, half up half down-do’s! You may need to narrow your selection down depending on how many you may have picked.  Consider each style on its merits, will it suit your face shape, will it suit your wedding outfit and will it suit your wedding style?

Take as many of these pictures as you want with you to the salon and get the stylists advice.  A good stylist will quickly take out those styles that won’t suit you, those that wouldn’t suit your wedding style or would be impractical and leave you with those that you should consider.

All that remains then is to have a trial run (or three) to find the right style for you.  You may have bought your hair accessories already so take them along with, but if you haven’t then ask for some advice on what to choose – tiara, hair jewels, flowers, combs etc.  You should also make the stylist aware if you are having a veil and the style of that veil.  When you go for your trial appointment take your hair accessories and veil with you so you can see how they all look together.  It would be a disaster on the wedding day to get your hair styled and veil and accessories in place only to find the whole look is awful!

By Georgina Clatworthy

Many couples view a gift list as an integral part of the wedding planning.  However, sending your guests a list of preferred wedding gifts with their invitation is frowned upon within wedding etiquette.

But the inclusion of a gift list has been common practice for many years now.  I can remember my mother pouring over a list she received with a wedding invitation for her cousin back in the 1980’s.  The idea has evolved from a time when couples wouldn’t live together until after they were married and would require many household items in order for them to set up their new home together.  In modern times however many couples do live together before marriage and even go as far as buying their first home together. 

The list of preferred wedding gifts though continues to be drawn up by couples even though most will already have everything they need for their home.  In fact today’s gift lists tend to be more about luxury items, decorative objects and even vouchers for holidays, restaurants or leisure facilities.  There is also a growing trend to ask for money rather than a gift – a huge no-no within wedding etiquette!

And whilst this article may seem like it is damming the gift list for all eternity, a large number of your wedding guests will want one.  The tradition of drawing one up has evolved into a tradition of expecting one from the invited guests, with becoming lost and confused if you don’t tell them what you want!

Wedding etiquette it would seem is a little behind the times, particularly as the practice of wedding gift lists has been around for a few decades now.  But couples can achieve a healthy balance in terms of complying with etiquette and keeping the guests happy.

Etiquette says that gift lists should not be sent out with the wedding invitations as this implies to the recipient that you expect them to buy you a present and places an obligation on the guest to purchase something from the list.  The best way is to keep the invitation and the list separate.  If your guests make enquiries about wedding gifts then by all means send them the list.

Gift registries have become a popular service for wedding gifts in recent years, with many high street department stores and online stores all offering this service.  The work on the principle of you choosing your preferred gifts, these are then drawn up into a list and a copy of which can be sent to the wedding guests.  This list will contain all the information they need to make a purchase and as each gift is purchased it is removed from the list to prevent duplication.

For many couples this service can appear like a dream come true giving them the chance to roam the store and select anything they want!  Gift registries are a great way of managing a large list of wanted items.  The store will record who buys what and deal with all deliveries.  After the wedding they can provide you with a complete list of gift bought and by whom so you can easily write your thank you cards.  If you set up a registry however make sure you choose gifts that cross a wide range of budgets and that you include plenty of items – you may be surprised by the generosity of some of your guests!

By Georgina Clatworthy

Contrary to what you may be thinking, a wedding party is a term referring to the main people who will help and support you on your wedding day.  For many couples who should be in their wedding party can represent some difficult decisions, because unless you have a big budget, it can be impossible to find a role for everyone.

Here is the lowdown on the various roles of the wedding party and the people who absolutely have to be included! 

Parents – your parents are non-negotiable members of the wedding party!  This means both sets and should also include step parents.  Difficulties can arise when parents have divorced and have new partners or spouses.  In this case it is up to the both of you to decide on who should take precedence.

For the wedding photographs there is no reason why everyone cannot be in shot, however, organizing the top table can be difficult.  For more advice on your top table see the following article:  Wedding Reception Etiquette.

Bridal Party – as the bride you will be attended to by your chief bridesmaid or maid of honor and your bridesmaids.  You may also choose to have flower girls and a page boy.

You need to think carefully about who you choose to be your chief bridesmaid.  This person needs to be reliable, supportive and confident enough to give you sound advice when you need it.  Likewise you want your bridesmaids to be reliable and able to attend dress fittings, rehearsals and be on time on the day.

Flower girls and page boys are normally chosen from younger members of the family or close friend’s children.  Flower girls normally precede the bride and many brides have them scatter flower petals down the aisle.  Page boys are often charged with carrying the wedding rings on a ring cushion.

Groom’s Party – the groom will be supported by his best man, who is often a close family member or close friend.  The best man will be charged with organizing the bachelor night and making sure the groom gets to the ceremony on time.  He will also be required to make a speech at the reception and make toasts to the bride and groom.

The groom’s party may also include the ushers.  The ushers will be responsible for seating guests at the wedding ceremony and for walking the groom’s mother down the aisle to her seat.   They may also be required to show guests to their tables at the wedding reception.

By Georgina Clatworthy

If you are planning to get married then one of your first decisions will be about the type or style of wedding ceremony you would like.  If you follow a particular religion or faith then this may already be decided for you.  But if you don’t hold any particular religious affiliation then your ceremony style needs to be decided with care.

Basically there are two types of wedding ceremony which legally recognizes marriage under law.  These are a religious ceremony and a civil ceremony which is a secular (non-religious) wedding.

Many couples consider their wedding ceremony according to venue.  The pretty church down the road seems an idyllic place to get married but few couples realize that in order to get married there they must meet certain criteria first.  This isn’t always the case, but if the church supports a particular religion or faith then there may be certain conditions applied in order to marry there.

In a Catholic church for instance at least one of you must have been baptized there and both of you are required to attend mass at the church for at least six weeks before the wedding day.  A Christian church may also impose similar conditions and/or require that you live in the parish in order to be eligible to marry.

There are also certain conditions regarding divorcees, who may or may not be able to marry in churches of certain religions.  In recent years some faiths have relaxed their views on the remarriage of divorcees but not all.

A civil wedding ceremony can take place in a register office or at a venue licensed to hold wedding services.  In either case the wedding must be officiated by an approved registrar who will oversee the ceremony and the signing of the register.

For both types of wedding ceremony you will need witnesses.  For a civil ceremony you will need to appoint two witnesses who will need to sign the register but who cannot be relatives; or in a religious ceremony the congregation are regarded as witnesses to the marriage.

If you choose a religious ceremony then you will need to hire a separate venue for your reception.  It is a good idea not to have this venue located too far from your ceremony venue so that everyone can travel there without getting lost and all arrive in good time.  Guests which arrive late to your reception venue not only upset the flow of the day but could cost you money in overtime fees because you ran over schedule waiting for them to arrive!  There are also the extra hire charges for your wedding transport.

Civil wedding ceremonies which take place in a register office will also require the hire of a separate venue for the wedding reception.  Venues licensed to conduct marriages offer the best of both worlds because you can hold your ceremony and reception in one location.  Often these venues will have separate rooms for the ceremony and the reception so you can move from one room to the other without any disruption.  Outdoor wedding ceremonies are sometimes changed over from ceremony to reception by the venue staff whilst you are elsewhere having your photographs taken.  This can often be the case when a marquee is used for both purposes.

Your choice of wedding ceremony should be a personal decision made by you both.  It should hold special meaning to you whether it is a religious ceremony or a civil one.  Whichever one you choose make sure you are both comfortable with the venue, the officiant and the content of the ceremony service.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Your wedding flowers will represent a significant portion of your wedding budget.  However, when it comes to your wedding bouquet, there is a lot to consider.  Many brides will develop an emotional attachment to their bouquet with many choosing to have their preserved after the wedding is over.

The style and shape of your bouquet also needs to coordinate with your wedding outfit.  A good florist will be able to advise you on the best bouquet to suit your look, but you should also be aware of the shapes and styles that are available.

A hand tied bouquet is the most popular choice these days.  These are round in shape with the stalks being hidden under the flowers.  Generally they will suit most styles of wedding dress and this shape is also popular for bridesmaid’s bouquets.

Shower bouquets are generally more expensive than hand tied versions because they require individual flowers to be wired to create the cascade effect.  These are good for dramatic dress styles as they are quite large.

Tear drop bouquets are smaller than a shower bouquet but have wired flowers forming a neat tear drop shape.  The tapered shape of this bouquet makes it suitable for many dress styles.

For a contemporary touch choose to carry just a single flower such as a long stemmed calla lily.  This is a great look for an informal wedding and works well with very simple dresses.

Pomanders are generally the bouquet of choice for bridesmaids and flower girls.  These spherical arrangements have flowers placed around a large ball of foam and a ribbon carry handle attached at the top.

It is important that you firstly tell your florist exactly the style and shape of your wedding dress, providing a picture would be a good idea and that you heed their advice.  Choosing a bouquet which is too big will make you appear to be hiding behind it, likewise, choose one which is too small and your beautiful bouquet could appear insignificant and totally drowned out by your dress.

If you don’t want to throw your actual wedding bouquet at the reception then ask your florist to make a second one from less expensive flowers which you can throw.  This then leaves your original bouquet intact for you to preserve.

Finally you will need to practice holding your bouquet so it is at the right height.  Try and purchase a silk or paper version to practice with just make sure it is in the right shape and size!  Hold it too high and your guests might not be able to see you for it and if you walk down the aisle clutching it with white knuckles you will appear nervous and tense.  Try to hold it at navel height level with your belly button so that your guests can see it and your beautiful wedding dress in equal measure.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Having chosen your wedding dress and other accessories such as shoes and lingerie, it is time to turn you attention to your wedding jewelry.  Your choice of jewelry is in many respects as important as your wedding dress is to the whole look and feel of your wedding.

For many brides the jewelry they wear on their wedding day may hold some significant meaning, for instance they may wear a string of pearls which have been in hers or her groom’s family for generations.  Pearls are very traditional for weddings and brides often wear sets which include a necklace, earrings and bracelet.

Other brides will wear a simple cross or some other emblem symbolizing their faith or religion.  Lockets are also favored and perhaps contain the image of a loved one who cannot be with them on their wedding day.

But if none of the above appeal to you then what other options are there for your wedding jewelry?

Vintage is a big look at the moment and when combined with this season’s trend of glamour vintage jewelry is a perfect choice.  Despite what many may think, vintage costume jewelry is not very expensive unless that is you choose some significant designer or go for precious metals and stones.

Imitation pearls, rhinestones, crystals and semi-precious stones are not expensive and often exude a better quality than many reproduction pieces today.  Vintage jewelry also has the advantage of giving you pretty unique pieces of jewelry that are not available elsewhere.

When considering a piece of jewelry that is set with stones, it is a nice idea to find out what the meaning of those stones is.  Birthstones are a popular choice with brides, whilst others hold mystical properties such as boosting self-esteem, good luck and happiness.

Modern day costume jewelry is widely available and can suit any budget, big or small.  Unlike vintage jewelry is easier to match pieces together and coordinate your jewelry with your bridesmaids should you wish.  Of course, your husband-to-be may surprise you with a wedding gift of a beautiful necklace which you have to wear on the day!

When choosing your jewelry you need to consider the style of your dress and the look you wish to achieve.  Choose your tiara, veil and any other hair pieces first and then coordinate your jewelry to match.  Begin at the top with your earrings and then work downwards – necklace, bracelet etc.

When choosing your jewelry it is often best to choose something traditional such as pearls or a diamond pendant.  These are classic, timeless looks and will never date you.  Choosing something very modern and ultra trendy could look out of place, perhaps not on the day, but further down the line, making you cringe each time you look at your wedding photographs.

There are a few simple rules of thumb when selecting your wedding jewelry:

• Choose pearls that are a similar shade to the color of your dress.
• Choose a simple pendant or diamond solitaire for a dress with a simple bodice.
• For dresses decorated with ornate crystals or jewels consider going without a necklace or choose a simple necklace with crystals to match.
• Solitaire earrings will go with just about any dress.
• Chandelier style earrings will look good with a simply styled dress.
• Diamond or pearl drop earrings look lovely with a low neckline and an updo.
• Avoid bracelets if you have long sleeves.