How To Do A Wedding Cake Tasting
Wedding cake tastings aren't just an excuse to gorge on moist, rich cake and butter cream confections. They also serve a very important purpose, helping you to decide both the flavor and look of your wedding cake. Here's how to do a wedding cake tasting properly.
Add a personal touch to your wedding by making your own bouquet. Learn how to choose flowers and arrange them into a professional and beautiful wedding bouquet.
Joe Carol's beauty expert Marina Osinski shares her tips for how to make brides glow on their wedding day.
Wedding cost saving tips from GroomGroove.com. How to save money in planning your wedding.
A nationwide survey of retail and online jewelers finds that this year's Valentine's Day brides will be hoping for princess cut engagement rings as their wedding band of choice.
The Wedding Rings Newswire reports that men seeking to pop the question on Valentine's Day 2008 -- which is certain to be the most popular day of the year for engagements -- will be making the right choice if they select a princess cut engagement ring.
Respected retailers such as Robbins Bros. (http://www.robbinsbros.com/rings-diamonds-jewelry/ring-finding-guide.asp), which operates engagement rings stores in Southern California, Texas and Illinois, note that the growing appeal of princess cut engagement rings is evident.
Wedding Rings Newswire, which conducted its survey in December 2007, said jewelers have found that princess cut engagement rings are popular not only for their unique rectangle styles and brilliance, but also for the fact that the rings compete very well with all wedding bands on price and carat weight.
"The choice of ring is often a real obstacle for guys who want to surprise their girlfriends on Valentine's Day with a proposal and a ring," Wedding Rings Newswire editor Joelle Dawid says. "Selecting a princess cut engagement ring narrows the choices considerably, while still being certain that she'll swoon when you open the box."
Dawid adds that men who don't want to compromise in their choice of diamond engagement rings, but do want to start out their married lives on a sound financial footing, can do both in selecting a princess cut engagement ring.
"In the hunt for the most magnificent wedding rings, prince cut engagement rings are a perfect fit," Dawid says. "Young couples, especially, will prize their beauty and their comparative affordability."
The Wedding Ring Newswire notes that February is the biggest month of the year for engagement ring sales, with an estimated $2 billion of total jewelry being purchased each year surrounding the Valentine's Day holiday.
The Wedding Rings Newswire is an independent news and feature service focused exclusively on wedding ring-related topics.
Whether you’re looking to get engaged, upgrade your wedding set or just give a gift that will leave her gasping in delight, a diamond is always a good choice.
More shoppers than ever are eschewing busy malls in favor of online shopping, and diamond buyers are no exception. Think few people buy diamonds online? Think again: Google “diamond shopping online” and you’ll get about 5 million results, many of them Web sites that specialize in the sale of diamonds. Online jewelry sales in the United States topped $2.45 billion in 2006, a 20 percent increase over the year before, according to data from IDEX Online Research.
“The online market is a natural evolution for diamond shopping,” says Isaac Gottesman, a diamond expert and owner of dimend SCAASI of Chicago, a leading national jeweler whose company entered the e-market in 1997 and now does more than 70 percent of its business online. “In the old days, you went to your local jewelry showroom to look at loose stones and settings. Then large jewelry chains evolved and became mall staples. Next came jewelry sales on television shopping channels. Now jewelry shopping, including diamond buying, has moved online.”
Shopping for diamonds online provides all the advantages of the Internet: huge inventory and selection, competitive prices and exceptional speed and convenience. The pitfalls, however, are just as many: disreputable sellers, questionable products and undereducated buyers. Before you log on to make your diamond purchase this holiday season, consider these do’s and don’ts of online diamond buying:
* Do seek out sites with exceptional customer service standards. “Online shopping can often mean less customer service than you might hope for,” Gottesman says. “But when you’re purchasing something as important as a diamond, you can’t afford to deal with a site that is lacking in customer service.”
Look for sites, like Gottesman’s www.dimendscaasi.com, that allow you to speak directly to a customer service representative, either by phone or live chat, both during your diamond selection process and after you’ve made your purchase. Buying a diamond is more complex than many other online transactions and you’ll want expert advice and attentive service.
* Don’t overlook the importance of the site’s privacy and security measures. Be sure you fully understand the site’s policies before you buy. The site should use encryption and security software. When you get to the payment page, be sure the web address includes https.
* Do look for sites that use technology innovations to give you the best overall picture of the diamond you are buying. “A site that offers you just one image and a brief description of a stone isn’t giving you enough information to make an educated purchase,” Gottesman says.
Gottesman’s dimend SCAASI invented a proprietary, patent-pending software system, dubbed “InnerView,” to allow potential buyers to view diamonds and gemstones online in real time. After choosing the diamond they are interested in at www.dimendscaasi.com, buyers can request an InnerView appointment by phone, e-mail or directly online. Or, if they’re unsure what stone or setting they are looking for, they can request an appointment in which a gemologist helps them decide what they’re looking for in a stone and setting.
During the InnerView session, a gemologist places a diamond or gemstone under powerful magnification of up to 300 times to show its unique characteristics, including the cut, any inclusions the stone may have and a close-up of the laser inscription correlating to the certification number. The buyer can view these features magnified and also see how they appear to the naked eye. InnerView also makes it possible for the customer to view the diamond or gemstone in different settings
* Don’t assume every Web site will take the diamond back if you’re dissatisfied with it. Be sure you know the site’s return policy before you do business with them. Look for sites with a clear and fair return policy, and find out what, if any, restocking fees are associated with returning an item.
* Do be sure the site takes every precaution to ship swiftly and securely. “The site should only ship through reputable carriers who offer a system for tracking your package,” Gottesman advises. “At dimendSCAASI, your package is insured for its full purchase value. That way, if it is lost, we can recover the value and remake the ring for you.”
* Do look for certification from reputable labs such as GIA and AGS. The certification should detail the characteristics of the diamond.
* Finally, do search the Web for consumer reviews of online jewelers, and visit sites like Citysearch or Yelp to find customer feedback.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Preston Bailey is an internationally celebrated event designer and wedding planner with clients that include Donald Trump, Middle East Royalty and Oprah Winfrey. Watch as Preston gives us his specials tips on how to make your own flower centerpieces! For more Preston inspiration check out this link on flowers.
This spring, it will be difficult to tell if a bride is walking down the aisle or making her way down the red carpet. After a year-long love affair with the boxy trapeze dress, designers are emphasizing the waist and adding elegant details.
“This focus on the feminine calls for glamorous bridal jewelry fit for a queen,” says Shawn Diddy, Jewelry Television’s trend tracker. Here are some of the looks she’s expecting to be hot in 2008:
*Brides will make a “ready for your close-up” impact in an off-the-shoulder dress. The look from the runways calls for minimal accents -- a single, “statement” piece of jewelry such as a pair of dangle earrings that sparkle or a thick, signature bracelet. Wear hair up to really show off your shoulders in that gorgeous dress.
*Pleats, ruffles and tulip tiers abound in light and frothy fabrics. Because of the unusual silhouettes of these trendy dresses, keep hair and jewelry simple. A loose chignon softens your face while a classic pair of diamond stud earrings adds elegance and light to the ensemble.
*A white dress and Grandma’s pearls is what everyone else is wearing, so why not go with this season’s hot pastels? Diaphanous dresses in shades of peach, blush and baby blue are fresh and stylish. Pull your hair back into a soft ponytail to show off sparkling crystal earrings or a necklace in a complementary color.
*Lace is always in, but this season’s unique lace details work especially well with long, flowing hair. Rich, jewel-toned, vintage-look jewelry adds texture to the ensemble.
*Whether the dress is short or long, designers have put the emphasis back on the waist. Nipped-in lines and wide belts or sashes showed all over New York’s runways. Because of the symmetry of the dress, wear your hair parted to the side and add drama with strong platinum jewelry pieces.
“Few brides can spend a fortune on a couture gown and estate diamonds so we recommend Jewelry Television’s Bella Luce Collection,” says Diddy. “Most pieces are platinum plated sterling silver for elegant, affordable, designer-inspired wearability.” For more information on the latest trends in bridal jewelry, visit http://www.jtv.com/ or check your local listings for Jewelry Television.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
GroomGroove.com interviews New York City jeweler, Roslyn, about the groom's process of finding the right engagement ring for your future bride.
VideoJug: Alternatives To The Traditional Wedding Dress
The full white wedding dress is traditional, but not right for everyone. Here's our guide to alternatives, so you can get the right look for your big day.
This is the only book on the market dedicated to couples who want to plan a small wedding--a growing trend in the industry. With stories and wisdom from real-life couples, Intimate Weddings offers:
* Advice on getting family and friends more involved in the big day, from decorating to the actual ceremony.
* Inspiring suggestions for personalizing a wedding with themes and traditions that have special meaning for the bride and groom.
* Creative ideas for venues--both traditional and non-traditional--and how to decorate them.
* Unique cost-saving tips and tricks for getting married on a budget.
Perfect for anyone planning a wedding with 75 guests or less, this book walks the bride-to-be through every step she needs to make her big day a success. There's no better resource for creating an event that's memorable and meaningful.
Available at Amazon.com.
In this clip from Get Married on Lifetime, find out about HOT new wedding trends from wonderful wedding graffiti to a fresh take on thank you notes.
Not every couple getting married is hoping for fine china as a wedding gift. Some would prefer a trip to China instead.
Looking for a unique gift? An engraved gift is always a treasured gift. When the engraved pieces are chopsticks, the recipients know you have gone out of your way to make them feel extra special. Each wooden chopstick has a sterling silver handle that can be engraved with your personal message. Two pair of chopsticks are included in the gift along with two rests. Presented in a hand wrapped gift box for an outstanding presentation.
Free Engraving
Engraving area: one line maximum, up to 18 characters including spaces. Enter information to be engraved on each individual chopstick handle during the checkout phase of the ordering process. One additional business day is automatically added to shipping schedule to accommodate engraving process.
Engraved Chopsticks for Two is available at GiftTree.com
In this clip from Get Married on Lifetime, Kirsty Kelly showcases her line of wedding gowns inspired by Disney Princesses.
When Tabitha Irwin began dating Michael Leach, she would never have predicted that this casual friend would turn out to be the man of her dreams. But once she realized that the 30-year-old radio producer had a heart big enough to embrace her and her four-year-old son Calym, she was smitten. By the following year, the couple announced their engagement.
One thing muted the joy of her pending nuptials -- the memory of her own mother’s remarriage when Tabitha was a typical, insecure adolescent. “I wasn’t included in the wedding and, from then on, I never really felt like part of the family,” she recalls. “That’s why Michael and I wanted to do something special during the wedding to communicate to my son that he was going to be an integral part of our lives.”
The marketing manager was grappling with a problem experienced by most of the tens of thousands of single parents who walk down the aisle each year: What can be done to ease the concerns of young children who feel, on a conscious or unconscious level, that their secure place in the family is threatened by the marriage/remarriage of a parent?
After much research, Tabitha found a simple and emotionally satisfying answer to her dilemma in the form of a family-oriented wedding service that gives children a meaningful role in the wedding celebration. This five-minute ceremony -- known as the Family Medallion service -- can easily be integrated into any religious or civil wedding ceremony. It differs from the traditional wedding in only one respect: After the newlyweds exchange rings, their children join them for a special service focusing on the family nature of a marriage. Each child is given a gold or silver medallion with three interlocking circles, a symbol that represents family love in much the same way the wedding ring signifies conjugal love.
Although the family service seemed to be an ideal way to recognize Calym during the wedding, Tabitha and Michael let the kindergartener cast the deciding vote. First, they explained the meaning of the family ceremony in a way that a young child could understand. Then they allowed Calym to select the specific Family Medallion from www.FamilyMedallion.com that he wanted to receive. “It made him feel important to be involved in the decision-making process,” Tabitha adds. “He became more excited about the wedding with each passing day.”
The Leaches say they will never forget the moment during their wedding at a local park when Michel presented the Family Medallion to Calym. While the minister led Michael in a recitation of the words of the ceremony -- a promise to love and care for the youngster and help him grow into a responsible adult -- he placed the family symbol around his stepson’s neck. Calym responded with a giant hug.
“It was an incredible bonding experience,” Michael recalls. “In that instant, Tabitha, Calym and I came together as a family.” Tabitha was moved to tears watching her new husband make a formal commitment to her son.
As for young Calym, he was just plain thrilled. “I really liked having a ceremony just for me,” he explains. “It meant that Mike loved me and was going to be my dad.
For the wedding guests, this unique family service was the pinnacle of the marriage celebration. “Many later told me how moving it was to see us assure Calym, in such a loving and public way, that he would always be part of our family,” says Tabitha.
The family wedding concept is an idea whose time has come. With a high divorce rate -- nearly two in five marriages fail, according to the Heritage Foundation -- more and more single parents with young children are remarrying. Additionally, the U.S. is experiencing a wave of first-time marriages among young single parents who had a child during the course of a common-law union or other relationship outside of marriage.
Yet, despite the fact that a growing legion of single parents are bringing one or more children into their marriages, virtually no religious or civil wedding ceremony acknowledges the existence of these youngsters. This void frustrated Dr. Roger Coleman, ministers and president of Clergy Services, Inc., an organization in Kansas City, Missouri, devoted to developing family-oriented services for weddings and other important life events.
"The so-called traditional wedding ceremony does not serve the needs of couples with children, whether their own or children from previous relationships," Coleman explains. "That's because traditional weddings focus exclusively on the union of a man and a woman. The important role of existing children and the family nature of marriage are simply ignored."
Today, more than 25,000 couples annually use the Family Medallion ceremony to help strengthen the bond between parents, stepparents and children.
Tabitha, Michael and Calym are among its biggest fans. Today, more than a year after their family wedding, the Irwin-Leach blended family is thriving. Young Calym is ecstatic to have a baby brother, who was born this summer. “He doesn’t feel rejected like I did when my mother and stepdad had a baby,” Tabitha says. “That’s because from the moment Michael and I decided to marry, we included Calym every step of the way.”
For more information about family weddings, visit www.familymedallion.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
The wedding bouquet, like the center jewel in the engagement ring, is a focal point for the celebration. The bouquet’s colors, arrangement, and even fragrance, can express the mood and style of the ceremony, from the bridal gown and attendants’ attire to the décor of the reception room. How to decide? Each of the 300 bouquets displayed here comes with lavish close-up photos and careful descriptions of each detail, with recommendations for the kinds of dresses and ceremonies they best complement. Every color theme receives special treatment (with price range indicators), from whites, ivories and creams to yellows and oranges, reds and pinks, blues and purples, as well as variegated and original color schemes.
Available at Amazon.com.
In this clip from Get Married on Lifetime, Giorgio Damiani of Damiani Jewelry gives his advice on choosing the perfect engagement ring and wedding rings.
Whether you have six months or just six weeks until your wedding day, Buff Brides is an invaluable must-have for every bride-to-be.
Buff Brides is a comprehensive, fully illustrated fitness book by a New York City personal trainer who has helped hundreds of brides get into shape over the past decade. Providing clear, concise instructions and photographs for each exercise, Sue Fleming knows what brides want the most. From toned triceps for sleeveless dresses to flat abs for the honeymoon bikini, Buff Brides provides results.
Why Buff Brides? Well, are you:
• Running out of time? Buff Brides features a 12-week crash course as well as the 24-week optimal program that works for any body type!
•Short on space? No need to panic—all of these exercises can be done right in your own home, with minimal equipment.
•Stressing out? Helpful stress-relieving stretches will calm your pre-wedding jitters!
•Having sleeveless-dress anxiety? Easy-to-follow exercises will show you how to tone
your arms and make your back look fabulous!
•Concerned about a specific target area? From thighs to abs to triceps, Buff Brides has the exercise for every bride-to-be’s problem area!
•About to settle for the first dress you see? Buff Brides offers helpful hints for choosing a wedding dress that best suits your body type.
Incorporating fitness tips, motivational secrets, and wedding-planning reminders, Buff Brides will help you look great and make it to the altar on time.
Available at Amazon.com.
VideoJug: How To Choose A Wedding Cake For A Formal Wedding
Many have dream weddings, and in all of them one of the focal points is an awe-inspiring wedding cake. This film will help show you how to make your dream wedding cake for a formal wedding a reality.
Creativity is the new word in weddings for 2008, according to leading wedding resource The Knot (http://www.theknot.com/) and the new issue of The Knot Magazine Spring 2008 issue, on newsstands January 28, 2008.
“Brides want to be anything but boring this year,” explains Carley Roney, editor-in-chief of The Knot. “From resourceful ways to get the perfect look to decadent reception décor inspired by Sofia Coppola’s fashion epic Marie Antoinette, surprising elements like ’80s cover bands, and daring destinations, couples are going to new lengths to infuse their personalities into their big day.”
The Knot reveals the wedding style forecast for 2008:
BEAUTY & FASHION
STEAL THE LOOK (…WE MEAN, RENT IT!): Brides in lust with the luxury labels have found salvation at sites like bagborrowandsteal.com; for less than $100, you can rent a $2,600 pair of Vera Wang diamond and pearl-studded earrings or a Judith Leiber jeweled-encrusted clutch worth over $3,500.
SPLIT-PERSONALITY BRIDES: Brides are doing a double take during the wedding: doing presto-changos with their gowns (sometimes up to three wardrobe changes) and sneaking away during cocktail hour for a whole new hairdo (classic updos for the ceremony, then sexy tousled tresses on the dance floor!).
HEIRLOOM ENGAGEMENT & WEDDING RINGS: Jennifer Love Hewitt just got a bauble that’s been in fiancé Ross McCall’s family for over 100 years. Alicia Silverstone wed Chris Jarecki wearing a ring crafted from his great-great-grandmother's ring. Passing down a time-honored piece of jewelry adds another layer of sentimentality that can't be bought in a store.
RECEPTION REDUX
THE “MARIE ANTOINETTE” WEDDING: We bet that Sofia Coppola had no idea that her fashionable blockbuster would inspire a whole new class of bourgeoisie brides! Lush floral centerpieces, rich gilded colors, big gowns, brocade, and decadent receptions are fit for royalty, complete with hand-painted invitations, champagne tasting bars, seven courses, and extravagant dessert displays!
’80’S COVER BANDS: Oh L’Amour! Couples are going beyond the classic wedding band and hiring ‘80s cover bands to play their favorite tunes from Men at Work, Madonna, and Michael Jackson. Other genre bands for hire: classic rock, college frat-house bands, swing orchestras, and Latin ensembles—along with hired dancers to get the party moving.
GREEN WEDDINGS: Couples continue to be earth-conscious in 2008: from email invites for weddings and festivities to serving up locally grown, free-range fare and donning bio-friendly wedding gowns made of 100 percent silk and cottons. They’re also honeymooning at eco-resorts and gathering friends for charitable showers at soup kitchens and local park events.
GOING HI-TECH
THE SOCIAL NETWORK WEDDING: From viral proposal videos posted on YouTube to enhanced wedding web pages and Facebook-friend polling on first dance songs and menu options, weddings have become public planning ventures. Look for couples to log online, use blogs as “communication central,” and, with new mobile technology, post on-the-road photos to get immediate feedback on decisions from their bridesmaids, friends, and family.
THE REAL WORLD: YOUR WEDDING: Couples will get celebrity exposure with major video footage of their wedding days, from “day in the life of” documentary-style videos to “same day edits” where ceremony photos and footage are highlighted at the reception. Guests become paparazzi with disposable video cameras on the tables (check out The Knot Shop).
TRAVEL
DARING DESTINATION WEDDINGS: The destination wedding trend will continue to evolve as new spots emerge. From taking guests on African safaris to skiing the slopes of Sundance, fly-fishing in Big Sky, Montana, and jetting off to Barcelona and Scottish castles!
HONEYMOONS ON STEROIDS: Twice as long, twice as far, twice as memorable: Couples are going the distance for their deluxe vacations.
For more hot trends, check out TheKnot.com and pick up your copy of The Knot Weddings Spring 2008 issue on newsstands now.
About The Knot
The Knot is the nation's leading wedding resource, reaching over a million engaged couples each year through the #1 wedding website TheKnot.com, The Knot national and local wedding magazines, The Knot books (published by Random House and Chronicle), and television programming bearing The Knot name. The Knot is the flagship brand of The Knot, Inc. (NASDAQ: KNOT), a leading lifestage media company targeting couples planning their weddings and future lives together.
Source: PRWeb
