African American Brides Blog

Should You Invite Your Ex to Your Wedding?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 19:30:00 +0000

So, would you or wouldn't you? The scene in which an ex appears at the church doors just as the minister utters, “Speak now or forever hold your peace,” may be a Hollywood cliché, but it is increasingly common for couples to invite exes to the ceremony, and experts say there’s no need for big-screen dramatics with a little careful planning and consideration.

To be sure, many traditionalists including Emily Post advise against inviting ex beaus or spouses because it can create uncomfortable scenes like those in movie weddings or simply make things odd for other guests.

“It’s not a good idea to invite an ex-spouse to an encore wedding,” Post writes in Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette, Fifth Edition (HarperCollins, 2006). “Friends can feel awkward celebrating a new marriage when the former husband or wife is there. Even if you and your ex are on good terms, there are other family members to consider, and there’s no reason to open old wounds when it can be avoided.”

Post adds that seeing an ex at the ceremony can be confusing to any children involved, making it harder for them to celebrate the beginning of their new family. But many modernists make the case for inviting the ex, particularly if your kids will be ring bearers and flower girls.

“If you and your ex had children together, it’s not fair to your children to exclude their parent unless the parent has been abusive,” says Tina B. Tessina, PhD, psychotherapist and author of Money, Sex and Kids: Stop Fighting about the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage (Adams Press, 2008).

That advice comes with a few caveats, though. You should make it clear to your ex and everyone involved what his or her boundaries are and whether their current partner is invited or if they can bring a date.You should also make sure your current partner understands exactly why you are inviting your ex well in advance of your wedding day.

“This is a time for everyone to get along,” says Tessina, also known as Dr. Romance. “The best rule is no surprises for anyone, no secrets from anyone.” Wedding experts say the key to avoiding surprises, secrets and any ugly scenes that might follow is communicating with everyone early in the planning process.

“Talk to the ex before sending the invitation. Ask how them how they feel about coming,” says Suzi Tozer, a Saint Louis-area event planner who operates Partiesdiy.com. “You’ve obviously moved on and are considering including them, but they might find it extremely hard to watch you get married. First I’d talk to my future mate and second I’d talk to my ex before addressing the envelope.”

It’s also important to examine your own reasons for including your ex. Are you co-parents on good terms, for example, or could there be a darker motive behind the invitation?

“Is it because you want to share this special day with someone who you will always care about, or do you want them to feel bad that you are so happy?” asks Tozer.

If that’s the case, you should work through those feelings, especially if there are children involved who might pick up on your negative emotions.

“Keep your focus on making the occasion pleasant for your children, and not your own resentments and frustrations,” says Tessina. “You can work those out in therapy before or after the wedding.”

What do you think? Is there ever a good reason to invite your ex?

The Scoop on Family Honeymoons

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 16:05:00 +0000

You guys know how it is. Traditional honeymoons are often all about spending days in bed and nights lingering over champagne, candlelight and decadent dinners. But these days, the internet abounds with all-inclusive resort packages, hotel deals and cruises that cater to honeymooners who want to bring their kids along. A soon-to-be-released romantic comedy starting Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore was even recently renamed The Familymoon. However, at least one well-known relationship expert argues family honeymoons are often not very funny or romantic. To get the scoop, we talked to relationship expert, April Masini of AskApril.com.

“Family vacations are great -- but they're not known for lots of sex, intimate walks on the beach where you discuss your future together, and candlelit dinners with wine and caressed fingertips,” says April. “They're known for rough and tumble, somebody getting carsick and, if you have a blended family, new (or established) jealousies and sibling rivalry. None of this is the stuff of honeymoons.”

Masini is all in favor of inclusiveness when it comes to the wedding ceremony itself. But, by definition, honeymoons should be exclusive, even when it comes to the couple’s own children. After all, it’s hard to have raucous relations or even long, intimate discussions over meals when there are kids in the next room who need breakfast or bedtime stories.

“When it comes to a honeymoon, remember what the honeymoon is about: it's a celebration between the two newlyweds to mark their wedding with romance, sex and intimacy,” says Masini, who offers relationship advice through AskApril.com. “Including the children will completely cut into that celebration and dilute it at best -- but tank it completely at worst.”

Although a family honeymoon may seem like the perfect opportunity to solidify a blended family, she says it’s more important to establish yourselves as a couple first. Statistics have shown that 50 percent of first marriages, 67 percent of second, and 73 percent of third marriages in the U.S. end in divorce. Blended family drama isn’t the only factor behind those numbers, but anyone who has ever planned or even attended a wedding that involves children, stepchildren, exes and multiple sets of grandparents understands it can add stress to the new union.

“This is even more reason to take a honeymoon that is just the two of you,” says Masini. “It gives you a break from all these relationships at a time when you most need it -- after having planned and wed in a blended family wedding.”

It may be difficult to find childcare for long enough to allow for an extended and exotic romantic getaway, but just a few days can make a big difference when it comes to building a relationship – and a family -- that lasts a lifetime.

“Even if your honeymoon is a weekend away -- in town or out of town -- it's a great memory to make and preserve, and a great way to start a new marriage,” Masini says.

DynaSmiles' Wedding Invitations Take The Cake

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 20:05:00 +0000

Yet another long-overdue review regarding an extremely talented artist. African-AmericanBrides.com is no stranger to Daveia Odoi of Dynasmiles. Long before she became the design powerhouse she is now, she created our very first beloved blog banner. Two things struck me back then. What we learned even from that project was that even if she knows you personally Daveia brings class, professionalism, and endless creativity to her work. Nowadays she offers a variety of products and I'm proud to say I knew her when. But does her new wedding stationery stand up to our expectations? We reviewed the line to find out.

When I got my hands on the Daveia's invitations, I noticed her trademark colorful and playful style right away. I thought about today's modern, personal, close-knit weddings and felt that she was on the right track. If invitations set the tone of each couple's nuptials, then these pieces definitely let the invitees know they're in for a joyous occasion. Everything was so beautiful and cultural. What a blessing to have stationery that reflects your life and who you are. Needless to say, I was very impressed! What do you think of these invitations and thank you cards?

As longtime readers know, I have always been a stickler about paper quality. Sure, some people believe invitations are made to be read and then thrown away. But I know better. Many family members and friends keep wedding-related stationery FOR YEARS. So while you don't have to spend a mint on invitations or thank you cards, if nice to have quality paper that can stand the test of time. Judging by the feel of the card stock from this wedding line, Dynasmiles must have known this too. In addition, these can be customized with your own text and color schemes.

Since my wedding was almost a decade ago, I can't benefit from this gorgeous line. That's why I'm happy to see that Dynasmiles also offers cards for children's birthday parties, showers and other special occasions! What are your thoughts about modern wedding invitations and thank you cards? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

Disclaimer: I have not been paid for this review and the thoughts and opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Wordless Wednesday: Monica & James

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Meet James and Monica, our happy couple from New Orleans, LA. The two were together for 14 years before tying the knot this fall. Congratulations, newlyweds!

Ceremony Venue: Lafreniere Park, Metairie, LA

Reception Venue: Chateau Menteur
Photography: Flawless Images (Trezzle Landry)
Makeup: Shannon Foxworthy Taylor

Surprise Proposal at a Toni Braxton Concert

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Now here's a guy who knows how to surprise a lady! Yesterday, one of our friends on our Facebook page told us that he proposed to his girlfriend on stage at a Toni Braxton concert in Detroit. Well we had to see it to believe it, and he did not disappoint. The whole thing was caught on tape and transformed into a heartwarming Youtube video. Truly amazing. Just watch....

What do you ladies and gents think???

Bringing the FUN!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 15:06:00 +0000

When couples love being together and aren't afraid to show it, fun and fantastic pictures are the result. Love it.

Submitted by Nicole Charles Bradley Photography by Blue Labs Photography

Wordless Wednesday: Shoya & Tony

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 10:57:00 +0000

Submitted by Shoya Bowman and Tony Allen
Fort Lauderdale, FL

African-American Brides' Top Engagement Ring Trends of 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 24 May 2013 22:40:00 +0000

Every bride-to-be wants to feel that her engagement right is as unique as her own style. So, each year brings new ideas for engagements rings. But you know what they say, "There's really nothing new under the sun." And that is certainly true for something as traditional as an engagement ring. Even the most non-traditional ones are, by definition, part of tradition. But that doesn't mean you can't take advantage of the latest trends, as long as they represent YOU. So if you stumble across something that resonates with you, go for it! That said, here are our top engagement ring trends of 2013. Let us know what you think!

Custom engagement rings. When you're truly looking for something outside-the-box or deeply sentimental you may want to look into jewelers who specialize in custom engagement rings, such as Bookman & Son who created this quartz and diamond stunner.

Ring from Bookman & Son

The East-West Ring

Ring from Bario Neal

Vintage style

From Tumblr

Floral details

From Tumblr

Colored Stones - Whether champagne diamonds, blue sapphires, topaz, and others!

From Tumblr

Conflict-free/Blood free diamonds

From Ken & Dana Design

OK, what do you think? Did we leave anything out??? If so, let us know!

What to Pack For Your Wedding Night

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:10:00 +0000

Now that warmer temperatures are here, let's heat things up by talking about your wedding night. Why? Let's face it, ladies. Planning your wedding can become all-consuming. However, in all of your last minute preparations, it's important to think ahead to what this was all ultimately leading to: the wedding night- the first night of the rest of your life.

Did you know that 52% of couples don't even have sex on their wedding night? Fifty two precent! It's not surprising, because you are going to be exhausted and hungry afterwards, but that doesn't mean you have to be a statistic; you can be a solution. On your wedding night it'll finally just be the two of you and you'll be married so make the most of it!

What you put in your overnight bag is crucial, so the first step is to pack in advance. Don't leave your overnight bag up to chance when you're running around at the last minute. Pack it when you pack up your honeymoon luggage and put some thought into it. Now I know your head is a mish-mash of chair covers, rose petals and playlist suggestions right now, so I've come up with your wedding night packing guide to help you out.

Necessities--
You will have packed all your major items like your hair products, make up and deodorant in your honeymoon luggage, but you're going to need those items for the morning after, too. Pack travel sized versions of all of these items in your overnight bag, that way you can just leave in the bag when you go. It will help keep you organized in the morning and still looking post-wedding fab.

Candles--
You are likely to have candles in your room if you got the Honeymoon suite or you have amazing friends. However, you should bring some along if you didn't or your friends don't have access to the room. It's your wedding night, so don't be afraid to bring on the romance. Don't just leave it to chance!

Lingerie--
You'll definitely want to throw in some of the lingerie you received at your bachelorette party. Didn't get any? Take the time to stop by your nearest lingerie store like Adam & Eve and pick up something simple, yet sexy. You're not going to want to be in something uncomfortable after wearing your dress all day. Find something that will let your husband that he really did make the right decision.

Toys and fun--
After a long day of talking, dancing and drinking, the two of you might need a little help in the arousal area. Be sure to pack along a bottle of lube to help things get moving. Keep in mind though that you should either pack this separately or at least in it's own plastic bag, so that it doesn't explode on your lingerie. You can also get your marriage off on a kinky start by bringing some fun toys or even some fuzzy handcuffs and blindfold. And you may find that you're both sore from your shoes and standing all day, so consider throwing in some massage oil to help the two of you relax.

Contraception--
You just spent months planning your wedding. If you're not ready to spend the next nine months carrying a child make sure to pack whatever kind of contraception the two of you use. Don't be afraid to throw in some back up as well. You never know!

Food--
You'll also want to pack some snacks. Think ahead and get some of you and his favorite snacks. You're going to be hungry afterwards and may not want to wait for room service to show up, so bring something that two of you can enjoy. Plus your favorite snack will be comforting at the end of a crazy day.

Do you think I missed anything on the list?

Wordless Wednesday: Bayou Style!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:20:00 +0000

At the Lyceum Ballroom in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Submitted by Stephanie Alexandria Evans

DIY Homemade Spring & Summer Centerpieces

noreply@blogger.com (African-American Brides) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:57:00 +0000

A common misconception about formal wedding receptions is they cost a fortune. But there are ways to impress but without going into debt. With a little know-how and creativity, you can transform any wedding reception venue. A perfect example has to do with making table centerpieces. This decoration sets the tone for the entire room so it has to be right. There is no reason to spend a significant amount of money decorating the bride and groom table, as well as guests’ tables when you can make beautiful but also cost-efficient wedding reception centerpieces that people will never forget. In fact, one of the newest wedding trends will give you beautiful centerpieces for beans! All that Glitters The thing that makes this wedding reception centerpiece so unique is that most people are surprised at some of the materials used. To begin, you will need to purchase the following for each table. The majority of materials can be found at local hobby stores with the remainder sold at discount retail and grocery stores. o Three 1-pound bags of dry lima beans or coffee beans o One 12 x 12-inch square mirror o One 12-inch tall by 6-inch in diameter glass tube o One 10-inch tall taper candle or 10-inch tall by 3-inch in diameter pillar candle in colors that coordinate with the wedding and reception o One 12-inch long by 3-inch wide piece of ribbon in coordinating colors o You might want to purchase cans of gold and silver spray paint (or you can leave them plain!) For this wedding reception centerpiece, you will begin by laying the dry beans out on cardboard or newspaper and then spraying half with gold paint and the other half with silver paint, making sure to cover both sides well. Once completely dry, the beans would be separated by color and placed in plastic zip-lock bags for storage until the centerpieces are ready to be assembled. On the day of the wedding, each table’s centerpiece would be set up as follows: o The square mirror would be placed in the center of each linen covered table o The glass tube would then be placed in the center of the mirror o A 3-inch depth of beans would be poured inside the tube, followed by placing the candle securely in the center o Additional beans would be placed inside the tube, filling it about two-thirds. For this, you can pour even amounts of gold and silver spray painted beans, mix the two colors, create a spiraling effect, or whatever you feel looks best. o To complete the centerpiece, the 12-inch long piece of ribbon would be tied around the glass tube about four inches from the base, leaving a little bit of the ends to flow onto the glass mirror. You're done! Your centerpiece will be perfect as is, but if you like you can improvise even more by adding a floral accent. You can also play around with the sizes of the candle and tube. Everyone seems to put their own spin on it, so here are some variations from around the web:

Interestingly, this homemade centerpiece sounds expensive but compared to what it would cost to have a professional decoration made, the savings is huge. Because some of the items can be purchased in bulk, you would expect to pay about $15 per table. For a formal wedding, this is definitely a cost-saving solution. To make the wedding reception even more special, a winning number could be taped to the bottom of one chair at each table and whoever is sitting in that position would have the opportunity to take the centerpiece home. What about you? Do you have any DIY wedding centerpiece ideas to share? If so, please let us know by leaving a comment!

Wedding Gown of the Day: Princess Jasmine

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 21:22:00 +0000

This isn't a new dress, but I spotted it while helping a friend find a gown for her destination wedding. It's the Jasmine Disney Wedding Dress by Alfred Angelo. I think it is beautiful. What's your take on it? Would it work for a destination wedding or tropical ceremony?

Fresh Spring & Summer Looks for Bridesmaid Dresses

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:02:00 +0000

Yes, most of the country is enduring cold, wind, or rain right now. But believe or not, warmer weather is just around the corner. Here are some trends to look forward to if you're a bridesmaid-to-be, or a bride who wants to keep her girls happy.

After more than a decade of plain shifts and standard gowns, bridesmaids are dressing up again. The newest dresses are, well... dressier with elegant details and luxurious fabrics, like this one from David's Bridal.

Speaking of fabrics, lace is giving the silkier materials some competition this year. Whether in accents or covering the entire dress, lace brings an elegant, vintage feel to any silhouette.

Source: PatriciaValery
Alright, you've been seeing an 80's revival of peplums everywhere recently. Women have been wearing them on everyday skirts and dresses for the last year, so it was just a matter of time before peplums ended up on bridesmaid dresses. They give cover to ladies who are concerned about body issues and even add a little edge to formal wear.

Source: Alfred Sung

Maybe bridesmaids are trying to get some over-eager bridezillas to back off, because if you attend more than 3 weddings this year you are guaranteed to see some of them giving the "cold shoulder". You know what I mean - the "one shoulder in, one shoulder out" look. It's light and flirty, and perfect for Spring.

Source: David's Bridal

Source: Cheap-Dresses-Wedding.com

Remember when brides used to get all up-in-arms about an attendant or guest wearing white? Well that feeling seems to be fading, no pun intended. More than a few designers are rolling out dressy bridesmaid styles, in ivory and white.

So what do you think? Is this trend for the super-confident bride who can really bring it knows no one else will be mistaken for her?

Wordless Wednesday: Continental Splendor

noreply@blogger.com (African-American Brides) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 16:20:00 +0000

From Just African Weddings on Tumblr

Warm Invitation Ideas for Winter & Fall: Wedding Paper Divas

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 22:01:00 +0000

We're coming up on what is affectionately known as the engagement season. And since many couples who get engaged at the end of this year will be tying the knot in the Fall and Winter, we thought now would be a good time to take a look at some new invitation options. Fortunately, the current Fall/Winter collection from The Wedding Paper Divas focuses on a few new style and color trends as well as focusing on key styles and themes.

It features many watercolor designs in this collection which gives a beautiful artistic touch. You will also find fall and winter imagery such as fall foliage and snowflakes but with a modern touch, such as watercolor techniques, letterpress or layers to simulate depth. (I think the watercolor invitations are SO romantic!) There are also modern and formal invitations for those brides who might not want snowflakes on their wedding invitations. But as always, you will find designs with ombre, shimmer and shine, and flashes of brilliance. Take a look!

Well, what do you think? Let me know in comments! Take a look at the full collection of fall wedding invitations from Wedding Paper Divas.

Wordless Wednesday: Seriously Stunning

noreply@blogger.com (African-American Brides) — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 06:29:00 +0000

From Allebach Photography
Philadelphia, PA

Celebrate In Color Review

noreply@blogger.com (African-American Brides) — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 18:33:00 +0000

This is a really, really, really overdue review. Celebrate In Color approached me about reviewing their products A YEAR AGO. During that time, one thing or another kept cropping up - everything from a blog hiatus to digital camera woes. But now that I've had a chance to thoroughly review these products I can say, "Boy, was it worth it!" No lie - these items are some of the most adorable party products and stationary I've ever seen for people of color, covering everything from engagement parties to wedding showers. If I weren't already be married, I'd be all over them. Take a look:
Napkins

Paper Cups

Paper Plates

Shower and Party Invitations

They all look great, right?! And I'm happy to report that the quality and thickness of all the materials are very good. I love quality invitations no matter what the occasion and I was impressed that these in particular were printed on a nice cardstock in unique designs. I highly recommend all of these. Now I have to find someone to throw a shower for! Celebrate in Color is located in Virginia but can be contacted worldwide through the website, CelebrateInColor.com, or on Facebook.

Wordless Wednesday: Ashlie & Aaron

noreply@blogger.com (African-American Brides) — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 02:30:00 +0000

See more of their pics and read their incredible story on the blog TheFutureMrsEvans.

Wedding Dress of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (African-American Brides) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:08:00 +0000

Take a look at this stunning powder blue wedding gown designed by Claire LaFaye. Gorgeous!

What do you think? Would you take a chance on a powder blue dress for your wedding day? Let us know!

What Happened to the Pics!?

noreply@blogger.com (African-American Brides) — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 15:41:00 +0000

Have you ever deliberately put something in a safe place, but when you go back to look for it later it's gone? That's the feeling we've had for the last couple of weeks when it comes to our most recent blog posts. As you may have noticed some of the recent photos on our blog have vanished and have been replaced with a symbol. Apparently, this is part of a glitch that sometimes happens when you have a Picasa account and share your blogspot posts on Google+. Who knew? We are working to get the images back and replenish the posts. Stay tuned! Image source: jpgmag

Stunning Wedding Styles for 2012 to 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 19:49:00 +0000

Special to African-American Brides by HairStylesDesign.com

It's that time of year again. Wedding season is upon us and many couples have already set a date for the upcoming months. Spaces have been rented, guests have been invited, and everything is ready, except for one thing – finding the right hairstyle for the ceremony. For a woman that is struggling to discover the exact look that will give her the memory of a perfect wedding, it can be frustrating to sift through loads of pictures without finding the right style. Thankfully, there are some wedding looks that are already becoming 2012 hits and have a classic and timeless appearance that make them perfect for any women getting ready to tie the knot. If the woman is getting married in the spring, then a fresh look like the one pictured above may be the right style. Airy and light, this look may have a little less in the refined elegance department, but is a great choice to show off a woman's facial structure. Attention is pointed to the cheekbones, chin, and eyes and a tiara works as a natural accompaniment to balance out the style. Even 20 years later, this hairstyle will still look good in pictures and the combination with an outdoor setting for the service will make it hard to beat.

Another fresh look that can make for a stunning bride is to simply go with natural hair framed by a hairpiece made of flowers. This look works best when it is paired with a more simple wedding dress. Early weddings in 2012 are seeing many women adopt this style and for good reason. It holds up well over time, requires little work on the actual wedding day, and can be recreated easily whenever a woman wants to relive her wedding. At the same time, if a woman finds this style a bit too relaxed, maybe one of the next examples will be a better fit.

This glam style worn by Kerry Washington obviously has its roots in 1950s and 1960s hair culture, but somehow feels modern at the same time. A bridge between simple and elegant, the look works great with a veil and a woman that want to mix things up can pull the hair back during the ceremony and let it down for the reception. The trick to getting a good glam style is for a woman to avoid going too retro. It's a thin line, but when it's done right, this style may be the best possible look a woman can have for her wedding.

If embracing the elegance of a wedding is the order of the special day, then it's hard to go wrong with a classic updo and this relatively simple version is a great way for a woman to bring attention to her face. Of course, it works perfectly with a veil and nearly any style of dress, but the best combination is to match this look with a refined high-cut dress to give a complete air of refinement. In choosing a specific wedding updo, a woman will need to avoid something overly complex as it can easily overshadow the face, dress, and other components of the woman's appearance.

So You Want to be a Fairytale Princess

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 18:42:00 +0000

Well in that case, let's start from the floor up, shall we? DSW has been collaborating with Disney to create a limited collection called "The Glass Slipper". The shoe collection won't be available in DSW stores until October 2nd. But here's a quick peek.

So what do you think? Do any of these appeal to your whimsical side?

Choosing Rings That Reflect Your Style

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 22:05:00 +0000

- by guest blogger Claire Windon

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend but they just aren’t your style. You and your future spouse agree -- you both want rings that reflect your individual values, not strict tradition. At the same time, you ARE getting married, and you like the idea of wearing a wedding ring. Fortunately, there are many alternatives for rings for both you and your future spouse that reflect your style and still let the world know that you’ve found the love of your life.

Alternative Materials
If you’re not into diamonds, consider a ring with a semi-precious stone instead. A pearl engagement ring has the elegant look of a diamond while still looking distinctive. A romantic alternative is to design your own ring with your birthstone and your future spouse’s birthstone substituting for the diamond solitaire.
Alternatives also exist for wedding bands. Tungsten is ten times harder than 18 carat gold and four times harder than titanium, which makes it a practical choice for rings that you and your spouse will be wearing every day. Titanium is light, shiny and easily polished if you happen to scratch the band of your ring. Cobalt chrome is as shiny as platinum and has the look of white gold, but it’s much more durable and scratch resistant. If you’re on a really tight budget, consider stainless steel rings, which are just as shiny as silver but never tarnish.
Eco-Friendly
An eco friendly alternative for an engagement ring or a wedding ring is to recycle an inherited ring into something more modern. Not only is remodeling an existing ring often cheaper than buying a new ring, you have the added element of incorporating a family heirloom into your new life. A recycled ring also doesn’t involve any additional mining for wedding band materials or gems. If you don’t have a ring to recycle, many jewelers feature rings made with recycled metals and stones among their offerings. Wood rings are another eco friendly alternative. Although they’re not as sturdy as other material choices, they make a striking visual statement.

Conflict-Free and Fair Trade
If you’ve seen the movie Blood Diamond, you may be horrified about wearing a traditional diamond engagement ring or a gold wedding band. The good news is that you don’t have to give up diamonds or gold to be at peace with your conscience. Many jewelers feature conflict-free diamonds and fair-trade gold bands, both of which are certified to have no association with child labor or other human rights abuses.

Cultured Diamonds
When your heart is set on diamonds but your budget says cubic zirconium, cultured diamonds allow you to have a real diamond for a fraction of the price of mined stones. Cultured diamonds are created from a carbon-graphite core and a diamond seed that are subjected to super-high pressure for four days. The result not only looks like a diamond, it is a diamond.
However, where a one-carat yellow mined diamond would set you back more than $20,000, a cultured yellow diamond of the same size only costs about $6,000. Cultured diamonds are also totally conflict free and don’t involve mining rare natural resources. Cultured diamonds are available in nearly every carat size and in a wide range of colors to suit the preference of nearly every bride-to-be.

Claire Windon is a freelance writer and wedding planner. To learn more about personalized jewelry visit SorellaJewelry.com.

Wordless Wednesday: Lenora & James

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 20:57:00 +0000

Engagement session
Wyatt Ramsey Photography
Savannah, GA

Thanks, Lenora and James for this lovely submission! If you would like to share any of your engagement, shower or wedding pictures with us, please feel free. We love showcase our gorgeous readers and their loved ones.

Oprah Goes Natural

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 20:29:00 +0000

Well, for a while at least. She took made the change for her latest magazine cover. I haven't seen the entire thing, but she looks nice here!

You can read the whole story at USA Today