Eco-Friendly Wedding Rings

Your engagement ring and wedding bands may be one of your largest wedding expenses. Many brides spend countless hours searching for the perfect design.

If you are concerned about your carbon footprint, you will love having the option to buy eco-friendly wedding rings!

Recycling old gold and having it remade into the ring of your dreams is entirely possible. If you are looking for unique, one of a kind wedding rings, then an eco-friendly design may prove to be the perfect solution.

Know Your Options!

Utilizing the online registry at mygreenkarat you can ask your friends and family to contribute a gift of their old gold on your behalf. This is a beautiful way to have their support, something of them intertwined with the most symbolic ring you will ever wear. Your rings will be embedded with the love and support of your friends and family.

Ecologically responsible jewelry is the commitment that GreenKarat makes to you. They recycle and reuse your gold. They offer beautiful designs, both traditional and modern, as well as custom design services.

Additionally, this is a great option for old jewelry that is never worn or out of style. Instead of buying something new, recycle your old pieces of gold and gems into something new.

A few years back my own delicate engagement ring broke (luckily I found the diamond) and I have yet to have it reset because I wanted a new design. I love this option for remaking my old ring. It will still be the same materials, the same sentimental value attached to it, just set in a new way.

Need a few additional options? TouchWoodRings creates beautiful custom wedding bands made from your choice of beautiful woods.

Eco-friendly wedding rings and socially responsible jewelry is a simple way to use your buying power to effect an industry that damages the earth and endangers people all over the world. It may seem like a small step, but partnered with others, it can really add up.

Your wedding rings symbolize your love and commitment to each other. Why not let them make a statement about your commitment to the planet by choosing eco-friendly wedding rings?

Your Wedding Vows

Exchanging wedding vows is the most important part of any wedding ceremony. It is the perfect chance to express how you feel about the person you are about to marry and your goals for marriage. There are many ways of exchanging your wedding vows, as you can make it the most personal declaration of your love.

Sometimes you cannot write your own vows. This may be because certain religions or traditional ceremonies dictate what you must say. However, you may be able to add on to them. Additionally, the law states that you have to say certain words in order to make the marriage legal. This depends on the state, or indeed the country, you reside in.

In civil ceremonies you are likely to have more freedom in creating your own vows. You still might have to include certain sentences, but you can choose to make it as long or short, serious or funny as you like. If you are interested in creating your own vows, do your research well on time and start making drafts of what you would like to say.

Another smart choice when deciding on what to write for your wedding vows is to read a few books about wedding vows and even check out a few websites online. Many times, you will find a good idea and then you’ll be able to expand on that. Ask the person in charge of the ceremony what kinds of vows and words are allowed.

For those who are having a second marriage or if you have children from a previous marriage, you might want to include your children in your wedding vows. Decide how to include the children in the vows, and think about their age or ages. Sometimes, mentioning their name is a nice idea and say that you will be including them as an important part of your marriage. It is always nice to include children in the vows if they are already a part of you or your new spouse’s life.

Some people like to renew their wedding vows after a number of years. A lot of people like to do this during a big anniversary or after overcoming difficult circumstances. For wedding vow renewals, there are no legal guidelines so you can use whatever verbiage you like, giving you many more creative options.

The easiest way to say your vows is to practice them before the big day. Rehearse them as many times as you need to, so that you will be less nervous on your wedding day. Some people decide to photocopy their vows when they make them and give them to a trusted friend or family member, in the event you get stuck on them.

In the end, it doesn’t really matter what you say or whether you have had total freedom to express your personal feelings or not. Exchanging wedding vows is all about meaning what you say, and this sincerity needs to be experienced by who ever is there to witness it. Getting married, and exchanging your vows, is a public declaration of your love for, and commitment to each other.

Wedding Shoes

The importance of a good pair of wedding shoes for the bride is often underestimated.  Whilst focus is made on the dress, the hair, the makeup and many other details the shoes often go over looked, especially when the dress is one that would usually cover them.

Shoes should be a top priority for the bride. Shoes may not been seen but they will definitely be felt. Too tight or too large of a heel can create a disaster day rather than the wedding day of your dreams.

It is extremely important to have a comfortable pair of shoes on your wedding day as you will be on your feet for most if not all of the day. Weddings usually last for several hours when you include the photographs and reception not to mention dancing. You want to be able to enjoy your day in comfort. If the choice of wedding shoes is the wrong one the bride will not be able to hide her feelings. She may get upset and then makeup may be ruined or the pictures may not have her best smile because she is uncomfortable in her shoes.

Several factors come into play when choosing the perfect wedding shoes. The style, shape and color of the shoe should be considered. The bride should also take into account if her shoes will be showing or if they will be covered by her dress. Below are a few tips that will help the bride to be to choose the right shoes for the wedding:

If ordering your wedding shoes online do so a few months in advance of the wedding.  You want to ensure that fit, style and comfort are all what you want, and should you need to make any returns you need to have the time to do so before the wedding day.

Be certain the pair of shoes you decide on are complimentary to your dress. You don’t want the shoes to clash, so make certain they will go with the overall look and theme of your dress, hair, and makeup. Good looking shoes will help the bride feel at ease and have fun without worrying.

A good tip to remember is to add extra cushioning to the shoes. Invest in a good pair of pads to cushion your feet. The extra padding will help the bride be more comfortable throughout the proceedings. The heel height should also be considered. If the bride to be is not comfortable in stiletto heels then she should not wear them.

Height.  Whilst ability to walk on heels is vital, so to is the height of the shoe.  In the photos and video does the bride want to look taller than she would normally? Shorter?  Think about things like the height of the groom, bridesmaids etc.

While strappy shoes are fun, they can also cause blistering and pain, so try to avoid them if possible as wedding shoes. Also, be aware of the fabric of the shoe. Certain material can be rather ridgid and won’t allow the foot to stretch or feel comortable. You want to find material that allows the bride’s foot to move and to bend without feeling too constricted.

As you can see a shoe is an important part of the wedding.  Getting the right look, height, colour, and feel can really impact the brides enjoyment.  So make sure that you look around and choose a beautiful AND comfortable shoe.

Wedding Hairstyles

Is it important to plan your wedding hairstyle? Planning your wedding day means there are many different things to think about, from the bridesmaid’s dress choice to the flower arrangements and reception food choices. The wedding cake and table layout as well as your invitations are also very important. You want to make sure it is one of the most beautiful and perfect days of your life.

Aside from making sure everything is set for the reception and your guests, you definitely want to make sure you look your best on this day as well. Looking as beautiful as you can for your new groom and your guests is important, and you want to leave this day with a long lasting positive memory. The wedding dress choice is extremely important as well, and you certainly want to consider what to choose for your hairstyle.

Keep in mind the formality of your wedding when choosing your wedding hairstyle anf look for a style that will compliment the shape of your face. For example, round faces often suit different hairstyles than more square lines, and you have to find a style that compliments your facial shape. The style of dress might also help define the style of your hair. You can choose hair jewelery to match details of your dress, and remember to consider a necklace or earrings, to complete it all. There is a wide range of jewelery available to be used in the style of your choice.

To choose a hairstyle for your wedding day, use all the resources available to browse the best one. The Internet is one, as are bridal magazines and books. You can find many dedicated wedding hairstyle websites, and browse the pictures there for inspiration. Do your research to pick the best wedding hairstyle for not only you as the bride, but for your bridesmaids as well.

Some themes for wedding hairstyles include classic or romantic styles, or you can do something a little more unconventional. Some more modern wedding hairstyles offer a queen or princess styled look. The length of your hair will definitely play a part. For people with longer hair, a nice look is to pin your hair half up, and allow some curls to cascade over your shoulder. A sleek look would be to part the hair in the middle or on the side, and slick it back into a bun or loosely pull it back. A French twist is another lovely look that stands the test of time. For women with shorter hair, good accessories can add a new dimension to the look, and hair extensions can give you more body.

Carefully choose a stylist who is experienced in creating wedding hairstyles. Have them do a few trial styles for you so you will know exactly what to expect on your wedding day.   It’s important to give them a picture of the dress and show them any accessories, so they can help put the whole picture together. Most hair stylists are happy to discuss different looks with you and try a few out to see what the final choice will be. Your stylist can also give advice on wedding hairstyles for the bridal party as well.

As you can see, wedding hairstyle possibilities are too many to name. It will be fun to try things out, and please do enjoy it. One thing to keep in mind is that you are the bride, it is your day, and you have to feel comfortable with your wedding hairstyle. It is you who has the final say, so make sure you choose a hairstyle you are completely happy with. Have a lovely wedding!

Wedding Guest Books

Wedding guest books started their purpose as a book to help couples remember those who attended the wedding, and to get thank-you notes sent out. However, today a wedding guest book has a deeper and more sentimental value than it used to years ago. A wedding guest book can be prominently displayed in your house after the wedding to show off your memories of your very special day.

At most weddings, the guest book is in a place that is close to the entrance, such as at the reception or where the wedding is held. You do not want to have the book block anything, such as the gift area, so placing it right is important. Some couples appoint a member of the wedding party or a family member to keep an eye on the book. They will then ensure that all the guests sign their name, as well as write a few words of well wishes. If desired, this person can also carry the wedding guest book around to ensure everyone has a chance to sign it.

Traditional methods worked well for the guest book in the past, but sometimes this book would get put in storage or put away in the attic or basement, never to be seen again. Unfortunately, this means the wedding couple wouldn’t have the chance to see beautiful memories of their guests to share with each other.

Many brides and even grooms look for a beautiful guest book to set out for their family and friends to sign so that they can keep these memories alive for years to come. While years ago this was just a way to keep things straight, nowadays a wedding guest book has become a beautiful home decoration. What you can do is only limited by what you can imagine.

Many couples realize that things can get a little hectic during both the wedding and the reception. So with this in mind, they may choose to enclose little note cards when they send out their invitations, along with a beautiful customized pen. These pens can be made with the couple’s name and wedding date on them. Guests are encouraged to fill these cards out with their names and special notes to bring to the wedding. They can then be collected in a basket for just that purpose. Many guests like this because they can take the time to think of a special message.

Some couples also use video cameras and Polaroid pictures to commemorate the event. The video camera is taken from guest to guest for capturing congratulations on tape. Polaroid’s can be taken of everyone, and then signed by that person, to go into a pretty book for later viewing.

A wedding guest book is just one of the many wonderful and unique ideas to keep your memories alive from this terrific day. You and your significant other can definitely find something to make your day as special as possible.

Wedding Centerpieces

One of the main factors involved in planning a wedding reception is the table centerpieces. When a guest walks into your wedding reception you want them to be wowed and remember how beautiful your wedding was. Below are a few ideas on how to choose the perfect centerpiece for your wedding.

As your wedding centrepieces will be the main focus of all decorations, it is worth investigating what your options are. You can talk to your wedding planner, find information in books, and investigate what other people have done by searching on the internet.

Pre-made wedding centerpieces can be purchased from companies that provide the service with the pieces being delivered the day of your wedding. You can talk with the designer and plan out exactly how you want the centerpiece to look. This way you get a custom look for your wedding. But be advised the customization can get very expensive.

The possibilities are endless on what type of centerpiece you can have at your reception. Flowers are the mainly used for a traditional centerpiece but they can be made without flowers as well. Many brides like to match their centerpieces with their bouquets or just have a simple bowl with floating flowers.

A very simple idea that looks very stylish is to have one large centerpiece at your table and then smaller replicas of the same piece on the other tables. This will create a flow in the décor and look beautiful. The colors can match or you can decide to have the same shape of a centerpiece but go with different colors for each table or the main wedding table.

A great way to save on your wedding budget is to create the wedding centerpieces yourself. Check with friends and family for ideas and possibly help as it will take a good deal of time to create the centerpieces. You can also consult magazines to get ideas.

Unless your wedding centrepiece is completely floral, you don’t have to leave it until the last minute on your wedding day. You can prepare the best part well in advance, and quickly finish it off with fresh flowers on the big day if you wish.

Candies and gourmet sweets make a cute centerpiece as well as disposable cameras for everyone to take snapshots of the big day. Other plants can be used like lavendar placed in elaborate pots, or a large candle in a hurricane lamp. Balloons are fun, and bowls filled with colored glass or rocks topped with some water and floating candles make beautiful centerpieces. Mirrors and tealights can also be used creatively to make gorgeous centerpieces.

Creating your own centerpiece or giving your ideas to a designer is a great way to show your personality at your wedding. It may take some time to plan what you would like and then create it but in the end you will have beautiful centerpieces that you love and will remember for years to come.

Wedding Cake Toppers

Wedding cake toppers are the small objects that are seen sitting on top of the wedding cake. Typically, this had been a representation of the bridal couple dressed in formal wedding clothes. This was primarily a US wedding custom during the 1950’s symbolizing togetherness. Today, weddings enjoy more of a variety in the designs and symbolism chosen.

The origins of wedding cake toppers can be traced back to the late 19th century, but there’s a lot of mystery surrounding the actual first wedding cake topper. Many stories claim to tell the tale of the very first one, but it’s not known if any of them are actually true. What IS known is that, although their popularity didn’t rise until the middle of the 20th century, they were first seen socially in the 1890’s.

Most of the first wedding cake toppers were figurines of the couple in various poses. For most, the bride and groom would be portrayed standing side by side underneath an archway. After the wedding, the bride would keep the topper as a nice reminder of her big day. In the 1900’s, as the toppers became more common, new variations began to emerge. Some of the newer symbols included turtledoves, bells, hearts, and angels.

Many women believe that choosing the wedding cake topper is one of the best parts of actually planning their big day. Nowadays, you can find a huge selection that are a whole lot more impressive than just the bride and groom standing together. There are specialty cake toppers that can fit whatever personality you have. Basically, you can have anything you want as a wedding cake topper.

Disney characters are often used as wedding cake toppers. For people who appreciate Disney, you can choose a Mickey and Minnie bride and groom cake topper. A lot of professional bakers sell these but if not, they can typically be ordered online.

Fantasy themes are another popular item for couples to have on their wedding cake. A magnificent unicorn or a fierce dragon can be bought, or a whole scene can be created right on the cake. Fantasy wedding cake toppers are very beautiful and original.

The waterfall is another lovely and fitting theme for a wedding cake. These come in different sizes and the fountains are typically in 3 lightweight plastic tiers. The motor that operates the fountain is located in a stronger plastic at the base.  This motor is what runs the water through the tiers and causes the cascading effect. Add a castle and a fairytale bridal couple to the scene and you have a wedding cake that guests will talk about for a long time.

You can also use crystal cake toppers, another popular choice. These can be sparkly and very elegant, and also come in a variety of different themes. Cinderella, castles and fairytale themes are very popular in crystal cake toppers.

No matter what style you choose for your topper, whether it’s modern or more traditional, remember that the choice is yours, so have fun deciding. The wedding cake topper you pick will be a lovely symbol of your love for each other and of your personality.

Wedding Accessories

A wedding accessory is any item that can be used that increases the festivities for the special day. Accessories can help make a wedding even better. Accessories may be chosen later on in the planning stages of a wedding. However, the flowers, bridesmaids’ dresses, wedding venue and everything else all play an important role in a wedding.

Those who choose a ring bearer and a flower girl as part of their wedding entourage will also need some accessories to go with them. These are the flower basket for the girl and a pillow for the boy. You can buy these both and match them to your theme and color of the wedding.

Many wedding accessories are not just beautiful, they are necessary as well. These may be part of the reception, such as personalized cocktail napkins or dinner napkins. You can have these imprinted to match the décor of your wedding. Personalized napkin rings can also make a reception elegant.

As cutting the cake is a very special part of the reception, you may want to have a unique personalized cake knife and server to make this even more memorable. These are available with glass, ceramic, silver plated, and ivory or white handles. They can also be matched to your theme.

Another touching and sentimental part of the reception is the toasting of best wishes to the happy couple. Many newlyweds choose to use wedding toasting flutes and toasting glasses, not only for themselves, but for all of the guests as well. These are unique and personalized with the engraved names and wedding date of the couple. They can be as original or customized as you like, and the glasses can be taken home with the guests as one of the wedding favors.

Wedding pens are great accessories to have. Each guest will have their own personalized pen to write their congratulatory messages on the wedding cards you have chosen to use. They can then put these cards in the wedding card box available for just that purpose. The pens, of course, can also double as favors for the guests to take home with them.

Money bags are another accessory that can be bought, color-coordinated, to keep track of any money given at a reception. Many guests choose to give the bride and groom a check or even cash, and a matching money bag can serve this purpose, while doubling as a wedding keepsake.

A wedding album is one of the most important keepsakes of your big day. You will have this for years to come, with your treasured photographs of the big day inside. This may not be an actual accessory, but it is nice to have it at your reception. Later, many couples display their wedding photos in their home in a prominent place.

The wedding toast is a lovely and very sentimental part of the wedding reception. Toasting flutes and glasses (for either wine or champagne) are a great party favor for guests to take home, or just have a pair.

Cheaper Wedding Dresses

A wedding dress can be a significant investment.  Whilst a good wedding dress doesn’t have to (and shouldn’t have to) cost the Earth it is going to play a central part in your wedding day and you should always ensure that it is of the very best quality you can get.  Not just for financial reasons but because a wedding dress is something that should last the rest of your life, providing you with a beautiful reminder of your special day.

It’s important to find a wedding dress that is affordable, and also crafted with the highest quality possible so it will last a long time. It should be something you can keep in storage yet also pull out to look at later on in the future. Your wedding dress should serve as a beautiful memento to remind you of the big day.

So how do you ensure that your wedding dress is one that will stand the test of time, or even the day itself, without coming apart?  There are numerous cheap wedding dresses available on the market and it is important that you are able to spot those that are of top quality from those that aren’t.  Thankfully there are a few telltale signs for you to look at to make sure that your dress is the best quality that it can be whilst still not breaking the bank.

Dress Seams

A focal point of a wedding dress is the seams. You will want to make sure that the seams are not crooked, bunched up, or have loose threads. Go through the inside of the dress to check on this. All seams of a wedding dress should be straight and narrow, and sewn neatly and tightly.

The Dress Material

Years ago, wedding dress material was typically either silk or velvet. In today’s world, the material you choose can range from every type out there. You can choose from classic materials, to many different blends. You will want to find a material that is comfortable, looks great, and that will last for a long time. Examine your wedding dress choices carefully to make sure these fit the bill.

Details are Key

You can choose many different types of cheap wedding dresses, from elegant and elaborate embroidery to sleek and minimal stitching. The style you choose should be neat, and the work excellent. Go over the wedding dresses you are considering to make sure there are no loose threads, beads that are not secure or other sloppy handiwork. Check over the entire dress to make sure you don’t miss anything that may unravel your special day!

A wedding dress really is an investment in the future, a beautiful keepsake of a special day.  Use these tips to make sure that you have a dress that looks good on the day, will not let you down, will last the test of time and be within your budget.  You’ll be thanking yourself in years to come.

The Bridesmaid Dresses

Brides to be are constantly worrying about the details of their upcoming wedding. Most often the bride is concentrating on what she will look like and wear for the big day. The bridesmaid dresses tend to play second fiddle to the bride but they are an important part of the wedding and should not be taken lightly. Several details should be considered on each bridesmaid dress before the big day.

Remember the bridesmaid is there to compliment the bride, so first you must consider what dress the bride will be wearing.  Is it traditional white or another colour?  Style wise is it elaborate, sleek, etc?  You want to ensure that the bridesmaids fit in with the ‘look’ that the bride is going for with her own wedding dress.

You also need to consider how many bridesmaids there are going to be (an important consideration when you are thinking about the cost of the dresses).  Are there going to be a large number of children bridesmaids, in which case you want dresses that blend into the background more, or just one or two bridesmaids that can help frame and set off the dress?

It is important that the bridesmaids are also looking beautiful. Whilst you don’t want them upstaging the bride they will be in a lot of photos and videos, so make sure they make the wedding look as good as it can.  So before you start looking at dresses think about such important considerations as:

How many bridesmaids included: The cost, color, and style of the dress can be affected by the number of bridesmaids included.

The shape of the bridesmaid: Be sure to choose a dress that will compliment everyone in the wedding, regardless of their shape and size. Think about whether or not you want their dresses to have a slimming effect, or if they should be designed to point out certain physical elements.

Colouring.  Skin tone, hair colour, complexions, all can be made to look awful or great by a dress of the right colour.  You need to work out what the colourings of your bridesmaids are before selecting dresses to make sure that the dress colour is one that will suit the people who well be wearing them.

Stick with the overall theme of your wedding. If you are having a traditional wedding then stick with traditional patterns and colors for the bridesmaid dresses. If you are having a beach themed wedding then stick with the colors of your décor.

Keep in mind the time of year your wedding will take place. This is very important. You do not want your bridesmaids freezing in January when they are wearing a sleeveless short dress. Make sure the dress along with the fabric and layering choices match up with the weather.

There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a bridesmaid dress, but remember that it’s your day and not the bridesmaids’, so be sure you choose the dress that YOU want. It’s great to be able to find something all of your bridesmaids will like, but don’t forget that the choice is ultimately yours.

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