Archive for October, 2009

If you recently have been proposed to by way of a canary diamond, then it is hard not to get swept away by the brilliance of this diamond, which is named after the bird of the same color. A canary diamond is a yellow gem that is bright and pure, meaning that it contains no hint of other colors, such as brown, green or red. Canary diamonds are some of the rarest of all yellow diamonds. It is one of the most popular shades of what are known as fancy colored diamonds.

The yellow of a canary diamond is very bright. Due to its vividness it is sometimes called a lemon or a lemon drop stone. There is no denying the beauty of a canary diamond engagement ring. What gives the canary diamond its bright hue is nitrogen that is present in the carbon crystals when the stone is being formed. In order to get the sharpest yellow possible there needs to be a high concentration of nitrogen that cannot be tainted by any other kinds of elements that would modify its radiant color or detract from it in any way.

A diamond is beautiful no matter how you look at it, and every diamond is a symbol of love and commitment. However, when the diamond happens to be yellow there is an even deeper meaning inherent in it.  The shade of yellow is synonymous with happiness, joy and prosperity.

For those who follow astrology, yellow is the color for the Zodiac sign for Leo. Yellow is also the official ribbon color for those in the military and in particular for those deployed throughout the globe. A man in the military might propose to his beloved with a canary diamond. The color would be a reminder of their lasting love when the two are separated by many miles.

When choosing the metal for a canary diamond, platinum or white gold are the most appropriate choices as opposed to yellow gold. This is because the monochrome hues of these two metals will allow the true brilliance of the canary diamond to shine through in all of its dazzling glory.

If expense is an issue, then choose an alternative gem that feature a bright yellow hue, such as a yellow sapphire, cubic zirconia, citrine or tourmaline topaz.

Tweet This Post

When it comes to packing for your honeymoon, you may have stars in your eyes but don’t let your excitement cause you to forget something important such as your passport! Here are some suggestions for packing for your dreamy honeymoon with your new spouse.

Make sure you keep all of your valuables with you at all times in your purse or carry-on luggage. This means your passport, camera, cell phone, jewelry, your glasses and your medication. It is also wise to pack at least one change of clothes (or perhaps just a pair of underwear, socks and a shirt) in your carry-on in case your luggage does not arrive at your destination at the same time that you do. It is also smart to have some toiletry items and your cosmetics in your carry-on for the same potential reason.

When choosing what clothes to bring, coordinating solids are your best bet. Leave your clothes with prints and patterns at home. Think simple and basic. Pack clothes that are wrinkle-resistant. Examples of these are microfibers such as Lycra, spandex, nylon and Tencel (or blends of such). If you will be honeymooning in a warm location, then pack more light colored fabrics than dark. While light colored materials do tend to show stains much more readily than dark colors, they are also cooler.

Bring versatile footwear that can be worn with more than one outfit, but make sure your shoes will be comfortable. If possible, bring shoes that can be worn for more than one occasion. Do not bring shoes (or clothing) on your honeymoon that has never been worn before.

Instead of folding your clothing in your suitcase, roll it. This allows more room and also cuts down on any wrinkles in your clothing. To save on space, place your socks and pantyhose inside of your shoes when you pack them.

When buying luggage for your honeymoon, buy two separate bags instead of one big one for the two of you to share. You might want to place a few items of yours in his suitcase and vice versa in the unfortunate event that one of the two bags gets lost in transit or is delayed. This also prevents either one of you from hurting your back when moving the suitcase from one place to another. Whatever you do, always buy luggage that has wheels! This is with the exception of your carry-on luggage.

Enjoy your honeymoon!

Tweet This Post

A vow renewal ceremony is a ceremony where a married couple re-commits themselves to one another. Many vow renewal ceremonies are performed in a similar manner to a wedding. A vow renewal is often done for sentimental reasons and is often done as a way of commemorating and celebrating a milestone in the relationship such as a 25th wedding anniversary. It can be a very romantic gesture to express your enduring love for your partner in this fashion.

Many couples choose a romantic place, such as a vacation destination, to renew their vows and want their loved ones and close friends to be a part of the special ceremony. On the other hand, some couples choose to have a private ceremony with only a few witnesses in attendance. A tropical spot is always a hot spot for a vow renewal ceremony, but the decision remains with the two people who are at the center of it all.

Here are some important dos and don’ts when it comes to having a vow renewal ceremony:

•    If you choose to have your vow renewal ceremony at a  resort, then do look to the wedding planner to help you plan a ceremony that is appropriate for the two of you. Don’t be shy in asking questions and being specific about what you want.
•    Don’t procrastinate when it comes to the planning phase for the ceremony. Remember that the early bird gets the worm. If you are planning to bring a number of people with you, then you should find out if there is a group rate. The sooner you look into this the better.
•    Do find out about all extra charges so you will not be caught off guard when it comes time to pay the bill at the resort.
•    If you plan to have the ceremony outdoors at the resort (such as on the beach), make sure that an indoor venue is possible in the event of inclement weather.
•    Don’t take any chances when it comes to the photos for your ceremony. Choose someone well ahead who can takes pictures on your special day.
•    Do meet with the officiant before the ceremony to discuss it.
•    Do personalize your ceremony by writing as much of your vows as is possible.

Tweet This Post

Part two of the Wedding Budget Series- the guide that gives you simple ways to save on everything wedding. Last week it was all about saving on the costs of the wedding reception. This week it’s all about saving on bridal gowns and attire for the wedding party.  Why pay full price for dresses and suits that everyone will only wear once?  Here are some tips that should save you valuable money.

• Are you seeking a wedding gown by a particular designer? Avoid eBay and search for a locally owned discount bridal boutique that specializes in designer gowns.  Try to ask recently married friends or a wedding planner for their recommendations.

• Looking for local consignment boutiques that specialize in used bridal gowns is another fabulous option. Once again, do your research before you purchase.

• Another good option is to purchase a beautiful  but simple wedding dress. A wedding dress made with silk organza is often a better budget option than an overly embellished dress.

• If you have to spend a lot on the wedding gown, then spend lightly on the accessories, like shoes and jewelry. If you’ve already got some beautiful pieces of jewelry, then feel free to wear them on your wedding day.

• Even though the wedding party generally pays for their own attire, shoes, and accessories- it would be a smart idea to keep their budgets in mind when choosing the outfits for your bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl, and ring bearer. However, you are responsible for the flowers and boutonnieres.

• Try to check local tuxedo rental shops for discounted rentals for the groom and groomsmen. Sometimes, you’ll find special discounts when there are 4 or more rentals from the same shop.

Coming up next? Part 3 of the Wedding Budget Series:  Saving money on your honeymoon!

Tweet This Post