Your Wedding Advice - StrictlyWeddings.com Blog

Fairytale French Wedding Courtesy of The Left Bank Chicago

When our ideas and creativity are challenged, we look to our partner at The Left Bank in Chicago and their Everything But The Dress Blog for ideas they’d like to share with our readers. Once again, they came through. Below is their dream French wedding:

As avid Francophiles, we would love to host a fairytale French wedding. Become a true princess bride and rent a luxury French chateau in the heart of the Loire Valley, just two hours outside Paris.  The Chateau de Guerinet is a breathtaking castle filled with spectacular French  architectural details. If you’ve ever dreamt of a wedding in France, you must set your eyes on this property that offers amazing rentals for an intimate French wedding.

Here are our picks for must wear jewelry to your French Wedding.

Our exclusive “Les Beaux” tiara

The Parisienne Chandelier Earring

The Duchess Cuff Bracelet

For other jewelry ideas, please visit their web site to view their beautiful Wedding Jewelry. You also have the convenience of purchasing online!

Meridith Griffin necklaces for Elizabeth Fillmore Bridal

We’re always excited when local girls succeed. We came across Dallas native, Meridith Griffin, when working with Elizabeth Fillmore Bridal. Meridith launched the Meridith Griffin line for Elizabeth Fillmore Bridal last October on the runway. She worked with fabrics and textures that inspired the overall look of the gowns that season. According to Meridith, “I use silk chiffons, light organza, and lux duchess satin from the same mills Elizabeth Fillmore uses for the wedding gowns and embellish them with vintage Czech chandelier crystals, rawly faceted crystal quartz, semi precious stones and extra large irregular fresh water pearls, draped with vintage silver and gold chunky chains.”

Meridith has since launched a ready to wear evening jewelry line in intense colors as well as crystal earrings in emerald, amber, cobalt with rose, gold, and silver wire wrapping.

As if she’s not busy enough, Meridith also designs wedding gowns with Elizabeth Fillmore and is director of Marketing and Sales.

You can find Meridith’s jewelry at Elizabeth Fillmore Bridal’s web site or call 212-647-0863. Her pieces are sold at Browns in London, Beyond the Dress in Seoul, Korea, Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City, Warren Barron Bridal Dallas, among many others.

Top to Bottom: Amelia, Cami, Natasha, Odine, Yasmine

Hints for the Ultimate Engagement Ring

An engagement ring is a source of joy. No man wants to purchase the engagement ring incorrectly, so help him, and yourself, out. In other words, “speak now, or forever hold your peace!” To avoid getting an engagement ring you don’t like try some of these hints and give him a clue.

Window Gazing (or Internet Browsing)
This is an especially good way to go. If his eyes glaze over, you know that he is probably not quite ready for the big plunge yet. However, if your engagement has been talked about, he will be keen to get some ideas. Looking at what suits your finger and budget is a practical course to take. At least now he will know whether you favor a solitaire, 3 stones, pave setting, or another engagement ring entirely. Make sure that he does have some clue as to the styles, metals, and settings that you prefer. You may also like to point out the engagement rings you really don’t care for. For an online resource, we’ve heard very good things about Blue Nile.

A Joint Effort
For the couple who likes to do everything together, look at various engagement ring styles together and decide as a team what you both like and don’t. This allows input from the both of you, and will ensure an engagement ring that both of you love.

Friends and Family
Some savvy guys may seek assistance from a sister or good friend, if they feel they can trust them to keep a secret. Make sure those close to you that he may ask really do know your style. Tell them if you are unsure.

Casually Point Out
While reading mags or surfing the Net, you can try and show him what you like. “Isn’t that a fabulous engagement ring that so and so got? Take a look at this photo.” If it’s online, then either send him the link to the story, photo or web site – make it easy on him. If’ it’s a magazine, then leave it hanging around your coffee table or kitchen counter for a while.

Were you surprised with your engagement ring? Share your story with our readers!

Shoe Clips – New Trend to Dress Up your Shoes

Looking for a way to add some color and personality to your wedding shoes? Grab a pair of colored shoe clips! Dyeable shoes are great, but shoe clips are one of our favorite new wedding trends for 2010. You get the lovely look of a silk shoe to match your wedding dress and a little sweet spot of bling-y color. Grab a pair in blue for your “something blue,” or match them to your bridesmaid dresses or wedding accent color. They’d also look gorgeous on black bridesmaid shoes. The possibilities are endless! Source: EverythingButTheDress.blogspot.com | Photos courtesy of The Left Bank Jewelry, Chicago

Accessorizing – The Final Touch

The bride has found the perfect dress for her coveted wedding and is now ready to accessorize, but what jewelry best complements the dress she has chosen and accentuates her sense of style? A bride should look to jewelry that she feels most comfortable wearing and it’s best to not over-accessorize. A single piece of jewelry that can serve as a focal point is best, while not overwhelming the look. Your choice should Complement (not overwhelm) the dress.

Strapless gowns are a classic yet trendy style for brides, which call for a bold statement piece of jewelry to draw attention to the neckline. For a halter style dress, a bride may choose smaller diamond earrings and a stunning bracelet leaving the focus on the cut of the dress. For a sweetheart neckline, a bride may find the best piece of jewelry to be a beaded necklace or a lariat necklace that accentuates the neckline.

Whatever jewelry the bride may choose, it’s most important that she feels it complements her look and resonates with her own personal sense of style and grace.

Blinging Rules

According to InStyle Weddings, here are 10 top tips for buying the engagement ring:

1. Skip the Solitaire

There’s more than one way to wear a carat of diamonds on your finger.

A ring with a classic solitaire at this weight (right) will generally cost thousands. But a band covered with tiny pavé diamonds that add up to just under 1 carat (left) sparkles plenty and can cost up to 90 percent less than a ring with a big center stone.

2. Compare Settings

The way a diamond is framed can have a major impact on how big it looks. For example, a bezel—a thin band of metal that wraps around a gem—gives the illusion of a larger stone. These two rings both hold .25-carat diamonds, but the solitaire on the left seems more substantial than the prong-set one on the right.

3. Know Your Metals

Platinum and gold are the top choices for engagement rings. The former will cost you—a simple platinum band can cost nearly $600 more than a comparable one in gold—but many brides feel the price is worth it. Platinum is a far more durable metal. It will show fewer nicks and scratches, and platinum prongs will hold a stone more securely. As for color, some people believe that yellow gold casts an unflattering light on the diamond, while others prefer the hue’s warmth and traditional look.

4. Invest in Insurance

The cost of protecting yourself against loss or theft depends on several factors—including the value of your ring, of course, as well as where you live (major city dwellers will pay more). According to Donna Syverson, a spokeswoman for the national insurance firm Jewelers Mutual, your annual premium will be about 1 to 2.7 percent of the jewelry’s appraised value, even for rings that cost six figures.

5. Have Your Ring NumberedYour diamond’s certificate number (or jeweler’s designation) can be laser-inscribed on the side of the stone, allowing it to be positively identified in case of theft or after cleaning or repair. Such inscriptions, which are visible under magnification (shown at right for the ring below) don’t affect the gem’s value. They cost from $40 to $200 and offer more than mere peace of mind: Some insurance carriers will give policy discounts on inscribed diamonds.

6. Save Big with a Smaller Stone

Most couples look for diamonds in whole carat weights, but what you may not realize is that jewelers charge a premium for such stones. If you opt instead for a gem just under a carat (or under 2 or 3 carats, for that matter), the savings can add up to 30 percent. And the difference in size is so insignificant, you won’t be able to tell. Of the rings shown here, the top one features a 1.03-carat solitaire and costs $14,000; the solitaire at the bottom weighs .93 carats and will run you $11,000.

7. Dream Up a Custom Piece

Believe it or not, many reputable jewelers offer one-of-a-kind rings without charging exorbitant fees. Some companies require a minimum purchase or bill clients a small amount for preliminary work, such as drawings.

Rings and Jewelry Trends

According to The Wedding Report, white gold and platinum wedding bands have now outpaced yellow gold by two to one in popularity. Platinum is especially popular because of its purity, rarity and durability. In addition, men’s rings are getting bigger and more intricate, with a rise in demand for engraved patterns, such as scrollwork or filigree. Men are also choosing rings that incorporate diamonds into the bands, particularly burnished-set stones that are set flush with the band instead of raised.

Ring designers are seeing colored gems and engagement rings with extra diamonds surrounding the larger stone as popular styles. Settings with elaborate and raised stones, and twisted wedding bands are also trendy. Colored stones and stacked wedding bands are alternatives to the traditional engagement and wedding band combination. Piling wedding bands on top of one another creates a striking look and paves the way for future anniversary additions, as well.

Recycling wedding rings is another growing trend, whether it be passing down family heirlooms or melting the metal of older rings and using it in a newly designed creation. Vintage-style bands and antique rings are also quite trendy for 2008. Detailed designs include scroll-like engraving, microset (tiny half-point) diamonds, delicate milgrain work, raised beaded edges, and filigree.

Antique rings with cushion and Asscher-cut diamonds, which were very stylish in the 1920s, are currently popular among brides. These diamonds are square-shaped and designed to reflect candlelight while drawing the eye into the stone. These cuts also complement pavé-set bands, which are currently trendy, as well.

Big, bold jewelry is also quite popular on the fashion runways this year, including wide bracelets, chandelier and long, thin shoulder-skimming earrings, as well as larger-than-life necklaces, such as chokers with six strings of pearls.

With This Ring, I Thee Wed: Buying Wedding Rings

For many couples, choosing their wedding rings is an important part of their Dallas, Texas wedding. A symbol of love and unity, wedding rings are exchanged at some point during most wedding ceremonies. However, the types of wedding rings that you can buy in Dallas, Texas can be as varied as the couples who wear them.

When shopping for wedding rings in Dallas, Texas, you should take time to visit several different jewelers to get an idea of the options that are out here. Wedding rings in Dallas, Texas can come in a variety of materials, with or without stones, and may interlock with the bride’s engagement ring if desired.

There are several things to consider when finding your ideal wedding ring in Dallas, Texas. First is the metal that you choose to have your wedding ring designed in. Here are some of the most popular options:

• Gold – Gold is a popular choice for wedding rings. While most couples will choose to go with white or yellow gold, gold can actually come in a variety of colors, including pink/rose gold and green gold. Besides the color, you also have to consider the karat. 24-karat gold, which is pure, is too soft to use for jewelry. 14 and 18 karat gold are the most commonly used karats for wedding jewelry.
• Platinum – One of the rarest precious metals used in jewelry, it is also one of the heaviest and most enduring. A platinum wedding ring is designed to last forever, and it will show very little wear. The lustrous color of the metal compliments gemstones nicely, and it is considered the best protection you can get for a diamond. It also tends to be one of the most expensive types of wedding rings.
• Other options – two other popular choices for wedding rings in Dallas, Texas include tungsten and titanium. Tungsten is very hard and very dense, and offers a nearly scratch proof wedding ring. Titanium is also very hard yet very light, making it ideal for couples that have an active lifestyle. Both metals are more commonly used in modern-style wedding rings.

Once you have decided on the metal to create your perfect wedding band, there are still other options to consider. Wedding ring styles vary from traditional looks to modern styles, and you can find the perfect wedding ring in Dallas, Texas to suit your taste.

First, you will want to consider how you would like the band. Will you use one metal or a combination? Do you prefer a plain band or something engraved? Do you want a band that is designed to wear alone or linked with the engagement ring? A solid band or one made of filigree?

Another consideration is whether or not you will use gemstones in your wedding bands. While diamonds are the most commonly used stones in Dallas, Texas wedding rings, you can use any stone that holds special significance for you. Some couples choose to use their birth stones, the stone of a special anniversary, or even reset a stone from a treasured family heirloom. Your imagination is your only limit when deciding what will be best symbol of your eternal love!

A Perfect Proposal – All about the Ring

When you have found the perfect bride-to-be, it is time to start shopping for engagement rings in Dallas, Texas.  Here is a look at this small, yet incredibly important, piece of jewelry.

An engagement ring in Dallas, Texas is traditionally worn by the bride-to-be on her left-hand ring finger after she accepts a marriage proposal.  A gift from the groom-to-be, the engagement ring represents the couple’s intentions of getting married in the future.  Some women will also buy their groom-to-be a promise ring at the same time.

For some men, finding the perfect engagement ring in Dallas, Texas can be harder than finding the perfect bride.  Some prefer to choose the ring themselves as a surprise gift, while others involve their girlfriends in the decision in order to find the perfect ring.  There are several decisions to consider when choosing the ultimate engagement ring.

The Style of the Ring

First, you will want to consider the ring itself.  Engagement rings can come in a variety of metals, most commonly gold – either yellow or white – or platinum.  Some couples prefer a plain band with just a single stone setting, while others prefer multiple stones.  You can also look for sets that include both the engagement ring and the matching wedding band.  Many engagement ring stores in Dallas, Texas will offer a variety of choices, but you may also want to visit separate jewelers so you can see traditional versus modern settings and the variety of options that are out there.

The Cut of the Stone

Traditionally, the stone in most engagement rings is the diamond, since for many people a diamond represents eternity.  However, some couples may choose to use other stones with, or in place of, the diamond if they have more significance to the couple.  Even with diamonds, there is a limitless variety that you can choose from.  Some people will choose a single stone setting, while others prefer the look of multiple stones.  The stones themselves can vary significantly in shape, size, color, clarity, and price.

The Myriad of Setting Options

To facilitate buying engagement rings in Dallas, Texas, many jewelers offer a variety of options that you can choose from.  The easiest route to go is with a pre-set ring.  Basically, you walk into your jeweler of choice and choose what you want from the selection.  Many will have solitaires, settings with side stones, and engagement ring sets with matching bands to choose from.  If they do not have the size you need, there may be a wait time while the Dallas, Texas jeweler gets the engagement ring sized appropriately.

If you are looking for something that is a little more personal, you can choose to design your own engagement ring.  With most jewelers, you will go in and choose from a variety of settings.  You can then pick out the perfect stone and have it placed so that you have your own unique engagement ring.  Some jewelers may provide this service on site; thus, provided that they have the proper-sized setting and the ideal stones for your design idea, there will be only a minimal wait time.  Other places may require you to special order the ring from an offsite designer, which could entail an additional wait time.

Congratulations on your happy hunting for the perfect ring with which to say “I do!” 

Diamonds

Anschar Diamonds is the best! They are the nicest people. Brenda Kaunch is so helpful there, and they have the most beautiful things.

I would have them design a ring for me, without a doubt. Quality-Quality and customer service is outstanding! They also have a great selection of wedding bands for men and women that are fab, as well!