There are many different wedding traditions and symbols, but the exchange of the wedding bands is one of the most beautiful. Your wedding bands are your gift to each other, a symbol of commitment; a statement to each other and to the rest of the world.
As an expression of love, your rings will be worn with pride for years to come.
Your choice of jewellery is an important decision and there are many things to learn and consider before you make a selection. Assistance and information offered by a qualified jeweller or salesperson can be very valuable. You may want to visit several stores in order to find the ring that suits you best.
Jaques Scheepers Photography, Windsor, Ontario
The promise of marriage often begins with an engagement ring. Traditionally, this ring is set with a diamond, the world’s hardest gem.
When purchasing a diamond, be sure to deal with a reliable and knowledgeable jeweller. Since every diamond is different and comparing them can be confusing, ask your jeweller to explain the “four C’s”: cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. Each of these characteristics affects the look and the value of your gems. This knowledge will help you decide what is important to you. Most jewellers will be happy to show you examples of different quality diamonds, and different cuts and shapes. When you have made a selection, ask the jeweller to have the ring appraised by an independent gemologist of your choice.
John Lyons Photography, Windsor, Ontario
Many couples love the idea of matching wedding bands to symbolize their commitment to each other. However, it isn’t always easy to find a band that will appeal to both the bride and groom. With a little help from your jeweller, you should be able to work a pattern from a band that you like, into a band that your partner feels comfortable with. Or, instead of matching bands, the bride might choose a wedding band that nests with her engagement ring and the groom might select something complementary but not identical.
Custom designed and crafted rings are another option and their special, one-of-a-kind nature may add to your enjoyment. The process of designing and making a ring is one in which you can be involved from start to finish. A designer usually makes a wax model of the ring first. This is a necessary step in the design process and also gives you an opportunity to view the result of your creativity and make any changes before the actual ring is made.
Whether choosing a ring or designing a ring, make sure you consider the comfort and practicality as well as the look. After all, you’ll be wearing it for a long time and in many different situations. Comfort is essential, not only in proper sizing, but also in styling. Ensure that your ring does not snag your clothing.
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Wedding planning isn’t difficult but there is lots of research and planning to do. From weekends away with the girls to cakes and stationery, you will be constantly challenged with coming up with the best answers for the two of you.
We appreciate that you are busy with school or work and planning your wedding is sandwiched in between your regular routine. When picking your vendors, make sure that they not only understand what you want and how you wish it to be delivered, be very certain that you can work together well to achieve the goal that you are looking for.
Bachelorette Weekend
Jaques Scheepers Photography, Windsor, Ontario
What used to be one last night of the single life has turned into a weekend trip with the girls! Many brides are finding a group getaway a great alternative to girl’s night out. Though the main idea of any celebration is to have fun, the destination is as different as each bride-to-be. Las Vegas, Toronto, New York or Chicago are always popular choices with their abundant night life and package pricing. Another alternative is a destination spa weekend. Though you may opt to fly to a famous spa resort for a few days of pampering, there are now well-regarded overnight spas in most areas as well as in upscale hotels. You can even make your own weekend get-away; settle in at a friend’s cottage, on or off season, and organize all types of activities. Get manicures and pedicures from a traveling spa, have a chef visit for a cooking class, or plan a day of shopping at the local boutiques.
A note from the two of you
The time when you are ordering your wedding invitations and announcements is also the perfect opportunity to order your own personalized stationery ensemble. Some items you may want to include are thank you notes, correspondence cards and letterhead with coordinating envelopes printed with your return address. You may want a set in both your names, as well as a set for each of you separately. Some wedding invitation packages may include some of these items such as personalized thank you cards. Take time to browse through the many options that are offered before making your decision-there are so many beautiful colours, papers and styles available to choose from. Pick something that expresses and complements your own unique personalities! If you can’t make up your mind or don’t know where to start, ask for guidance from the invitation expert that you are working with.
It’s His Ring Too
Take some time for the two of you to shop for your wedding bands, at least a few months before the wedding. Since many men end up forsaking their wedding bands sometime after their “I Do’s”, perhaps a little more input from your groom on the style and design of the bands will result in a choice of rings that you’ll both love. You might want to start at the jeweller where your engagement ring was purchased; someone that you are both comfortable working with. Choosing a family heirloom ring that has been passed down from generation to generation means much more emotionally than purchasing a new ring, but you’ll still need to have it sized by a professional jeweller and maybe personalize it even more by engraving it with a special message or your wedding date, inside the band.
Choose wisely
One of the more important decisions most couples have to make after they become engaged is figuring out who they want to include in their wedding party. Family politics may play a part in the choices but it’s usually best to let your own intuition guide you. Probably the best advice you’ll hear is to choose attendants that have played an important part in your both your life and in this special relationship. And be sure they are people that you can rely on. Be clear with your attendants on what their responsibilities will be; especially in terms of what expenses they will be expected to bear and what costs you will pick up.
Getting to know each other
 Jaques Scheepers Photography, Windsor, Ontario Some wedding officiants offer or require pre-marital counseling programs for couples that wish to be married in their house of worship. Take advantage of this great opportunity to know each other better under the tutelage of professionals. Many couples believe the communications skills they learned in these sessions and weekends have helped them through difficult times in their marriage. Though some couples come away from this time with the realization that they may not yet be ready for marriage or are not suited to their intended, most find they are better prepared for what lies ahead in their relationship and have a more realistic vision of what married life will be like. There are often other married couples that have been through the same program available to provide wise advice that can last a lifetime.
The Icing on the Cake
In the cake portion of your wedding celebration, many avant-garde options have become available to today’s couples thanks to the creative minds and efforts of pastry chefs everywhere. Often, instead of one large wedding cake, guests are now treated to their own individual mini wedding cake, complete with layers and elaborate décor. For the bride with decision difficulties, there can be a cake for each table, decorated to order and each featuring a different flavour. For the young-at-heart, cupcakes, macarons and mini pies have emerged as a popular alternative to the traditional wedding cake. Cupcakes of varying flavours and icing are decorated to match the theme and atmosphere of the wedding itself and are displayed in grand style. Dessert bars and elaborate sweet tables have also become popular.
Anyone who has ever been through a wedding can tell you, the months leading up to your big day can be a time of stress as well as happiness. Welcome to the wedding jitters, they are about as common as weddings. Luckily there are ways to control your anxiety.
 Here are a few suggestions:
Communicate your feelings. Be open and honest if you are feeling upset. Tell your fiancé or family what’s bothering you. Don’t try to keep stressful feelings to yourself-they may transfer to something or someone else. Take positive action whenever possible. Worrying never solves a problem.
Share responsibilities. Don’t assume you have to do everything yourself. Ask your fiance to go over the Groom’s Checklist in this guide and handle as many of those planning functions as possible.
Follow a timetable. It will give you the secure feeling that you’re not forgetting something crucial.
Have a system. Break down each task into organized steps and decide how long it should take and who will do it. Then set a completion date and stay on schedule.
Pace yourself. In the beginning stages of planning your wedding you have several major areas to decide upon. Don’t try to tackle them all at once.
Take care of your health. Eat right and get enough rest and exercise. Take advantage of time tested soothers at night; a hot bath, warm milk or a back rub.
You will keep stress under control if you allow plenty of time to plan your wedding and then follow through on your schedule in a timely manner.
“The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.” Le Menterur 1642
It’s your wedding and as a couple you want to make it personal and distinctive! This is no ordinary day; this is a day that calls for extraordinary thank you gifts. From your engagement announcement until your wedding day, not only will you be receiving presents, you will be giving them too!
You will want to add special, personalized touches to many areas of your wedding planning; for your wedding party, your ceremony, your stag and doe, for the people who go above and beyond for you,and for out- of -town wedding guests.
Custom personalization adds a creative touch for those special people who touch your life with their help and love. Finding that special gift to say thank you to them, whether simple or grand is easy to do at a local specialty product business. These businesses offer custom embroidery, special digital and vinyl printing services and will do the design for you. They will bring your ideas to reality while working with your budget.
They offer great gift ideas from the perfect monogrammed bathrobes for your bridesmaids to director’s chairs for your groomsmen. They can do couch throws, blankets, ties, clothing bags and more and will personalize them for you.
With thousands of fonts to choose from and a rainbow of coloured threads available, they have the ability to put images on most anything from mugs to coasters, towels, mouse pads to canvas tote bags.
Your wedding favours are a way of bestowing your “love luck” onto your guests and can be small simple keepsakes; a mug, coaster or luggage tag with your engagement photo screened on it with your wedding date and name or initials makes a novel gift idea.
You can also monogram wedding scarves and sashes, aisle runners and ring pillows for your ceremony.
Couples hosting destination weddings have been personalizing flip flips with their wedding details and guests have been are delighted with the gesture.
Brides today are adding that sentimental, “something blue” by affixing a special message, name or symbol and having it embroidered onto the lining of their wedding gown.
 Trevor Booth Photography, Windsor, Ontario You may also want to do a custom gift for your future spouse. A tee shirt, a quotation on a mug, wall art with a quotation for a room in your home, you can create that perfect item.
Once your gifts have been selected pay equal attention to the presentation. Beautifully wrap them, using ribbons and elegantly designed gift tags. Thanking your family, friends and loved ones from the heart with a keepsake, forever gift that you have designed will create a memory forever.
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