The selfish bridezilla might soon face extinction – many blushing brides now plan weddings that benefit others. From donating leftover food to renting “green” venues, couples are finding creative ways to improve lives as they start new lives together.
CharityChoice, a nonprofit organization that promotes charitable giving, offers the following tips for couples hoping to give back even as they celebrate their union:
 NewsUSA) – An engagement ring symbolizes your promise to love and cherish your partner forever, and shows the world your commitment to your fiancée. Many women dream about their engagement ring their entire lives, so choosing the right style is of utmost importance.
Here are some tips to ease the pressure of finding the ring and proposing: It’s Not Only About the Diamond A ring’s setting is as important as its diamond because the setting is what displays and secures the stone. Platinum provides an ideal setting as it is stronger than other precious metals, which means that you don’t have to worry about losing the center stone with everyday wear. Also, platinum is a naturally white metal, allowing the diamond to sparkle even brighter. Did you know that a platinum engagement ring will last forever? Since platinum is so durable and loses little metal over time, the ring will undoubtedly become a family heirloom that can be passed down for generations to follow. And platinum engagement rings are surprisingly affordable. Contrary to popular belief, they are available in a wide range of price points, starting at around $1,000 at BlueNile.com. Know Her Style Before you go to the jewelry store, know your future fianceé’s style, personality and lifestyle since there is a ring to suit her perfectly. For example, a woman with a hands-on job, like nursing, might prefer a simple band with a secure setting, while a woman who has a less active job might want something more intricate. A woman with classic style will want a different band design than a trend-setting fashionista. “A classic polished platinum band from Michael Barin will suit a girl with more traditional tastes, while a birth stone of colored diamonds on an embellished band like one from Suna Bros. will look bold and unique,” says jewelry and style expert Michael O’Connor. “To figure out her ring size, press one of your girlfriend’s rings in a bar of soap until it leaves a mark. You can also put one of her rings on your own hand, mark where it falls on your finger and have the jeweler measure that area,” suggests O’Connor. How to Propose Some women want a public proposal in front of friends and family, while others want something private and special. In either case, your fiancée will remember the day for the rest of her life. Think about what your fiancée likes, and where and how you met. For more tips on proposing marriage or choosing an engagement ring, visit www.engagementguide.com or www.preciousplatinum.com. |
div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/Engagement.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – An engagement ring symbolizes your promise to love and cherish your partner forever, and shows the world your commitment to your fianceacute;e. …/div/div
 NewsUSA) – Your fiancée will wear her engagement ring every day for the rest of her life, so choosing the perfect ring is crucial.
How do you know if you are buying the right ring? Follow these simple tips from the experts at Jewelry Information Center, a non-profit trade association that has offered consumers information about fine jewelry for over 60 years: - Look at her existing jewelry wardrobe. The jewelry your partner has will give you hints about her personal style. If she owns a lot of sterling silver or white gold, then she is a cool-metal person, making a white gold, platinum or palladium ring an ideal choice. If she has more yellow metals, then she is a warm-metal woman, so stick to yellow gold or rose gold. - Figure out her personal style. Does your fiancée-to-be like traditional or non-traditional designs? If she prefers bold and funky jewelry, she probably doesn’t want a very classic engagement ring. - Pay attention. Note her reaction to other women’s engagement rings. You can discover her clear preferences that way. - When in doubt, ask one of her friends. Find a trustworthy friend who knows her style. He or she will be able to get a lot of information that you can’t obtain without sounding suspicious. - Shop with her. Couples often shop together for their engagement rings and wedding bands. Want to surprise her? Narrow down the selection between two or three rings so she won’t know exactly which one she will receive. Then plan the date, location and a memorable style. - Shop with a reputable jeweler. At the end of the day, where you shop is the most important factor. Shop with a jeweler you trust who will walk you through the process. - Make note of the exchange or return policy. If she would still prefer a different ring, you will need to make sure you can exchange it. For more information on fine jewelry and engagement ring trends or to find a reputable jeweler near you, visit Jewelry Information Center at www.jic.org. |
div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/ThePerfectRing.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – Your fianceacute;e will wear her engagement ring every day for the rest of her life, so choosing the perfect ring is crucial.
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 NewsUSA) – Between the thrilling proposal and the pre-wedding whirlwind – setting the date, finding the perfect wedding dress, planning the honeymoon – weddings should feel joyous and romantic.
But after the wedding, couples should enjoy their newly wedded bliss – not panic about digging themselves out of debt. According to the Association for Wedding Professionals International, the average wedding costs between $18,000 and $21,000. In these difficult economic times, couples might need to minimize the cost of their wedding. But brides on budgets do not need to whittle their guest list from 200 to 10. Here are some affordable – and tasteful – measures couples can take to stay within their budget. What eats up wedding cash? Wedding receptions usually account for half of a wedding’s cost. Dinner and drinks add up, especially if couples pay for a full or open bar. To save money on the bubbly, couples should nix the mixed drinks. Soon-to-be-marrieds can serve champagne during the toast, then offer beer and wine for the rest of the evening. Give clumsier guests white wine, not red, and the evening should progress with fewer mishaps at a lower cost. For dinner, couples should think outside the catering-company box. Local restaurants might make better deals. Classy catering can come from unexpected places. Boston Market restaurants provide full-service catering options with elegant entrées like roasted sirloin, turkey or rotisserie chicken, and a selection of gourmet sides. The cost? From $14.99 to $21.99 a head. After the reception, photography and videography are the second largest budget-breakers. Couples can hire a photographer and videographer for the ceremony, then leave reception photographs to friends, family and digital cameras. To avoid the cost of a live band, brides and grooms can opt for MP3 playlists, customized CDs and speaker rentals over pricey bands. Finally, hiring a wedding coordinator can save time, manage stress and get better deals. So, here’s a toast to tweaking old traditions to make a dream wedding financially attainable – and to save enough money for a long, relaxing honeymoon. Cheers! |
div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/BridesOnBudgets.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – Between the thrilling proposal and the pre-wedding whirlwind -; setting the date, finding the perfect wedding dress, planning the honeymoon -; …/div/div
 NewsUSA) – The headache you’ve had for the past year planning your wedding, inviting all the guests and meticulously checking to ensure your big day runs smoothly is finally over. And, just around the corner, you can see your honeymoon in sight. The last things on your mind are planning, thinking and otherwise doing anything but relaxing, right?
To ease your mind after the chaos, the ultimate Mexican getaways are offered by The Villa Group Resorts, complete with Hacienda-style villas, exotic spa treatments and palm tree-framed views of the Pacific Ocean. You’ll finally be able to unwind, comfortable knowing everything you could need or want is at your fingertips. With seven different locations in four unique destinations including Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta and the Sierra Madre Mountains, The Villa Group caters to a variety of interests. Each location offers unique scenery, activities and accommodations that can make your honeymoon exactly the way you’ve envisioned it. The myriad vacation options available to newlyweds are overwhelming, but noting a few key things will keep that headache at bay and your relaxation level high: - Pick a location that appeals to both of you. Where do you see you two having the most fun? Secluded beaches, tranquil mountains or cobblestone streets lined with shopping? - Decide how you want to spend your days. Will you lounge poolside, taking in lagoons and waterfalls, or do you want to explore the surrounding area by horseback, canoe or bike? - Scope out the options in his-and-her spa treatments, such as hydrotherapy sessions, mud baths and massages. Some resorts offer ultra-relaxing themes, while others focus more on invigorating treatments. - How will you spend your evenings? Resorts often provide nighttime festivities, complete with themed dining events mere feet from your room. Or, would you rather be near a town where you can explore both the area’s attractions and what the resort provides? Whatever type of honeymoon you and your new spouse want, The Villa Group Resorts offers honeymoon packages prepared to make your matrimony celebration a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And, with packages geared toward wedding anniversaries, you can go back and have that once-in-life-time vacation all over again. For more information, visit www.villagroupresorts.com. |
div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/VG_HoneymoonTips.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – The headache you’ve had for the past year planning your wedding, inviting all the guests and meticulously checking to ensure your big day runs …/div/div
 NewsUSA) – In between the guest list, the flowers and the perfect three-tier cake, it can be hard to find time to shop for your wedding rings. However, it is important to remember that most of the wedding details are fleeting and gone after a few hours of enjoyment, while your rings are enjoyed forever. So, whether you are having a smaller gathering or a more traditional affair, this important to-do on your event checklist should not be overlooked, especially since your rings mark your commitment to one another and will last a lifetime.
Jewelry and style expert Michael O’Connor has a few tips that are sure to help you find matrimonial bliss when it comes to ring selection: * Create a budget. There are many details to consider when planning a wedding that can quickly drain your budget. It is important to set aside money for a lifelong symbol like your wedding bands. Not sure how much to budget? Consider that in 2006, couples spent an average of $2,079 on wedding bands, according to the CN American Wedding Study. And since the age-old rule for purchasing an engagement ring is to spend two months salary, plan to spend one month’s salary for the two wedding bands. Check out the “Budget Calculator” at www.TheKnot.com. * Shop together. It is a good idea to shop for rings together. In fact, 80 percent of couples do, which isn’t a surprise since your rings, which don’t have to match, should reflect your personal styles and tastes. * Plan ahead. Don’t wait until the last minute to go shopping for your wedding bands, they’re simply too important. Plan to start shopping for your rings six months prior to your “I do’s.” Not only do you need time to research and shop, but you also need to allot time for custom orders, sizing and engraving. * Invest in quality. Because you want your ring to last a lifetime, it is important to put thought into the quality of metal you choose. Platinum 950 is the most durable precious metal and will last a lifetime. It’s 30 times more rare than gold, and for wedding bands set with diamonds, its natural whiteness will ensure the diamonds sparkle and stay secure. It is no wonder that Hollywood’s A-list designers such as Tacori, DeBeers, Ritani and Kwiat are all choosing Platinum in their designs. But don’t worry, you don’t have to be a star to own a Platinum ring. Platinum engagement and wedding rings are available for a wide variety of budgets -; making it an affordable luxury. Some resources that offer popular price points include Lieberfarb, Scott Kay and Blue Nile. “As the ultimate metal, Platinum’s unmatched durability and beauty make it a top pick among designers and 81 percent of brides,” said Michael O’Connor. For more information, visit www.engagementguide.com and www.preciousplatinum.com. |
