Wedding Advice

Picture this.

You’re at the alter with the man/woman of your dreams. You’ve said your vows and now its time for The Big Kiss. You really want to make the most of it. You want to show your partner and those witnessing your lovely betrothment just how much you REALLY LOVE your new partner.

So you lay a big kiss on her/him. Like, a really big one. You come up for air and dive back in again, to really drive the point home.

Your loved ones writhe with discomfort. A few family members start coughing loudly as if to say: Just. Stop. Already.

Apparently, YOU didn’t read up on the proper etiquette of alter kissing.

Some alter don’ts include:

Don’t be Sloppy. Keep your mouth closed please. Nobody wants to feel awkward watching this important moment. They want to see the love…not the honeymoon.

Don’t Surprise Him/Her. Weddings are not a time for new tricks. Trying that tango-style dip on her could mean an accident that no one will forget (especially her).

Some alter kissing do’s include: 

Practice your big kiss. You’ve practiced everything else, right? Work on timing: how the two of you approach one another (slowly, not too quickly), where to place your hands and how long to kiss.

Create a mini-drama out of it. Think of a romantic moment in a movie that takes your breath away. Recreate it for your loved ones to see.

Final pointer: toss these tips away! It’s your big kiss after all. Make it as unique and special as the two of you.

When I first posed this question, I thought, “Well of course the size of a wedding wouldn’t matter. It’s clearly the bond between the couple that really dictates the success of a marriage.”

But with some research, I might have to eat a little proverbial crow. Apparently size does matter. But not for the reasons you might guess.

According to Psychology Today:

There is some reason to believe that having more witnesses at a wedding may actually strengthen marital quality. According to the work of psychologist Charles Kiesler (1971), commitment is strengthened when it is publicly declared because individuals strive to maintain consistency between what they say and what they do.

Social scientist theorized that, early in a marriage, marital stability and commitment would be positively associated with the ceremonial effort and public nature of a couple’s wedding. Rosenblatt specifically suggested that holding a big wedding with many witnesses would lead to a stronger desire—or even need—to follow through on the commitment.

Okay, that does make some sense. It would also explain why people are so nervous on their “big day.” That kind of public proclamation has more weight than say, sending a text that says, “I do.”

Does that mean you need a big wedding to have a healthy marriage? Absolutely not. Scientific results aside, there are far too many factors that come into play when it comes to successful relationships. And let’s not forget: a big wedding that you can’t afford or never wanted can never be a good thing, right?

As we move through December and towards Christmas, one of the most popular months and holidays for proposals, a customer of ours asked what is the most and least popular months to get married.

Hmm…well the first part of her question was easy. We know summer months are the most popular months to get married: June and August specifically. (I guess July is just too dang hot for many. Plus lots of people go on holiday during this time.)

But the least popular month to get married? It got us scratching our heads a little so we turned to the all-knowing Professor Google for more information.

Ready for it?

January is the least popular month to get married.

But January can be a beautiful month! And the start of a new year (what better time to start a new life?).

Okay, the obvious reason is weather, right? At least for many. Who wants to risk a major snowstorm on the day of their wedding? Or a bride slipping on ice in front of a limo? Plus cold weather makes it harder to wear your dream gown. (That strappy wedding gown is much better suited for summer afterall.)

But maybe there’s another reason January doesn’t really work wedding-wise. It’s  a get down to business month. Many are starting diets, work-out plans and new budgets. Doesn’t really evoke big feelings of romance, does it?

We say make the most of your wedding month, whether its popular or not. A winter wedding possesses beauty and romance in its own right.

According to many wedding experts in the know, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are the most popular days of the year to pop the big question (followed by New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day).

But is it really the best time of the year to make such a big decision? On some levels, it certainly has its perks. The holiday season brings families together which means everyone can share in the positivity of a couple making such a loving commitment.

Then there’s also a spiritual element: people tend to be at their best behavior, open-hearted and receptive to big changes like engagements. (This means a higher likelihood of the lucky ring recipient saying yes.)

On the flip side, here’s a downer note for proposing during the holidays. According to the Washington Post: 

Legally, an engagement ring is considered a “conditional gift” based on the marriage taking place and the ring goes back to the purchaser if the engagement is broken, regardless of who ends it. But rings given on Christmas, Valentine’s Day or birthdays are typically classified as more traditional gifts, and the majority of courts have allowed the receiver to keep it.

Okay, not a very romantic aspect but reality nonetheless. We say go with your heart. If the holidays seem like a perfect time to make a proposal, go for it. Life is short and Christmas is beautiful and very romantic afterall!

Before, being chosen to take part in a bridal party didn’t always inspire pure joy. Most potential party members realized that they’d have to put out a lot of time, effort and money (on top of wearing a questionably fashionable bridesmaid dress, for the women).

But as more millennials marry, it’s no surprise that they’re choosing smaller bridal parties. (They’re a pragmatic bunch, those 20-somethings. They realize that a smaller bridal party means less hassle and less money.)

According to Martha Stewart Weddings:

In recent years, we’ve seen brides with huge bridal parties. The largest one in 2017 tallied up to thirteen ‘maids! But Kara Delay of Love This Day Events has predicted that brides will choose smaller groups—made up of a single maid of honor or just one or two bridesmaids—in 2018.

There’s also been a trend toward more transparency in the process. Bridal party members are told up front what is expected of them, but not demanded. Members can now participate how they sit, financially and personally. This makes for a more relaxed process…and a more relaxed wedding in the long run.

Wow, you couldn’t ask for a more info-packed and SHORT video. This eHow video addresses any points we’d mention to clients when choosing jewelry with a sleeveless gown (down to wearing a stunning bracelet on the hand that will be cutting the wedding cake). If you’re a bride who needs to make big fashion decisions and is short on time, this is the video for you!

Most of the focus (excuse the pun) on photography are on the Big Day, but your engagement photos are equally important and often overlooked when it comes to detail. This sweet little video details the importance of integrating your wedding colors early (if you’re not sure, go with neutral) and the fun fake art of the “pretty laugh.”

I read this in a Glamour article and begged to disagree. They had this to say about earring choices for bridesmaids:

DO go big!
Especially if you’re wearing your hair down! Dainty earrings will get lost in your hair. Punch up your look with some dramatic statement earrings!

Vintage Chandelier Earrings

 

Chandelier Statement Earrings

 

Now, in my opinion, bridesmaids’ dresses can often be showy and over-the-top. And even if they are subtle, large earrings can be distracting. The idea is to enhance the look of the bride, not upstage her.

Here’s a pair of earrings I’d suggest for either type of dresses, whether it be ostentatious or ordinary:

Style 10361MS

Round Moissanite Inside-Outside Hoop Earrings

Inside-outside hoop earrings with approximately 9/10ct t.w. (dia equiv) Charles and Colvard created round moissanite stones. Each earring measures 16x2mm wide, set in 14kt white gold.

Available in different metals, please call for more info.

 

 

Since we’ve seen so many brides come and go over the years, we wanted to throw out a few tips about choosing earrings for the “big day.”

1. Don’t wait until the last minute. We’ve seen this kind of procrastination time and time again. Brides are concerned with their rings but often don’t give too much thought to their earrings beforehand. But earrings play an important role in your overall look. Countless photos of your face will be taken, with your earrings doing the “framing” work. Take some time beforehand, after you’ve purchased your gown and decided on your hair style. When brides wait until the last minute, they’re often stressed and choose something on the conservative side, which may or may not be a smart choice.

2. Think Big. We’re never one to push for an “over the top” look (unless that’s what you typically wear) but with earrings for your wedding, there’s a lot to compete with, including a gown and often, a complicated hairdo. The earrings shouldn’t get swallowed in the look, but integrate and enhance.

3. But Don’t Over-accessorize. A little contradictory to the previous point, but if you are going to choose bold, dangling earrings, you don’t want to choose a big, chunky necklace, for instance. This holds true whether it’s a wedding or not; let one piece do the talking.

Below is an example of a stylish, classic pair of earrings that enhance and support most bridal gowns and hairdos.

Style 10370MS Pear Moissanite And Natural Diamond Drop Earrings Antique design drop earrings featuring two 6x4mm (.48ct dia equiv) Charles and Colvard created pear shape moissanites and approximately 1/6ct t.w. natural diamonds. Available in 14kt white gold only. Trade Up Our Guarantee

MSRP: $1,299.00
Our Price: $995.00

Bridesmaids have a sordid history, fashion-wise. Most women equate bridesmaid dresses with an article of clothing that they’ll only ever wear once. Which is a shame, because a. they cost money and b. a dress should be worn again (unless you’re royalty!)

But what about jewelry? Jewelry is a popular gift for bridesmaids and when the piece is just right, its bound to please for years to come. Here are some tips from Dexknowsweddings.com:

Step 1:

Consider the theme of the wedding when choosing jewelry. If you’re having a beach wedding, buy a charm bracelet with crustacean charms. For a more formal wedding, you might look for pearl earrings.

Step 2:

Pick jewelry that will complement the bridesmaids’ dresses well. Necklaces should not dangle past the top of the dress fabric. Short earrings are best for high dress necklines, and bracelets are excellent choices for bare wrists.

Step 3:

Choose something that will complement the looks of all your bridesmaids. For this reason, conservative selections such as stud earrings or simple necklaces are preferred over dangling earrings and colorful bracelets. Those items are also likely to photograph better.

Step 4:

Traditionally, brides gives bridesmaids identical gifts, but you can take one gift idea and tweak it for each bridesmaid’s personality. For example, if you’re giving silver necklaces, each necklace can have a different pendant suited to that bridesmaid. Just make sure that any cost differences among the necklaces are negligible.

Personally, we think this is a bridesmaid gift for all occasions:

Style 10579 Freshwater Cultured Pearl Necklace Freshwater Cultured Pearl Necklace, 10mm-11mm, 18″ long with a sterling silver clasp. For a larger view click here Available in: White Black Multi Color (dyed color) Chocolate (dyed color)