Ways to Make Your Wedding Memories Last a Lifetime

    Image source: sxc.hu

    You’ve devoted countless hours planning your special day, sweating over every small detail: from the message on the invitation to the flowers to use on the centerpiece. Why not go all the way and make sure your wedding memories last for years to come? After all, when the ceremony and celebration is over, memories will remain.

    Here are five suggestions on how to fully enjoy and remember the day you said “I do” long after the actual day.

    Create a wedding website

    With the rise of technology, wedding websites are becoming more and more popular nowadays. In fact, most wedding planners have already included this as an important element of the pre-wedding phase. Wedding websites provide an online memory of the whole wedding phase – from the engagement to the post-wedding – that lasts forever. It enables your family, friends, and others to enjoy and take part in your wedding even if they physically miss the occasion.

    Digitally capture the wedding

    Most wedding nowadays make short films on how the bride and groom met, got together, and eventually decided to tie the knot. They are usually shown during the wedding reception and posted online for family and friends to see over and over again. Other couples also opt to have the whole wedding ceremony recorded so that they can watch it and relive the moment even years after.

    Make an instant wedding album

    Image source: Pinterest

    Aside from your professional photographer, you can recruit a friend to take Polaroid photos of the wedding and your guests, and add them to a photo scrapbook. Then, ask each guest to write something – a message for the wedding, perhaps. This creates a playful and candid, instant wedding album. You can buy a special scrapbook or photo book, or create one yourself.

    Preserve wedding flowers

    Brides spend a lot of time and effort in picking the flowers for their bridal bouquet. Drying the bouquet is a wonderful keepsake that embodies your wedding memories. There are three methods of preserving fresh flowers: Silica gel, pressing and freeze drying. Silica gel works by immersing the fresh flowers in a silicon substance. Pressing flattens flowers and make them perfect for framing. The last method yields the most true-to-life results. For a cost-free memory, you can also hang the bouquet upside down and let it dry.

    Turn your favorite wedding snapshot into art

    Image source: Mypix2canvas blog

    Turn your favorite wedding snapshot into art

    To make your happy wedding day memories alive for years to come, why not have a canvas print of your favorite photo? Pick a shot you love from the wedding ceremony or the reception. You can choose a larger size and hang it on the wall of the living room or inside your room. You can also opt to have it in a slightly smaller size so that you can display it on shelves or on cabinets.

    When considering to make your wedding memories last, try out the mentioned options.

    If you have a different idea to share, tell us about it here!

    About the author: Melissa Page is a professional writer who blogs about weddings and newlywed life. She’s the sentimental type, and has a shelf of canvas photos and other keepsakes. Her hobbies include reading, sketching, and playing bowling. She also loves travelling and coffee.


     

    Colored Diamond Engagement Rings

    If you didn’t know that diamonds come in more than one color than it’s about time you became aware of a trend that has been steadily building in momentum.

    Roses are Red, Diamonds are…

    Most people think that diamonds are white. In fact, “white” diamonds are actually colorless and the more colorless i.e. the “cleaner” they are, the more they are worth. Natural fancy color diamonds are actually much rarer than colorless diamonds – 10,000 times rarer in fact. They come in the following colors – blue, pink, orange, green, red, yellow, champagne, black, white, chameleon, violet, purple, and gray. These may be the basic colors but colors often come in 9 intensity levels and over 90 secondary hues. There are even stones with a secondary and third hue. Consequently, each fancy color diamond is absolutely unique.

    Not all Fancy Color Diamonds are Created Equal

    All fancy color diamonds are rare but some are rarer than others.

    Among the rarest of colors are red, violet, and purple. Pink, green, blue, and green are a close second, with chameleon and orange right behind them, and the remaining colors of yellow, champagne, black, white, and gray completing the rarity list.

    As is the case with all diamonds, their value is, at least partially, determined by their rarity. Prices for large, saturated diamonds in the rarer colors can exceed USD2 million…per carat. Yes, beauty and rarity does not come cheap. However, there are fine stones in almost all of the colors that can be found for prices within the reach of most people.

    Engaging with the Stars

    So what has made fancy color diamonds come to prominence over the last few years?

    People have known about and coveted fancy color diamonds for centuries. Royalty and the extremely wealthy have collected these stones fully aware of how precious they are.  However, with the advent and proliferation of the Internet coupled with people’s obsession with celebrities, fancy color diamonds have really started to come into their own.

    Beyoncé, J-Lo, Kate Hudson, Heidi Klum, Mariah Carey, Anna Kournikova, Carrie Underwood, Kristen Bell and Paris Hilton are among some of the stars who have been the recipients of fancy color diamond engagement rings.

    Kim Kardashian, Melissa McCarthy, Penelope Ann Miller, Livia Firth, Blake Lively, Alicia Keys, Natasha Bedingfield, Lea Michele, Diane Lane, Freida Pinto, and Selena Gomez are just some of the other celebrities who are wearers of fancy color diamond jewelry.

    And what the celebrities do, mere mortals want to emulate. So it has come to pass that together with the ability to learn about these treasures of nature without leaving their computer terminal and seeing celebrities who are admired indulging in fancy color diamond, “regular” individuals also want to indulge in a fancy color engagement ring, and why not?

    Finding the Perfect Ring

    Fancy color diamonds are an even more specialized field than colorless diamonds as they comprise a much broader range of stones. Similarly, not many jewelers or diamond merchants even have the expertise to deal with these types of diamonds – experience is of paramount importance.

    Thankfully, the Internet comes to the rescue once again. There are reputable dealers with educational websites from where you can gain an understanding as well as find that perfect fancy color diamond engagement ring.

    So if you too want to stand out from the crowd with your engagement ring, there is no looking past a fancy color diamond.

    Written by experts at Leibish&co., for more information on loose yellow diamond rings and other fancy colored diamond rings we’d love for you to visit us!


     

    Wedding Entertainment – Five alternative wedding entertainment ideas

    Wedding entertainment is great – that should be the case, but all too often many newlyweds overlook the true importance of wedding entertainment, often opting for a cheap DJ and a semi-professional singer. To really wow your wedding guests you need to offer entertainment that will actually entertain. Here are five great ways to truly entertain your guests:

    Hire a fairground

    This may sound like a very extravagant wedding entertainment option but this is really not the case. Fairground companies are now offering married couples to-be the opportunity to rent out dodgems, helter-skelters and carousels. Hiring out a fairground is now an affordable way to give your guests a fun day and what better way to celebrate your first day of marriage than a ride on the dodgems. Hiring a selection of fairground attractions for your big day can now cost as little as

    Invite some look-alikes

    Why not make your wedding a star-studded affair by inviting some A-list celebrities. Ok, they may not be actual celebrities, but you can now hire out some seriously realistic look-alikes for your wedding day. Many look-alike agencies now exist enabling you to invite the likes of Brad Pitt, David Beckham and Britney Spears to your weddings. Hiring look-alikes will give your guests the chance to pose for pictures with their favourite celebs and definitely provide a few giggles. Look-alikes don’t come cheaply, renting out a David Beckham look-alike will set you back £645.

    Hire a professional DJ

    Ok, I may have previously mentioned DJ entertainment as quite weak, but there is a difference between hiring the local DJ and hiring a professional wedding DJ services. A professional DJ will ensure you have a musical playlist in accordance with your musical tastes and provide lighting and other disco equipment that will be sure to get your guests up and dancing. When looking for a wedding DJ look at their previous experience and look for testimonials from previous couples who have used their services.

    Hire a caricature artist

    Why not employ the services of a caricature artist, they can mingle amongst your guests during pre-dinner drinks and create some really funky pictures that will be sure to create some laughs. Why not get the guests portraits framed by workers from your venue and hand the portrait out before the guests leave (possibly with a piece of cake). This way your wedding will live on in the memories of those who attended the ceremony.

    Create a casino

    For many years now couples have been hiring “fun casinos” to bring a bit of edge to their wedding day. Fun casinos enable guests to experience the real casino feel, but not lose any money (you can offer prizes out to your guests if you wish). Casinos are a great source of entertainment for your wedding; combine a casino with a professional DJ and a James Bond look-alike you are guaranteed to have a wedding that your guests will remember.


     

    Simon G. Engagement Rings

    Just as Simon G. has come a long way from taking his jewelry from a hobby to a fully fledged business, his surname took the opposite route from being a polysyllabic foreign name to the single letter that has come to represent the finest in jewelry design and manufacture.

    Simon G’s engagement rings are among the most sought after on the market day. Discerning brides are enchanted by the bold yet classic designs that add a modernity and refinement to a look which exudes class. And with over 120 designs in this range there is sure to be something to suit everyone.

    But why should the girls have all the fun? In Simon’s world, they shouldn’t. Simon G. offers a comprehensive range of men’s rings either with or without diamonds to complete the look of the man about town.

    And whilst he’s at it, Simon G. has taken conflict free diamonds to the next level. Exclusive to Simon G. is the patented Swana Diamond. Originating in Botswana, these diamonds feature a unique 89 facet cut that reveal a perfect eight-pointed star in the heart of the diamond that enhances the brilliance of the stone. Not only are Swana Diamonds magnificent and conflict free, each purchase of a Swana Diamond results in a donation to children in Botswana. Enjoy the best while benefitting others – a great example of “pass it forward.”

    Although Simon G. has carved a niche for himself in the engagement and bridal market, that doesn’t mean that he has forgotten other aspects of the craft. An extensive range of fashion jewelry including rings, earrings, pendants, necklaces, cuffs, bracelets, and bangles in precious metals with precious or semi-precious stones ensures that there is something to suit every taste and budget.

    The Organic Allure Collection differs from Simon G.’s traditional work. In fact, it differs from most jewelry, period. Merging precious metals with precious stones, these incredible pieces replicate nature in their replication of leaves, flowers, and other motifs of nature. No doubt Simon sees the irony in the use of materials that have been taken from nature, processed by man, and re-worked to imitate and build on nature – a great concept brilliantly executed.

    There is a very good reason why Simon G. jewelry is sold in over 900 locations and what started out as a one man operation is now a business employing over 60 people – quality and style crosses all barriers.

    Written by Sharon on behalf of Genesis Diamonds, who offer a wide selection of Simon-g engagement rings.


     

    Planning for Bridal Beauty

    Kara Watson is a writer for Skinsight.com as well as other health and beauty outlets. She is an expert on how to achieve younger, brighter looking skin.

    Every bride wants that beautiful bridal glow, but some don’t think about how much time it takes to prepare your skin for your wedding day. Tell your makeup artist to ditch the illuminator and follow this planning guide to achieve a natural bridal glow:

    6 Months Until Wedding Day

    1. Find a dermatologist or an aesthetician and find out about skincare packages for peels and facials. Most will offer discounts if you purchase a package of facials and peels.

    2. Start thinking about your diet and incorporate foods high in these vitamins and minerals:

    • Vitamin E

    • Vitamin A

    • B-Complex Vitamins

    • Vitamin C

    • Zinc

    3. Join a gym or find a trainer and start sweating! Exercise is not only healthy for your body, but it helps improve your complexion as well and brings out a natural glow.

    4 Months Until Wedding Day

    1. You’re in a safe zone at this point and far enough from your wedding so you have time to experiment a little bit. Test out different self-tanners or take a visit to your local salon and try out a UV-free tan. Keep your eye on it for the next few days and notice if it rubs off on any clothing and also pay attention to the smell.

    2. Reach out to your friends, family and the social media work to find the best makeup artist for your big day. While you may fall in love with the first makeup artist you see, make sure to try more than one for different styles and techniques.

    1-2 Months Until Wedding Day

    1. Remember that package of peels and facials I suggested in the beginning? They’re coming to an end and it’s time to use that last peel.

    2. Ask your makeup artist to test out a few different looks on you. Try a smoky eye and a light lip and then try the opposite with natural makeup and a bold red lip. Test different eye shadows and see how they complement your eyes.

    1-2 Weeks Until Wedding Day

    1. I hope you’ve already had your bachelorette party because it’s time to start abstaining from alcohol! Alcohol makes skin puffy and can cause redness.

    2. Visit your dermatologist or aesthetician for your last facial and make sure it’s a hydrating one.

    3. While you’re at your doctor’s office or salon, pick up a gentle exfoliant and use twice a week.

    4. Make sure you’re loading up on water because water helps flush the skin of impurities and helps keep pores clear.

    1 Day Until Wedding

    1. Go into your kitchen and mix up a very gentle face mask and relax. Combine two parts oatmeal and plain Greek yogurt with one part honey. Apply this mixture and enjoy the calm for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

    2. Polish your skin one more time with that gentle exfoliant and then tuck it away until after your wedding day…because it’s TOMORROW!

    Day of Wedding

    1. Use a gentle cleanser to wash your face in the morning.

    2. Any pimples or blemishes pop up overnight? No need to worry! Pierce with a small sewing needle dipped in rubbing alcohol (if there’s a visible whitehead) or dab on rubbing alcohol using a Q-tip.

    3. Are you still drinking water? You better be!

    4. Fix morning of puffy eyes with caffeinated tea bags placed over the eyes or cold spoons.