Advice for Picking Out Wedding Bands

    How to Pick Out Wedding BandsYour wedding should be one of the most memorable days of your life. Once the special day is over, you can treasure great memories for years to come with the help of a beautiful set of wedding bands. Wedding rings are meant to symbolize eternal love. Given this level of significance, it is especially important that you pick out a pair of rings that you and your spouse will be proud to wear the rest of your lives. The following are a few things to consider as you look over different designs:

    Match the Wedding Bands to the Engagement Ring

    Traditionally, the bride wears the wedding band closest to her heart, followed by her engagement ring. Often, the woman will choose to make things easier after the wedding by having the two rings banded together. Because the two rings will be in such close proximity, it is absolutely essential that they look good together. This means that it is not advisable to choose any old set of wedding bands.

    Many jewelers specifically design engagement diamond rings and wedding rings together, making the entire ring shopping process a whole lot easier on the groom. This format allows the groom to get all of the rings together, allowing for a seamless appearance. When deciding to go this route, it will be important to take the bride’s choices into consideration. Some couples have ditched the whole traditional “surprise” engagement and instead opted to shop for engagement and wedding rings together. This allows the couples to agree on styles and designs before making any large investments.

    Wedding Band Engravings

    A wedding band is more than just a ring. It’s a symbol of true love. Wedding bands can be made more personal with the help of special engravings. Couples like to choose engravings that capture the meaning of their relationships. These may involve special Bible verses, quotes from books, or even inside jokes. Some couples know what they’ll use to engrave their rings well ahead of time, while others really struggle with this decision. For couples having a difficult time deciding on engravings, many jewelers provide a list of quotes, Bible verses and other touching phrases from which couples can choose.

    Choosing Comfortable Rings

    A large concern of those choosing wedding rings is the comfort factor. Make sure you don’t select a ring that makes you uncomfortable, because you could be stuck wearing it for the rest of your life. The most comfortable rings tend to have gently rounded edges. These feel much better on the skin than sharp angles. The comfort of a ring also depends on its size. Most men choose rings between 5 and 7 millimeters wide. Rings wider than 7 millimeters can cause a fair amount of discomfort, especially for men with small to average hands.

    The process of choosing wedding bands is not something to be taken lightly. You and your significant other will be wearing those rings for a long time, so pick something you’ll be happy to show off.

    Alexa Thomason is an excited bride-to-be who lives in Chicago. An art history graduate student, she spends her time traveling, studying, and planning her upcoming nuptials with her fiancé!


     

    Why Men’s Cobalt Chrome Wedding Bands Aren’t Just a Flash in the Pan

    Made from a metal alloy of cobalt and chromium, men’s cobalt chrome wedding bands are currently enjoying a certain popularity, even though some people may have never heard of the material. Offering both “specific strength” (that is, a high strength-to-weight ratio) and biocompatibility, cobalt chrome has been used primarily in the medical industry for orthopedic and dental implants, as well as for use in gas turbines.

    While the metallic element cobalt was discovered in 1739 by chemist George Brandt, commercial cobalt alloys (including cobalt-chromium) were not discovered until the early 20th century by metallurgist and entrepreneur Elwood Haynes. Haynes found that these alloys had at once incredible strength at elevated temperatures, a resistance to corrosion and a naturally bright luster. He accordingly named these alloys the Stellite alloys, after the Latin word for ‘star.’

    In some regards, cobalt chrome is nothing short of a wonder alloy, and one that is incredibly well suited for use in jewelry. Here are a just a few reasons why men’s cobalt chrome wedding bands have the potential to become a classic wedding ring option with serious staying power, current demand aside.

    They’re durable, crack and scratch-resistant. Unlike softer traditional metals like gold or inexpensive metal options like silver, cobalt rings are generally scratch, crack and tarnish-resistant. In fact, cobalt chrome is five times harder than gold and four times harder than platinum. It also resists tarnishing, not like the oxidization-prone metal sterling silver. This impressive strength lends amazing durability to chrome rings, making them ideal for everyday wear, as well as a great option for men who serve in occupations that require a lot of work with one’s hands. Men’s cobalt rings also have a pleasant middle of the alternative metal market weight, making them heavier than feather-light titanium but less weighty than tungsten, and in general feel more similar to a higher priced metal.

    They’re hypoallergenic and biocompatible. Cobalt chrome is naturally inert, and chrome rings are hypoallergenic. This has made them not only ideal for use in the medical field in surgical and other implants, but an apt choice for those with sensitive or allergic skin, as well as men who work in sterile environments (like doctors).

    They look like higher end metals. Unlike some other hypoallergenic materials that have a distinctly industrial appearance (titanium, for example), cobalt chrome more closely resembles precious metals like white gold and platinum. Displaying a signature high luster, these cobalt rings have an attractive traditional white metal look, and there is no plating involved to achieve this appearance (as is the case with white gold). This allows those with more traditional tastes to purchase a chrome wedding band at a fraction of the price of platinum or gold. As previously mentioned, these chrome rings also wear better than these precious metals, for an ideal combination of a high end look and modern industrial strength and durability.

    They’re re-sizeable. The strength and composition of other popular alternative men’s ring materials like tungsten, titanium and ceramic render them unable to be resized, meaning that their wearers are in danger of having to purchase a new ring if their ring fingers undergo any significant changes in size or shape. Cobalt chrome’s malleability allows cobalt wedding bands to be resized if necessity dictates such, which surely provides some degree of relief to those who don’t want to buy a new ring for financial or sentimental reasons. This malleability also means that there are more styles of men’s cobalt chrome wedding bands available on the market, as the material can accommodate both more detailed designs and popular wedding ring gemstones like diamonds.

    Author Bio:

    Samantha writes for Mens Wedding Rings, an online shop that offers a wide selection of unique men’s wedding bands, traditional rings and alternative styles like men’s cobalt chrome wedding bands.


     

    How to Choose the Wedding Dress to Suit Your Body Type

    How to Choose the Right Wedding Gown and VeilA wedding dress does not need to be purchased from a hot shot designer in order to be appreciated. If you have the silhouette and cut of the dress in place, according to your body type, then you can carry it off splendidly nevertheless! Buying the perfect dress for your wedding is indeed a great task as you want to get your beautiful figure admired by all on your big day. However, before investing in an expensive wedding gown, you might want to consider the fact that the style of the dress should suit your body shape in order to get the look right.

    Here are a few tips on how to buy your wedding gown according to the four most commonly found body types in women. So girls, invest your money wisely and look your best on your wedding day by buying the dress that actually accentuates the best parts of your body rather than those that highlight the flaws.

    1. Women with an apple shaped body

    Some women have an apple shaped body, which does not mean being obese, but rather means that the lady is more rounded on the center, the waist, hips, with broader shoulders and slender arms and legs. If you are apple shaped, you may be a little weighty around the waist and hips. Therefore, in order to look good in a wedding gown, you must try to give more definition to your waist to bring out a feminine look. Hence, you might want to try on a bodice that accentuates the bust area. For those thin ladies that possess an apple shaped body, it would be better if you could try the bias cut, as it will accentuate the midriff and hips and would bring out more definition in the waist – making you look very shapely. However, the dress should not have a fish tail skirt or a straight column cut as it will entirely ruin the look. So a little flared look would be more apt.

    2. Women with an hourglass body

    The hourglass shape is often considered the perfect body wherein the broadness of the shoulders and hips are inline and the waist is well defined. The hourglass body is synonymous to what Marilyn Monroe possessed or even Kate Winslet. Curvier women look better and more feminine as opposed to the current fad of zero size figures, and people are more or less more appreciative of a curvy woman who is well proportioned. A woman having an hourglass figure can look stylish in all types of apparel. For instance, she would be able to highlight her curves with a fish tail skirt, giving an entirely feminine look, or she could wear a bodice and emphasize her tiny waist. However, one thing to remember is not to overdo or highlight all the curves excessively.

    3. Women with a pear shaped body

    Then there are women that possess a pear shaped body, which is perhaps the most difficult to dress up. In such a body type, you would find a rounded lower body with bigger hips, with a smaller torso and bust. For such women, it would be advisable to highlight their upper bodies as they possess a slender torso, arms and waist. Such women should definitely choose a corset with heavy detailing as it gives the impression of curves. You can easily carry off a plunging neckline on the back and not emphasize the bottom half by hiding it with an empire line skirt or an A line skirt that does not go right over the hips. Even a ball gown that accentuates the top half and flows down would be apt for women having a pear shaped figure.

    4. Women with a boyish body

    Some women have a boyish shape without any curves. However, such women have long slender legs with well defined shoulders. This look is probably the latest fad with a lot of celebrities sporting their size zero bodies. Women with a boyish shape should highlight their long legs and a short wedding gown would look very glamorous. You could even go for a body hugging dress by accentuating your shoulders and arms.

    All in all, it is important for you to first decide which category of body types you belong to and then make a decision of which wedding attire to go in for. By doing so, you will definitely be the showstopper at the wedding!

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    About the author: Kate is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on technology and luxury. Beside this she is fond of watches. She recently bought a watch from Skagen Watches latest collection. These days she is busy in writing an article on Simple Wedding Dresses.


     

    Say “I Do” to These Bridal Beauty Moves

    A professional artist doing bridal makeupYour wedding day is drawing near. What should you do about your bridal makeup on the happiest day of your life? Should you do it yourself, like Kate Middleton did for her own glorious wedding to Prince William? Or should you let a professional makeup artist handle it?

    Both options are good choices, but the decision is going to come down to what your wedding budget can support and your inclination and wishes. In the weeks before the wedding you might try applying new makeup styles. You can have fun experimenting with a glamorous look, or a natural look, or a romantic look – dare you try a Goth look? – before you decide on the look that will best suit you on your special day.

    It will be fun, also, to get feedback from your friends, your mother, sisters and the groom, but ultimately the choice will be yours. Another benefit of experimenting with styles is you will know exactly what you want even if you do choose a professional. Also, the makeup pro can add his or her own artistry to make you look even better than you thought you would!

    The question of who’ll do the makeup settled, you should choose your makeup artist well in advance of the wedding.

    Here are few “bridal beauty moves” you should make to look your best on your wedding day, whether you do your own makeup or it’s done by someone else.

    1.  Have your hair done well before the ceremony. Some hairdos can look too “fresh” if they’re done right before the service. The hair dressers should also be mindful of what you will be wearing on your head, whether it’s a Juliet cap of French lace, a tiara of pearls and rhinestones or a band of small white roses and baby’s breath.

    2.  Tell the makeup artist where and when the ceremony is going to be held and if it’s going to be outdoors or indoors. You should tell her or him if the ceremony is going to be recorded by a still photographer, or a video recorder, or both.

    3.  Follow some basic rules for long-lasting makeup. The colors of the eyeliner and eye shadow should be matte rather than shiny or reflective. A camera flash will bounce off of shiny pigment and the result can be mighty strange looking! Lips and eyes should be well defined. Your face should be well powdered, but not overpoweringly so. The idea of makeup is to make you look as radiant and happy as you feel. Since lipstick has a tendency to not last, whoever does the makeup should use a lip liner to outline the lip, then fill the lips with color, then apply lipstick over the lip liner, which is less waxy than most lipsticks. They should blot the lipstick, reapply it, then blot it again. Blush should also be used sparingly. There are blushing brides and there are brides who look like they’re blushing too much!

    4.  If you are having makeup applied as you wear your wedding dress you should wear a smock that covers your gown. If you are having makeup applied first, carefully cover your face with a pillowcase and then very carefully put the gown on. You might need your bridesmaids help with this one! Giggles are sure to erupt!

    Happy wedding!

    Cindi Lewis writes for Glossy a skin care products and beauty products online retailer.

    Image source: PPS-24

    P.S. If you want to learn to do your own bridal makeup, check out the University of Makeup’s Bridal Makeup Videos, which contain complete tutorials on every aspect of makeup you can think of.

    Bridal Makeup Course


     

    Preparing Yourself for Your Wedding Day

    Getting married? Congrats! All ready for the big day or are you feeling nervous, unsure about your vows, your skin, your weight and your dancing skills? Are you afraid you might be making a huge mistake? Here are some tips on how to prepare yourself, mind body and soul, for the happiest day of your life.

      How To Handle Wedding Day Jitters
    1. Keep yourself occupied with mundane tasks, even if all the arrangements are in place.
    2. A few hours before the wedding, spend a few moments in quiet meditation. Think about all the reasons you’re doing this and how happy you’re going to be together.
    3. Talk to a close friend about last minute doubts, if any. Sometimes these doubts are valid; if you find that you cannot go through with the wedding, it’s only fair to decide this the day before.
    4. Watch old cartoons or a funny movie with a friend, remember old times and unwind.
    5. Run through your personal bride or bridegroom checklist with a calm mind, and tick things off one by one. Breathe out as you tick each one off.



      6. How To Take Care Of Your Skin

    6. Start a skin regime at least a few weeks before the wedding, whether you’re the bride or the groom. Get used to cleansing, toning and moisturizing your skin for best results.
    7. If you’re confident of doing this yourself, pluck the hairs on your chin and eyebrows at least one day before the wedding day. Don’t do this on the wedding day; you might end up having red splotches on your skin.
    8. Book a facial appointment a few days before your wedding. If your skin is very sensitive, do the facial a week before so that any redness will go away.
    9. Use a water-based moisturizer under your makeup on D-day. It gets absorbed by your skin, allowing for flawless makeup application.
    10. If your skin tends to get oily, dab at it using a piece of tissue to avoid looking shiny in pictures.



      11. How To Get In Shape

    11. Everyone wants to look the best on their wedding day. If you need to lose weight, change your eating patterns at least a couple of months before the D-day.
    12. Eat 5 or 6 small but balanced meals throughout the day to kick your metabolism up.
    13. Include fruits, vegetables, dairy, and wheat products in recommended quantities to your diet.
    14. Acai berry has excellent weight loss properties; include Acai berry into your diet either in the form of juice or added to your meals.
    15. Exercise, even if you’re not used to it. Exercise not only increases your metabolism and starts the fat burning, but it also floods you with endorphins that make you a much better partner. The skin benefits are not to be ignored, either.
    16. If you’re inclined to stress eat, enlist your buddies for help. Make sure that someone keeps an eye on what you’re eating and how much you’re working out.

    Marina Chernyak is a Freelance writer and co-owner of retail specialty products website like decorative vanity mirrors, corner etageres and lot more.