“I have always wanted a blue sapphire wedding ring – my grandmother had blue sapphire rings, and it’s my birth stone. It’s also the color of my mom, sister, and grandmother’s eyes. It has so much sentimental value to me, that when my fiancée was down on one knee, looking up at me with this ring in his hand, I felt like my world was complete.”
 
- Erin, Houston, TX 
 
“I’m so excited–we LOVE the rings! Mine is even more dazzling than I expected…I just love it. I’m ready to wear it now, but I’m going to wait until the ceremony. July 4th at 1:30. I’m counting the days.”
 
- Janel, Turlock, CA 
 

 
“I took Massimo to the spot where gay marriage first took place. There were 2,000 people there, and I got called up as the last speaker. I said “16,000 LGBT couples have already been married in this state – let’s make it 16,001. And so, I would like to ask my partner Massimo if he would marry me” – and I got down on one knee and pulled out the ring. He LOVED his ring!!”
 
- Barak, San Francisco, CA 
 
“The engagement ring arrived on my desk this morning – it is beautiful! My hands were shaking a bit from my excitement. I’m going to propose to my girlfriend this weekend and I know she’s going to love it, especially since the diamond is conflict free. I can’t wait to see the look on her face.”
 
- Dave, Milton, MA 
 
“When I first saw the ring, I could not help thinking it was the perfect one. Dan hadn’t consulted me, but it was exactly right for me – proof that he knows me well. When he told me the story of Brilliant Earth and your ethical commitments, I fell in love with the ring and him even more.”
 
- Sindiso & Daniel, Concord NH 
 

 
“Meredith absolutely loves the ring, and refuses to take it off. Her only complaint is that I proposed to her while we were on vacation and away from our friends so she has no one to show it off to. Yesterday she even threatened to start going up to random people on the street and asking “Do you want to see my ring?” Which, while slightly embarrassing, is a good sign.”
 
- Aden, San Francisco, CA 
 
“I was completely shocked when Paul proposed to me. When he got down on one knee and opened this beautifully crafted wood box, and I saw my diamond inside – I nearly fell over!  It’s perfect and absolutely beyond what I ever dreamed of.”
 
- Paul & Tammy, Ontario, Canada 
 
“I just received the conflict-free diamond earrings that you sent, and they are just beautiful. I’m going to surprise my wife this weekend (she’s expecting with our first child). Thanks so much for helping me with this process.”
 
- Michael, New York, NY 
 

 
“They arrived on Friday morning, just in time to be smuggled away in a hospital bag as a reward for mom on the birth of our first child (Saturday afternoon). They truly made a special day even more so. And they’re beautiful!”
 
- Brian, Seattle, WA   
 
 

The post Nine Heartwarming Proposal Stories appeared first on Brilliant Earth Blog.

Who throws the party?

 
If you would like to do everything strictly by the books, then the bride’s family should throw the engagement party. Nowadays, however, it’s highly variable. Make sure you discuss the party with your families in order to work out something that everyone is comfortable with.
 
Nowadays it is also common for a close friend of the couple to throw the engagement party, especially if the bride or groom’s parents aren’t up for it. Or, if you would like to have complete control over the party, you and your fiancé can even throw it yourselves if you so choose! Don’t feel constrained by tradition, because everyone’s personal situation is different. Do what feels right!
 

When and where?

 
An engagement party is commonly thrown within a certain amount of  time after the engagement takes place, depending on how long your engagement is going to be. Typically it takes place within three to four months after the engagement. You shouldn’t rush and throw the party too soon, but you also don’t want to wait too long because at some point you will be too consumed with wedding plans to care much about another celebration.
 
Figuring out where to throw the party is a bit trickier. If you and your fiancé grew up in the same town and you still live near family and friends, you’re golden. If, however, you and your fiancé live in Kansas and your families live on opposite coasts, you might encounter some issues. Make a decision that works for the greatest number of people, and don’t be too disappointed if someone doesn’t want to travel to attend the party. They’ll be at your wedding!
 

The guest list?

 
Before you send out your engagement party invitations, you need to finalize your wedding guest list. This will help you decide who to invite to the engagement party. It is generally recommended that you don’t invite anyone who will not be invited to the wedding. However, if you are planning on inviting 300 people to your wedding, you will probably want to put a limit on the guest list. We generally suggest inviting your closest family and friends.
 

If, however, you have a local group of friends that either can’t make the wedding (or your wedding will be too small or far away to include them), feel free to break this rule so that they can celebrate with you!
 

Should guests bring gifts?

 
Gifts should not be expected at an engagement party. All of your guests will likely bring gifts to the wedding, so don’t request them twice! Guests might bring a bottle of wine or something small for the host if they so choose.
 

How formal should this be?

 
Don’t stress about formality. Once again, do whatever suits you! If you are having a very informal wedding and you want the chance to dress to the nines, help plan a formal party with a sit-down dinner, black-tie dress code, and live classical music. On the other hand, if your wedding is going to be fancy and you want an informal engagement party, go ahead and request a potluck backyard barbeque. Informal parties tend to be less work than formal soirées, so have a conversation with whoever is throwing the party to figure out what is best.
 

Final Thoughts

 
Keep in mind that it is completely normal to forego the engagement party! This is an optional celebration that many people love to have, but it is no way mandatory. If you do choose to participate in an engagement party, make it into whatever you want it to be. Whether it is completely traditional or incredibly unique, the sentiment will still be the same—everyone is there to celebrate your happiness!
 

The post How to Throw an Amazing Engagement Party appeared first on Brilliant Earth Blog.

Wedding photography might have come from humble beginnings, but it has experienced an extraordinary evolution over the last 180 years. Photography came about in the first half of the 19^th century, but the majority of weddings up until World War II were undocumented. Before then photography was too expensive for most couples to afford and the equipment was too cumbersome to allow onsite shoots. Instead of wedding photographs, many newlyweds would travel to a studio wearing their best clothing and sit for a posed photo. During the 1940s, however, improved technology would allow photographers to attend the actual event, paving the way for unforgettable memories.
 
In 1970, the wedding photography game changed yet again. Simple posed photos gave way to a documentary style, where the photographer would record the event. There became a list of photographs that couples came to expect, such as the bride with her father, the walk down the aisle, the exchanging of wedding vows and wedding rings, the first kiss as husband and wife, the walk back up the aisle, the dinner speeches, the cutting of the cake, and, of course, the first dance. This was the status quo for quite some time, but the emergence of wedding websites (such as Pinterest) has allowed for the broader exchange of images and ideas, spurring creativity and changing what a couple expects out of their wedding photos. Wedding photographers have become artists, with the bride and groom trusting him or her to capture the essence of the event. A great photographer will capture details, listen to your desired stylistic approach, and end up feeling less like a vendor and more like a friend.
 
You can have stunning wedding photos whether you choose to have a traditional wedding or an elopement, so here are five must-have wedding photos to inspire you!
 

1. Location

 
Many couples forget to ask their photographers to do a bit of shooting outside of the actual wedding space. Great photographers will focus on the spirit of your wedding location, because it is obviously important to you as a couple. You can request photos of local landmarks, a favorite spot, or a scenic vista.

For example, if you are in San Francisco, make sure that you get stunning photos of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Powell streetcar, or the skyline with the Transamerica Pyramid and Coit Tower visible. On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you are getting married in the middle of the forest, ask for picturesque photos of the afternoon light filtering in through soaring trees. You can choose whether you want to actually be in these location photos or not, though the focus should be on the scenery.
 

2. Dressing Up 

 
Though it can be difficult to remember at times, we must acknowledge that a wedding isn’t just about the bride and groom. When you get married you bring a number of complete strangers together and bind them as family. Your family and friends—many of whom have known and loved you for longer than your fiancé—are experiencing this joy with you, so make sure that your photographer captures those moments. Maybe your aunts will help you into your dress as your grandmother clasps your necklace. Perhaps the photographer will capture a moment of hilarity as you dance around the dressing room to some upbeat songs or if your best friend crawls under your princess sized ball gown to slip on your shoes. Maybe your mother is simply holding your hand. These are special moments that you will look back on during hard times and remember how much you are loved.
 

Heather Armstrong Photogaphy

3.  Wedding and Engagement Rings

 
 Before your wedding rings take up permanent residence on your fingers, make sure that your photographer takes a beautiful photo of them. Your wedding rings represent you for who you are. If you love the sparkle and shine of diamonds, your wedding and engagement rings will likely be glamorous, while if you love things that are vintage and have a romantic history, you may have an antique engagement ring. A little piece of you is in that ring. Photographing your rings together is highly symbolic of the union that is to come. It shows the quiet solemnity of the event, and artistic renderings can create a dramatic effect.
 

4. The Bride’s Dress and/or Shoes  

 
Going through wedding photographers’ galleries, you might have stumbled across a few stunning photographs of a bride’s dress or shoes. This idea goes along the same lines as the photograph of the wedding rings, but this one is just for the bride. The empty dress and shoes are simply waiting with baited breath to serve their duty of the day—to enhance your natural beauty and sweep you down the aisle in style! You will only wear this dress once, and you (most likely) labored over finding it. You want to show it off! Put the dress on a nice hanger (personalized wire hangers that spell out your future name in the twisted wire are stunning) and hang it in front of a window or the most interesting part of the room. The effect of the light streaming through a gauzy dress in black and white is truly stunning. Similarly your shoes will be taking you down the aisle, so featuring them right before you step into them is momentous, because you will step out of them with a different name.
 

Heather Armstrong Photogaphy

4 1/2. The Reveal  

 
This is an optional must-have photograph that depends on how you want to reveal yourself to your fiancé on your wedding day. Some couples choose to see each other before the ceremony starts, and this is a great time to have a (subtle) photographer capture the emotion of the moment. When you see them for the first time walking down the aisle, all eyes are on you and there isn’t exactly time for a conversation. If you would prefer to see him beforehand, have him wait in a private location with his back turned, and tap him on the shoulder when you’re ready. Make sure to capture the priceless look on his face!
 

 5. A Little Detail 

 
The best photographers are those that notice the little details in life that many of us miss, such as the way the sun hits the pavement at a certain time of day, or the intricate grain of a wood table. If this sounds like you, you should probably take up photography! Your photographer should try to capture the little moments and details that hold great weight and emotion. In between taking shots of the ceremony, he or she might notice a beautiful look on a grandfather’s face and quickly snap a photo. Or perhaps the photographer sees a pair of shoes on the edge of the dance floor. These photographs tell entire stories. Some photographers do structured details, such as lining up boutonnières, unique wedding invitations, or a beautiful lace accent. These little details are indicative in the shift in wedding photography. Whereas couples used to be lucky if they could get one photograph of the day, now we have permanent images that—when crafted properly—can take you back to how you felt on your wedding day, almost to the point where you can smell the flowers and taste the cake.
 

Heather Armstrong Photogaphy

Final Thoughts

 
There are an increasing number of couples that are choosing to have proposal, engagement, and rehearsal dinner photo shoots in addition to their wedding photos. Keep our suggestions in mind if you choose to do this! Look for photographers who can really get to know you will work with you to make your shoot memorable!
 

 
What are your favorite wedding photos? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or in the comments!
 
 

The post Five Must-Have Wedding Photos appeared first on Brilliant Earth Blog.

1. Unique wedding flowers
 
Roses, tulips, lilies, and peonies are gorgeous but very common wedding flower choices. Wedding-goers see some flowers so often that eventually they stop noticing them! Think outside the box and find something new and fresh to decorate with. Try using non-traditional flowers such as lavender or honeysuckle to give your bouquet a sweet, calming aroma. You can also make wonderful boutonnières and corsages by incorporating herbs such as rosemary, bay leaves, and basil. To create a dramatic effect, combine unusual flowers (or other botanicals) with crystal or stainless steel vases.
 
2. Unique wedding rings
 
Make your wedding rings stand out by choosing a distinctive style. There are so many ways you can make your ring unique! You can choose wedding rings with sapphires or other gemstones, you can put your fingerprint on the interior of your partner’s ring, or you can even choose a one-of-a-kind antique wedding ring! One popular way to personalize your wedding rings is to engrave a special message on the inside, such as your wedding date or a shared saying. Unique wedding bands make your wedding stand out on a more personal, intimate level.
 
3. Unique wedding gowns
 
It can be difficult to find a wedding dress that really stands out from the crowd. Most of us are content if we find a white dress that feels good and looks amazing, but if standing out as the bride is important to you, there are a number of unique wedding dresses to choose from! We have seen and heard of a number of unusual dresses over the years, including seersucker dresses, ombre dresses, and transformer dresses. Transformer dresses start off as long gowns, but the train can be removed to reveal a shorter party gown underneath. These unique wedding dresses are great for a daring, fashion forward bride! However, if you’re looking to strike the perfect balance between traditional and unique, consider a dress with feathers, large cloth roses, or an extra-long train.
 

4. Unique wedding videography
 
Ditch the boring videos that you’ll probably never watch more than once! Instead, ask a few of your guests to take amateur videos using their cell phones. Each person will have a different style, and you can edit them all together to have an Indie feel. Apps such as Top Camera, Videolicious, and Slomo make it easy to make interesting videos. Capture your friends and family as they toast your marriage and boogey down to some awesome wedding songs! You will end up with a one-of-a-kind video that you will love to watch with your family and friends for years!
 
5. Unique wedding drinks
 
Wine, beer, and champagne are standard drinks that will please many, but they aren’t exactly unique. Open bars shake things up a little, but you run the risk of your wedding turning into an expensive boozefest! A great idea is to work with a bartender to come up with a menu of personalized cocktails. For instance, you can take a classic martini and infuse it with pineapple vodka and jalapenos—you can even name your creations! The options are endless, which is why your guests might appreciate some gentle guidance. It’s also a good idea to have just as many fun non-alcoholic drinks to keep things balanced!
 
6. Unique wedding meals
 
Everyone eventually gets tired of fish, chicken, and steak. If you want a delicious, unique meal, look for caterers or venues that serve up local cuisine with unusual ingredients. Most of your guests will enjoy trying something unexpected (it’s a free meal, so they should)! For example, if you are getting married in New Mexico, include green chilies in your meal, or if you are in Maine serve up some creamy lobster clam chowder! A delicious, local meal is always memorable!
 

7. Unique wedding cake
 
The wonderful thing about wedding cakes is that the multiple layers allow you to keep with tradition but still branch out and try fun, memorable flavors. If you dare, try pina colada, mint, pineapple, bacon, margarita, mocha, amaretto, or rootbeer flavors! Turn your cake into something that your guests can’t stop talking about.
 
8. Unique wedding activities
 
Every wedding should have activities! Not everyone likes to dance, and kids in particular need to be kept busy. Get everyone to put down their phones and interact with each other! A great idea is to put a deck of cards on each table with a list of instructions on how to play different games. Not only is this incredibly fun, but it also acts as an ice breaker for tables where your guests might not know each other. Interactive games like charades and horseshoes also guarantee a great time. If you’d like to take it one step further, skip the predictable wedding venues and choose somewhere unique to hold your nuptials. Consider having your reception at a museum, science center, aquarium, historic building, zoo, or even on a boat!
 
Final Thoughts
 
Are you inspired yet? What are your unique wedding ideas? Tell on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, or in the comments below!
 
 

The post Eight Unique Wedding Ideas appeared first on Brilliant Earth Blog.

2. Pitch a tent

 
Tents are a great idea for backyard weddings because they act as a backup plan in case of rain. Your host has lent you their backyard for the wedding, not their house, so if the rain starts pouring you should have somewhere for everyone to take cover. Tents can be very easy to decorate and they help to create designated spaces for your event. It is also a good idea to hold the ceremony under a tent so that your guests aren’t sitting directly in the sun or squinting their eyes to see you! Photo: Zephyr Tents
 

3. Bring the dance floor

 
Just because you’re having a backyard wedding doesn’t mean that you can’t have a rocking dance party! Many tent rental companies offer portable dance floors that can be set up in pieces. This is a great option if you don’t have enough hard surfaces in the backyard. People candance on grass, but some women will have to worry about their high heels sinking into the ground, and the bottom of your wedding dress might turn green! Plus, how else are you going to show off your breakdancing moves when your favorite wedding song comes on?

4. Choose rings inspired by nature

 
When you get married outside, you are surrounded by nature’s beauty. The flowers, trees, creeping vines, and local birds all witness your union. You dine and dance under the sun and the moon, breathing in fresh air and gazing at the stars. Such an evening puts you in touch with nature, so show your connection with a wedding band that was inspired by it. These rings imitate nature’s creations with floral buds, twisting vines, and other organic shapes.
 

5. Rent heaters, air conditioning units, and restrooms

 
You want to make sure that your guests are comfortable and that they aren’t all sneaking inside. We suggest renting heaters and air conditioners, just in case. You will probably be running on adrenaline and therefore be immune to the weather, but your guests won’t be so lucky! Depending on the size of your event, it is also a good idea to rent extra restrooms. Even if you’re positive that they number of bathrooms is appropriate for the size of your event, don’t get stuck in case of a toilet emergency! This is a better-safe-than-sorry situation.
 

6. Use creative lighting

 
Utilizing a traditional indoor venue often limits your lighting options. Though many places are beginning to offer lighting alternatives, usually you’re stuck with what they provide. Having a backyard wedding opens up a world of possibilities. Tents are a beautiful place to hang lights, and it can also be easy to add unique lighting options on trees and decks. We highly recommend using twinkling string lights, hanging lanterns, and even inexpensive chandeliers. These options softly illuminate a backyard and look stunning as the sun falls behind the horizon. Below: Pottery Barn Teen lighting
 

7. Keep the music moderated

 
Although technically you are not subject to a venue’s rules about music, you do have to be considerate of your neighbors, particularly if you share a fence with them. We suggest that you perform a test—blast music in the backyard for a bit during the day and walk around the neighborhood to see how far the sound travels. Deliver letters to the neighbors that are within hearing distance informing them of your upcoming wedding and thanking them in advance for their patience and understanding. Finally, check your town’s website to find the noise laws so that you don’t inadvertently get the police called on your wedding!
 

8. Hire a caterer

 
Unless you are trying to save money (in which case having your guests bring dishes and barbequing is an awesome idea) it’s best to hire a caterer. This means that there won’t be any dishes to wash and the food isn’t your problem. A fun new trend is to get your favorite food truck to pull up to your wedding and allow your guests to order from there. Photo: Zephyr Tents
 

Final Thoughts

 
Backyard Weddings are traditional weddings (aka not an elopement!) that are intimate, beautiful, and surprisingly easy!  Make sure that you have seen to your guests’ comfort and everything else should fall into place. Enjoy your wedding day as it takes place in a familiar, comfortable, wonderfully unique location!
 
 

The post How to Have a Backyard Wedding appeared first on Brilliant Earth Blog.

Heather Armstrong Photography

We have provided playlists of wedding songs for each stage so that you can hear everything for yourself. Take a look (and a listen!)
 

Ceremony Tunes

Songs to Get Ready to

 
As your hair is getting coiffed and curled and your makeup is being applied (remember waterproof mascara ladies!), your dress might be looming large out of the corner of your eye. This is the moment when your impending nuptials become a startlingly reality. Combat the nerves by listening to some positive, upbeat tunes that make you smile. Singing along with your bridesmaids will remind you that this is going to be the most fun you’ve ever had.

These songs also work for: Dance Party!
 

 

A Short Prelude

 
It’s a great idea to have soft, calming prelude music playing in the background as your guests arrive and mingle. If something has gone awry with the wedding plans (the bouquet’s gone missing, the groom’s hyperventilating, etc.), prelude music provides a sense of entertainment for your guests as they wait.

It’s not quite party time yet, so you don’t want to play anything too fast or else your guests might get restless during the ceremony. Soft piano, violin, harp, or cello music is a classic choice, but you will want to make sure that your prelude music doesn’t sound to “processional” or else everyone might rush to their seats too soon!

These songs also work for: cocktail hour
 

 
Processional & Recessional
 
The processional music can be similar to the prelude music, but it should be more formal and recognizable. Many brides choose a different song for when they walk down the aisle so that everyone knows when to stand.

Songs such as Canon in D by Pachelbel and Rigaudon by Andre Campra are appropriate for both the bridal party and the bride, but make sure that you don’t play Richard Wagner’s Bridal Chorus for anyone other than you! That is the one song that—if you choose to use it—is strictly for the bride. If you choose this traditional march you might get the shivers—because this time it’s for you!
 

Heather Armstrong Photography

Listen to a variety of options so that you can get a feel for what you want. Hopefully you will land on a song that you absolutely must walk down the aisle to. Pick an uplifting song for the recessional (when you walk back up the aisle as a married couple) in order to celebrate your newfound union.
 

 

Get the Party Started!

Introducing Mr. & Mrs…

 
Here’s where the fun really starts. The ceremony is over; the time to be solemn and serious is gone. Now it’s time to celebrate. At a traditional wedding the guests usually enjoy cocktail hour while the bride and groom are off taking pictures. When that is over with, many couples choose to have an official introduction to the reception. The bride and groom will be announced and strut in hand in hand to an adoring crowd.

This is a great time to use a song that is contemporary, popular, and will get your guest on their feet and cheering. Some couples choose a song that is humorous or relates to a special memory for the bride and groom. Some humorous selections have included: the NFL theme song, “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen, ”The Imperial March” from Star Wars, and The Newly Weds game show theme song.
 

 

First Dance

 
This is the time when you get to relax into your partner’s arms and simply be together. You don’t have to say anything, and you don’t even have to know how to dance. You can block out the rest of the world and just be in the moment. During these three or four minutes you don’t have to worry about anything.  If you already have a song that is “your song,” the first dance is a great time to play it.
 

 
Father/Daughter & Mother/Son Dances
 
As emotional as your wedding day will be for you, it will be even more so for your parents. You are their child, and they are officially giving you up to someone else. Fathers are no longer the number one man in their daughter’s lives, and mothers are entrusting their son’s hearts to another woman. This is a time to honor your parents by taking center stage with them, and in a way, saying goodbye.
 

 

Megan Hook Photography

Dance Party!

 
Now it’s officially time to boogey down. You might have guests ranging in age from five to eighty-five, so you want to make sure that the music is fun and appropriate for everyone. There’s nothing worse than offending grandma! It would be wise to have a conversation with your DJ before the wedding and request a list of songs he or she intends to play so that there won’t be any uncomfortable surprises.
 

 

Last Dance

 
At this point half of your guests are probably asleep in their cake and the other half is ready to party all night long. You want to find a song that simultaneously winds down the evening and gets everyone back on the dance floor to give you a great send off. It’s also fun if the song is about saying goodbye (in a happy way)!
 

 

Final Thoughts

 
Music is an incredibly personal aspect of your wedding, so consider this a way to get you started. Everyone has their personal tastes and every wedding is different, so take the opportunity to personalize your wedding songs soundtrack!
 
 

The post Wedding Songs for the Whole Night! appeared first on Brilliant Earth Blog.

SPRING DECOR

 
Spring is a time of purity and new birth. One of the reasons for this is the sun, which is a wedding’s best friend, but the other reason is the rain, a wedding’s worst enemy. Planning an outdoor spring wedding might be a gamble, but the payoff can be incredible. Here are some décor ideas that will look beautiful come rain or shine.
 
Spring Flowers: Consider these favorite flowers that are in season for spring weddings: Apple Blossoms, Azaleas, Belladonna Lilies, Birds of Paradise, Begonias, Calla Lilies, Dahlias, Daisies, Freesia, Geranium, Gerberas, Lily of the Valley, Magnolias, Orchids, Peonies, Primrose, Roses, Tulips, Tiger Lily, and Zinnias. These spring flowers look beautiful in traditional arrangements, but for a more natural spring theme, consider planting your own flowers (in pots, beds, or hanging baskets). You can even use fresh flowers in your hair!

Flower Alternatives: if you’re not really into flowers (not every bride is!) consider potted ornamental grass that contrasts beautifully with white, cream, soft grays, and peach. Another option is to create clusters of beautiful, durable succulents. These look great when they are potted individually (they make easy, charming guest gifts) and some women are including them in their bouquets!
 
Rustic Spring Touches: You can balance your light spring décor with a touch of warmth here and there. Distressed wood (think Adirondack chairs, cheese platters, and picture frames) provides an earthy, natural touch, while stainless steel creates a beautiful contrast. Try incorporating metal elements with drink barrels or decorative lanterns.
 
Brilliant Earth decor tip: Pick one color for your flowers and don’t overload on them. This doesn’t mean that it can only be one type of flower—if they are close in color you can choose a variety—and allow it to stand out next to pure whites, soft creams, or vibrant green. The contrast of a little pop of color against a clean backdrop is visually stunning.

SPRING FASHION

 
Spring fashion is about making a statement and staying comfortable. Certain styles and fabrics are great for winter but miserable for spring, so make sure that you pick dresses and suits that look amazing and feel great!
 
Men’s Spring Fashion: As the weather gets warmer, dark tuxedoes become a little stuffy (especially if the wedding is outside!) A good alternative is to choose a lighter colored suit made of thinner material. Consider pairing greys, light blues, and tans with a crisp white shirt.

Bride’s Spring Fashion: A true spring wedding dress will be light, airy, and maybe even short! Though many of us love beading and crystals, ornament can be heavy and hot. Beautiful fabrics for spring are chiffon, charmeuse, crepe, Georgette, and Illusion (for necklines).

Bride’s Spring Jewelry: If you do choose to go with a pure, flowing dress, show off some sparkle with your accessories. Spring wedding themes are all about being outside and appreciating the bountiful earth. You can show that appreciation by choosing eco-friendly, beyond conflict free diamonds and gemstones. A clean, streamlined diamond pendant necklace or recycled precious metal teardrop earrings are a beautiful, classic choice.

Antique jewelry can also be a beautiful way to incorporate your ‘something old!’

SPRING MENUS

Now is not the time for pot-roasts, hot soups, or heavy pastas. You want to make sure that your menu is just as crisp and fresh as the rest of your wedding. Keep these fresh food ideas in mind.
 
Spring Beverages: Creating the perfect spring drink isn’t just about recipe, it’s about presentation. Serving your drinks in Mason jars or Jus de Fruit Glasses provides a rustic, elegant touch. Tall glass drink dispensers with turning nozzles at the bottom are perfect for iced tea, fruit juice, or a flavored water. Mint grows very well during the spring, so fill one water carafe with pure, ice cold water and plenty of mint, cucumbers, and lemon to create a refreshing spring drink.
 

 
Spring Dinner Selection: When choosing your main meal, keep the image of a farmers’ market in mind. Your main meal should be fresh and include plenty of fruits and vegetables. Chilled dishes and tangy vinaigrettes are always a solid spring choice. 
 
Delicious spring menu options! 
 

Chilled cucumber soup.
Herb salad.
Grilled apricots with cheese.
Chilled, spicy salad with fava beans, corn, and peppers.
Avocado and seafood ceviche.
Arugula or spinach salad with asparagus, sweet onions, radishes, carrots, orstrawberries.
Artichokes with a cold garlic dipping sauce.
Boiled fiddlehead ferns with a light vinaigrette.
Baked salmon or crab cakes with a watercress sauce.
Strip steak with chimichurri sauce or a fresh mango salsa.
Spinach and mushroom quiche.
Antipasto (vegetarian) pasta.

Final Thoughts

 
We hope that our list of spring wedding themes has inspired you to infuse the spirit of the season into every aspect of your wedding!

Just keep these three words in mind: fresh, clean, and light!
 
 

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Yesterday we posted a blog on Six Reasons to Elope, so today we will be discussing the benefits of a traditional wedding!  How does a traditional wedding differ from an elopement or a tag-along elopement?  Traditional weddings typically include a larger guest list than just the bride and the groom, and they adhere to certain timeless customs.  Here’s a bit of a rundown of a contemporary American wedding affair:

After the ceremony (which is usually attended by everyone who will be at the reception, though sometimes fewer guests are invited to ceremony) there is usually a cocktail hour. Culinary delights and tasty drinks are followed by the couple’s grand entrance. They have usually been taking pictures during this time, but now they’re ready to join the party! They have their first dance in front of the adoring crowd, and then they settle down at the head table to begin the main meal of the night, with speeches and toasts given in-between courses. Nearing the three hour mark of the reception, guests abandon their tables and scraps of food to hit the dance floor to boogie down. About an hour or so later (depending on your guests’ energy levels) the bride and groom will cut the cake. If the guests are up to it, they might dance or mingle for another hour, but then the night draws to a close with the last dance, and the couple makes their grand exit amidst cheers from family and friends, off to whatever grand destination awaits them. At some point during the celebration the bouquet is tossed, the garter removed, and a variety of other cultural traditions are fulfilled.

If all of this sounds exciting and appealing, you should definitely have a traditional wedding! When you look at all of the aspects that are included in a traditional wedding, it is easy to see how vastly it differs from an elopement. Generally, elopements and even “elopement packages” are much shorter and much more subdued. There usually aren’t cocktail hours, grand entrances and exits, formal meal courses, dancing, or entertainment. Even the most comprehensive elopement package from a venue or resort doesn’t include a sit down meal—you have to request it as an extra or reserve a table at their restaurant.

Though eloping cuts down on costs, stress, and potential family meltdowns, traditional weddings have a few particular benefits that have made them a beloved custom for years.

Traditional weddings typically include an engagement period. When you look at wedding planning charts, the first column usually consists of things you must complete within nine to sixteen months before your wedding. According to a survey by weddingpaperdivas.com, only 4% of couples get married within four months of getting engaged, with most people waiting around 13-18 months. This is an amazing, exciting time for you and your fiancé! As you plan out your big day, you can discuss what your lives will be like after you get married. What does your future hold? Do you ever want to live in another country? Change jobs? Have children? When you are married you will be making decisions that affect both of you, so your engagement period allows you to discuss issues that you might not have felt comfortable broaching when you were just dating. After an engagement period, you may find that you are mentally and emotionally closer to your partner than ever before.

Traditional weddings open up the money conversation. The way a couple handles money is a huge factor in determining the happiness (and longevity) of a marriage. During the engagement period it is a good idea for you and your partner to sit down and have an honest conversation about wedding funds and your general financial health. Hopefully the two of you are able to have an open discussion that ends in compromise and responsible decision-making. If not, you will want to take some time to work on this aspect of your relationship. Cost is one of the biggest reasons why couples elope, so if you want to have a traditional wedding, make sure that you and your fiancé are on the same financial page.

You can treat the planning of your wedding as a budgeting exercise, the first of many that you will face with your partner. Throughout your life together you will most likely be spending a large amount of money on cars, homes, and maybe even children (they are expensive!) It is better to discover financial discrepancies between you and your partner early on instead of three years down the road.

Surprisingly, most couples on a budget spend 30% more than they originally planned on their nuptials. Even those with the best financial intentions can underestimate costs or get caught up in the wedding frenzy. To make sure that you keep a handle on your finances, sit down with your partner and discuss each decision. This removes spontaneity and emotion from the equation, allowing for rational, responsible decision making. For example, if you get a call informing you that your reasonably priced venue accidentally double booked you, don’t rush out and grab any venue that is open. You’ll likely end up paying a premium when there are still plenty of options within your budget, such as moving it to someone’s backyard or finding a venue that is off the beaten path.

Don’t take the easy road out by slapping down your credit card, because the easy road often leads to crushing debt. Having a traditional wedding is a great idea because it teaches you and your partner how to work as a team and make compromises.

Traditional weddings allow for religious or cultural traditions. If you are highly devoted to fulfilling your religious or cultural traditions, elopement might be out of the question. For example, many Catholics want their marriages to be recognized by the church, so a courthouse wedding isn’t sufficient. Some couples may want to pay homage to their heritage by following some rules and rituals. A traditional marriage allows you to show your family and friends that you are proud of where you came from.

Traditional weddings join two families together. It is becoming a common practice to post a sign at the ceremony that says, “As two families become one, we request that you pick a seat, not a side.” This message recognizes that as soon as the ceremony is over, virtual strangers will have become family. While some families have gotten to know each other very well before the wedding, oftentimes distance makes it so that they have not had the chance to meet before that day.

A wedding is a great time for families to meet for the first time because there are plenty of conversation topics, tons of great food, and maybe even a few drinks to get everyone dancing! Traditional weddings can also be a bargaining tool to convince quarreling families to get along (at least for one day!).

Hosting a ceremony and reception is a great way to thank your family and friends for the support they have given you over the years. These are the people that listened to you rave after your first date and cry after your first fight, and they deserve to see your joyful union. Your wedding is the day where you proclaim your love to your partner, but it is also a time when your family and friends let you know how much you mean to them as well. If you elope without allowing any of your family or friends to tag along, you are denying yourself an experience that could strengthen friendships and familial bonds.

Traditional weddings assure that there aren’t any hurt feelings. Elopements and quasi-elopements (small, pre-arranged weddings) occasionally step on a few toes, especially if you have a large family and many good friends. Traditional elopements only include the couple, while quasi-elopements generally include 25 people maximum. If you choose this intimate setting, how do you decide who gets a coveted golden ticket? There is no guideline to follow, especially as families become more diverse and complex.

The solution to this problem is to have a traditional medium to large (more than 25 people) wedding. This way you can invite all of your family members, friends, coworkers, and those that have previously invited you to their wedding. If numbers are creeping up, you can request that children be left at home and leave “plus one” off the invitation. If a guest is married or in a serious relationship, you will probably know about it beforehand and send that person their own invitation. If you simply can’t cut anyone out of the list and cost is becoming a concern, scour the internet for ways to have an economical large wedding. You can have it in a backyard, ask guests to bring a potluck dish, buy your dress on sale, and hire photography or music students from a local university!

Traditional weddings are just plain fun, and gifts are great! How often do you get to dress up, have all eyes on you, eat great food, be around your entire family, receive tons of gifts, and dance the night away? You will probably attend many weddings throughout the course of your life, but only one of those will be yours. During difficult times, a good wedding will perk your loved ones up by reminding each other that you will always have family, and that there will always be occasion to come together and celebrate.

Final Thoughts

Whether you tie the knot in front of a thousand of your nearest and dearest or it’s just the two of you in front of an Elvis impersonator in Vegas, the end result is still the same. Evaluate your personal situation and follow your gut. Don’t feel as though you need to live up to some standard, but don’t elope if that’s not what your heart is telling you to do. You only marry your partner once, so take the time to make sure you’re doing it right! If you’re thinking of eloping but you need a bit of convincing, check out yesterday’s blog, Six Reasons to Elope.

Did you elope or did you have a traditional wedding? We’d love to hear your story in the comments or on Facebook and Twitter!

The post The Benefits of a Traditional Wedding appeared first on Brilliant Earth Blog.

The definition of elopement has changed over the years, and it has lost many of its negative connotations. It used to mean that a young man or woman would spontaneously run away in secret to marry their lover, usually without parental or societal consent.  Nowadays, an elopement can refer to a wide range of events. It can be a quick trip to the courthouse or it can be an intimate event that incorporates some traditional wedding customs (the cake, bouquet, etc.). When you choose to elope you can alert your best friends, parents, and a few other loved ones that you will very soon be in a certain location at a certain time, and that you will be getting married if they wish to attend! If you are thinking about eloping but you need the extra push (or more reasons to convince your partner!), then take the following into consideration:

1. Cost

In 2012, the average cost of a wedding in the United States was around $27,000. The median income was $45,000. This means that many people will have to work for more than six months to pay for their wedding—and nothing else. 70% of couples pay with savings, but 30% are putting their expenditures on credit cards. Though a large wedding for family and friends is a great way to begin your marriage, going into debt because of that wedding is not.

If you are a discount queen and you relish the challenge of getting what you want for less, a traditional wedding may be for you! But be warned, most couples set a budget for their wedding but end up spending 32% more than they planned. If you were to elope, however, the costs are vastly reduced. Even small, deluxe “elopement packages” at luxury resorts come in far beneath the $27,000 price tag. Courthouse weddings in many states cost less than $100 dollars! The best thing you can do when planning your wedding is to stop, take a deep breath, and sit down with your fiancé to work out the financials. Be honest with yourselves and with each other. If you want to purchase a home and have a big wedding, you may have to decide which is more important to you as a couple. Using logic rather than emotion will generally guarantee that you will not regret your wedding later on.

If you can host the wedding of your dreams without it affecting your financial future, then get to planning! If you can’t quite afford a traditional wedding but you are set on having one, try to shave costs where you can, such as choosing a buffet instead of sit down service, getting married during the slow season, renting your dress, and negotiating with vendors.

If anything over $500 dollars is out of the question (thanks to student loans, soaring rent prices, or anything else life has thrown your way) consider grabbing your fiancé and hitting the courthouse—at the end of the day you’ll still be marrying the love of your life!

2. Stress

Okay ladies, let’s admit it. When wedding details go awry we can feel the inner bridezilla waiting to burst out and wreak havoc on the wedding party. Oftentimes this happens because brides take on way too many wedding responsibilities. Our bodies are designed to deal with the stress that comes along with daily activities—stress can even be a good thing! It keeps us alert, focused, and can occasionally boost performance in the workplace.  An overload of stress, however, can lead to physical, mental, and emotional consequences.  If you find yourself hyperventilating when you can’t pin down your venue, or if your blood pressure spikes every time you try and figure out a seating arrangement that won’t result in World War 3… you might want to elope.

There are two obvious solutions. The first is to hire a wedding planner. This isn’t a possibility for some due to their high fees and occasionally conflicting tastes. The second it to elope. You might literally feel the stress fall off of your shoulders when you make this decision.

3. Go Green

If environmental responsibility is a value that you and your fiancé hold dear, eloping is an amazing option. Weddings have the potential to create a large amount of waste, mainly from paper products, food, water, and electricity. The largest factor, however, is the amount of carbon emissions created by the travel it takes for all of the guests to arrive. Whether they arrive by car, plane, or train, the damage is done. If you try to live a green lifestyle and the thought of this makes you cringe, elopement is the way to go. Throw on your vintage dress, jump in your electric car, and exchange your ethical origin rings in the location of your choice. If you love nature and you think that floral arrangements should stay planted in the ground, grab an officiant and say your vows in your favorite outdoor location! Outdoor weddings can be an ideal way to incorporate your love of nature.

Traditional weddings can be green too! If you want more information on how to have a green wedding, check out our Green Weddings blog.

4. Peacemaking

When you and your partner come from different religious or cultural backgrounds, there can be some potential for friction between families as you decide which cultural and religious traditions to incorporate in your special day.  Many families easily compromise to create a service with a blend of traditions, but, if you think that there could be problems or friction that would affect your enjoyment of your wedding day, you might want to consider eloping. This can be a controversial decision, however, so weigh the pros and cons of each option with your fiancé. Include your families in the discussion by expressing your concerns, and letting them know that you would like to celebrate with each family— separately—later on. There is always the possibility that families will come together peaceably if it means they get to attend your wedding!

Similarly, if there are any guests that you have to invite but you are afraid might cause issues (that one second cousin who always gets falling down drunk, gives horrifically embarrassing speeches, and shows up with three friends in tow—we all know that person) you can avoid inviting them if you can tell them that your wedding will be a “very intimate affair,” or that you are requesting that only immediate family members act as witnesses.  Though eloping for the sake of peacemaking may cause some hurt feelings, you can always let them know that you aren’t singling anyone out, and that your elopement is a personal decision.

5. Romance

Choosing to elope means that you are focusing on the marriage that is taking place rather than the party. That isn’t to say that there aren’t great reasons for having said party! Traditional weddings bring two families together so that you can thank them for their support and allow them to share in your happiness.

With a large event, however, there is the potential that your focus will be taken away from your partner and put on other details, such as whether the food is being served properly, if the DJ is late, or if your scheming nephews are about to get you kicked out of your venue. Some brides and grooms don’t even get a chance to sit down and eat the meal they have so painstakingly chosen!

Eloping results in a very intimate, private moment that is untouched by the concerns of a rollicking event. You don’t have to prepare gifts for the guests and the wedding party, and you don’t see the $75 dinners that are left unfinished. A beautiful ceremony can be forgotten when a reception goes downhill. Leaving the focus on the ceremony allows the celebration of your romance to truly take center stage!

6. Destination Options

Speaking of romance, if you and your fiancé met in Paris and there is no other place you can imagine getting married, elope there! You can hop on a plane and say “I do!” in front of the Arc de Triomphe or the gardens of Versailles, and finish off the day with a café and croissant. Your wedding and honeymoon can be all rolled into one! Eloping opens up a world of possibilities, literally.

If you don’t mind a few friends and family members tagging along (and they don’t mind the extra travel costs) it is a great opportunity to make lifelong memories. Your wedding pictures can include you dressed to the nines with Stonehenge in the background, dipping your feet into the hot springs in Greenland, or kayaking on Australia’s Gold Coast. This is a great way to make your wedding truly stand out from a traditional event, and give you a story to talk about for years to come.

Final Thoughts

Many wedding venues are offering elopement packages, which are pre-planned, coordinated by a professional planner, and outfitted for 2-25 people. If you want the ease and lowered cost of an elopement but the presence of a few of your nearest and dearest, you might want to consider these quasi-elopements. These packages often include venue, bouquets, boutonnieres, seating, an officiant, champagne, cake, spa treatments, one or two night lodging for the couple, and a wedding coordinator to oversee everything. Many venues offer extras such as ceremony photography, restaurant reservations, or gourmet breakfasts… all you have to do is click an extra box or let them know!  These packages generally utilize the venue’s resources, so you lose the stress of working with outside vendors. You can think of this option as the ultimate romantic weekend getaway, briefly interrupted by your closest family and friends showing up to see you get married! No stress or responsibility involved.

These packages are great for the couple that wants to elope but absolutely have to invite a few select people under threat of disownment. Some may argue that elopement packages are just small weddings, not true elopements, but when you choose this option all you have to do is show up, dress up, and get married!

Choosing to elope should be a joint decision, and it should never be done as a last resort or because you feel like you have to. It is a big choice, and it is not always an easy one. Make your elopement work for you. A popular option is to have a ceremony just for you and your fiancé and have a reception a couple of days later. You can also bring a friend along who is great with a camera and send out photos or videos to everyone you would have invited. You could also invite a few family and friends to stand as witnesses and then celebrate at your favorite restaurant or bar.

If you choose to elope and regret it later, don’t forget that you can always plan a vow renewal ceremony that fulfills the experiences you may feel are missing. Waiting to have a large event until you are financially secure might even lead to a more enjoyable wedding!  Instead of celebrating the birth of your marriage, you could celebrate that your love hasn’t changed over the course of five, ten, or twenty years—which is truly a cause to celebrate.

If you are interested in hearing the other side of the coin, check out our blog, “The Benefits of a Traditional Wedding.”

Sources:

http://www.debt.org/faqs/wedding/

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Though it may be a matter of opinion, some say that the wedding vows are the heart and soul of a wedding. This is the moment that everyone has been waiting to see, particularly if you are a notoriously private or introverted couple. A great vow will, for a brief moment, allow your family and friends to experience and understand the love that you have for your partner. No pressure!

Unless you choose to elope, you will likely say your vows in front of a large group of people. Keep in mind, however, that every person in attendance cares about you, so there is no need to be nervous! If you are sitting in front of a blank screen (or piece of paper) and you feel the anxiety creeping up on you, just take a deep breath and follow our helpful wedding vows guide.

Before You Write

Find out if writing your own wedding vows is even an option.

 
Some religious ceremonies require you to use traditional vows, so make sure you get a definite answer before you start writing. Talk to your officiant and discuss your options. Don’t show up at your ceremony only to find out that you can’t say your heartfelt vows.

Have a wedding vows discussion with your partner.

 
Having this discussion doesn’t mean that you have to reveal your vows to your partner before the ceremony, but you should definitely take the time to address certain issues. You can start the conversation by figuring out how long you want your vows to be, and set a time limit (one minute is a great goal). You generally should keep your vows on the shorter side, especially if you are having a longer ceremony in general. You should then determine what tone your vows should take. If you make them humorous while your partner’s are serious, you run the risk of someone getting upset. Similarly, set rules as to whether anything shouldn’t be mentioned in front of all of your friends and family members, such as embarrassing moments or a big announcement. Try not to start your marriage in the doghouse!

Give yourself time.

 
Don’t start writing your vows the day before the wedding. You will be extremely busy (and most likely nervous!) at that time, which isn’t the best mindset to write them in. Start writing at least two weeks in advance so that you will have time to revise.
 

As You Write

Think back on your relationship.

 
Create a timeline or jot down your memories of dates, important events, and how your feelings have grown over time. This exercise will help spark your memory and give perspective on your relationship. Great writing is emotional for both the writer and the reader, so think back on the moments that made you laugh, catch your breath, or gave you butterflies in your stomach.

Then think about it from your partner’s point of view.

 
In addition to being an expression of love, wedding vows are promises for the future. What do you think will make your partner happy over the years? Create a list of heartfelt promises, like x, y, z. You can even throw in some cute or funny promises if it suits you, such as swearing not to watch football on their birthday or keeping to your side of the closet.

Try not to borrow quotes.

 
Though this is a matter of personal preference, this is one time when borrowing famous quotes might not be appropriate. It might sound nice, but unless the quote or passage has a special meaning to both of you it might appear as though you are letting someone else do all of the work! Your speech should be your words to your spouse. They don’t have to be on par with great literature or poetry, but they do have to come from the heart. Simple words can be powerful when there is strong emotion driving them.

After you Write

Edit your work.

 
Spelling doesn’t matter for obvious reasons, but content is the bread and butter of the vows. To make sure you get them right, don’t write a first draft and consider yourself done. Writers often step away from their own work for a time so that they can return to it with a fresh mind. If you re-read your vows a couple of days later, you might find sentences that don’t sound right, or you might reconsider saying something that is too personal. Revisit your work at least two times. This is why giving yourself at least two weeks to write your vows is a good idea. Your wedding vows are incredibly important, so make sure that you give them the effort they deserve!
 

Practice makes perfect.

 
Say your speech to the mirror a couple of times so that you can time yourself and hear how your vows sound out loud. Imagine that you are someone else and you’re hearing them for the first time. If you are confident in your memorization ability, go ahead and say your vows from heart—but we still recommend keeping a few little flash cards in your pocket (if you have pockets) or with the best man or maid of honor. There’s no shame in forgetting the words, particularly in what is usually a high stress situation. You have been planning the small details of your wedding for a very long time, so when the moment actually comes it’s difficult to trust your emotions or your brain’s functionality. Sometimes all you can remember to do is smile and say “I do!” Note cards are a perfect backup idea.

Final Thoughts

 
Our last piece of advice is this: Wash, rinse, and repeat! Don’t let this be the last time you give each other vows. It’s a great idea to write new vows once in a while, or repeat your old ones if they still apply. Relationships change over time, and reaffirming your love and devotion is always a beautiful thing.
 
 

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