Finding the right wedding jewelry is an extremely important aspect of the ceremony because the wedding bands in particular will be worn by the bride and groom forever. Wedding bands have gotten to be a great deal more ornate than they used to be. Diamond wedding bands have reached a peak in recent thanks to the celebrities who proudly display theirs.

Wedding bands have even surpassed the usual gold and are now moving into platinum and titanium bands. It used to be that 10k gold rings were the “in” thing to buy and these days they are looked down upon by most couples who would prefer to buy their gold in 14k or higher.

Simple diamonds are still a popular buy, but colored diamonds are gaining momentum thanks to J-Lo’s pink princess cut diamond ring with Ben Affleck. Other popular diamond colors are yellow, blue and aquamarine.

With the ever growing popularity of platinum rings, many couples are looking to shining silver and white gold as a cheaper substitute. White gold has a similar look of platinum, but is a fraction of the price. It is a great alternative.

In the past, the men’s ring was often of little concern to either as long as the woman’s ring was attractive, but these days, men want a nice ring or diamond studded ring almost as much as the women do.

Beautiful ring sets can be found from nearly any source. If you can afford it, you can locate good deals on sets at jewelry stores.

For the most part, the entire wedding ceremony is completely symbolic and that symbolism reaches its peak the moment the rings are exchanged.

Knowing this, can it really be a wonder that the chosen rings are just as important as the chosen couple?

You can virtually choose to go with any type of ring from any source. These days even department stores are offering great knock offs to the popular celebrity rings at extreme discounts.

The popular ring worn by J-Lo; which was a platinum pink diamond ring with a princess cut and accented with two white diamonds on either side can now be purchased at Wal-Mart in a white gold setting with zirconia’s and pink topaz stones.

Wedding bands still look better in a plain band style, but some people might prefer to accent the bands with diamonds. Whatever your taste is, you can pretty much find the right bands for you and your spouse to be anywhere.

All you really need to do is decide what look you want; what style that you want; and how much money you can afford to pay and then go on your search.

In order to get the best overall deals, you should comparison shop online. If you do it soon enough, you can have the bands ready way before the ceremony.

About the author:
For more tips and ideas on planning your wedding , check out The Ultimate Online Guide to Wedding Planning

The 50th anniversary is commemorated by gold and the flower is violet. A gift certainly doesn’t have to be gold, wrap a gift in gold paper or paper decorated with violets.

50th anniversary gift ideas for the couple
• Keepsake personalized anniversary gifts, such as a photo quilt or pillow
• Monthly or quarterly lo-carb, dietetic or fruit gift baskets
• Restore their wedding photo and place in a gold frame
• Have a painting or caricature made out of their wedding photo
• As they probably don’t cook for themselves as much, gift certificates to restaurants would be appreciated
• A gift of theater or concert subscription tickets. Make them a patron with VIP privileges
• The children can create a 50th anniversary keepsake journal gift. Ask family and friends to write a paragraph or two to share a memory with their parents. Or ask for a photo with the couple that the children don’t have and write a caption about it
• Instead of a guest book, buy a music box and fill it with messages of love written on gold or handmade paper from family and friends
• Are they up for a cruise? Take them on a weekend or week long cruise. They probably will enjoy sharing this vacation with others
• What could help them personally? Can you lease a car for them? Pay for a kitchen or other home renovation?
• Do they golf? Pay for private lessons or a VIP membership at their favorite club. Buy 2 clubs, have them engraved and then gold plated
• What hobbies do they enjoy? Give them gift certificates for a spending spree at their favorite craft or hobby store
• Buy tickets to a favorite event and pay for their lodging and food expenses
• Do they volunteer or have a favorite charity? Contribute to their favorite organization. Find out if a plaque or some other special mention can be made in their name

The best 50th anniversary gift for the couple is one that helps them to enjoy life more. Many couples don’t even want to receive gifts. Give a gift of your time and help. Make up “Gift of Time” or “Labor of Love” coupons to take them out to their favorite restaurant, make them a home-cooked meal, chauffeur them on a shopping trip, run errands for them, take them to a show or movie, have a local landscaping company take care of their property, have their home repainted. Find out what will make a difference in the quality of their life.

Your love and attention will be the most appreciated 50th anniversary gift you can give your parents or a couple. Make the time for those you love!

About the author:
Renee Michaels uses her design, writing and life skills to develop web businesses. Do you need anniversary gift and celebration ideas? Visit LoveGifts for gift ideas for your husband, wife, parents and friends.

Copyright 2005 Renee Michaels

Please feel free to use this article in your e-zine, newsletter or web site. Reprint conditions: You cannot make any changes to the content. Copyright must be included and all links must be live.

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(ARA) – 9/6/2011 – When you think of prime wedding months do May and June spring to mind? You might be surprised to learn that O
ctober and November are also popular months for nuptials. When you realize autumn brings not only cooler weather, but less busy caterers or wedding venues, the season’s appeal is easy to understand.

Whether you’re finalizing plans for a wedding this fall or planning ahead for autumn 2012, you’ll be looking for ideas to add seasonal spice to your big day. From fall wedding decoration ideas to seasonally appropriate menu suggestions, here are some trends to consider for your fall wedding:
Alfresco and all natural

“Many brides cash in on fall’s ample sunshine and cooler temperatures by holding their weddings outside,” says Ray Miller of My Wedding Reception Ideas.com. “An outdoor wedding celebrates the season and plays to another popular trend – eco-awareness.”

In many areas of the country, autumn brings less heat and rain. Plus, saying your “I do’s” outside, surrounded by fall’s vibrant hues, makes Mother Nature your co-decorator.

If you’re considering having your wedding outside, don’t overlook unusual venues. Municipal parks, national parks, botanical gardens, fruit orchards and even zoos can all be fun and interesting places for a wedding.

Seasonal decor and accessories

The colors and spirit of fall can also inspire your accessories and decor. Rustic materials and touches like raffia, twigs and straw can add seasonal flair to decorations. Leaf motifs and autumnal hues can be used to adorn everything from cake cutting sets and table linens to table centerpieces and slipcovers.

You can even tie your theme to fall holidays like Halloween or Thanksgiving. Leaf-shaped votive holders, personal-size pumpkins and other Halloween wedding favor ideas can add seasonally appropriate fun to your celebration.

Remarkable menus

A fall wedding also opens up opportunities to create memorable menus that play on the flavors of the season. Just as spring and summer wedding menus benefit from the season’s fresh produce, you can incorporate the fruits of the fall harvest into your autumn nuptials.

Fall vegetables like pumpkin, butternut squash, beets, carrots and rutabagas can be served slow-roasted for a side dish that capitalizes on the season’s most colorful and nutritious offerings. Greens such as spinach, endive and celery root come into season in autumn and can be incorporated into soups and salads for a pop of flavor and vitamins.

Main course choices also open up in fall, when great game comes in season. Replacing boring beef with venison or mundane chicken with pheasant not only puts a seasonal stamp on a menu, but creates a culinary experience wedding guests will remember.

Now I know flowers are expensive and even if you find the cheapest flowers, it adds up! Here are some tips:

1. Talk to your florist and see what flower is in season (flowers in season will be cheaper)

2. Cheaper flowers or filler flowers such as carnation or baby’s breath, respectively, can make your wedding decoration just as elegant as the expensive flowers like roses.

3. fruits! if you have a yellow themed wedding, why not load up a vase with nice fresh yellow lemons? Or you can use one or two stems of flower and dress it up with fruits (orange, lemon, lime are some of the common ones to use) One wedding used pineapple! see below picture.

4. Consider submerging centerpieces. These type of decoration usually requires a couple stems, they last longer and you can add in a floating candle to give it a more romantic ambiance.

Speaking of candles – they’re usually cheaper than flowers. There are many ways to decorate your banquet tables with candles. By using mirrors, different candle heights it gives an illusion that you have a lot. Or those floating candles that you can put them on water, add a stem of flower, layer it lots of rocks or colored stones, it makes a perfect and elegant centerpiece.  You can get your candles anywhere from Wal-Mart, craft stores, or Ikea in bulks / packs with different colors, scent, shapes and sizes. And they’re cheap!

Have you ever thought about plants? or grass? they can be pretty too if done well. This idea will go especially well if you have a green themed wedding.

Below are some pictures to give you an idea

For more ideas, please go to our Gallery page where you can view more pictures

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