My Big Fat Engagement – Engagement Advice & Warnings

Spring has Sprung

Ahhhh, spring, and a young woman’s fancy turns to….. weddings! What are the advantages of nuptials in the spring? The symbols of love and new life are everywhere, from the budding blossoms to baby ducklings. There is truly something wonderful about love in springtime- the air is fresh and our hearts are open. Want to look fresh as a spring flower on your wedding day? Try this vintage look-  the short skirt paired with the light, yet traditional veil just seems to sing “young love.”

Celebrate  the springtime  of  your young love with this gorgeous diamond and ruby engagement ring.

Tip Toe (Down the Aisle) Through the Tulips

There are so many beautiful blooms to chose from in April and May. Spring flowers such as daffodils, tulips, hyacinths  and cherry blossoms will give your celebration  the sweet ambience of joyful innocence.  They are also widely available  and quite affordable,  so  staying away from hothouse flowers at this time of year  and choosing what is in season for your bouquets and center-pieces could save you money. No need to hire a florist- spring flowers show best in simple glass vases or jars. These perfect white tulips would make a delightful display.

This simple yet stunning men’s wedding ring would also make a delightful display.

April Showers Bring May… Showers?

The one disadvantage to a spring wedding, particularly  in northern climes, is the  unpredictable weather. If hail, thunderstorms and high winds are not your idea of creating a romantic atmosphere, it may be best to plan for the majority of your event to take place indoors. If the weather is lovely, the guest can venture out and enjoy the spring sunshine. And if spring  rain falls on your  photo shoot? Be prepared with an attractive  umbrella, and capture the moment!

Capture the moment the two of you took shelter from the storm forever with this precious diamond engagement and wedding ring set.

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Sophisticated Shades

Think wedding? Think white. Right? Not so, these days! While white may still be the go- to color for brides, wedding color is blooming like a spring garden,  and popping up in so many exciting places!  Brides have always loved “choosing their colors,”  but in the past this was limited to bridesmaid’s dresses and flowers. Now the princess of the day can choose from a  dazzling array of wedding gown possibilities. And forgoing white does not mean abandoning tradition  for garish hues- hot trends for colored wedding gowns include stylish silver and grey, lovely soft pastels and deep vintage  tones.

How about incorporating stunning, rich color into your wedding rings? The yellow gold  band contrasted with the  scarlet ruby stones of this stunning wedding ring  set would suit a bride of  character and beauty.

Passionate Pink

Not sure about “going all the way” with color when it comes to the all-important dress? A  fun  flirty trend we love is the colored underskirt. Some are designed to drop down below the white hem for a more dramatic two-toned look, while  others only peek out when the bride kicks up her heels. Whether you go subtle with a soft peach petticoat, or make a statement with layers of  fuchsia tulle- we think this is a wonderful way to infuse your wedding with romantic, joyful color!

Add some joyful jewels to your engagement  ring- and your heart will skip a beat every time the colorful sparkle on your finger catches your eye.

Something Blue

Love color but have your heart set on a pure white gown? Maybe it’s the influence of “Sex in the City”- who can forget Carrie and  her blue Manalo Bhlaniks? Or maybe its just our growing  love for fabulous footwear, but the plain-white satin wedding shoe is becoming a thing of the past. A trend that started with gold and silver strappy heels appearing beneath long white gowns has now opened up a paint box of possibilities, from red cowboy boots to these elegant azure blue  pumps. And did you know that blue is a symbol of purity? What a lovely way to I say “I do!”

The sapphires in this elegant  engagement  ring would  also proclaim your love is true blue.

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Got a case of the January blahs? What could be a better cure than planning a blissfully warm,  tropical vacation wedding? With destination weddings becoming more and more common, there are plenty of  ideas  and resources available to  help you make all the sumptuous, exotic arrangements.

Here Today, Gone to Bali

While many automatically think of  Hawaii or  the Caribbean  as nuptial hotspots, we suggest you consider traveling somewhere truly  extraordinary- like Bali. Balinese culture envelops you in its fiery  beauty- what better place to start your honeymoon? Your guests would never forget this once in a lifetime experience of exploring this truly unique Indonesian island and many resorts specialize in making your wedding day breathtakingly perfect:

This exotically curved diamond wedding ring will also take your breath away.

Get Carried Away

Wedding dresses that must pack into a suitcase are no problem at all, as there are plenty of styles and fabrics that can stow away safely. We advise not fussing with stiff, formal gowns- a beach wedding   amongst the palms is time to experiment with lighter, filmier materials that will float on the breeze- imagine saying “I do” wrapped  in  romantic, flowing white. Or, get inspired by your surroundings- the  deep turquoise of the sea,  the vivid reds and yellows of local flora and fauna- and break with traditional white all together. After all, traveling to the tropics  to wed means passion, and passion means COLOR.  An adventurous, passionate bride would look stunning on  a sandy  shore in this  sea-foam and tangerine gown.

You could  show the true, passionate  colors of your love with this gorgeous diamond and sapphire engagement ring.

Destination: Inspiration

But what if a destination wedding is simply out of reach? Bring the fun and color of the tropics to your wedding and make your  special day feel like a journey to a far off paradise by choosing tropical flowers for your bouquets and decor.  This bridal bouquet of  vibrant, contrasting  blooms seems to burst with joy, like your love- something truly out of the ordinary.

A divinely detailed diamond and sapphire wedding ring like this one will set your love apart as something truly special, too.

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Engaged recently? Spring and Summer seem far too soon to create the wedding of your dreams? If you  think winter is too chilly a time of year to celebrate  your nuptials, think again. Winter Weddings  offer every thing you could wish for  in terms of lovely and creative  options for theme, decor, and  romantic detail.

Snow Queen

You may wonder how to reconcile an indoor wedding with those all-important outdoor wedding photo ops.  It may be a winter wonderland at the local park- so pretty with the snow-covered ground and glittering  icicles  hanging from the trees- but doesn’t the bride look, well, frozen stiff, in her designer strapless wedding gown? Fear not! An exquisite  gown like this one from Rosa Clara will keep you from turning blue, and make you the stunning center of all that winter splendor. 

This regal diamond engagement ring would make you the Queen of Ice.

Deck the Halls

Warming up to a winter wedding day? Start treasure hunting now! After Christmas is a wonderful time to find bargains on icy, silvery baubles to adorn  your wedding hall, feast table or wedding favors.  Tastefully chosen and creatively adapted by you, christmas lights and tree ornaments could add twinkle and shine to your special day. Just be sure to stick to a color theme while shopping – to keep  your wedding from looking “too Christmassy,” we suggest collecting  pearly or or neutral shades contrasted with blue or rich brown.

Love the sparkle of these snowflakes? Your groom’s finger would sparkle too, in this unique  diamond inlaid men’s wedding ring.

White Wonders

Getting married in December or January doesn’t mean you need to  miss  out on seasonal  flowers. Poinsettias, a tropical plant that have become associated with Christmas, are both widely available and very economical  mid-winter, and make a  bold yet graceful  floral  statement. You could line the aisle  with dozens, or top each table with one of these graceful plants, and if red seems too obvious a choice for the season,  they are available in other shades- including pink and pale green. We think an all-white poinsettia  display would be winter elegance itself.

An elegant  bride married at this time of year requires an especially twinkly diamond engagement and wedding ring set.

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A Walk on the Wild Side

While the cynical among us may associate weddings with excess and throw-away extravagance- a wonderful new trend in how we celebrate our nuptials could align your special day with Mother Earth. And we’re not just talking about installing recycling bins by the bar or composting the cake. Eco-chic brides infuse nature-inspired style into everything: from the gowns, to the location, to the decor.  Gorgeous  wedding gowns  can be made out of an array of earth-friendly fabrics, including  organic cotton and  hemp silk.  This exquisite feather-adorned wedding gown from  puremagnolia.ca illustrates how going a little  wild can be a beautiful thing.

The naturally curving  lines of this stunning diamond engagement ring would compliment this look.

Go Green, Go Gorgeous

The location for your wedding can be an endorsement for the earth itself- how about saying your vows in a National Park?  There are so many lovely settings- and by choosing a park close to home you not only reduce the carbon footprint for your guests in getting to and from the event, but your wedding venue becomes an advertisement for the local ecology. You may need a special use permit- so check out the park website well in advance. Imagine your day  surrounded  by the regal beauty of  Sequoia National Park.

This lovely engraved gold wedding ring also has a regal beauty.

Growing Gifts

And what about those party favors? With a little thought, you can send your guests home with not only an elegant souvenir of your wedding, but a gift that will grow  through the years, like your love.  Flower, fruit or vegetable seed packets could be easily customized to suit your wedding style, or how about  a small potted tree, complete with re-planting instructions? Have a look at givetreegifts.com. What a perfectly positive way to unite the beauty of nature with the day you say “I do!”

Your choice of ring should reflect how the perfect love of  your union will grow- symbolized in the twisting floral engravings on this diamond wedding ring.

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Girl Meets Boy, East Meets West

Zen Appeal

Sacred Design

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While many automatically select July and August as the season to tie the knot, nothing celebrates the bounty of your love’s harvest like a September Wedding. As summer’s green turns to gold, the possibilities for reaping a beautiful wedding day are everywhere you turn- how about this simple yet yet glorious sunflower bouquet? These bold and robust flowers seem to declare that the love you and your groom share is as large and golden as the sun.

The glow of this strong, robust men’s wedding ring could also warm your heart on that special day.

Glowing Brides

And while white is the go-to color for most, golden tones can adorn the September bride in harvest splendor. The champagne lace on this gorgeously designed bridal gown from puresomething.com is rich in organic detail, and I adore the chic sash across the waist. Wouldn’t you look stunning in this dress as the late summer sun sets behind the panorama of your wedding day?

Likewise, the twisting design of this exquisite engagement ring evokes both the beauty of nature and the style that only golden shimmer can bring.

Fall Feast

All in all, the chance to treat your guests to the  splendor of a September wedding is irresistible. Who wouldn’t want to share the joy of the most golden time of your life by reveling in natures’ most sumptuous season? This wedding feast, laid out beneath the trees, beckons your close friends and family to step into a magical realm of glowing lights and harvest delights.

The leaf engraving wrapped around this gorgeous yellow gold wedding ring promises a love that will grow with every season, and glow with the warmth of gold.

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Everything old is all the rage, and a vintage wedding is not only in style, but truly romantic.  Something about the treasures of yesteryear suggest a love that will endure.  You can make every detail of your special day uniquely personalized by including handmade decorations that reflect the whimsy of an earlier time. I love everything on offer at  the etsy shop jolieenrosevintage, but my favorite is this lovely cake topper that will tell your guests that the bride and groom are over the moon!

The detailed band on this men’s wedding ring also has a romantic vintage vibe.

A carefully selected gift for the bride, or even a bridesmaid can become a keepsake forever. As the old saying goes: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue,  and doesn’t this delightful cameo from Silver Trumpet have all of that at once?

This exquisite blue sapphire and diamond ring contains all of these time-tested elements too.

Of course the details of your wedding gown are really where you can make your vintage style statement. I love the black trim on this custom-made lacy gown from puresomething.com, perfectly accented by the chic headpiece and jewel-colored bouquet.  So elegant and at the same time so distinctive- the perfect look for the bride who wants to create her own beautiful moment in time.

The sparkle on your finger can also link your love to the beauty of a bygone era. I love this wedding ring with ruby gemstones- like a found treasure from an antique store.

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In recent years, the wedding car has been replaced by a generic but classy-looking limo. Here are some great ways to skip the expense of renting a stretch, add some personal flair, and dress up the wedding couples’ car for post-wedding flair.

Not-So-Traditional Tin Cans

Years ago, the wedding couples’ car would be decked out with noise-making cans tied to the back bumper of the car. If you have a vintage or retro wedding theme, this is a great way to bring this tradition to mind but still has a creative, modern taste. These wedding rings also have a vintage yet modern touch.

Floral Arrangements

This VW Beetle has great traditional decorations, but also shows personality. Gussy up your post-nuptial ride with your wedding flowers to tie it into your wedding theme. It’s an easy way to dress up the car as you can simply add to your floral and decoration order and then attach them to your car. If you really want to go the extra mile with it, contact local car rental agencies to see if they have an affordable model that coordinates with your wedding theme colors. This wedding ring is a perfect example of a new classic: it has heirloom styling, but is made just for him.

Wedding Decals and Wraps

If you’re looking for something simple and less attention-grabbing, look into getting a window decal or car wrap to announce the world that you are taking your first ride as husband and wife. There are many decals available on line in various sizings and styles, and a flip through your local phone book will give you several options for customizing a full or partial wrap to advertize your big day. Here’s a simple diamond wedding ring that’s still bound to get attention for it’s elegance.

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I’ve always loved air plants, so I’m really into this look! Tillandsia are a type of Bromeliad (the same tropical family as pineapples), commonly called air plants, that don’t require soil to grow. They’re low maintenance, as they only require a light misting every couple of weeks and can survive pretty much anywhere in a house. They’ve started turning up everywhere recently, including wedding websites. There are many different varieties of air plants, so you can create your own unique look with them as well. Here are some ideas:

Bromeliad Bouquets

This wedding of two design-centric people has a modern yet earthy feel. The bride had a fantastic bouquet that let the simplicity and elegance of her gown take center stage.

This wedding band for him reflects that same concept.

Tabletop Tillandsia

Air plants can also work as inexpensive conversation starters for table centerpieces. The plants themselves are interesting, unique and require little in the way of display. Using plants instead of cut flowers is an easy way to “green” your wedding, too.

Here are some beautiful matching diamond wedding bands that are also unique and look great!

Air Plant Guest Favors

These fun wedding favors are available at Robin Charlotte’s Etsy Shop. She also sells supplies to make them into a dual functioning item: you can use them as place markers as well. They make great mementos for guests of your wedding day.

These silver charms also make great mementos and thank you gifts for the girls in your wedding party.

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