Check out what Elizabeth Diamond Company is doing on their Facebook page. If you like Elizabeth Diamond Company on Facebook, then share their post and the lottery ticket ends up being a winner, they will share the winnings with everyone that liked them on Facebook and shared the post.

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All that glitters isn’t necessarily gold. While each diamond is beautiful, they are not all equal. Some diamonds are of better quality and are worth more than others. How much is a diamond worth? That depends on several factors. If you have any diamonds and want to price them, it is helpful to know a few factors. Diamonds are graded on a system based on the four C’s: Color, Cut, Clarity, and Carat Weight. Learning about this system can help you determine what the price of your diamonds might be.

Carat Weight

The carat is used to measure the weight of all precious stones, including diamonds. The carat weight is a crucial factor in determining the worth of a diamond. The bigger the diamond, the more it will be worth. Large diamonds are rarer so they are harder to find. If you are in possession of a larger diamond you can assume it is of high value.

Clarity

Clarity is used to determine the amount of flaws on the surface and inside of the diamond. Flaws usually can’t be seen with the naked eye, so a jeweler will have to determine the clarity for you. Diamond inclusions refer to the flaws found inside a diamond. This can include spots of color inside the diamond, or cracks found inside the diamond. Blemishes are the flaws found on the surface of the diamond. These blemishes are usually a result of the polishing and cutting process. The highest clarity rating a diamond can receive is Fl, meaning there are no internal or external flaws. The lowest rating is I3.

Color

Diamonds are graded as loose stones, and the system rates diamonds on a scale of D to Z. Colorless diamonds are the most sought after. Diamonds graded D are colorless. Diamonds ranging from K-M are slightly tinted a yellow color. Diamonds rated N-R have a yellow tint that can be seen with the naked eye. S-Z diamonds are tinted yellow as well, but they can also appear brown.

Cut

Finally, a diamond is graded on how it is shaped. Diamonds should be cut in such a way where they can get the most exposure to light. Stones that are cut thin will leak light and appear dull and lifeless. Well cut stones will sparkle brightly. The scale for a diamond’s cut ranges from 1-8, with one being the best.

What’s next?

Learning about the four C’s can help you estimate how much your diamond is worth. If your diamond receives a high grade in these areas, you know it is a quality gem. The prices a jeweler will pay for your pieces will vary. This is why it is important to do your homework and shop around to find out what your diamond price will actually be when it comes time to sell. Get your diamond valued by a trusted appraiser, and compare prices until you find one that suits you. A diamond worth anything will be sought after by many jewelers. Ultimately, the price will be whatever someone is willing to pay. Be reasonable about the quality of your diamond, but don’t settle for less than what it deserves.

Fran Delaney writes on jewelry, technology and finance trends.

Check out this beautiful pair of TACORI Silver CZ earrings that Elizabeth Diamond Company is giving away. I’m super excited that EDC chose my blog to give these awesome dangling earrings away. EDC specializes in fashion jewelry and designer engagement rings. Obviously, they are a Gold Certified TACORI Retailer and carry an awesome collection of TACORI engagement rings. Also, if you’re planning to get engaged soon, you might consider taking advantage of Elizabeth Diamond Companies “buy Tacori get a Free Cruise” promotion.

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I was busy blogging away on my computer with The Talk on in the background when all of the sudden I heard one of the ladies say “Is having a perfect seating assignment the key to having a good time at a big event or wedding?” “That is my next blog title” I yelled out to my husband! Mark was little more than phased having no idea what I was talking about…. you know us ladies and our multitasking, he didn’t even know the TV was on *hehe*.

Any who If you have planned your own wedding or helped a family member plan theirs you have run into at least one discrepancy when it came to the seating chart. In planning my own wedding I know that it took weeks for me to decide who was going to sit next to my crazy Aunt Sally (sorry Aunt Sally!). You really don’t realize how many factors go into the placement of all of your guests until you and your soon to be hubby sit down with 250 place cards in front of you sprawled out on the coffee table! It really comes down to a game of simple math and heads and tails.

On the other hand, some of you are contemplating letting the guests sit wherever they choose. Let me start off by saying I really admire you for having so much faith in your guests but more times than not this does NOT WORK. A lot of the times families and even couples can be split up because there is not enough room at the table. For some of your guests this is a complete nightmare; it’s like high school all over again where clicks start to be organized and the more reserved guests or unfamiliar guests that live out of town feel completely uncomfortable and alienated. We don’t want that for our guests do we? Didn’t think so. Try to think of this arrangement like the movie theater…. when a movie is sold out more times than not the manager has to come in and tell everyone that they need to scoot in and leave no seat empty because you and I both know that you left a seat for your Prada beside you Do you really (as the bride) want to get on the loud speaker to tell your guests that they have to sit next to each other?

Assigned seating it is! Now… there are many things to consider when making your seating list i.e. who gets along, who doesn’t get along and who you want with whom. But another option to think about is to either go with SEATING assignment or TABLE assignment. I made a table assignment for my wedding and had absolutely no problems with guests finding appropriate seats. Depending on the size of the table, people usually choose the seat that you intended for them anyway.

The seating assignment is going to be one of the most time consuming projects that you encounter planning your big event but it is something to definitely triple check to make sure it all makes sense and makes everyone…. well almost everyone happy!

Here are a few tips to remember when making your seating chart:

1. Once you contract your venue, they will usually have a chart that you can use of the premises to make your seating chart on. Make sure that all details are accounted for on the chart, like columns or any other obstruction of view guests might have when seated.

2. Take into consideration people with disabilities and/or the older guests that may not be able to see or hear as well if seated far away.

3. How many children are you having at your event? Do any of them need high chairs? Booster seats? You might even consider having a children’s table, if the children are old enough to behave themselves of course.

4. Decide if you will be making escort cards OR place cards. Like I spoke of earlier about the table assignment vs the seating assignment, if you choose to use the table assignment than you would use escort cards which do exactly what they are named! they escort your guests to their table. Place cards are placed at the table specifying where your guest sits.

5. Enjoy this part this is the point in the process where it became real that our closest family and friends were going to be celebrating this amazing time in our lives.

Ladies & Gentlemen I am pleased to announce it is time for the eye candy!

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{Source: OhSoBeautifulPaper}

Other than embarrassment, what else comes to mind when you see these poor women in their matching gold lame dresses? Hey! They were lucky, they didn’t even have to purchase new dresses for their friend’s wedding, they just recycled their prom dresses from 1988. And the matching gaudy pearl necklaces and bouffant hair tops off the look!If you don’t want the same embarrassment for your bridesmaids 30 years down the road, please take into account these tips to making not only your bridal party look great but also keeping your girls happy and feeling like individuals!

Before deciding to put all of your girls in the same a-line dress, you should consider a few things.

1. Know the body types of all of your girls (check out my dress guide if you are unsure on what looks best on your shape!)

2. Take into account what colors compliment their skin tones

3. Are any of your girls pregnant/or plan on becoming pregnant? If so, have you looked into dress options that are maternity?

4. Take into account the girls ages. Do you have any Jr. Bridesmaids?

5. Consider your Bridesmaids style

6. Know the ladies budget (if they are paying for their dress)

Show your bridesmaids that just because you are the one getting married you want them to look their best and be comfortable! By utilizing these tips you are sure to make all your girls happy whether you have one or 25!

I guess I owe you some eye candy after starting the post with that scary picture! Enjoy!

{Source: greenweddingshoes.com}

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{Source: greenweddingshoes.com}

{Source: Katie Neal Photography}

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If you thought ivory, champagne or blush pink was daring…. you’re in for a real shocker. Vera Wang is one of the most popular and desired wedding dress designers out there. From Khloe Kardashian to the girl down the street, there is a style and price range for almost everyone! When David’s Bridal launched Vera Wang’s White Collection in their stores in 2011,Vera’s designs became tangible to everyone! Many of Vera’s White Collection features a color option of Blush. The blush color compliments practically any skin tone, making it a great alternative to stark white or your grandma’s recommendation of ivory, because that’s the color she wore on her wedding day 60 years ago.

But what about you brides that want something REALLY different? You’re looking for that WOW factor and the whites and pastels just aren’t your style. Well ladies, do I have a surprise for you! Vera Wang introduced her Spring 2012 collection of bridal dresses and you’ll never guess what color some of the brides came strolling down the runway in: BLACK! Yes I said it…..BLACK WEDDING DRESSES! And you thought Black was reserved for funerals and cocktail parties, not anymore! I absolutely LOVE Vera Wang’s willingness and eagerness to go outside of the mainstream design and go somewhere other designers wouldn’t dare go.

There are many opinions on the new black trend of wedding dresses. We would love to hear yours below!

Images courtesy of TheBeautyBridal.com

One of the newest trends for newly engaged couples is to develop a logo to spice up wedding invitations, napkins, and every other element of the wedding. Once created, these flamboyant additions can even be used to design a theme upon which the wedding and preceding events are based. Imagine attending a bridal shower wearing a t-shirt with your logo on it.

Whether based on common interests, culture, romance, or your fun and funky side, logos can be design ed that reflect a couples’ best attributes. This symbol represents you as a couple and will be a memorable addition to the biggest day of your life for a lifetime. There are many ways these can be made or they can be ordered online if more convenient.

The first thing to decide on is the design. Perhaps the fact you love nature will make an outdoor theme best reflective of a love you share. A mountain scene or surf scene can lead to all kinds of new ideas when it comes to decorating for the wedding reception itself. On the other hand, there is nothing quite like a romantic theme to set the mood. This can be reflected through flowers, intertwining vines, or the silhouette of a couple under heart-shaped foliage.

Of course, there is nothing to say you cannot go all out and visualize your fun and funky side with a customized logo. A cartoon, picture of the two of you doing something fun, or even a message like “Holy Matrimony” can add a bit of spice to any event. Using an infinity symbol or some other image that is easily recognizable can also add some fun to an otherwise standard logo. However, there is nothing wrong with deciding to go a little more traditional using initials or spelling out the new last name in a beautiful font.

The best logos are bold and have clean lines. This makes them easily recognizable even from a distance. It is also important to remember that some fonts, like old English text, can be very difficult to read or see. The object is to present a logo that is easy to identify and says something important about you as a couple.

If making your own logo, remember to save it while it is big. This is because it is easier to shrink an image than enlarge one. When images are blown up their pixels deteriorate. By starting out large they can be used on bigger items, such as T-shirts, then shrunk for smaller uses like on napkins and invitations. This will keep the image clear. If you’re not sure you can handle the technical aspects of design, don’t hesitate to commission the services of a designer—doing so will simplify your life during a very busy time!

The logo says much not only about your wedding and what can be expected, but about you as a couple as well. Whether electing to select a design that is traditional, reflective, or fun and funky, it should be nothing less than memorable. This symbol not only can set the tone for the nuptials and pre-wedding events, but for life as well.

Photo credits: Nicole & Matt via weddinglogo; Natalie & Douglas via betsywhite.com; Ashley & Andrew via betsywhite.com

Need a logo? How do you find the right logo designer? Avery Petersen, a marketing consultant, works with Logo Mojo for all his clients needs.

Aside from the obligatory Champagne or sparkling wine toast at your wedding reception, your wine selection need not end here. While it’s true that many catered receptions allow guests to pick their own, preferred beverages, selecting special wines your guests can choose from (rather than having them ask for generic “red” or “white”) adds much more elegance and memorability to your special day. What wine should you offer at your reception? The answer depends primarily on what food is being served.

Poultry, red meat, and fish are often main course options. What wine can possibly go well with these three very distinct tastes? Pinot Noir, a red wine, is a sure winner in each case! Pairing exceptionally well with chicken, duck, roast beef, salmon, and even tuna steaks, this versatile wine offers delicious tastes of black cherries, pomegranates, vanilla, oak, cinnamon, and more, that are perfect complements to such meals. To enhance the synergy between the wine and the meals even more, consider serving side dishes that will also help to heighten the wine’s taste. Sides that include onion and garlic potatoes, black beans, stuffed peppers, or salads with black olives are fantastic possibilities.

While many white wines go well with poultry and seafood fare, a good white that can also accompany hearty beef dishes is believed to be a little more elusive. Fortunately, for guests who drink only white wine, you may offer the following staple: White Zinfandel. This is a white that “works” with a variety of foods, including meat items and spicy dishes. Its fruitiness is a great counterpoint to salty foods (particularly meat items), and dishes that are grilled or smoked, including fish and poultry. (Although Chardonnay is also quite good, not everyone is used to its characteristic buttery taste and thicker feel, hence my trepidation about recommending it for a reception consisting of diverse tongues and taste buds!)

At your reception, having these two wine options available (one a red, one a white) will please people who prefer one over the other. No matter which of the three main courses your guests have chosen, either of these wines will make them all the more excellent!

Laina McConnell is a wine enthusiast, blogger, and writer for Vintage Cellars. For more ideas about wine pairing, wine recipes, and wine in general, check out her blog on Vintage Cellars. Vintage Cellars has over two decades of experience in wine cellar design and construction and is a leader in wine racks and wine cabinets.

As a Certified Wedding Consultant, I cannot tell you how many weddings I have attended where the Bride & Groom spent a lot of time and effort customizing their wedding details down to every favor or personalized centerpieces, yet went with a plain, boring, standard white guest book. After searching the internet for inspiration, I took a few ideas & put them together to create a fun & customized DIY Wedding Guest Book. There are many variations to this project that can be done to suit your own wedding style & needs. We did our whole book for under $30. You’ll be hard –pressed to find a customized guest book for this price anywhere else!

Materials Needed:

Guest Book of your choice                                                                          $6.99 (Amazon.Com)

Mini Envelopes/Paper Sacks in your Wedding Colors                     $2.99 per pack of 25 (Michael’s)

Rubber Stamps of your choice                                                                   $1.00 per piece (Michael’s)

Mini White Cards (to go into envelopes)                                             $1.99 per pack of 20 (Michael’s)

Ink Pad                                                                                                                 $1.00 for mini pad (Michael’s)

Black Sharpie Marker                                                                                     $1.99 (Walgreen’s)

Glue Stick                                                                                                           $.99 (Walgreen’s)

Instructions:

1)      Once you have chosen your Guest Book, open to the first page and do a sample layout of how you would like the mini envelopes placed on the page of the guest book. Depending on the number of different colored envelopes you have, as well as the size of your guest book, will determine the best layout & design.

2)      After you have chosen a page layout, stamp the mini envelopes with your rubber stamps. Here we used a Double Heart Stamp & a monogram C stamp.

3)      Once you have stamped the envelopes to your liking, glue each envelope on the page and let dry for a few minutes.

4)      Here we have decorated the page with a black sharpie marker by drawing hearts & curved lines, however this part could also be done using rubber stamps as well, it just depends on how artist you feel you are.

5)      After you have decorated enough pages to have an envelope for each guest or family, stamp each white message card. Here we used a mini version of the rubber heart stamp that we decorated the pink envelopes with.

The whole book took us about an hour to create. If you feel extra artsy, try gluing contrasting ribbon to each envelope, or use colored stamp pads such as silver or gold to create a more elegant look. Your customized guest book will surely WOW your guests & leave you with unforgettable memories of your big day!

About the author- Christa O’Conner is a Certified Wedding Consultant for The Happy Couple Wedding Consultants in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. She has been helping clients plan amazing Pittsburgh Weddings since 2008!

One of the most important details of planning a wedding is choosing the right location or venue. The choice of venue often determines what type of flowers are chosen, the clothing colors and many other details. When considering locations, there are several important issues that must be covered.

1. Budget
This is often the most important aspect for couples to consider. As every engaged couple knows, some venues are simply beyond their budget’s limit. There are many discount venues available today. However, some locations may require extra expenses. For example, it may be necessary to purchase tents or have some rented on standby if the forecast shows a high chance of rain on the day of an outdoor wedding. Be sure to consider any extra expenses when deciding which venues fit into a budget.

2. Advance Reservations
Not all weddings are planned far in advance. Couples who have three months or less to plan their big day may not be able to get the venue they want simply because it is not available. Lighthouses, famous churches and parks are popular locations for weddings. There are some venues that are only available during specific time frames during the year. Be sure to contact the venue to see if it’s available before making any plans around it.

3. Guest List
Before paying the reservation fee for the desired location, consider the guests who will attend. It’s important to choose a location for the wedding that is physically and financially accessible to the majority of the guests. For example, if most of the guests are on tight budgets and have small children, it would be best to avoid an exotic foreign location that requires them to spend large amounts of money on traveling.

4. Required Effort
Some wedding venues require little or no work from the couple, and some venues require couples to do the majority of the work. For example, a couple renting a barn privately for a country wedding would likely have to clean the barn or pay to have someone do it. They would also be responsible for decorating. However, pre-decorated chapels usually require the couple to do nothing more than pay their fee and show up to get married. Each couple must decide for themselves how much work they’re willing to do when choosing a venue.

5. Religious Vs. Non-Religious
Whether the wedding will be religious or non-religious is a major decision. Couples who don’t agree on this issue must make a decision about the nature of the ceremony before deciding where it will be. If the desired location is a church, it’s crucial to make contact with the clergy immediately. Most churches have pre-marital counseling or other specific requirements that couples must meet before setting a date.

While there are several other smaller issues to consider for choosing a location, these are the five that should be considered first. Once these issues have been solved, the rest of the wedding details will fall into place with greater ease.

Photo credits: Farbridge Wedding Venue, near Chichester by Jon Day/flickr; The day on the beach when Jay became Mrs Bell! by Paul Toogood/flickr

Californians turn to Leslie Smithers for recommendations on wedding locations in San Diego. As a San Diego native and wedding coordinator for over ten years, she knows all the best resources.

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