Archive for the ‘For Him’ Category
Mike & Courtney- Caribbean Honeymoon Giveaway Winners!
The Honeymoon was a dream come true thanks to Where to Get Engaged! We found ourselves whisked away after our wedding day to the beautiful island of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, “America’s Caribbean”. Our stay on the island was at the luxurious Marriott Frenchman’s Reef and Morning Star Beach Resort which is perfectly perched overlooking the most beautiful harbor we have ever seen on one side and overlooking the beach leading out to miles and miles of beautiful sea on the other side. The beach at the resort was amazing. The exclusive white sand beach and warm water were just what we needed to relax after all of the wedding excitement.
When we arrived at the hotel a bit early, they encouraged us to eat at the restaurant overlooking the water for lunch, because our room wasn’t ready yet. We ate an enjoyable lunch and then went to check on our room, but it still wasn’t ready yet. So we decided to go grab a beverage (or two) at the RumBar sunset deck and just enjoyed sitting together as the sun began making its way down toward the horizon. Not long after, the manager of the hotel came out to meet us on the sunset deck with two keys to their top floor “Royal Suite” which they decided to upgrade us to for free because of our “patience” (It was easy to be patient because we were in paradise with each other.) and it being our honeymoon getaway! Our room was an astonishing two story suite with an amazing view of the entire harbor and a jacuzzi tub! It was amazing!
Over the next few days we enjoyed many opportunities to a lot of relaxing, but also we did have the opportunity to do some adventuring—including a day trip via ferry to near by St. John for hiking and for snorkeling. While on this neighboring island we snorkeled at the famous Trunk Bay after hiking from the dock where the ferry boat landed. It was an incredible world of color as we swam together in the midst of schools of fish right off shore.
In addition to just taking it easy and snorkeling we experienced the pirate culture that the Caribbean is so famous for by visiting Blackbeard’s castle, which overlooks Charlotte Amalie harbor. Blackbeard would use this castle, which is perched high on a hill, to look out into the sea for ships that were heavy with booty.
All in all, it was the trip of a lifetime where our hearts were united together through the experiences of adventure and romance. This opportunity would not have been possible without the help of Where to Get Engaged. Thank you so much!
Congratulations to Mike and Courtney, our Caribbean Honeymoon Giveaway Winners! We wish you many happy years together!
Fabulous Finds: August
Time flies when you’re having fun! This month’s “Fabulous Finds” post marks the end of summer and all that we love about it, from colorful flowers, fun paper poms, bouquets made from cotton and romantic rings. Enjoy looking at some of our favorite things from this season as we prepare for the another beautiful time in the wedding world: Autumn!
1. Photo Fans.
A great way to incorporate photos into your wedding decor is to put your image on fans with a program printed on the other side.Perfect for an end-of-summer fete in need of a cool breeze!
Jordyn and Bradley by Tec Petaja Photography
2. Purple Allium.
These adorably dainty yet buxom flowers wowed me right away, especially because I had never really noticed them before. Maybe I had never heard of them because they actually come from the onion plant! They have a modern, full look that will brighten up any arrangement, and are ideal for summer outdoor weddings.
Purple allium flowers from Nature Hills Nursery
Purple allium wedding invitations, Two For Joy Paper.
3. Paper Poms.
I’ve been loving poms since I first saw them used for a gender reveal party for an expectant mother. I think they’re perfect fun for any party, especially an outdoor wedding. They add such a distinct look that you would never imagine they’re made from paper and very affordable!
Emarie and Nick’s wedding. Images by Jen Good.
4. Cotton Floral Arrangements.
Who knew cotton could be so glamorous? These arrangements are light, airy, organic and most importantly, very unique. I think they would give a heavenly element to any wedding decor and hope to see more of them in the future!
5. Venetian Inspirations.
I’m not just saying this because Venice is my favorite city on earth, but how beautiful is the new Venetian Collection by Verragio? This line of engagement rings and wedding bands has a flair for style and the perfect combination of old-world craftsmanship and cutting edge technology. Featuring Verragio’s signature crown shaped bezel beneath the center stone and meticulous attention to detail, each ring within the Venetian Collection puts an emphasis on accentuating the side profile. Ahh, it takes me back to the magical city of romance and gandolas…who could resist? Guys, if you’re looking for the perfect ring to complete your sentimental proposal, you’ll find it in this collection!
Monday’s Montage: Groomsmen Gifts
Last Monday we focused on Bridesmaid gifts and this week it’s the guy’s turn. If you’re not sure where to begin, take a look at these six useful and personal options varying in price range as you prepare to thank your best friends for being such a big part of your life and wedding day. Many grooms give their gifts the day before the wedding at the rehearsal dinner. Have fun picking something that fits your guys’ personalities perfectly!
1. For the Beach Bum–Swimming trunks that fit each groomsman’s style is a a great gift that the guys will never forget. Each time they go for a swim they’ll remember your love of water or your beach wedding. My very patriotic brother-in-law got American Flag board shorts (similar to these red, white and blue shorts by Freshjive) as a groomsmen gift from a best friend who was known for wearing swimming trunks around their college campus (top left).
2. For the Outdoorsy Type--A stainless grill set or the one-of-a-kind Keg-a-Que stainless steel charcoal grill make a functional gift for the camping or tailgating lover (top left center).
3.For the Practical Guy–Giving your groomsmen matching ties to wear in the wedding is a way to save them money when it comes time to buy the wedding attire. A tie is also a gift that can be worn again to other weddings and dressy occasions. These matching microfiber neckties made by Toybreaker’s shop on Etsy are made in the same design, and same ink color (top right).
4. For the Cigar Aficionado–A custom Cigar Infusion Barrel from Thousand Oaks Barrel Co. is a very cool gift that guys will love to show off to all their friends. Cigars are stored and infused in the flavor of your favorite spirit from whiskey, scotch, bourbon, tequila, rum, port or mead (bottom left).
5. For the Manly Man–A personalized hammer, flask, liter, or knife make a handy gift that any guy would love to have. My husband has gotten all of these over the years and he actually uses them each quite often. This black, leather stainless steel hip flask gift set from West Coast Jewelry would be perfect (bottom center)!
6. For the Sports Junkie--A personalized cooler chair for tailgating is a fun and unique option for guys that frequent sporting events. This Sit ‘N Sip Chair Cooler from Sweet Memory Baskets seconds as a sports stool, has plenty of room for favorite drinks and snacks as well as extra pockets for car keys or other accessories (bottom right).
Star Styles: Engagement Rings
We’re starting a new trend here at Where to Get Engaged called “Star Styles.” We know we’re not the only ones that love to look to celebrities for wedding inspiration and this time we’d love to take a closer look at the bounty of gorgeous engagement rings that have recently been quite hard to ignore. It seems like every day another member of the entertainment world is engaged, and the rings are beautiful, unique and of course, over the top. From yellow diamonds and pave to pear shapes and asscher cut, you may need a refresher on what are the hottest ring trends right now. If your girl has been fawning over any of these big sparklers, now is your chance to find something similar at a more affordable price.
1. Carrie Underwood: Carrie’s ring is a yellow diamond, estimated to be worth about $150,000. Check out the Masterwork Semi mount engagement ring with a prong set radiant cut fancy yellow diamond center stone surrounded by micro pave set diamonds with a micro pave and bezel set wave design diamond shank.
2. Ali Fedowtowsky: The latest bachelorette’s ring is a 3.03 center asscher-cut diamond, accented with 184 round brilliant-cut diamonds in a platinum setting, very similar to this ring offered at James & Sons.
3. Kellie Pickler: The country crooner’s ring is a brilliant cut center stone surrounded by a halo of pave diamonds, much like Verragio’s Paradiso Engagement Ring (style 3047R).
4. Hilary Duff: Her hockey-star fiance went all out with her 14-carat, radiant-cut engagement ring that is rumored to be worth $ 1 million. If you love the look of this ultra-glam ring, but want something a bit more budget friendly, consider the radiant cut three-stone ring (style 106) by David Levy.
5. Bethenny Frankel: The Real Housewives of New York breakout star of Bethenny Getting Married has an 8-carat ring with a 6 ½-carat pear-shaped center stone flanked by two side stones. If you are interested in a more affordable version, check out this almost identical sparkler by Diamond Nexus Labs.
Helpful Groom Duties: Planning the Transportation
Jason Keefer Photography
One of the things the groom-to-be can help with in the wedding planning process is organizing the transportation. What transportation? You may be assuming these kinds of things just work themselves out while your bride is silently freaking out in her head one hundred times a day over not just how she and her new hubby will make it from the church to the reception but how her lipstick and purse will make it, too. (Yes, guys, we really do think about these things.) So if helping your bride hasn’t been on your radar since getting engaged, this is a good time to do some research and impress your fiancee with your knowledge and willingness to help plan something that she probably sees as a hassle. If she is waiting for you to take some initiative, and you don’t want to fall trap to helping with the typical “girlie” stuff, then this is the perfect way to get involved. First and foremost, begin by organizing the transportation for the wedding party members (most importantly the guests of honor–you and your lovely bride).
Some things to consider:
1. How is the bridal party going to get from the hotel (or pre-ceremony location) to the ceremony, then to the reception, and then back to the hotel?
Consider providing a limo or other special vehicle to transport the entire party, at least from the ceremony to the reception.
2. Where can belongings be stored during the ceremony (especially for the bridesmaids who will undoubtedly have a bag with their toiletries and change of clothes from before the wedding) and how will they be safely transported and stored at the reception?
I suggest having a room mapped out for things to be stored in at the church or ceremony location.Just be sure the bride and groom’s belongings are kept away from one another so they don’t potentially run into each other unexpectedly before the big moment! Then place an usher or friend in charge of making sure everything gets transported to the reception and placed in another safe, central “room” where the bridesmaids or groomsmen can go to find their belongings when they’re ready to head out for the night.
3. How will the wedding gifts be transported from the church to the reception and to your future residence?
I would suggest putting an aunt or close family friend in charge of this so you don’t lose any gifts along the way.
4. Will the bride and groom have their own “getaway car” after the ceremony or will they be riding with the rest of the bridal party?
Plan ahead to have a driver from the ceremony and reception. My husband and I had a friend drive us from the ceremony to the reception in our “new to us” white Landcruiser. No, it wasn’t a limo but it was very special to us and it’s beautiful white sheen had a definite wedding feel. My husband had champagne waiting for us and our “driver” let us enjoy some time chatting away on the way to our big party.
5. How will the bride and groom get to their hotel or sleeping destination after the reception?
Make sure you have a sober driver in mind if needed. The last thing you want to worry about on your wedding night is how you will be arriving to your hotel room.
6. Will you be leaving for your honeymoon immediately from the reception or the next morning? If so, how will you get your luggage to and from the reception and how will you be getting to your destination or the airport?
Offer to help your bride pack for the honeymoon and deliver your bags to your hotel room ahead of time if possible.
7. When you arrive at your honeymoon destination will you need a ride from the airport to your resort? If so, plan ahead and find out the name of the shuttle service to be looking for. Stepping off the plane in a foreign country can be very intimidating with a plethora of drivers shouting names in different languages!
This can be more stressful than you think, and I was very impressed with my husband when we arrived at the chaotic Cancun airport and he knew exactly who to look for to whisk us away to our resort.
Spa Treatments for Him
image from Mimisan Natural Nail Spa
Spa treatments are no longer just for the ladies, especially in this age where terms like “metro-sexual” are used in everyday conversation. So guys, if all the wedding talk is stressing you out, or you just want to look your best for your bride on your big day, consider some of these stress relievers from a local spa. Don’t worry…we won’t tell!
1.Men’s facial: A facial will clean, exfoliate and nourish the skin. Get your face in tip-top condition before the big day with European Facials by Dzialo.
2. Manicure: Maybe you’ve never considered this before now, but trust me, the last thing a delicate, dainty bride wants to hold during the wedding ceremony are rough hands with dirty nails. Think about getting things cleaned up a bit at Luv Manicures and Pedicures.
3. Straight razor shave: A five-o’clock shadow on your wedding day is a big no-no! Getting a straight razor shave will be give you the clean edge you need to complement your polished wedding attire. Try a place like Eddie’s Haircut and Shave for this luxurious treatment.
4. Foot Reflexology: Profound relaxation and pain relief can be found through the application of applying pressure to certain reflexes in the foot. Consider get a foot reflexology treatment for anything from stress,headaches to back pain or sinus congestion to get yourself feeling your best before the big day.
5. Scalp Treatment: Treat yourself with an invigorating scalp treatment. Not only does it feel great, but it can stimulate your hair growth, too! I got this for my husband for Father’s Day at a local spa and he loved it!
Don’t be afraid to pamper yourself before your big day, guys. You won’t regret it!
Monday’s Montage: Transporation Ideas
If you’re looking to relieve your bride-to-be in a big way, planning the transportation to and from the ceremony and reception will be a huge help.
Your transportation should match up with the theme and feel of your wedding, and of course your personalities. Here are some options:
The Fairytale Option: The horse drawn carriage would be perfect for a dreamy wedding scene, just like this one from Martini Ranch Carriages (top left).
The Eco-friendly: Consider renting a rickshaw or pedicab to cart you and your earth conscious bridal party to and from your ceremony or reception. Some have the capacity to transport as many as 45 people at any given moment and can provide all-season canopies and warm blankets, to make guests comfortable no matter what the weather. Check out Cream City Rickshaw, Inc. or Boston Pedicab for some ideas (top center).
The Classic Car: The Vintage Rolls Royce would be downright swanky and super-impressive. See Best Car in Town to take a closer look (top right).
The Trendy Vehicle: The stretch Hummer limo would show some style and personality for the big entrance. Check out Churchill III Luxurious Limousine Service, Inc. for this beauty (center left).
The Traditional Limo: A black stretch limo always makes a grand entrance. Check out Andrus Limousine for some options (center right).
The Party Bus: For the fun-loving bride and groom consider a full-on “party bus” like this one from Top Dog Limo Bus and the celebration will be nonstop from the moment you begin your big day until the last party-goer is put to bed (bottom left).
The Hometown Icon: A trolley would give small town charm. Try the Grand Rapids Trolley Co. for more ideas (bottom right).
Have you seen any unique transportation ideas?
A Ring for Every Girl
Proposing would be a whole lot easier if engagement rings were one size fits all. Just walk into the first jewelry store you see and pick the first ring that looks sparkly, right? We all know it’s not that easy. Just like women are not “one size fits all,” neither are rings. Well, there is in fact a ring for every girl but the key is to find the one that best fits her needs, style and personality. Easier said than done, I know, but that is why this post will help you to narrow down your choices and choose an engagement ring that your future wife will never want to take off. No guy wants to see his girl say “yes” to a life together but then seem less than enthused when she sees the ring (a la Carrie Bradshaw on Sex in the City when Aiden gives her the teardrop shaped diamond and she wears it around her neck in embarrassment). To be sure you get a ring that will fit your girl’s style, first take a moment to think about her personality. These tips will give you some confidence to go beyond the “one ring fits all” mantra when you begin your search.
1. The Sporty Girl: If your significant other is an athlete or always on the go, consider getting a flush mount with a thicker band that won’t get caught on things easily. Check out this “audacious stunner” from Tacori’s new Neotare collection. “A bold high-polished band and diamond crescents make this ring absolutely unique” according to Tacori.
2. The Glamour Girl: If your lady likes to glam it up and tends to for the bling, choose something like a yellow diamond surrounded by a ring of colorless diamonds. The Bella Vita engagement ring by Ritani features an emerald cut fancy yellow diamond with the finest set micro-pave diamonds around the shank and surrounding the center stone. Viva la glam!
3. The Bohemian Bride: If you’re looking for something to fit a bride that likes the exotic, hippie look, think about something vintage or handcrafted. This Celtic inspired die-struck diamond ring with an oval cluster by Jabel (style F1291) is a great choice. This style is one of several rings made from a collection of early 1900’s restored dies. It has the perfect boho touch for a girl that likes to be different! 
4. The Gothic Girl: Black diamonds are all the rage, so if you’re looking for something with a little edge consider this Gemoro, Inc. black and colorless diamond intertwined band. It will set your girl apart from all the rest, with its daring, provocative look.
5. The Vintage Girl: If your bride-to-be loves the look of vintage rings, Verragio’s Couture Collection is a great choice. Each engagement ring within the Couture Collection features Verragio’s signature Lumino Setting along with a crown shaped bezel beneath the center stone. Composed of clean lines and cutting edge designs, Verragio’s Couture pieces are made to accommodate anywhere from a classic round center stone to an asscher or radiant cut.
6. The Classic Girl: For the traditional girl that doesn’t fall for trends, think streamlined, round and solitaire. Consider Verragio’s Insignia Collection (style 7022), featuring 0.10Ct. of micro pave’ set round diamonds to enhance a round, radiant, oval or cushion shape diamond center.
7. The Romantic Bride: The sentimental, girlie girl who loves a romantic touch may enjoy rose gold (yellow gold with a pink tint), a heart shaped diamond or a pink stone. Consider this David Levy oval pink sapphire with micro-pave set round brilliant cut diamonds. She will love to show this off to all of her friends!
8. The Environmentalist: Find a conflict free diamond for your eco-friendly girlfriend. Conflict free diamonds originate from ethical and environmentally responsible sources. All Hearts On Fire diamonds are conflict-free and in full compliance with international laws and human rights warranties. Consider this Hearts on Fire Simply Bridal Dream Off-set solitaire.
9. The Trendsetter: For the girl that likes to stand out in the crowd and set the trends with her friends, consider this Hearts on Fire Encompass half-bezel solitaire surrounded by swirling beauty. It’s sure to turn heads and spark conversation!
Fabulous Finds: July
Our first ever “Fabulous Finds” post debuted in June, and and we can’t believe it’s already time for our July edition! These are some of the things that we just can’t seem to get out of our head this month. From cool songs to make your wedding memorable, beautiful photo mementos on the bouquet, and specially made soda or beer bottles, the theme this month is make it personal, personal, personal! Enjoy, and hopefully some of these finds will make their way into your big day!
1. Using unique songs for your wedding dances: I recently did a post on Non-traditional music ideas for your wedding, particularly for the major dances that take place during the reception. I was inspired by my friend Clare who used Jason Mraz, Old Crow Medicine Show and The Avett Brothers in her wedding, and my friend Becca who adorably danced her first dance with her husband, Billy, to “Is This Love” by Bob Marley. While writing my post I found it especially hard to find unique songs for the dance between the mother and son, but now that I’m done, songs are just popping up everywhere! I heard this one while downloading the B is for Bob album for my daughter and thought the lyrics would be so meaningful for a mother/son dance. Take a listen!
2. ABC Paper Cups : Are you thinking what I’m thinking, guys? Using these cups to spell out your proposal could be so clever and cute. Beyond popping the question, you could also use these cups to spell out your new monogram at your reception, or even something as simple as an “I love you”! The cups are made by IaM Design.
3. Flower Belts and Necklaces: If you remember my Pops of Pink post, I included a beautiful fuchsia and blush colored floral belt. The necklace below is very similar and would add an ethereal, natural touch to bridal party attire. Necklace below is by Emerson Made.
4. Pictures on bouquet: What a great way to remember the loved ones that can’t be part of your big day! I have never seen this before and thought it was unbelievably creative and sentimental. This idea came from Andy and Brandy Southard’s wedding in Staunton, VA.
5. Personalized soda, wine or beer bottles:You know I’m all about personalization, and these specially made bottles are no exception! I saw this in Larkin and Jason’s VA wedding and thought it was the coolest idea for a favor, especially because the beers were brewed by the bride and groom themselves! They created custom labels, and named it “Gibas I Do Brew”….how cool? If you’re not into beer, check out the specially made labels for the Jones soda bottles.
6. Photos in mason jars: You can also get personal with your table decorations by adding old wedding or family photos in beautiful mason jars to give a rustic yet romantic charm to the setting. You could place them around the cake as a tribute to your parent’s and grandparent’s wedding days or you could put different pictures of you and your fiance on each table. The pictures could even correspond with the table name; a picture of you and your future spouse at a baseball game could be at the “Orioles “table, for example. Get creative with this lovely idea!
Hope you enjoyed some of our favorite things this month. Let me know some of yours!
How to Buy a Diamond
People mark special events with sentimental gifts of jewelry. While weddings reign as the biggest diamond event, there are many small yet glorious celebrations that are honored with beautiful sparklies, too, such as new jobs, anniversaries, graduations, births…the list, happily, is endless.
So how do people learn about diamonds so they can buy, own and enjoy them with confidence? The nonprofit Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the world’s foremost authority in gems and jewelry and the creator of the famous “Four Cs” of diamonds offers these five tips:
Choose a qualified jeweler. Select a jeweler as you would a doctor, a lawyer or any professional. Ask around. Find someone who is a trained gemologist, a GIA Graduate Gemologist or GIA Accredited Jewelry Professional, and is affiliated with a professional jewelry association.
Research. GIA’s Web site on www.gia4cs.gia.edu offers in-depth information on diamonds, pearls and other gemstones. Knowing the Four Cs helps you speak the language of diamonds and communicate with jewelers.
Learn the “Four Cs.” All diamonds are rare and no two diamonds are alike. A diamond’s quality and rarity is determined by its unique combination of characteristics of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight. The International Diamond Grading System, used around the world since its invention by GIA in the 1950s, is based on the Four Cs.
• Carat: Diamonds are weighed in metric carats. Two carats weight about the same as a small paper clip. A carat is divided into 100 “points”, so a diamond of 50 points weighs 0.50 carats.
• Clarity: Nearly all diamonds contain unique clarity characteristics. Flawless diamonds are exceptional and costly. Most inclusions are invisible unless magnified.
• Color: Colorless diamonds are extremely uncommon. Most diamonds have a slight yellow or brown tint. GIA uses letters to represent colors, beginning with D (colorless) and ending at Z (light yellow or brown). “Fancy colored diamonds” come in every color imaginable, are also very unusual and have their own GIA color grading system.
• Cut: While diamonds come in different shapes, such as round, pear or marquise, the term “cut” refers to proportion. The well-cut, balanced diamond has unbridled brilliance, sparkle and fire.
Get an independent diamond grading report. A diamond grading report tells you the exact gemological quality of your diamond. Is it a natural diamond? Is it a synthetic diamond? Has it been treated and how? What are its quality ratings according to the Four Cs?
Have your diamond appraised and insured. A diamond grading report describes the precise gemological quality of your diamond while an appraiser puts a monetary value to the stone. You can laser inscribe a personal message or the diamond’s unique GIA Grading Report number on the diamond’s girdle.
Like true love, a diamond’s light and brilliance won’t fade with time. To learn more about diamonds, visit www.gia4cs.gia.edu.
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Find the Ring
Plan the Proposal
Plan the Wedding
