Wedding day preparations can be overwhelming at times. A lot of things should be scrutinized and well-planned – from the wedding cake to the flowers and rings, and even to the smallest detail of the wedding theme. After all, it is indeed a very special day for you and your groom and for everyone who will celebrate this milestone with you. Add the fact that almost all events are captured on camera today, one thing that a bride should not forget to consider important on her big day is to be in shape.
Most of us, regardless of if we are male or female, love rings and appreciate wearing them. However, buying a wedding ring can be quite challenging as your partner’s tastes may be unique, or we may not know what would suit them. They are fantastic for symbolizing eternal love, but you want to be sure that the ring you choose is just right.
We will start by giving you a brief introduction to the anatomy of the ring so you know precisely what we are referring to, then move on to the types of band, settings, and finally, the different kinds of metal you can use.
Anatomy
All rings comprise similar component parts. Every ring will have a shank, commonly referred to as the band. However, some rings will have some other features, and just a few of these are detailed below:
Setting
The setting which can sometimes be referred to as the head is where the main stone will be situated. There are many different setting styles; some are designed to allow maximum light to enter the stone, while others focus more on protection.
Gallery
The gallery is located under the setting and is visible from the side. In some rings, the gallery can be barely visible; on others, it is a prominent feature and can sometimes house another stone.
Shoulders or Accent
The shoulders, also known as the accent, are the sloping sides from the shank to the setting. On some rings, they will remain plain, but often they are adorned with a series of small gemstones.
Prong
Prongs are a series of tiny metal claws rising from the setting, which will hold the stone in place. Typically, there will be four to six prongs, allowing a large amount of light to pass through the stone displaying a gem, such as a diamond’s famous sparkle.
Now that you’ve planned the months leading up to your wedding, it’s time to make your day-of wedding checklist. There are so many tiny details that go into the actual day that can be easily overlooked. Having this list and delegating to your awesome bridesmaids will let you celebrate in peace, knowing everything is being taken care of. So, without further ado, here are six things to add to your day-of checklist!
Prepare The “Getting Ready Room”
Every bride needs a space for her and her girls to do hair, makeup, and get dressed up for the big day. Even if you’re going to a salon for hair and makeup, you’ll still need a space to rest before the ceremony, store your essentials, and take fun getting ready photos! If you have a choice, aim for a room with good lighting, so everyone’s makeup will look flawless! If the room has plenty of mirrors, that’s wonderful. If not, consider having someone bring a few. You’ll need lots of mirror space for you and your bridesmaids to primp and prepare. It may help to assign a trusted friend to get the room all ready, so when you and your bridesmaids arrive you can settle right in with everything you need within arms reach.
This room should be stocked with all the makeup and hair products you’ll be using, the dresses, shoes, and an emergency kit so you can tackle wedding day mishaps without flinching. Think of the kit as a combination first-aid and wardrobe malfunction kit. Here’s a handy list to get you started on it.
Breath mints
Stain remover pen
Sewing kit
Safety pins
Fashion tape
Bandaids
Tylenol or some other painkiller
Tampons and pads
Clear nail polish
Bobby pins
Finally, the most important thing in the room will be the food and drinks. So many brides neglect to eat on their wedding day for a myriad of reasons. Whether it be the nerves affecting their appetite or simply not having the time to sit down and eat, there is a serious demand for the bride to be able to eat before walking down the aisle. Instead of guessing what she’ll want days before, opt for a more personalized experience. With new technologies available, you can have her favourite snacks and drinks ordered online and delivered to the room, the day of. This way, as you’re getting ready, it will give you the opportunity to hydrate and snack on options you’ll actually enjoy! Ultimately ensuring you don’t go the entire day on an empty stomach.
Organize Your Tips
Hopefully, you’ve already paid your vendors prior to the wedding, but you’ll also want to show your appreciation by tipping them for a job well done. Instead of frantically fumbling with cash on your wedding day, prepare tip envelopes sealed with cash already inside. Clearly label each one for “Wedding DJ“, “Caterer”, “Bartender”, “Wedding Officiant“, “Wedding Videographer“, etc. Then hand them off to a member of the wedding party or trusted friend to give out at the close of the wedding.
If preparing a pile of envelopes slips your mind or just isn’t your style, don’t freak out. Assign someone from your wedding party to manage the tips right from their smartphone. Just set them up with your Venmo account, give them a budget, and voila! All taken care of!
Give Itineraries To All Essential People
You don’t want people constantly asking you what’s next or any other questions that are indeed important but could easily be handled by someone else on your special day. The best way to avoid this is to hand all parties involved a wedding itinerary. Creating this handy sheet ahead of time will save you from having to facilitate and direct people all day. The itinerary should have two distinct sections.
First, a detailed schedule complete with times and locations, as well as who is included in each step. For example, while a first look should absolutely be on the schedule, you could indicate that only the bride, groom, and wedding photographer are needed for this intimate moment. While you’re at it, be sure you’ve also set aside a designated time and place for you, your partner, your two witnesses, and the officiant to sign the marriage license.
Second, a list of contacts is valuable so people can keep track of each other, help one another if they’re running late, and ask the right personal questions. A good rule of thumb is if they need an itinerary, then their contact information should be on it. This is because only people who have a major role in your wedding actually need all the details this sheet will include. The only major exception should be the bridesmaids and groomsmen. All of them may need the timeline, but only the Maid of Honor and Best Man’s contacts are really necessary. Here’s a list of a few people who absolutely must be included!
You’ve probably spent weeks trying on and choosing the perfect honeymoon luggage, dresses, and lingerie. To ensure your bag makes it to your destination, hand it off to one of your bridesmaids once it’s all packed and ask her to personally see that it ends up in the getaway car. If you want your makeup bag, emergency kit, or even a few slices of wedding cake added to your luggage, let her know and she can make sure that gets packed as well. After all, you don’t want to be focused on tracking bags down between or after your wedding. Instead, you should be able to get in the car hand in hand with your new husband, trusting that everything you want is packed safely in the trunk.
Don’t Forget To Savor The Memories
Whatever you do, remember that your wedding day will fly by, so trust your bridesmaids and other close friends to make sure things go smoothly, that way you can take time to enjoy it. Don’t forget to slow down and live in the moment. Before the big day, ask yourself what would help you stay focused, rested, and fully present when you know the day will be a blur. Some brides find some quiet to write their groom a letter, some set aside 20 minutes between the ceremony and reception to be alone with their significant other to talk, and eat some snacks. No matter what living in the moment looks like for you, be sure to savor the day.
These days approximately 94% of brides choose to have a bachelorette party. Whether they embrace an intimate weekend together or a night out on the town with their best friends, celebrating the end of their singlehood has become a staple to the wedding experience. As of late, women have become more creative than ever with the themes they choose to follow. Nowadays, there is so much room to personalize these weekends or nights and you are able to make the bride feel special for the entirety of the weekend.
With the plethora of options available, it can be overwhelming to start planning for one. Begin with the basics. There are a lot of necessities you’ll need no matter the theme to execute the weekend successfully. Next, decide on a direction. Whether you’re the maid-of-honor taking the lead, or the bride herself figuring out the plans, it’s crucial to pinpoint what you’re striving for. One of the most important steps is to get the personality of the weekend figured out and make sure you don’t stray away from that.
Before deciding on any theme, it’s crucial the bridal party and anyone who joins the party, are prepared with the staples and essentials for the weekend. To start off your go-to bag, be sure to include some medical necessities. Tylenol to help with those hangovers you might experience and maybe even some disposable masks to ensure if any guests forget theirs you have them covered. Understandably, these items can be forgotten or you simply didn’t realize you’d require them. With new online services, you can opt to have those over-the-counter items delivered to your location – to save you from getting that dreaded FOMO and having to run to the store. Another thing to keep in mind to pack is an organized planner. If you are the maid of honor planning or hosting, it’s crucial to have a flexible schedule written with a loose itinerary. With a planner you can have something to base the weekend on and ensure you hit everything you wish to do!
For the Laid Back Bride…
Yoga escape
In the past when you thought of bachelorette parties, your mind may have gone to the typical Hollywood portrayal. Spending the night in a new city and traipsing from bar to bar with the whole group. However, this does not have to be the case. While that can be a lot of fun and a priority for some brides, there are others that prefer a more laid back and relaxing atmosphere. A yoga escape might be the perfect solution for that “laid back bride.” Meditating and eating healthy are great ways to really decompress from that stressful planning and enjoy the end of singledom. Not to mention, this can really give you a chance to take a step back and really show appreciation to your bride tribe!
First things first, find a retreat you like. There are plenty around and you might be surprised at how many are close to you. If you have a bigger budget, look into resorts in the Caribbean or in a tropical location. There are wellness resorts that offer an extensive amount of relaxing amenities other than yoga, so do some research on these. It’s important to note that you don’t have to be an expert yogi to go to these retreats! On the other hand, there are cheaper options as well! Opting for a local spa or creating your own yoga morning at a neighborhood park can still fulfill your bride’s wish to remain low-key. Be sure to get a gauge on everyone’s budget and availability and discuss how the majority wishes to execute.
For the AdventurousBride…
Glamping Weekend
Whether you are outdoorsy or not, a glamorous-camping weekend has a little something for everyone. Immediate access to hiking trails while having an insulated area to spend the night allows for a comfortable weekend that isn’t as extreme as camping. This escape into the woods is another perfect way to remove yourself from the every-day stress and responsibilities. Not to mention, there are so many activities to do throughout the weekend!
You can get extremely creative when planning a wedding-themed camping trip. Start with the party favors! Creating a fire starter kit for all of the guests as they arrive is the perfect way to really immerse them into the theme. Similar to the yoga retreat, you can make this atmosphere low-key and cozy. Piling the cabin or tent with blankets gives the perfect vibe for a Friday-night card game and ultimately leading into a Saturday morning hike. Exploring a new area is a perfect symbolic challenge for that adventurous bride. The best part, this weekend is very easy to keep on a budget! Bringing your own food and drinks will keep the cost down and give an easy way for others to contribute. If you’re feeling extra creative, bring a DIY craft for one of the days. If some of your bridesmaids aren’t the best in nature, they’ll have the perfect activity to do to keep everyone happy.
For the Life of the Party Bride…
Casino night
Now, for the more traditional bachelorette weekend, a weekend out on the town. When thinking about the classic girls weekend, your mind may land on Las Vegas. A weekend spent with your best friends, letting loose is a lot of brides’ dreams. However, getting to Las Vegas tends to fall out of most financial plans. Luckily, this lively atmosphere can be found in a lot of places. Local casinos tend to come with hotels attached and can give you that Vegas feel.
However, there are even ways to incorporate a casino night at home! A staycation casino night might be even better than the real thing! Throw an elvis themed costume party, organize a poker night, or even dress up in your favorite outfit and head to dinner at the fanciest restaurant in town. Buying into the theme is crucial and there are so many small details that can really make the night special. Give your bride that cheesy veil to wear the whole night and maybe the hot pink sash paired with the tiara. Singling her out and making her feel special will make the night memorable. Don’t forget to add in a killer playlist to really put the cherry on top of the night.
Whether you’re in the mood for an out-of the box idea or prefer to stick with the classics, there are plenty of ways to make your wishes come true for your bachelorette weekend. This is one of the most enjoyable aspects for the bride-to-be – have fun with it!
