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5 things to remember when buying your wedding rings

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Your wedding ring is to be your constant companion from the day you get married, so make sure you choose it well.

Traditionally, wedding rings were simple metal bands, but now the options are more and interesting. You can make your pick from gold, silver or other precious metals, have it embedded with little stones or even personalize it with your initials. As interesting as all these options sound, remember that making a practical and sensible choice will ensure that your wedding ring serves you well for several years.

Here is a guide to the important factors that you should remember when buying your wedding ring.

Choose the right metal

Wedding bands are available in gold, silver and platinum. Yellow gold is the traditional choice, and one thing to remember if you choose gold is higher the carat, the softer it will be. If you choose gold, try to avoid 22 carat and 24 carat rings, as you will be wearing it constantly and it has to be sturdy for constant use.

Platinum is your other option. It is more expensive than gold, but it is also more durable and stronger. Weigh the price against the benefits of opting for this metal, and make your choice accordingly. If you love the color of platinum, but the price is beyond budget, choose white gold for a similar look.

Choose the right size

wedding-rings-575058_1280Most jewelers supply wedding rings in a range of sizes. Before placing your order, check with the seller and find the right size that corresponds to your ring finger. If you have a ring that sits comfortably on your finger, choose your wedding ring in the same size as this ring.

If you can’t locate your size in the standard measurements, consider having your ring custom-made. Since you will be wearing your wedding ring for a long time, finding the right fit is absolutely essential.

Choose classic over trendy

Unlike your wedding dress, which you will only wear on your big day, your wedding ring has to stand the test of time. What is trendy today may be outdated tomorrow. So, your best option is to choose a design that has always been popular and won’t go out of fashion. Should you wish to experiment, do so only after you think clearly about whether you will be comfortable wearing the ring twenty years from now.

Choose it on time

ring-216717_1280Once you choose a wedding ring, the jeweler will take time to make it in your size and deliver it to you. So, don’t put it off till the last minute. If both of you want matching wedding bands, go shopping together, or customize your wedding rings so they look like a pair. Allow sufficient time to place the order and receive it, so you have it in time for your wedding.

Choose to insure it

You will be spending a good amount on your wedding ring, and so it makes sense to have it insured. Do this when you purchase the rings. Although this doesn’t mean you can be careless with your ring, it will at least cover up your expenses, should you lose the ring for some reason.

To view our vast collection of wedding rings, and to make your choice from them, visit us on Best for Bride.

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Unlock Savings: Smart Tips to Cut Costs on Wedding Dress Alterations!

It is very unlikely that you will find a wedding dress that fits you perfectly. Any dress you buy off-the-rack will require minimum alterations, so it is just right for you. Hence, it is necessary that you set aside a part of your wedding dress budget to account for alteration costs.

The amount you will have to pay for altering your dress depends on the extent of work that has to be done. So, the less work your dress requires, the lesser you will have to pay to get it done.

Keep this factor in mind.

Let us now look at how you can minimize your wedding dress alteration costs, by first choosing your dress properly.

Choose a size that is closest to your actual measurements

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When the dress size is accurately chosen, it will require minimum work to fit perfectly. When you choose a dress that is much bigger, remember that the measurements will be bigger not just for the sides, but for the neckline, the shoulders and the bust. So, just taking the sides in will not do. You should ideally choose one that is no more than one or two sizes bigger, so altering it won’t be too difficult.

Simpler gowns are easier to alter

The more embellishments the gown has, the more difficult it will be to replicate the look when it is altered. So, you will have to pay for the effort that goes in. A gown that has less detailing, or doesn’t need much work around the embellishments, can save you some money.

Also remember that the more fabric a gown involves, the more work it will correspond to. So, it is only logical that a ball gown skirt will cost more than an A-line skirt when being altered.

Customizing is costly

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If you are certain that you want your wedding dress to sport a certain neckline or have sleeves, it is better to look at gowns that already have this feature, than choosing another and having it customized with this factor. Transforming a gown to look different is expensive, and it may sometimes end up losing its original charm in the process.

Look for versatile features

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A gown with a corset-back usually requires little to no changes in the bodice to fit you, when chosen in the right size. Where the skirt is concerned, it will be easier to shorten a wedding gown that doesn’t have too many details at the hemline, as it can be cut to the right length without worrying about losing any details. If you choose a longer gown with an embellished hemline, it will have to be shortened by taking fabric out at the waist, and this takes more effort and time.

On a final note, remember that wedding dresses are complex garments, and not everyone may be able to work on it. In your attempt to save money, don’t make the mistake of entrusting the job to someone who isn’t familiar with wedding gowns. Keep the above points in mind when buying your wedding dress and have the alterations done by a professional seamstress, so your wedding gown will look just right for your big day.

For more wedding tips and advice, visit us on Best for Bride.

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3 common wedding dress mistakes brides make and how to avoid it

Your wedding dress is one of the most important dresses you will ever wear in your life. So, making the right choice is a tough, but important task. Not all brides enjoy a fantastic experience choosing their wedding dress, and many have regretted their decision at a later time.

Let us look at 3 of the most common mistakes brides make when choosing their wedding dress, and how you can avoid it.

Buying your dress too early, before actually planning your wedding

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You may be tempted to do wedding shopping the minute you are engaged. However, this isn’t wise. Many factors determine the right choice—the venue, theme of wedding, weather,budget, etc. Shopping without a definite idea of what would be practical based on the time and location of your wedding, could cause you to regret your choice later.

Remember, not all wedding dresses are equally suitable for all situations. So, purchasing a formal wedding gown for an indoor ceremony may be the wrong choice if you finally decide on an outdoor ceremony. Wait till the wedding details are more or less decided, before shopping. You should buy your wedding dress 6-9 months before your wedding, to allow sufficient time for alterations and changes.

Buying a wedding dress that’s in the wrong size

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You have a whole year till your wedding, and you are determined to lose several pounds before it. So, you might as well get your wedding dress a size or two smaller than you currently measure, right? Wrong! Many brides make this mistake, and later struggle to fit into a dress that is too tight.

Remember that it is easier to take in a gown, than adding additional inches to it. If you live up to your weight-loss plans, you can always have your gown altered to fit your exact measurements at the time. If you can’t, you will be glad you chose a gown that actually fits you.

Not accounting for the extras when you buy your wedding gown

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When you fix your wedding dress budget, always account for the extra money you will have to pay for fittings, accessories and customization. It is unlikely that you will find a dress off-the-rack, that will perfectly fit you. It may have to be adjusted to fit your measurements or the hemline may have to be moved up to be at the right length. In some cases, you may want to add sleeves or add accessories like a waistband to improve your look.

All these come at an additional cost. Apart from this, you will have to spend money on wedding accessories like jewelry, shoes, tiaras and veils. When all these are finally paid for, many brides find that they have gone over-budget.

When you create your wedding dress budget, divide it into the actual money you can spend on the dress, and the additional amount for the rest. Tell your bridal consultant the actual amount you can afford on the dress, which includes the charges for all the fixes, and she should help you find one that fits your budget, while meeting your other preferences.

Now that you are aware of the common mistakes, you are ready to find the dress of your dreams and be happy with your choice. For more wedding tips and advice, and to find the perfect wedding dress for your big day, visit Best for Bride.