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Prize drawings, refreshments, fashion show mark Grand Opening of newest Oak Lawn business

Pearls are perfect any time, but they seem especially appropriate for weddings. Known by some as the "Queen of Gems," the classic elegance of pearls transcends centuries and style fads. Nothing looks more beautiful with a bridal gown than a single strand of flawless pearls.

This is a sponsored review.

A diamond engagement ring is the ultimate symbol of ever lasting love, devotion and commitment between two people. According to Aweddingministers.com 70% of brides receive a diamond engagement ring. As we have now entered prime proposal season I thought I would let you know about a fantastic online diamond retailer who create stunning engagement rings.

Whiteflash.com create handcrafted stunning diamond engagement rings. Led by fifth-generation diamond cutter Brian Gavin, the team of highly skilled craftsmen at Whiteflash use the finest quality materials and together with their traditional manufacturing techniques they manage to design and create exquisitely unique diamond engagement rings. At your fingertips Whiteflash provide you with one of the vastest selections of diamonds I have ever seen on the internet including their exclusive 'A Cut Above' Hearts & Arrows Diamonds.

”The reward for consistent and masterful use of traditional hand tools throughout the creation process gives a clean, distinctive look and feel. This is the secret that sets us apart. That is why the appeal of each piece is unrivaled.”

Whiteflash’s website itself is very easy to navigate. It has 3 main categories to choose from, Diamonds, Diamond Jewelry and Custom Design. For the uneducated diamond lovers amongst us, the jewelry search dropdown menu on the homepage is a really quick and easy way of navigating around the website.

Unless you or your fiancé are diamond experts choosing an engagement ring can be confusing. Whilst most couples know how to choose between a solitaire diamond or a cluster of stones, when it comes to deciding on the cut, clarity and color of the diamond confusion will inevitably arise. Choosing an engagement ring need not be intimidating when you use Whiteflash.com’s easy to follow guide. They give you helpful advice and help you to understand the process. Whiteflash explain to you the 4 Cs which are the characteristics which determine the value, rarity and beauty of a diamond - Carat, Cut, Color and Clarity. Unlike some online diamond retailers Whiteflash break the terminology down into easy to understand narrative. By the end of reading Whiteflash’s guide you should be well educated enough about diamonds to be able to make an informed decision about your choice of diamond engagement ring. Not only does the Whiteflash website contain easy to understand narrative but it also has explanatory video clips which you are free to watch - I think that these could be really helpful to novice diamond ring buyers.

Buying an engagement ring is a significant purchase and at Whiteflash.com they seem to respect that and provide you with a range of exquisite diamond rings to suit all budgets. You do not have to spend a fortune to get an elegant engagement ring. Whiteflash have many pricing and style options for you to choose from.

“An engagement ring from Whiteflash.com is the perfect symbol of pure and eternal love.”

When it comes to designing your own engagement ring on the Whiteflash website they take you through the process step by step allowing you to design every aspect of your own ring. You are encouraged to browse the many beautiful images and pictures of the beautiful diamonds and available settings before you make your final decision. I like the fact that when you hover above the picture it gives you a brief description about each diamond. In addition every Whiteflash diamond can ve viewed at 40 times its actual size, accompanied with detailed reports and further information. In fact there is more information on every diamond on the Whiteflash website than any local jeweller will be able to provide you with. The diagrams of the rings are very easy to understand and teach you the difference between the different shapes of diamonds and settings. It certainly taught me a few things - I did not know what the difference between a 4 prong or half bezel was until I looked at Whiteflash’s website!

When you click through from the engagement ring design page it brings up a table with the prices of each diamond suitable for your choice of stone, setting etc. One of the things I liked was the fact that you can tick the boxes alongside each diamond you like and it compares them for you. It compares all the aspects of each diamond including measurements, clarity, cost and symmetry.

The custom design section of Whiteflash’s website allows you to design your own engagement ring from scratch. You need to provide Whiteflash with a detailed description and pictures and/or a sketch of the ring you require. Whiteflash will give you the benefit of their expertise and guide you along the way explaining possible options and ideas. Once the design has been decided they will then e-mail an order confirmation to you with an exact price for creating your unique engagement ring. So that you can approve the ring before they create it, they will produce a wax model of the ring and several pictures of it will be e-mailed to you.

Diamond engagement rings are not the only string to Whiteflash’s bow. They also create other fine diamond jewelry including elegant designer wedding bands, right hand rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets.

The Whiteflash item I am coveting is the stunning diamond and sapphire bangle bracelets. The dazzling bracelets are crafted in white gold and set with a combination of premium ‘A Cut Above’ brand diamonds and baby pink sapphires. I’m in good company as Lindsay Lohan celebrated her 20th birthday wearing hers! There are other beautiful bracelets available at prices start from $595 with a choice of amethyst, yellow sapphires pink sapphires or blue sapphires.

Whiteflash provide uncompromisingly great quality diamond engagement rings. I recommend that you have a browse on their website to feast your eyes on the beautiful diamonds they have on offer, to educate yourself about diamonds in general and to see what kind of engagement ring matches your style and your budget.

Before hiring your wedding photographer, you should look beyond a good portfolio as important as that is. If you go off hiring your photographer all willy nilly things may not look to good for you. It is urgent that you be prepared with the right questions to get the most bang for your buck and to avoid a bitter disappointment. But what questions should you ask?

As soon as word of your newly engaged status leaks out your friends and family will want to know if you intend on having an engagement party. Whilst throwing an engagement party is by no means necessary it does give you the perfect opportunity to officially announce your engagement and a chance to celebrate this exciting time with your friends and family. An engagement party is the first of many pre-wedding parties that you are likely to be the star of! Nowadays before you even make it up the aisle you are likely to be attending your own wedding shower, bachelorette/hen party, bridesmaids luncheon, rehearsal dinner and bridal brunch.

Advantages of throwing an engagement party:

♥ It gives you the perfect opportunity to officially announce your engagement.

♥ A party gives you a chance to celebrate your newly engaged status with your friends and family and show off your ring!

♥ It also provides an opportunity for both you and your partner’s family and friends and (if you have an inkling of who you might choose) your intended bridal party to meet each other prior to your wedding day.

♥ An engagement party provides a perfect excuse to get your friends and family together for some fun!

Here are some tips and ideas on how to throw a memorable engagement party.

Timing

Traditionally an engagement party is held up to two months after you become officially engaged. If you prefer you can choose to postpone organizing the engagement party until you have chosen a wedding date or until the wedding date you have chosen is closer.

Who is the host?

Traditionally it is the couple’s parents who organize and host an engagement party. However if it is not feasible for either set of parents to organize the party (if they don’t live in the same town as the couple or if there are any awkward family relationships) it is acceptable for a friend or family member to host the event. It is also worth keeping in mind that it is becoming increasingly popular for couples to organize the party themselves. This is a great idea particularly if you want to surprise your guests with your engagement news at the actual party (you could send out party invitations without revealing the true reason behind the celebration). There are no hard and fast rules, so do whatever is appropriate for you. Try not to offend anyone though if they offer to host an engagement party for you. Make the decision of what you and your fiancé want and politely decline any other offers. Something to bear in mind is that whoever hosts the party is also expected to foot the bill, so think long and hard if your parents or a generous relative or friend is offering to throw a party for you! Remember too that if someone else actually hosts your engagement party it will allow you and your fiancé the freedom to circulate at the party rather than greeting guests, taking coats and serving food and drinks.

Party Budget

Work out whether you want a small or large scale engagement party and calculate a budget for it. Write down all the elements of the party including the invitation, the food, the drink, the entertainment and the decorations. Be realistic if you are paying for the event yourself. You don’t want to be still paying for the engagement party once you are into the wedding planning stage!

Venue

Engagement parties can be as formal or as casual as you choose. The purpose is to celebrate your engagement with those who are close to you, not to spend copious amounts of cash on food, drinks and party decorations. Try to keep in mind that some of the most enjoyable and memorable engagement parties are simple low-key events. That being said, if you or your parents have your hearts set on a full-blown elaborate sit-down dinner at a classy restaurant then I’m sure your guests will be more than happy to join you at such an event. You might prefer to have a formal engagement party for your parents and then a more casual party with your friends. It is completely up to you. Here are some ideas for celebrating your engagement:

♥ If it is within the host’s budget then how about a brunch or lunch buffet at your favorite restaurant.

♥ If you want something less formal then how about a casual cocktail party at your local bar. You could block off a room for a private party at your local bar and provide cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.

Remember that with either of these options you cannot under any circumstances ask your party guests to pay for anything.

Here are some popular options which are more affordable if you are on a tight budget:

♥ The most popular venue for engagement parties is at the home of either the couple or their parents. At home engagement party ideas include:

♥ Host a champagne or cocktail party with a casual buffet or hors d'oeuvres. Serve tasty food that is easy to eat and serve. For menu ideas take a look at Entertaining.about.com. If you prefer you can call in a professional caterer who will be able to devise an engagement themed menu and provide staff to serve and clean up at the party.

♥ With regard to drinks concoct some romantic themed cocktails and ensure that wine, beer and soft drinks are also available. You can bulk buy these from a discount or club store.

♥ You could just serve a selection of delicious desserts with drinks.

♥ Host a cheese and wine themed party.

♥ A backyard barbecue is the most common style of outdoor engagement party. Decorate your backyard with strings of fairylights and candles in the evening to create a romantic atmosphere.

♥ How about a group picnic in the park, on the beach or at another scenic local area, such as a vineyard, a museum or on a party boat. Try to choose somewhere that has a special significance to you both (e.g. the scene of your first date).

♥ Host a simple afternoon tea party. You could provide an assortment of teas, coffee and sandwiches served on pretty platters and decorated cakes displayed on elegant cake stands.

♥ To add a further element of fun to your party how about hosting a themed engagement party. There are many different themes which you could choose from but my favorite would be a Mexican theme (you could have a Mariachi band, hire a margarita machine (check out MrMargarita.com for details), have piñatas and serve Mexican food!). Just because you choose to celebrate your engagement with a theme your guests will not automatically assume that you are likely to use the same theme for your wedding!

♥ Remember that if you are hosting an engagement party at your home then you must make sure that there is enough parking space available for your guests. If you are planning a large-scale party perhaps you should consider hiring a valet service

Decoration

Just because you might be on a tight budget does not mean that you cannot be creative with decorations for your engagement party.

♥ Decorate the engagement party venue with photo collages of the two of you including photos of you both growing up and once you met one another.

♥ Use romantic yet inexpensive decorations such as heart-shaped balloons, red tablecloths and napkins, banners, heart-shaped chocolates or candies in elegant bowls and candles casting a soft atmospheric glow.

♥ Order a pretty cake with either a photo of the two of you printed on it or simply with your names upon it.

♥ Whilst you have all of your potential wedding guests in one place (and if you have decided on a wedding date) why not hand out save-the-date magnets or candies. For cute save-the-date ideas check out my blog on this topic.

♥ You could use flowers to provide a stunning centerpiece on your engagement party serving tables or simply place vases of flowers around the room.

Invitations

Choosing engagement invitations is a lot more fun than choosing wedding invitations so make the most of it! There are no ground rules with these party invites – they can be formal, informal, or even made verbally. Once you decide on a date and venue for the party let your guests know so that they can mark their calendar. By sending out an invitation you are also giving them a chance to RSVP. You will need to have an idea of how many people you will be catering for.

You could create unique party invitations by using your engagement photo or a photo of the two of you together. If you are planning on having a themed engagement party (e.g. a barbeque, tea party or a Mexican party) you can use this as a basis for the style of your party invitation. If you are planning on making your own party invitations you might find it helpful to check out the sample invitation wordings at Chelseapaper.com or Announcingit.com.

Guest List

How many guests you invite to your engagement party is up to you (and whoever is hosting the party), your budget and the number of people your venue will allow. Etiquette dictates that anyone who is invited to the engagement party must also be invited to the wedding. If it is the case that even at this stage you are thinking that your wedding will be an intimate family-orientated affair then you should make those non-family guests you have invited to your engagement party aware of this so that there are no surprises for them when your wedding invitations are sent out.

Gifts

It is common knowledge that gifts should definitely not be expected at an engagement party. However it is likely that some guests will want to buy you something. If you do decide to register for gifts at this early stage of your wedding planning, do not put the registry information on the engagement party invitation. Let your parents know where you're registered in case people ask them (see my blog for further advice on this). If you don’t know what type of gifts to register for then how about asking for engagement gifts which will help you to organize and plan your upcoming wedding (e.g. a subscription to a wedding website, a subscription to a bridal magazine, tickets to a local wedding show, books on wedding planning).

If receiving gifts would make you uncomfortable you might prefer to explicitly state on the party invitation that engagement gifts are not necessary.

Entertaining your party guests

Contrary to popular belief you do not have to subject guests at your engagement party to endless cheesy party games. The most important thing is that your family and friends get to know one another in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Here are a few simple ideas of how to entertain your guests and hopefully encourage them to mingle.

♥ If it’s a daytime barbeque or picnic you are hosting, then why not organize an outdoor sporting event such as a game of softball, volleyball or even croquet for your guests. This will give them the perfect opportunity to bond.

♥ Just as you would at any party try to make introductions between guests and point out possible common interests.

♥ You can use visual props as icebreakers at your party. For example type up your engagement story and the story of how you met, frame it and display it for the guests to read. This will be sure to get them talking.

♥ Arrange to have an official engagement photo taken of you and then display it at your engagement party. A cute idea is also to display old photos of you and your fiancé as children, when you were growing up and when you first got together. This is traditionally a great conversation starter.

♥ To give your guests a heads up on who is who and your families structure display a family tree showing both families.

♥ Music at a party definitely enhances the atmosphere and encourages guests to interact. If you are hosting a large-scale party then how about organizing a live jazz band, a Mariachi band (perfect for a Mexican themed party), a pianist or a classical musician (violin, harp, acoustic guitar etc). Choose musical entertainment to match the theme and style of your party.

♥ By throwing the party in the evening your guests are more likely to relax and let go of their inhibitions and will be more inclined to get up and dance.

♥ If you have already started planning your wedding by the time the engagement party comes around then why not create a video photo montage including in it pictures of the church or wedding venue, the intended reception venue, your chosen transportation and other wedding planning ideas you have had. If you have decided on your bridal attendants you could even include footage of each of them to introduce them to your friends and family. This will give your guests a taster of the upcoming wedding.

♥ It is definitely a good idea to set up a microphone so that your host can make a toast to you both. If you place it in a prominent location it will encourage guests, as the party progresses, to make spontaneous toasts to you both.

♥ If you want to save money then rather than hiring an official photographer, why not ask a family member or friend who is reliable and has a certain amount of expertise with a camera to capture your engagement party for posterity in pictures or even on video. Alternatively ask party guests with cameras to share their photos with you after the party. It’s great to have photos as a keepsake of such a special event.

♥ I read about this idea on a wedding forum and I thought it sounded great. You provide two large white sheets of poster board and write "Wedding Advice From the Women" across the top of one and "Wedding Advice From the Men" on the other with a heavy marker pen. Attach a pen to each board and encourage your party guests to leave notes about things they learned while planning their own weddings or simply wedding planning suggestions from non-married guests. Not only will this give guests an opportunity to offer you their advice but you will inevitably come away with lots of helpful information which will serve you well in the upcoming wedding planning stages! If you want something less obtrusive than poster boards you could use pretty stationary or even index cards on a table at the party instead. You could stick them into an engagement scrapbook after the party alongside your photos and other engagement mementoes.

For more unique ideas on how to encourage your party guests to mingle check out my blog on this subject.

Don’t get stressed out by the details of your engagement party. Make the most of this special time before the ensuing chaos of planning your actual wedding begins! Organize a party that feels right for you and your fiancé. If you are relaxed and enjoying yourself then your family and friends are sure to have a great time too!

The last but most important piece of advice I can give you is to relax, enjoy your engagement party and have a good time with your friends and family. Remember that they are all there to celebrate your love and upcoming nuptials not to judge you on your choice of party nibbles!

Congratulations - I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating your engagement!

It was the wedding of your dreams and the honeymoon of a lifetime. Now you're settling down to enjoy married life. You'll probably do a lot of things to nurture your marital bliss - from slipping little love notes into each other's brief cases or lunch bags, to learning the "right" way to argue. But don't forget the more mundane things you need to do to protect your life together - including updating your homeowners insurance.

You’re Engaged!

Congratulations! Without a doubt getting engaged is one of the most exciting moments of your life. You have decided that you want to spend the rest of your life with this person and overnight you have changed status from being simply a girlfriend/boyfriend to a fiancé! After the initial excitement (and perhaps shock) of being engaged has settled you will inevitably want to share your fantastic news with those closest to you. If you are ready to share your news with your family, friends and the world at large then here are a few tips on how best to spread the good news.

How to break the news

When you are ready to share your engagement news with the world you initially have to decide how you want to make your announcement. Here are your options:

♥ A personal announcement is always preferable if you live near the announcee. If possible try to both be present when you make the announcement to family and friends, that way they can congratulate you both together!

♥ If logistically you are unable to see the announcee in person then a popular alternative is a personal phone call. This is the most personal way to break the news of your engagement to out of town family and friends.

♥ Sending e-mails is now an accepted method of making your engagement announcement. This is a quick and convenient way of sharing your news with all of your family and friends, particularly those who live in far flung corners of the world.

♥ Setting up a wedding website is popular as it enables you to share every detail of your proposal story with your friends and family all at once. These websites also allow you to swiftly communicate details about your upcoming wedding to all of your friends and family and even display your engagement photo on it. You can create a wedding website for free - have a look on the internet (TheKnot.com provide a great free wedding webpage with stylish designs and lots of helpful wedding planning tools).

♥ For some you might find that writing a personal letter is the perfect way of announcing your engagement. Bear in mind that if you intend on writing letters to all of your family and friends you might well end up with very sore hands! In certain circumstances where you want to share your engagement news with someone but would prefer not to speak to them in person (e.g. the family of your late spouse, a friend who is recently divorced etc.) then a handwritten letter is wholly appropriate.

♥ Surprise your family with an announcement at a family dinner party.

♥ Alternatively you might prefer to throw an engagement party which could be hosted by yourselves, by your parents or by friends. You can choose to either announce your engagement in the party invitations you send out or make a surprise announcement during the party. Engagement parties do not have to be formal, stuffy or expensive affairs - you could have a backyard barbeque or a drinks party at a local bar. A party is definitely a fun way to spread your engagement news, celebrate your newly engaged status and show off your engagement ring!

Top Tip: When compiling a guest list for your party bear in mind that those who you invite will probably expect an invitation to your wedding too.

Top Tip: Although they are not obliged to, it is entirely feasible that some friends and family will want to buy you an engagement gift. If you prefer not to register for gifts at a store this early then you can decline their offers and even, print “gifts not requested” on the party invitations. Alternatively you can explain that you do not intend to register for gifts until nearer the wedding date but that you intend to register at stores “X” and “Y” - at least that way they can buy you some gift vouchers if they insist on celebrating your engagement by buying you a gift.

♥ Whilst mailing out formal announcement cards used to be the traditional way of notifying family and friends of your engagement, this is now less popular. The reason for this is that nowadays couples are realizing that by sending these cards they run the risk of the recipient misinterpreting it as an invitation to their wedding. If guest lists are far from your mind at this stage of your initial wedding planning then err on the side of caution and do not send out formal engagement announcement notices. You can send out more details about the wedding later on when you have had a chance to decide who you would like to invite to your wedding.

♥ If you would like to announce your engagement to the general public then you should consider a traditional newspaper announcement in your local paper.

Top Tips for placing a newspaper announcement

♥ Your first step should be to decide which newspaper you want the announcement to appear in. You might want it submit it to your own local paper as well as that of your parents.

♥ If your wedding is being planned for soon after the engagement then get the announcement in to the newspaper as early as possible as it can take up to a month for it to appear in print.

♥ Once you have decided which newspaper, contact their lifestyle or society editor to establish their submission policy. Questions to ask are what are their guidelines, fees (some newspapers run the announcement for free!) and deadlines.

Top tip: Always check the newspaper’s submission policy as they do vary between publications.

♥ Some newspapers allow photos of the engaged couple, so it is worth checking what their policy is on this. Ask if the photo must be black and white or color and check to see if you can email the photo to them (this will save you from having to provide them with your original photo which you might well not get back and also avoids the risk of the photo getting lost in the mail).

♥ Decide who the announcement is being made by; your parents, your fiancé’s parents or by you and your fiancé.

♥ Your announcement should include the following information:

♦ You and your fiancé’s full names, hometowns and (if you wish) brief education and career credentials.

♦ Each sets of parent’s full names. Include your parents’ hometowns if they do not live in the same town as you or each other.

♦ The wedding date or even simply the year you intend to get married.

♦ The city and state in which you intend your wedding to take place.

♥ If you have not yet made the decision as to wedding date and location then you do not have to include this information at this stage. If you have decided on the month or year your wedding is due to take place then the following wording could be used instead:

“A fall wedding is planned/An April wedding is planned/The wedding is set to take place in 2008”.

♥ Here are some sample wordings for your newspaper announcement:

The Bride's Family

Mr. and Mrs. Nigel Jones of Geneva announce the engagement of their daughter, Ella to Ray Sparks, son of Tom and Kath Sparks of Milwaukee. Ms. Jones graduated …… etc.

Divorced Parents

Mr. Nigel Jones, of Geneva, and Ms. Hannah Salter, of Elgin, announce the engagement of their daughter, Ella to Ray Sparks. Ms. Jones graduated …… etc.

Single Parent

Ms. Hannah Salter announces the engagement of her daughter, Ella Jones to Ray Sparks, the son of Tom and Kath Sparks of Milwaukee. Ms. Jones is also the daughter of Nigel Jones of Geneva. Ms. Jones graduated …… etc.

Remarried Parent

Ms. Hannah Salter and Mr. Bob Clackett announce the engagement of Ms. Salter’s daughter Ella Jones to Ray Sparks. Ms. Jones …….. etc.

Deceased Parent

Mrs. Hannah Jones announces the engagement of her daughter, Ella to Ray Sparks. Ms. Jones, also the daughter of the late Nigel Jones, graduated from the University of Harvard and is a kindergarten teacher at Busy Bees in Elgin. Mr. Sparks, the son of Tom and Kath Sparks, graduated from the University of Michigan and is a sales executive with the Nectar Corporation in Elgin.

Announcement by the Bride and Groom

Ella Jones, a graduate of Harvard University, is to be married to Ray Sparks, a graduate of Michigan University. Ms. Jones, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nigel Jones, is a kindergarten teacher at Busy Bees in Elgin. Mr. Sparks is a sales executive with the Nectar Corporation in Elgin.

♥ Nowadays many newspapers allow you to fill in an online submissions form. If this service is not available to you then the best way to avoid handwriting discrepancies is to type up the engagement announcement for submission to the newspaper.

♥ Ask to see a proof copy for approval before it goes to print to check for mistakes.

Who to tell first

Traditional wedding etiquette dictates that you should share your engagement news in the following order:

If you have children

♥ Once you are engaged the first people you should tell are your children. You definitely need their support, if not their approval, of your future nuptials before you can start making any plans.

♥ You should inform your children of your engagement as soon as possible so that they have plenty of time to adjust to the idea. We are bombarded by the media, particularly by television shows such as "The Brady Bunch", with images of perfectly blended stepfamilies. Of course there will be tears and turbulence as your family unit changes size with your upcoming wedding but becoming a proper united family is not an unattainable feat - it just needs time and perseverance!

♥ You should definitely let your children decide for themselves if they want to participate in your wedding.

Your parents

♥ Traditionally the bride’s parents are informed first of the engagement, then the grooms immediately afterwards.

Your family and close friends

♥ Next you should let your grandparents, siblings and other close relatives and friends know about your engagement. Of course if you want to break the news to them all at once then a surprise announcement at a party or family dinner would be the perfect way of achieving this.

Top Tip: When deciding who to announce your engagement to first consider whether any of your friends or family would be miffed at not being told your news immediately.

If you are divorced

♥ If you are divorced without children then there is no need for you to mention your upcoming marriage to your ex-spouse unless you are on good terms with them and keep in touch with each others news.

♥ If you are divorced with children then you must let your ex-spouse know about your upcoming nuptials. If your children are old enough then you can ask if they would prefer to tell their parent about your wedding or if they want you to break the happy news. You should try to let your ex-spouse know as soon as possible after you have told your children about your engagement, so that your children do not have to keep it a secret and will free to discuss your upcoming wedding openly.

♥ If you are not on speaking terms with your ex then you could put your news in a letter to them and mention that you have explained it to your children and that your wish is for your children to be a part of your wedding day. Although as co-parent you don’t need permission for your own children to participate in your wedding ceremony, it would make things easier all round if your ex-spouse was consulted at an early stage so that any objections could be aired and discussed and you could guarantee their full co-operation with your upcoming wedding plans.

If you are a widow or widower

♥ If your first spouse died then you will need to be sensitive to your deceased spouse's families' feelings. Out of respect for the family you should let them know in person (if you have children by your deceased spouse and remain in constant contact with the family) or by letter (if you have become distant from them and are not used to telephoning them or seeing them in person) that you are remarrying.

♥ Whether or not you invite your deceased spouse's family to your wedding is a very delicate etiquette issue. If your children (their grandchildren) are participating in your wedding then consider whether they would enjoy attending so that they could see this. Use your own judgment as to whether you think it would stir up too many sad memories for them (and you). Encore weddings do present social and emotional issues such as this - it comes with the territory I'm afraid!

Top Tip: When breaking your engagement news try not to upstage anyone. Making the announcement during someone else’s party or celebration may not be appropriate – consider whether they will welcome sharing the limelight with you and your fiancé beforehand or even discuss it with them in private. The last thing you want is for your news announcement to be thought of as stealing someone else’s thunder!

Top Tip: Remember that whilst your engagement is thrilling for you and your fiancé, not everyone you know will share your excitement. Try not to let any negative reactions diffuse your happiness.

Top Tip: If you are making the announcement to a friend or family member who has fresh wounds from their own recent divorce or loss of a partner, then try to break the news to them as sensitively as possible. You want your news to be met with tears of joy rather than a maelstrom of grief-stricken sobbing!

Finally, the most important piece of advice I can give you is to enjoy being engaged! Try not to get too caught up with who to tell and how to tell them - remember, you should choose a way of telling the world that you are engaged which suits your own personalitiesand makes you both comfortable and happy. This is a special time for you both, so relax and enjoy it!

According to Rushprnews.com based on recent estimates it is predicted that 1/3 of all engagements for the entire year will take place over the holiday season. That amounts to nearly one million couples! The reason for this is that the holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year, present an abundance of opportunities for memorable proposals to take place.

With prime proposal season being upon us I thought that I would help out newly engaged couples with some advice on what comes after the proposal! This will include:

♥ How to announce your engagement
♥ Ideas for celebrating your engagement
♥ Top tips on how to start planning your wedding

If you are newly engaged or hoping to get engaged over the holiday period then take a look for some great advice and exciting ideas.

Without a doubt the engagement ring is the most essential ingredient of a successful marriage proposal. If money is tight at the moment but you are planning on getting engaged during the holiday season then why not try your luck at winning a beautiful engagement ring.

The Knot have announced the launch of their annual "Diamond-a-Week Giveaway Game" on 1st December 2006. In conjunction with luxury diamond company “Hearts On Fire” The Knot have created an interactive game based on three-card monte, where each week during the holiday season potential proposers can click to play and have a chance at winning one of four Hearts On Fire diamond engagement rings, each worth up to $15,000. For your chance log onto TheKnot.com/winadiamond from 6th December onwards.

Be lucky!

Weddings are a big occasion not only for the bride and groom, but for their friends and families as well. It is a great chance for people who don't see each other as often as they would like to reconnect.

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So you want to hire a wedding professional. How do you do so without getting scammed? Questions, questions, questions. I know they can lie to you, but if you ask enough of questions, you can usually get some honest feedback...

As colder weather blows in, consider a new beauty regime that protects against the bite of chilly temperatures. To beat the winter beauty blues, use 100 percent pure honey for soft, smooth and glowing skin.

List your wedding site with us, if you are a Georgia wedding professional. You have to meet certain rules, but it is free. Read more

Should you contract videography from your wedding photographer? Does a good photographer automatically make a good wedding videographer?