Picking out a wedding ring should be a fun thing. Knowing the 5 C's of wedding jewelry will keep spirits high and fun in store during the buying process. This handy dandy checklist will help you remember what to look for in a quality wedding ring. Gather up your groom and head to the store but be sure to consider these things first.

Carat is key in quality wedding rings.

• The carat of a diamond refers to its weight.
• One carat is one fifth of a gram (200 milligrams). On ounce consists of 142 carats.
• One carat has 100 points.

Clarity is important when buying diamond wedding rings.

• Naturally occurring bubbles, inner cracks, and specks affect a diamond's clarity.
• A flawless diamond (FL) is given the highest rating. These are rare.
• The least desirable rating is "imperfect."
  Size and placement of the naturally occurring blemishes determines rating.
• The 10x magnifying glass used to view the inside of stones is called a loupe.

Cut is the difference between low grade and "a cut above" wedding rings.

• Cut is the feature that gives a diamond its sparkle.
• Cut refers to the faceted flat angled surfaces created when cutting (shaping) a diamond.
• Too many cuts reduces the quality of the diamond and its ability to reflect or refract light.

Color decides the color of your life, or at least the wedding band you'll wear for a lifetime.

• The highest color ranking is D. This is a clear and colorless diamond.
• Z is the lowest color ranking. This is a yellow diamond.
• Yellow, red, pink, orange, amber, violet, and blue are all common colors.
• Naturally occurring colored diamonds are referred to as "fancies."

Certification guarantees quality wedding bands that will last.

• Diamonds should come with written proof of their weight, grade and identifying characteristics.
• Certification should be given by the International Gemological Institute.

Want to know more about wedding rings? View information about shape, cut, style and more in this recent post.

Wedding traditions are charming ways we hold on to our heritage and ethnicity. When we are able to incorporate even minute details of our heritage it makes our wedding day that much more special. But what if you don't have a direct relationship to a particular heritage or ethnicity?  Can you follow their traditions?  Remember imitation is the best form of flattery.  So why not incorporate the traditions of an ethnicity or  culture that you admire.  For me some of the wedding traditions that began with the Italian culture are the most special.

In fact, Italian wedding traditions are easily incorporated into any wedding celebration. If you’re a bride who Read the rest of Infusing Italian Wedding Traditions Into Your Special Day »

Wedding Ceremony Music Tips

Every little girl has dreamed of the moment where the wide cathedral doors open and reveal for the first time the beautiful bride as she makes her way to her groom. Countless hours are poured into making every moment as special as possible. Music selected for the wedding ceremony should reflect this significance while lending individuality to the occasion. Whether walking down the aisle to Pachelbel’s Canon In D or another popular tune, allow the wedding ceremony music to express the joy and care with which the day was planned.

Many brides get lost in the overwhelming shuffle of details during the planning of a wedding. Ceremony music selections should be among the easiest of choices throughout the preparations and these handy tips Read the rest of Amping Up The Ceremony With Wedding Music Tips »

Wedding Reception Music Tips
Everyone knows that the music at the wedding reception can make or break the festivities. The wedding reception is the couple’s first party as husband and wife and holds special significance to the couple, friends, and family. Whether interested in a band or a deejay, reception music creates the vibe for the entire celebration. Setting the stage for a great time is easy with these reception music tips! Read the rest of Music Tips And Ideas For Wedding Receptions »

Who Dances the First Dance at a Wedding?

Traditionally the first dance is for the Bride and Groom. It is a symbolic dance expressing that the two are joined in union. In traditional European weddings the dance was usually a Waltz. This tradition carried forward as Europeans immigrated to the USA. Of course in today’s modern world, the bride and groom have musicians and wedding singers play more contemporary music, so the dance is not as formal as it once was.

The second dance is traditionally the father-daughter dance. This is the dance where the bride and her father dance. The symbolization is the father giving his daughter away so the dance carries the wedding Read the rest of First Dance Wedding Tradition »