The Do's and Dont's of Wedding Planning (from my p.o.v.)

Hello Readers!!

My wedding planning process was 16 months long. During that process, my husband and I learned alot about ourselves and each other. It may sound dramatic to some but it really is something that is hard to understand until one finds themselves in that situation. The thing about wedding planning that causes so much stress and drama, is that it's such an EMOTIONAL event for EVERYONE involved. Meaning, not just Mom, Dad, Sisters, and Brothers BUT Pastors, friends, uncles, aunts, and neighbors. Literally everyone you meet is happy for you and everyone wants to feel included in your big day. So the hard part comes in managing what the COUPLE wants and what everyone else wants. That is where all the conflict comes from, not wanting to dissappoint, feelings of guilt, inability to take a stand, etc. These are all things I felt! Having a planner helped alot because my planner was not only a wedding planner she was a counselor, referee, mediator, and everything else in between. It was helpful and refreshing to have someone that represented us and was willing to take things OFF of our plate so that we could breathe easier at times.

I feel that my job as your wedding blogger is to inspire and educate soon-to-be brides all over the world. So my goal with this post is to simply enlighten those that are in the planning process or soon will be. As you can probably tell from a few of my previous posts and my blogging "hiatus," wedding planning is NO JOKE and it can get out of control very quickly. Here are a few do's and dont's that I personally picked up during my process that I felt an urge to share with our wonderful readers! It's probably one of my lengthiest posts but well worth the read if this is something you plan on facing in the near future!!

DO manage your expectations

   This is a HUGE one. Probably the MOST important one in my opinion. As a wedding connoisseur I got VERY carried away with my wants and my must haves. I have scores of computer files filled with pictures that I have been collecting for years, of things my wedding could not do without. You know Vera Wang, fireworks, 7 ft tall cakes, celebrity performers, etc. But when I was faced with the challenge of making all these things happen there was a LOT of disappointments along the way, because lets face it, we HAD a budget. It wasn't one of those situations where funds were unlimited and I could have it all. I don't know too many people that are that lucky, lol! So for all of you that are looking to get married and started magazine clipping and wedding blog dreaming, get realistic NOW. Do your research and try to find out how much things that you want cost, start saving like a mad person, and again I'm saying BE REALISTIC! A lot of vendors may not take you serious if you don't have a date picked, but it doesn't hurt to shop around and get a feel for how much things will cost you. It's important to have a grasp on what's out there.

DO explore different avenues for stress management

   How do you wind down? Is it a glass of wine and a chick flick? Is it a night out with friends? Exercise? Whatever you do to relieve stress, do it and ramp it up when necessary. I'm not saying turn into an alcoholic, loll! But what I am saying is do not use your fiancee' or friends as a punching bag. Don't take your anger or frustrations out on them. If you need to sign up for a kickboxing class, do so. Find ways to release your stress so that you don't transform into some ugly, nasty monster that nobody likes a.k.a. Bridezilla

DO hire a planner, and (if you do) learn to RELEASE control

   You will never hear me downplay the importance of a wedding planner. But that is not the final step when you hire a planner. Understand very clearly what services they will provide and STOP doing whatever it is you are paying them to do. If you want your planner to select your vendors, allow them to do so. You can cross check and approve but it's no need for you to be scouting DJs and bartenders when you hired someone to do that. If you already have vendors in mind for certain things that is totally okay but don't stress yourself over something you can easily hand off. I know it's hard to do this (my fellow control freaks) but I promise you'll be glad when you do.

DO respect your soon-to-be-husband's input and be a united front at all times.

   This is very important because oftentimes women forget about their other halves in this process. Some men don't wish to be involved at all which is okay (be glad! Trust me), but if your guy wants to have input DO NOT ignore him or go against his wishes. If this means hours of coercing and persuasion so be it. The last thing you need is for tension to build between the two of you. At the end of the day it's about your joyful union and you don't want any bitterness there. Also, it's MUCH easier to deal with opposition from family, friends, and others when you and your significant other are on the same page. It's like Jesus said in Matthew 12:25 "a house divided against itself can not stand". If you guys don't agree then nothing else will flow. So keep the peace at all costs!! If you can't seem to get on the same page I highly suggest marriage counseling and speaking with other married couples you trust for some insight and advice. DONT BE TOO PROUD TO ASK FOR HELP!

DO make a list of must-have's, strong wants, and "would be nice but can live without"

  What I mean by this is you simply can NOT have it all unless money is NOT a factor. If it is not, then skip this one and go to the next point. If money IS a factor continue reading. Draw a box with three columns. In one column label it must-haves, this is for things that you will NOT compromise on and will have over-arching priority over everything else. Here some people put particular venues, certain dress, photographer etc. Next column: Strong Wants. These are things that you really really want but take a backseat to the must-haves. The next column I call it "would be nice." This column consists of things that you would LOVE to have but will be the first to go when it's budget cuts time. Just be careful that you don't get attached to things in this column and push them over to the must-haves (happened to me a few times, lol.) This could be something like a dessert bar or a photo booth.

DO choose your bridal party very wisely

   Some people can guilt-trip or bully you into who to select for your bridal party. I had a big party but I don't regret for one second anybody I chose! There were ups and downs but on the day of I was surrounded by my closest friends who had my back through and through. That's what its all about! Really evaluate your friendships before selecting because it is hard to fire and re-hire when the date starts approaching. Also, manage your expectations in regards to your BP. Your friends had lives before you asked them to be apart of your wedding and their lives will continue, so be understanding of their schedules, budgets, and limitations. Don't let wedding planning ruin your friendships!

DONT'S

DON'T make it ALL about  YOU

   You'll hear EVERYBODY telling you that it's YOUR day and don't let anyone take that from you and I totally agree! BUT remember, it is a day your parents and parents-in-law waited their whole lives for as well. It's a day your friends have been looking forward to as well as every member in your family that loves and regards you. So it's all about you in the sense that you are the reason everyone will gather and everyone is there to share in your day of love. But don't let that get to your head and turn you into a horrible person. Humility and prayer will get you a LONG way in the planning process. When you humble yourself you will be SURPRISED how many people will come from all corners willing to help you with anything you need. If you are treating everyone with no respect and being a brat the entire time you will notice that on your wedding day you'll be all alone.

DON'T expect perfection

   Leading up to my wedding day, everyone is asking "so, how do you feel???" My only answer was "I just want it to be perfect." BUZZZZZZZ: Wrong answer!! Sure enough there were hiccups and things that went wrong on my day. There is no such thing as perfection, but still for some reason when you plan ONE day for a year plus it's hard to understand why it would be anything less than perfect!! But we must remember it is an event for humans, organized and arranged by humans. Humans are what?? Imperfect! So just know that no matter how much money, time, or energy put into wedding planning there will be SOMETHING that you did not plan for.

DON'T think everyone will REVOLVE their lives around YOUR wedding

   When you first get engaged it will feel like it's time for everybody that loves you to "drop everything you're doing because I'm getting married." In reality, absolutely nobody is going to do this. Except for maybe your Mom and your planner if you hire one. People will NOT come to your wedding because of prior obligations, people will NOT RSVP because they forget and people will ask you a million questions because they don't read their emails. Thinking that this day is a hallmark in everyone's lives is a total setup for disappointment. Sure your friends will be excited for you and they'll be willing to help. But if it interferes with their lives in any way you MUST be understanding. Don't get mad or be OVER expectant. Just be grateful with what help you do receive and move on!

DON'T rely on monetary gifts before receipt

   This is self-explanatory. Don't factor in money you've been promised until it reaches your hand. Don't book vendors and make obligations unless you can afford those things, in case "something comes up."

DON'T ever ever give up hope if your must-haves seem out of reach

    When you take a look at your must-have lists halfway through planning, you may notice some things that don't seem like they will happen or come through. My advice is to NEVER give up hope! That is from sheer experience. I really wanted draping for our venue and after we did some shopping around it seemed completely impossible. I was utterly devastated. As in, crying, mad, didn't feel like talking to anybody for like a week. I prayed and fasted and put it in God's hands. At the VERY last minute there was a breakthrough! To many it may sound foolish, "all that over draping" but it was THAT important to me, and God saw that! Nothing is impossible!

DON'T wait until last minute

   Although we had a long time to plan, there were plenty of things that were left till the last minute. One of them being our aisle runner, we had to settle for some flimsy version because we didn't have the 10 weeks needed to order a really nice one. Don't let the little details slip through the cracks. Be proactive and draw up a weekly to-do list to plow through day by day!

What do you think? Agree or Disagree? Did this help anybody planning?

Stay Beautiful My Loves,

Memi  

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How To Thursday: Destination Weddings

Hello Guys,


I know destination weddings are not for everybody...but there are some couples who would actually prefer to say their vows on an island. Some couples do it alone or with a small group of friends who are willing to travel! Here are some tips for those couples who are interested or are planning a destination wedding!

justweddings.org

1. Residency Requirements

Many countries have lengthy residency requirements for couples who want to marry on their soil. European countries are notoriously tricky for this, while many Caribbean and Southeast Asian nations, which trade on their reputations as romantic vacation destinations, are more lenient. Always check with the embassy or tourism bureau of your chosen country beforehand. A simple way to get around these laws can be to have the symbolic wedding ceremony in the country of your choice, while having the civil ceremony at a courthouse or registrar’s office back home.

2. Documentation

You’ve packed the gown, the tux, the print-outs of your vows. But…you’ve neglected to bring your birth certificate! Some – though not all – countries require special documentation like original birth certificates, documentation of previous divorce, etc.  Sometimes those documents need to be certified by your embassy, sometimes they need to be translated into the country’s own language. Again, check with your embassy or with the local tourism bureau, and plan accordingly – those wishing to marry in Thailand, for example, should budget for a week in-country before the wedding.

3. Wedding Planner, a necessity 

Planning a wedding is difficult enough in your hometown. Trying to do so via email and Skype across thousands of miles and a language barrier is a train wreck waiting to happen. That’s why almost all experts recommend hiring a LOCAL wedding planner to navigate the murky seas of florists, caterers, officiants, etc. Plan to dedicate about 10 percent of your total budget for hiring a planner.

4. Etiquette...be Considerate

Unfortunately, destination weddings all too often create financial tension for friends and family. While you might not mind plunking down a year’s salary for one magical day, your future in-laws and potential bridesmaids and groomsmen may not be in a position to splash out thousands on plane tickets and hotel rooms. But they’ll no doubt be hurt if not invited.

What to do? Well, you could elope, of course. (Just kidding…sort of.) Seriously, there’s no universal solution to this one other than a) announce your plans well in advance so guests have time to save and plan, b) pay for hotel rooms and other expenses for members of the wedding party, and c) consider having a very small wedding, followed by an at-home reception for your larger circle.

chocolatebrides.com

5. Pick your location

Decide on a place. Think of a place that is romantic and meaningful to your relationship, or be impetuous and spin the globe and plunk your finger down anywhere. Let your imagination run wild for now and eliminate unrealistic destinations later in the process. Choose a first, second and third choice.

6. Money, Money, Money!

Set your budget. Factor in how many guests you want, how much money you'll need for travel and how much money you'll need to start your new life afterwards. Set a realistic price range, one with some wiggle room either way. This will narrow down your choices while "shopping."

7. Who would want to come?

Make a guest list. This is important for destination weddings. Figure out each guest's probable schedule and location. You want to plan your wedding to accommodate your high priority guests.

8. How can I make it cheaper and more convenient for my guests?

Shop for packages. Look for all inclusive destination wedding packages in that area. To avoid headaches look for a package that helps you with transportation, marriage licenses, reception venues, bridal consultants, accommodations for guests and group discounts for guests. Compare prices and inclusiveness, as well as recommendations, ratings and references.

tumblr.com

9. Test the Waters

Get a feel for the place. Do this in order to guide your guests once they get down there. Go down a bit ahead of time and walk through what the guests will have to do, including checking in to the hotel, finding a place to eat, getting to and from the airport and the hotel and where the wedding is held.

10. Stay Informed!!

Keep updated. In the months leading up to your wedding after everything is sorted out, be sure to double-check all reservations and services. Send thank you notes to everyone that has helped you and ask any question you can think of.

Helpful resources:

• The Knot: US-based wedding info clearinghouse, with dozens of extremely useful articles on the planning, etiquette  and logistics of destination weddings.
• US State Department: Helpful info for American citizens regarding foreign wedding requirements (some info will be helpful for non-US-citizens as well).

Stay Beautiful My Loves,

Memi

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ETSY!!!!!!!!! Wedding Planning HEAVEN

Hey Everyone!!!


So today I just wanted to let other planning brides in on a little secret that brides are using lately to cut costs! Every bride wants to make sure that their wedding is filled with adorable little details! Details are EVERything in my opinion, when it comes to making your wedding unique and different from others. Weddings are filled with so many traditions that it is easy for a wedding to just blend in with everyone elses's. This leaves brides all over wanting to have that special little "uumph" that will make her wedding stand out. My answer to that is ETSY! Etsy is a site where people can sell and buy things they make themselves. There is everything from jewelry and clothes to accessories and paper goods! There is a WHOLE section for ALL things wedding related and this is where I go nutssss...lol!! I will post some cute little things I think are so unique and will really help you insert as much of your personality as possible into your special day!


My 1st Etsy purchase were some Bridesmaid invitation cards. I didn't buy these particular ones but I like these b/c you can select different dresses that fit your friend's styles.

Shop Name: PaintedbyRenee

I always love to see these little customized hangers for the dress photos. Have you always wondered where people get them from??? Well, there are NUMEROUS sellers with them on Etsy! You can get them customized to your future last name.

Seller: twobroadsdesign

Blingy cake toppers? Etsy has those too! Customized to any letter or color you want!

Seller: panachebride

I fell in love with this BEAUTIFUL hair pin!

Seller: jurgitahandmade

A new common trend nowadays is to have your flower girls in cute little ballerina tutus! I found a seller that will customize and work with you to make your tutu into ANY color or theme you can think of! She also does birthdays and custom orders for little girls!

Seller: TheTutuTailor

This is a must-have for all the Daddy's girls out there! I LOVE this!

Seller: thesugaredplum

Stay Beautiful My Loves,

Memi

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From Groom to Groom, How to Get Involved

Hello Everybody!

Today I have a wonderful surprise for you!! My amazing fiancee offered to be a guest blogger for us!! He wanted to do his OWN version on how future grooms could get involved in the planning process. I was pleasantly surprised on what he came up with! He did a great job if I do say so myself & trust me he is speaking from experience, loll :-) Leave comments to let him know how he did!! 

Tips on Being an Involved Groom

I want the men to picture themselves in the wedding planning process. If you are like most guys (99.9%) the first thing that snaps into your head is seeing your fiancée (with her mother, sister, friend, etc.) picking out the wedding dress, floral arrangements, table cloth color, centerpieces, caterer, DJ, (I can go on for days) while you show up alive and ticking on the wedding day. In the past, grooms were typically uninvolved in the wedding planning process. Having the bride and the bride’s family do the planning was the norm. But times are a changing, as are the roles and responsibilities. The groom can do more than just help out here and there. Being involved can alleviate the stress that the bride may go through.

Guys, we must understand that most women dream about their weddings since they were in their mother’s womb. A vivid picture is set and they want to ensure every single detail is done to achieve that “perfect wedding.” But it must be understood that it is not a one person show. Planning this day would probably be the first major project as a couple, so why not accomplish it together?


Here are some tips for grooms on how to become more involved in their wedding process:


Talk about it/ Ask for help – I believe the first thing you must do is share the ideas you
have. Some guys may be hesitant to help with planning because they don’t have a clue
of what is expected of them. Do not brush aside or shoot down any ideas. That is bad for
business on both ends. Always encourage each other during the planning process to lessen
any outside stress that may come by. Develop a plan that can adhere to both your needs
and stick to it.
Every guy may not have the most aesthetic eye in the world and that’s OK. You can leave
such things as the flowers, décor, and invitations to her. There are other areas that the
groom can take on.


Honeymoon: You’ve wanted to travel to an island with the bluest water for a while now
for vacation. Why not plan the honeymoon? A great way to plan that special getaway
with your new partner.


Limo/Transportation: You love cars. You love everything about cars. You have all
the Fast and Furious DVDs and even the special edition of Disney’s Cars. This would
be the perfect opportunity to get involved in the search for the limo and the mode of
transportation for the bridal party.


Groom and groomsmen attire: Hey, why not have a say in what you and your
groomsmen are going to wear? This is a great way to show your own style (of course
that the both of you can agree on.)


Entertainment: Choosing the entertainment for the reception is a great way to get
involved in the wedding planning. You can have auditions of the bands or DJs that you
both have in mind. If the band/DJ play somewhere regularly, take a night out and go
listen to them with your bride to be. This would be a great way to spend time together
while ticking off the “Need DJ/Band” on the checklist.


Organizer: If you are a good in keeping things organized, you can help by taking
care of all the paper work that you may obtain such as contracts and receipts. This is
a great way to use your skills as a natural organizer and put your excel spreadsheet
awesomeness to work.


Include something special in the wedding for you: This can change your mindset of
a wedding being a boring formalized ritual to something personal, unique, and fun. If you
are a musician, you can play a song for your bride during the reception. Wouldn’t that be
nice… performing a song for your bride at your wedding.


Get involved! With these suggestions, I’m sure the planning process would be a lot easier and even more exciting for the both of you. It is not easy being the groom now-a-days. There's a lot expected of you, and a multitude of tasks to check off the list. But no matter how crazy things get, never forget that you love her and that the frenzied preparation period is just one hurdle on the road to a beautiful life together.


Be Easy,
Dapo

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Have You Always Wondered?? Igbo Traditional Wedding

A few weeks ago I did a post on Yoruba traditional weddings and as I said I would explore marriage traditions from ALL over! Today I am presenting you with Igbo marriage traditions. I was blessed enough to have help from my most FAVORITE Igbo friend, Precious Obua! THANKS PRESHHH!! So here is what Precious had to share with me about the beautiful traditions of Igbo weddings.

Bedazzled Photography

In Igbo traditional wedding starts with the groom's family approaching the bride's family and they welcome them. They sit down and tell the bride's family what they have come there for. They ask the bride if she approves of the request, she then says yes. The groom's family will present everything they bring from the bride price list. Palm wine is served. If the bride's parents drink the palm wine, she is permitting of the wedding. They pour it in the cup for her to go find the man she wants to marry. She finds him, kneels down and gives him the wine to drink and he saves some for her to drink. He puts some money in the cup to "dash" her, once she is finished drinking. They are now husband and wife. She brings her new husband to the families. The oldest man in that family will bless the two. If not the oldest, the mother and father will bless the two of them. Now the ceremony can begin! After the ceremony is over the bride changes into married woman's traditional Igbo attire and follows her husband. It signifies she is now traditionally married.

Pictures borrowed from www.yeswewed,com. Photos taken by Ellie M. Photography

What does Kola nut and palm wine signify?
The kola nut means peace and unity. An acceptance and welcome. The palm wine is tradition, and any traditional marriage without palm wine is not complete.

Why does she look for the man?
When she looks for the man, it shows that not everybody sitting there witnessing the marriage knows the man. We assume that she is the only person that knows the man. If she finds him and brings him out that means she is making it known to everybody that he is the man that she wants to marry.

Same photo credit as above

What do you love about Igbo Traditions & how does it blend with American traditions?
I love the igbo attire and the traditional drink. I love my language because I was born with it and its easy and simple to me. Igbo people are very gentle and kind. I love the respect that young people have for the elders. In Igbo tradition we don’t typically kiss at weddings but now due to western influence the phrase “you may kiss your bride” is acceptable.  American music is more acceptable in ceremonies now and throwing the bouquet is also a favorite of mines. 

www.mywedding.com

Stay Beautiful My Loves,
Memi

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How to Thursday: How to Select Your Caterer

Here are a few tips for those planning brides who need just a little bit of help in selecting a caterer for their wedding reception! Food can literally MAKE or BREAK your event it is the EASIEST things for your guests to complain about so your goal should be to get it as close to perfect as possible! That will only come from having a reliable, skilled, insured caterer! Keep reading for more information!

There are many methods on how you can start looking for a wedding catering company, however many people starts with asking for friends and family’s referral that they had good experiences with. Other methods like local advertising and internet research are also good methods to broaden your choices. The most popular way to find the suitable caterer is thru the location of wedding couple’s reception site. It’s much less headache and trouble for the wedding couple to simply go along with the reception site’s catering service. They usually provide the inclusive services including venue, catering, decoration, and even more. After making the choice of wherever the reception will be held at, it is time to see which catering company is best to suit your price range and needs.

If you are holding your reception in a hall, privateresidence or where meals will not be supplied, you should contact caterers in your neighborhood who specialise in on-site catering.
After narrowing down a few of catering company for your wedding, it is time to spend some time to gather as much information as you can about these companies so you can make a good decision on hiring which one for your big day.

Once you first contact your prospects, the very first thing you should confirm is whether or not that caterer is available on your wedding day.
If they are available, it is time to start asking them some of the most popular questions on hiring catering company. It is recommended to write it down and organize all the information, because after a while it will be difficult to remember which company gave you what information.

Some of the questions you may want to ask your catering company are:

Menu Style

There is so many food varieties to choose from when it comes to menu selection. Ask if your caterer will do a “tasting” and when. This is where the bride and groom can go sample and taste some of the caterer’s dishes. You can have a traditional sit down dinner, buffet, food stations or a cocktail reception. It all depends on your personal preference and budget.

Decorations

Ask to see pictures of their table displays. Some caterers that do buffets or food stations will include floral arrangements and other decorations. As your wedding plans progress, talk to your caterer about your color theme so that all decorations and floral arrangements will coordinate. Also, find out what type of decorating they might do for you. Will they swag your head and cake tables? Will they set out your favors and seating cards?

Tableware and Linens

Does the price include table linens, napkins, dishes, and glassware? Ask to see samples. If you don’t like the tableware or linens they offer, most everything can be rented at an additional price. Also, ask if there are extra charges for china and linen service.

Wedding Cakes

Do they offer wedding cakes in their package? Can they make you a wedding cake? Will the caterer cut up the cake for you and will they do this for free or charge a fee? Some caterers charge a per slice fee, so be aware!! Will the wedding cake be served and/or boxed?  Is there an extra charge? Will cookies be displayed?  Is there an extra charge?

Liquor

Do you need to get a Special Occasions Permit from the liquor board? Is there bar service and bartenders included? What about Cups and supplies?

Licenses and Payments

Find out if your caterer is licensed by the province. Most display their license in their office, but if you’re not sure, ask and find out.
Let your caterer know your budget up front. Don’t assume that a buffet or food station is less expensive than a sit down dinner. It all depends on the type of food served, not how it’s served. Is there a deposit required to hold wedding date? Are they included in the price or will they be added later? Find out how soon in advance does caterer need menu and final count of guests what the final price is and when is full payment required.
Do not choose your caterer primarily based solely on their price per person, but consider what is included in the per person price before making your last decision.  You do not want to be shocked on your wedding day when your expectations of exceptional service aren’t met. After you’ve gotten above questions answered, you should have the ability to make a good decision as to which caterer will fill your needs. The presentation of that food is a part of their image and yours. Be sure the wedding caterer you are thinking about hiring is one who will work with you and not tell you what you want.

Information taken from LaRock Photography Blog

Stay Beautiful My Loves, 
Memi  

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How To Thursdays: Everything you need to know about DIAMONDSSS!

Soooo my last post was a Beauty Sightings on rings and cute ring detail shots! Today I want to help those ladies out there who don't know anything about diamond rings! Nowadays, more and more men are asking for more input from their girlfriends when it comes to selecting the ring they will wear for the rest of their lives. So in order to be prepared to answer his question correctly here are just a few tips on what you should know about diamonds!! And for my male readers, make sure you are getting the BEST quality possible for what you are paying. 

Photo Source here

Anybody that knows ANYthing about diamonds will tell you about the 4C's. I will explain what the 4C's stand for and what they mean!

CUT

Diamond cut is perhaps the most important of the four Cs, so it is important to understand how this quality affects the properties and values of a diamond. A good cut gives a diamond its brilliance, which is that brightness that seems to come from the very heart of a diamond. The angles and finish of any diamond are what determine its ability to handle light, which leads to brilliance. As shown in the images below, when a diamond is well-cut, light enters through the table and travels to the pavilion where it reflects from one side to the other before reflecting back out of the diamond through the table and to the observer's eye. This light is the brilliance we mentioned, and it's this flashing, fiery effect that makes diamonds so mesmerizing. 

Because cut is so important, several grading methods have been developed to help consumers determine the cut of a particular diamond. In general, these grades are:

• Ideal
• Premium
• Very Good
• Good
• Fair & Poor

Read More about Cut here...

CLARITY

When we speak of a diamond's clarity, we are referring to the presence of identifying characteristics on (blemishes) and within (inclusions) the stone. If you think about the incredible amount of pressure it takes to create a diamond and the fact that natural diamonds are not grown in a sterile laboratory, it's no surprise that most diamonds have flaws. Basically there are two types of flaws: inclusions and blemishes. Inclusions refer to internal flaws and blemishes refer to surface flaws. However, in the diamond grades listed below, you'll note that none of the grades include the term "blemish" -- for the purposes of grading diamonds, all flaws are called "inclusions." Inclusions include flaws such as air bubbles, cracks, and non-diamond minerals found in the diamond. Blemishes include scratches, pits, and chips. Some blemishes occur during the cutting processes (most often at the girdle). Diamonds with no or few inclusions and blemishes are more highly valued than those with less clarity because they are rarer. 

Diamonds are graded for clarity under 10x loupe magnification. Grades range from Flawless (diamonds which are completely free of blemishes and inclusions), to Included 3 (diamonds which possess large, heavy blemishes and inclusions that are visible to the naked eye).

• F
  Flawless: No internal or external flaws. Extremely rare.
• IF
  Internally Flawless: no internal flaws, but some surface flaws. Very rare.
• VVS1-VVS2
  Very Very Slightly Included (two grades). Minute inclusions very difficult to detect under 10x magnification by a trained gemologist.
• VS1-VS2
  Very Slightly Included (two grades). Minute inclusions seen only with difficulty under 10x magnification.
• SI1-SI2
  Slightly Included (two grades). Minute inclusions more easily detected under 10x magnification. 
• I1-I2-I3
  Included (three grades). Inclusions visible under 10x magnification AS WELL AS to the human eye. We do not recommend buying diamonds in any of these grades. 

F-IF

VVS1-VVS2

VS1-VS2

SI1-SI2

I1-I2-I3

Read more on clarity here...




COLOR

When jewelers speak of a diamond's color, they are usually referring to the presence or absence of color in white diamonds. Color is a result of the composition of the diamond, and it never changes over time. Because a colorless diamond, like a clear window, allows more light to pass through it than a colored diamond, colorless diamonds emit more sparkle and fire. The formation process of a diamond ensures that only a few, rare diamonds are truly colorless. Thus the whiter a diamond's color, the greater its value. 

To grade 'whiteness' or colorlessness, most jewelers refer to GIA's professional color scale that begins with the highest rating of D for colorless, and travels down the alphabet to grade stones with traces of very faint or light yellowish or brownish color. The color scale continues all the way to Z. 

Read more about Color here...

CARAT

This is the most popular of the 4 C's EVERYbody has heard of a carat so here are more details on what it means!

A carat is a unit of measurement, it's the unit used to weigh a diamond. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams. The word "carat" is taken from the carob seeds that people once used in ancient times to balance scales. So uniform in shape and weight are these little seeds that even today's sophisticated instruments cannot detect more than three one-thousandths of a difference between them. 

[NOTE: Don't confuse "carat weight" with "karat," the method of determining the purity of gold.] 

The process that forms a diamond happens only in very rare circumstances, and typically the natural materials required are found only in small amounts. That means that larger diamonds are uncovered less often than smaller ones. Thus, large diamonds are rare and have a greater value per carat. For that reason, the price of a diamond rises exponentionaly to its size.

Read more about Carat Weight here....

There you have it!! The basics of diamond rings!! Fellas, do NOT get robbed at the jewelry store PLEASE do your research and ladies educate your man before he goes and spends his hard earned money on a BEAUTIFUL piece of jewelry you will wear your ENTIRE life!! I hope you guys like the post, gimme some FEEDBACK! 

Stay Beautiful My Loves,
Memi

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