It’s always tough searching for the perfect gift to present the bride-to-be, but it can also be pretty tough to splurge on something just for yourself when you are the bride in question.
As the big day approaches, you can get sucked into buying gifts for everyone but yourself. But you’re special too, right?
So, to help you commemorate the day, here are five amazing things to gift yourself because you deserve it!
Journal
While you may not have time to whip out your pen and journal on your wedding day, it can be a great way to journal through your first year of marriage. Make it extra special by engraving it.
Personalised T-shirt
Get cheesy and let the world know you are now a Mrs. Head to your favourite sweater printing shop and get them to add a few custom details, including your wedding date or partner’s name – it’s up to you.
Custom Art
Art can be an incredible way to showcase your love and put it on display for all to see. Well, everyone who enters your home. This US-based artist does an amazing job of capturing a moment on your special day and transforming it into a timeless piece using archival paper and pigment ink. While you may not want something exactly like this, it could serve as some inspiration.
Create a time capsule
Okay, stay with us! While time capsules may be something that’s done to entertain the kids, it can be an incredible way to capture a period of time in an unconventional way. It’s also a great way to include your husband-to-be by adding a letter to your future self and your husband. Place it in a safe place and set a time limit. Perhaps five years or 10, it’s up to you. It can be an adorable way to see how far you’ve come.
Get yourself a glass of wine
Grab your favourite bottle of wine and save it! Creating a custom label can be a great gift to you and your partner, and can include all the nitty-gritty details from your wedding. You can save it for years and open it when a special occasion rolls around (perhaps the birth of your first child?).
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Similar to coconut water and good skin, tradition and weddings go hand-in-hand, and there’s nothing more traditional than forking out thousands for a jaw-dropping engagement ring. We’ve been conditioned to believe that the perfect wedding or engagement ring should look a particular way, but that isn’t necessarily the case.
We’re busting five myths that may soothe your anxious heart and help inspire you to break away from tradition:
The bigger the diamond, the better the ring
Incredible marketing in the 1980s epitomised the luxury status that came with owning a giant diamond ring, and celebrities such as the Kardashians haven’t helped dissuade this sentiment either. However, picking out something quaint and delicate can be just as beautiful and can still make a statement.
There are also plenty of advantages to choosing a ring that doesn’t weigh as much as a small gerbil, which includes affordability and everyday wear and tear. If your sparkler is 1 carat or under, try choosing a design where the diamond is front and centre while exploring various shapes that suit your style.
Engagement Rings should be bland
Who said your engagement ring shouldn’t have a pop of colour? A recent trend we’ve been seeing lately is a move away from the traditional clear precious gemstones and towards blues, reds and greens.
Traditionally, coloured gemstones are often associated with royals. Think, the late Princess Diana’s gorgeous blue sapphire engagement ring. However, more brides-to-be are indulging in a little colour when it comes to their wedding rings with vibrant blood-red rubies and shimmering green emeralds at the top of the list. Just recently, actress Megan Fox got engaged with an emerald/diamond stunner. Just make sure that when you’re picking out your favourite precious gemstone, you stick with stones that are 7-10 on the MOHs hardness scale to ensure it doesn’t get damaged.
Any stone will work well for an engagement ring
We know that the affordable moonstone engagement ring you saw online looks fantastic, but you’ll need to consider the durability of the stone you’ll be purchasing. Your engagement ring is going to take a beating, and between doing the dishes every evening to exercising, certain stones are just not durable enough. Stones such as opal and pearls can be a great alternative to the traditional engagement ring, but these precious stones are often considered “soft,” especially when compared to the MOHs hardness scale.
For example, pearls are ranked 2.5 on MOHs hardness scale, so care will need to be taken to avoid scratching or damaging this precious gem. However, diamonds are ranked 10 on this hardness scale, so they can be quite durable.
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Also Read: 6 Unique engagement rings that will wow your soon-to-be fiancé!
There are no ethical engagement rings out there
Times have certainly changed, and so have consumer habits. It’s the age of the conscious shopper and shopping ethically and sustainably has become a top priority as people around the world attempt to contribute to a sustainable future for all. While you may think that finding an ethically sourced engagement ring might be tough, more jewellers have shifted their focus to one that conserves the resources of the planet and caters to those looking to ensure a greener future.
Traceable gemstones, recycled gemstones, lab-grown gemstones and recycled gold are just a few options for the sustainable wedding couple.
The jeweller isn’t always right
Oftentimes, you’re buying an engagement ring for the first time, so what could you possibly know. Jewellers are there to give you advice when it comes to a few important details, including a diamond’s 4 C’s, price comparisons, durability and craftsmanship. Be wary of jewellers who are steering you towards a ring that you may not feel comfortable with, only you know your future fiance’s style and wants, so keep that in mind when browsing. And don’t forget to take your time!
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The first step towards planning your dream honeymoon is selecting the perfect location. The place you choose will determine the best time to go, activities you enjoy, and the general vibe of your honeymoon.
Deciding on a honeymoon destination can be a little overwhelming. If you’re having trouble narrowing your options down, keep these tips in mind.
Select a general vibe
Before you settle on a location, it may be easier to know what kind of honeymoon you want. If you’re the adventurous/outdoorsy type, a tropical location like Bali may be best for you. On the other hand, art-lovers will enjoy more cultural locations like Rome. City slickers will thrive in metropolitan areas like New York and those just wanting a relaxing break should opt for a beach getaway like the Seychelles.
Make a list and check it twice
Now that you know the type of honeymoon you want, you can begin researching locations that offer what you want. Write a list of dream places you and your fiancé would like to travel to, and see if/which places are on both your lists.
Set a budget
It’s important to stay within budget when honeymooning. Remember, you just blew quite a bit on your big day so you don’t want to start your married life in even deeper debt. Now that you’ve got your list of destinations, evaluate which one best fits with your budget. For example, if you want a cultural experience abroad, it may be better to opt for smaller locations in Eastern Europe rather than Western Europe, as they’re often way more affordable.
Factor in out-of-pocket costs
Travelling can easily become expensive if you forget to sweat the small stuff. Things like Visa applications, the exchange rate, transportation, surge pricing for in-season activities and restaurants can all add up quickly.
Consider the time of year and weather
If you plan on soaking up the sun all day, it would be best to check ahead of time to make sure the weather will be on your side. Travelling in-season is often more expensive but it ensures you’ll be able to enjoy the activities you want, whereas off-season travelling may save some coin but run the risk of some things being closed.
Stay abreast of current events
Make sure to do your research beforehand to make sure you are aware of all the health risks and requirements of every individual destination. This is especially important if you plan to travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Some countries require certain vaccines and paperwork before entry. It is also important for many to consider whether your destination of choice is LGBQTI+ friendly.
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COVID-19 has put on damper on many things, including weddings. But what happens when your soon-to-be husband gets sick and he needs to miss your big day? You could postpone, but what about all the vendors and guests?
One bride and groom had to answer this very question. After postponing their wedding twice due to the pandemic, Christine and Gannon Karmire were hoping to finally say their “I dos” in November 2021. Unfortunately, the wedding couple had one more obstacle to overcome while attempting to make it down the aisle.
As the big day rolled around, Gannon woke up feeling sick but was hoping that it would soon pass. Unfortunately, the groom was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with severe food poisoning, leading to a very important question – what happens now?
“We hoped I would only be gone for a couple hours, as the ceremony was scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Ultimately we thought we could attempt to have the ceremony late evening if I was able to get back in time,” Gannon told TODAY.
Things didn‘t go as planned and the groom had to be sedated to help fight off his illness. With a quick-thinking bride at the helm, she opted to cancel the ceremony portion of the day, but with dinner already planned and paid for, the thought of letting things go to waste was not an option.
Thankfully, the venue owner came to the rescue with a brilliant idea – continue with the festivities, but include Gannon in the most memorable way possible. The idea for “Stick Gannon” was born, put together by a rolling steamer with pool cues, dressed in his finest suit and an iPad with Gannon‘s picture displayed at the top – ah, perfection.
“He thought it would be good comic relief for everyone in attendance if I made a traditional reception entrance with ‘Stick Gannon.’ It was meant to lighten the mood and encourage people to enjoy both the company gathered and the already prepared dinner,” Christine said.
As you can imagine, the guests loved stick Gannon and had tons of fun dancing and posing with him. While there was plenty of fun to be had, the bride received updates from her brother who was stationed outside of the hospital.
Thankfully, Gannon made a minor recovery on the day, making his way from the hospital to be reunited with his bride with a brief 15- to 20-minute appearance.
“I actually didn’t want anyone to see me as I was still very out it from the meds they gave me. When you arrive and start hearing your name chanted by 100-plus people, you can’t exactly not go see everyone,” he explained. “Once I was there, it was a great feeling seeing the love and support everyone has for us.
The couple eventually had the chance to finally say their “I dos” in an intimate ceremony.
Pictures: Bri Hines Photography