“Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” Well, not anymore.
Let’s be honest, the pandemic has put certain things into perspective. Do we really need to be spending thousands on an engagement ring when we can be using that on a down payment for a house?
While there’s nothing wrong with flashing your cash and spending it on a new diamond ring, more bridal couples appear to be stepping away from the traditional sparkler and opting for rings that are a bit more modern.
If you’re getting ready to pop the question and you’re looking for a few shiny alternatives, here are six modern sparklers to add to your soon-to-be fiance’s finger.
Also Read: Signature cocktails to add a little zest to your summer wedding
Amethyst
You’ll often find amethyst in its raw form, but with a little elbow grease from a jeweller, this deep-purple can offer a beautiful alternative. It’s not quite as hard as a diamond ring, but it is durable and will save you a few months salary.
Emerald
There’s something about the rich green tone of emerald that screams luxe! There is a range of jewellers in South Africa that offer this as an engagement option and are offered in a number of styles to suit your partner’s preference. Not only is this precious stone timeless, but it’s modern too!
Pearl
Who said you can only wear pearls around your neck? These natural gemstones will ensure a beautiful and iconic engagement ring that will make anyone squeal with delight. There is some bad news when choosing a pearl as an engagement ring. A pearl is made from calcium carbonate and is found between 2.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale, which means that it can get scratched and damaged quite easily. However, it can be a great engagement ring if you don’t plan to wear it too often.
Opal
This gemstone is beautiful and unique but is often considered old-fashioned. Thankfully, opal is making a comeback … and in a big way. The great thing about the sparkler is that it comes in various colours including black, white, and dazzling crystal. There are even some that reflect the rainbow – how dreamy!
However, you’ll have to be careful when sporting an opal engagement ring as it is considered 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale and is not a very hardy gemstone when compared to traditional rings.
Ruby
A deep red beauty, rubies are one of the four precious stones and are an extremely popular choice when it comes to engagement rings. The vibrant red hues ooze luxury and flaunting a gorgeous blood-red ruby is bound to catch the eye of family and friends.
The best part is that it’s incredibly hardy as it features at 9 on the Mohs scale, so you know it can withstand the busiest bride-to-be.
Sunstone
Forgot the always popular moonstone, the sunstone is a little-known alternative that will outshine any gemstone. These enchanting gemstones are slightly hard to come by in South Africa as it is commonly found in Norway and the US, but it’s not impossible. This vibrant stone is also said to have a few incredible characteristics, including bringing abundance, prosperity, vitality and fearlessness to the wearer.
It’s a pretty durable gemstone too as they are 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale, but you’ll still have to keep your eye on it when dusting off around the house.
Picture: Pinterest
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…
Your wedding day is a snapshot to the rest of your life. It goes by in a flash, so capturing the amazing little moments that make the big day is important. There are some incredible photographers that go above and beyond to ensure that they capture these moments as you go about celebrating your nuptials, between getting ready, the first dance, to everything in between.
The International Photography Awards encompasses this very idea. The competition, which is sponsored by Canon Australia, received over 1 500 submissions from eager wedding photographers looking to showcase those tear-jerking moments. However, Fabio Mirulla managed to snag the grand prize and take home the title of Wedding Photographer of the Year.
The winning image shows Fabio snapping a pic of the bride and a carefully placed lamp, providing a silhouette resembling a wedding gown. Talk about crafty!
In second place was photographer duo Andrew and Bec, who managed to snap a couple in formalwear as they crossed mountain peaks.
Here are a few of the other incredible entries that made the finals:
Ken Pak
Dane Tucker
Dylan Kovacevic
Christin Eid
Gaelle Meheut
Dan O’Day
Lucy Spartalis
Natalia Mikalaichyk
Steven Stemmler
Rodolfo Aguirre
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…
Popping the big question can be a nerve-wracking experience for both the bride and groom-to-be, but there’s no question that it’s an unforgettable moment. Unfortunately, one woman did not get the happy ending she was hoping for as she took to Reddit to share her harrowing story.
The bride-to-be immediately said yes when her partner popped the question, and despite not having a ring, the thought of spending the rest of her life with the man of her dreams was enough. After all, there would be plenty of time to get a ring. However, things took a weird turn when the woman decided to go dress shopping.
“I have been planning my dream wedding for seven months now. When I told him that I was going dress shopping, he looked at me like I had five heads.”
If that’s not enough of a punch to the gut, the woman says that the man then said he never proposed. “He said, ‘why would I propose to a woman I am not even dating?’”
Despite having the wind knocked out of her wedding sails, the woman stated that she’d love to continue with wedding planning.
“I am thinking of tricking him into coming to our wedding and seeing what happens. I am not sure what else to do,” she said.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CW25J13qs-v/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
While a number of commenters were left shocked, one Redditor could sympathise.
“I was sitting on the couch watching a movie I wanted to see, and my girlfriend of a year was in the other room watching a show she liked because she wasn’t interested in the movie (yeah….I know, one of us should have compromised). I’m not really paying attention to what she was saying, but I hear an inaudible “would you marry me?” Being sarcastic, I responded back with, “of course I’ll marry you, baby.”
According to the poster, his then-girlfriend came running into the room, kissed him, and told him to enjoy watching his movie.
“The next day, while I’m at work, I start getting my phone blown up with phone calls and texts. She had put on Facebook that I proposed to her the night previous! We had a long conversation about the fact that we are not engaged, and to this day, I still don’t know exactly what she said from the other room that I misheard (mostly because she got mad and refused to tell me), but it’s always been a funny story,” he writes.
Despite the twists and turns that this story provides, there’s no question that we’d be left fuming if this ever happened to us.
Picture: Unsplash
The COVID-19 pandemic certainly threw a spanner in the works for countless couples across the globe, with many soon-to-say-I-do being forced to postpone their big day due to…
Congratulations! You’ve decided to dive into the freedom-seeking world of elopement. The dawn of COVID-19 has ensured that running away and skipping the big ceremony is no longer taboo. In fact, it’s probably encouraged. But just because you’re forgoing the endless shenanigans that come with throwing a classic wedding doesn’t mean you can’t add a little tradition to your elopement.
The beauty of having an elopement ceremony is freedom. You can literally do whatever you want! But with so many options to choose from, here are a few adorable and traditional additions you can add to your unconventional ceremony.
The Vows
While the thought of having thousands of eyeballs staring at you as you exchange your promise of love may leave your hands shaking, this is such a beautiful addition to any ceremony and is often the foundation. This is the perfect time to open your heart and share something wonderfully unique to the partner standing in front of you.
Walk down the aisle
Just because you’re choosing to break away from tradition doesn’t mean you can’t do something conventional, like taking a walk down the aisle. Grab a few flower petals or a beautiful rug, and walk down the “aisle” to your favourite tune towards the one you love.
Have a blast
There may be five people tearfully observing you say “I do,” but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a blast when the ceremony is all done and dusted. Grab a few of your closest friends and family – keeping it small, of course – and throw a little shindig that will allow you to celebrate with your squad. A few ideas may include a close friend’s cosy backyard or your favourite little restaurant.
Raise you glass
It is a celebration after all! Rope in the best man or maid of honour and get them to deliver a toast that will tuck at the heartstrings. There’s nothing more traditional than giving a big ‘ol cheers to the newlyweds with a delicious bottle of bubbly. If you’re heading to your favourite restaurant, make sure you double-check the alcohol restrictions before bringing that vintage bottle of JC Le Roux.
The First Dance
If not for the tradition, do it for the romance. Having the first dance at your elopement can be a beautiful thing made even better by having those few special people around you. Embrace technology and hit play on your favourite song before pumping the tunes on your JBL speaker.
Feature Image: Days made of love