RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY??

There are a few things brides dread on their wedding day and rain is definitely one of them.

Most pray for sun allowing for beautiful images outdoors with their new hubby, family and close friends. And if they’re planning for an outdoor ceremony and reception their prayers for a sunny day are even greater. Unfortunately when it comes to weather, there’s no guarantee.

With all the rain we’ve seen over the past few weeks it got us to thinking... Is rain on your wedding day really such a bad thing? Of course it never hurts to have a Plan B, such as a tent or alternate indoor venue when your Plan A is an open air outdoor space in case the clouds appear, but when it comes to your pictures rain can make for some fun and really unique photos if you’re willing.

Chicago based photographer Kenny Kim had this to say about photographing couples in the rain -

There is an old saying "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." At every wedding, there is going to be a surprise waiting us around the corner. Regardless of what that surprise might be, we as wedding photographers try to make the best of all the situations. Inevitably, we are going to have days where Mother Nature will try to hinder the day. Instead of being discouraged by the situation, I think of it as an opportunity to get creative with photos. A wedding day is not about the weather but it is a celebration of a couple's commitment to spend the rest of their lives together. Capturing their emotion is more important than having nice weather. When humans lose one of their senses, the other senses heighten. As a photographer, when we are faced with limited options, our creativity gets heightened and often times we tend to see things that we did not notice before. Some of my favorite photos from weddings have come from days when it rained.

So why not go with it? Don’t let the rain ruin your wedding day! Find some fun rain boots, colorful umbrellas, and show the rain who’s boss. And last but not least, remember the Italian saying “Sposa bagnata, sposa fortunata” which literally translates to “Wet Bride, Lucky Bride”. Traditionally, if it rains on your wedding day you will have a very fortunate marriage. The rain symbolizes abundance and good luck which will spill over onto the new family.

Photo Credits: Braedon Photography

Chocolate Diamond Wedding Rings - Today's Popular Engagement Ornaments

Marriages are said to be made in heaven. Wedding rings symbolizes this happy event, today chocolate diamond engagement rings have become the choice of most consumers. These are studded with beautiful and sparkling chocolate diamonds. International stars and common men are buying these sparkling finger ornaments. Chocolate colored diamonds are obtained from mines of Africa, Australia and Russia. These diamonds attain a brownish hue due to pressure of the earth. Today these gemstones have got a huge craze in the jewelry market. Chocolate rings are used by couples to mark holy and sacred emotions during an engagement or marriage ceremony. These are excellent alternatives for those who want to wear something special and unique than white and colorless diamond rings. Before choosing such wedding rings one should be acquainted with the background of chocolate diamonds studded in it. These diamonds are cheaper than traditional white diamonds and have an attractive dark luster.
One can buy chocolate rings of any shapes. They are also available in combination with other gemstones like Emerald, Ruby and Blue Sapphire. But the best stone combination of these rings is that of "chocolate and vanilla cream".This marriage ring is made by combining chocolate diamond and white turquoise. Now after making one's mind what to buy a buyer has to choose a suitable place to purchase the ring. One must beware that some sellers may try to cheat by showing low graded stone rings that appear may appear like chocolate diamond rings due to radiant luster. One should be cautious while choosing and buying them. Search for original jewelry should be made until one finds it. Wedding rings studded with chocolate diamonds can be worn by those people who are sure of going well with it against a public crowd. These rings should be provided special care to make them sparkle for a long time. They must be protected in various ways. These rings should be kept away from heat to keep them rich in color.

Wedding Rings for Women - Top 5 Styles

The number of styles of wedding rings for women has increased a lot over the last few decades. This isn't to say that the classic wedding band isn't around any longer - it is, and it too has seen an expansion in terms of the number of shapes and sizes that are available. Here are what we consider to be the top 5 styles of wedding rings for women.

5. Carved Band

A popular variation on the classic wedding band style, carved bands can feature a myriad of patterns and motifs carved along the band, adding a touch of artistry without making the ring too showy or inappropriate for everyday wearing. The best styles of carved bands use a simple yet elegant style which distinguishes them ever so slightly from the ordinary. Carved bands are available in a variety of materials, the most popular of which are platinum, white gold, and yellow gold. White and yellow gold combination carving patterns are also common.
4. Three Stone

The three stone style of rings for women takes a concept that was once strictly the domain of engagement rings and scales it down to create a wedding ring that is both wearable and spectacular. The diamonds used in three stone wedding ring styles are usually set in bezels or, in some cases, heavier than usual prongs, in order to provide protection and help reduce the need for maintenance. Rings for women with more than three large stones are also available, but the three stone variety usually offers the best combination of value and style.
3. Eternity

Also commonly used for post-wedding occasions, eternity bands are becoming more popular as wedding ring choices. With their 360-degree diamond settings, eternity bands are uniquely stunning. While a range of eternity band sizes are available, we feel that the .25 and .50 carat types are the most outstanding thanks to their combination of value and comfort.
2. Classic Band

The classic band persists as a popular style among wedding rings for women because of its inherent advantages: cost, comfort, and durability. Nowadays there are so many sizes and styles on the market that every bride is assured of a perfect fit. In terms of materials, as well, although the standards like platinum and white gold still rule, there are all kinds of choices out there. When all else fails, the classic band is sure to provide satisfaction.
1. Pavé Set

Pavé set wedding rings for women represent the ultimate in style and elegance. Pavé set rings are available in varying degrees of extravagance, and some can indeed be surprisingly affordable. As with other styles, pavé set wedding rings tend to be smaller and more wearable than engagement rings, and this has the added benefit of meaning that they're also more affordable. By carefully choosing your diamonds, you can ensure that you get great value along with the one of a kind beauty provided by this type of wedding ring.

Why Have Titanium Wedding Rings Become So Popular?

Fifteen years ago very few people outside of very high end jewelry shops had even heard of using titanium for rings. While it had been used in aviation, medicine and manufacturing, the use of titanium for rings and jewelry was just unheard of for the most part.

Now titanium wedding rings are the hottest sellers in the jewelry industry. Those couples who compare gold, platinum and titanium for their rings often end up with a titanium wedding ring.

There are several reasons why titanium has become a popular choice for those seeking a wedding ring:
Hypoallergenic Properties
Many people have had the experience of buying a watch, ring or earrings and suffering an allergic reaction. Impure metals-rings are seldom 100% of any material-can cause reactions with human skin. Titanium is inert, which means it will not react with human tissue. In fact, it is often used for hip transplants due to its strength and non-reactive properties.

Cost
The cost of gold and platinum are at all-time highs. This, of course, means that gold wedding rings and platinum wedding rings are also very expensive these days. For example, a basic platinum wedding band will cost at least $1000 and a gold wedding bands, depending on the design, can be equally or more expensive. Titanium, however, has not seen such dramatic rises in cost over the years. A great, handcrafted titanium ring is typically about half the price as its counterparts.
Strength and Durability
Titanium is an extremely durable material for wedding rings. Often used for airplane and submarine components, titanium is very strong and will not ding or dent like gold-a much softer metal. Scratching, though possible, is much more unlikely for a titanium ring than a gold ring. Another great thing about titanium is that it won't react with sea water or almost all corrosive elements. This means that titanium ring wearers can wear their ring day in and day out without worrying about damaging the ring. A well-made titanium ring will last a lifetime.
Design Choices
Many people getting married these days do not want the same gold wedding band style their father, uncles, grandfather and grandfather's father had. Gold rings are just, well, too traditional and boring for many wedding ring buyers.
Titanium, unlike gold, allows for some very creative and unique ring designs. For example, a simple titanium wedding band can have a gold inlay, but it can also have an opal, Koa wood, or Tiger's Eye inlay. Titanium rings with inlays are very popular for wedding bands because they are available in many designs that are stylish, unique and a better reflection of the wearer's personality than the old standby-a yellow gold wedding band.

Popular Wedding Ring Designs

The diamond wedding ring symbolizes the eternal love between the engaged. The popularity of diamond wedding rings and their designs have led to a variety of cut and style options to fit your needs. Modern diamond cuts and his and her bands and settings are designed to match the uniqueness of your relationship, and the uniqueness of your love.

Why Diamonds And Wedding Rings Are The Perfect Match

Traditionally wedding bands and engagement rings did not usually contain a diamond. So how did it become so overwhelmingly popular today? The answer lies in the beauty and significance of a diamond. Much like your choice of metal for your wedding band sets, gold, platinum, white gold, which are durable, beautiful, and valuable. The diamond comes to symbolize the long lasting love you are building, a love that also is durable, beautiful and valuable. Your diamond ring set is an eternal symbol for your very love.
There are various diamonds and diamond cuts available that are popular for use with engagement rings. There are princess cut diamonds, cushion cut diamonds, round cuts, marquise diamonds, pear, oval and standard radiant cuts. Each have their place and significance, and your decision should be based on what creates the brilliance and beauty that fits your engagement ring set purpose.
Diamond and Wedding Band Color

You have a selection of colors to choose from with your wedding bands, as well as your diamond. Wedding bands are most traditionally gold, white gold or platinum. Less known is that there are variations of color in your gold depending on your gold's karat. Karat is an indicator of how much alloy is contained in your gold, affecting the strength of your wedding bands as well as the color. 14k is the most popular gold in that it provides a good compromise between strength, color, purity and value.

When choosing a custom wedding ring design, you also have the option of diamond color. Color is a determinant of diamond value and more information should be sought to make the right diamond choice.
Wedding Ring Setting Designs

Men's wedding rings continue to have a more understated style. Diamonds can be embezzled along the band to add additional brilliance, and there are also popular modern designs that feature more advanced cuts and band variations. When you go into the wedding band design process and work with a quality custom jeweler almost anything is possible. They can design wedding ring sets limited only by their creativity.
Women's wedding rings traditionally are made of gold or platinum bands and feature a singular diamond. The featured diamond is the symbol of love and eternity for your relationship and should be chosen with care. Diamonds can be embezzled along the band to accentuate the brilliance of the featured diamond or other custom changes can be made. Choosing a popular wedding ring set is much about your style your diamond wedding ring, like your love, should stand the test of time.