The majority of proposals occur in the United States between the Thanksgiving holiday and Valentine's Day. Love is in the air and we at The Hampton Roads Wedding Guidecongratulate all those ready to say "I do"!
There is much to plan before the actual planning
even begins! We have dedicated our November Newsletter to guide you through all there is to consider when shopping for your rings and the first planning needs to address soon after saying "yes!"
An excellent resource guide for marrying in Hampton Roads, each issue is filled with
"how to's," links to check lists, ideas, images to inspire, and vendors that can accommodate your every need.
We certainly don't suggest to remove the element of surprise, but researching together before the purchase is very important. And, be sure to research your wedding bands along with the engagement ring! This is very important!
fiancé (to be) would like? Do they prefer platinum, white, yellow, or the new trending rose gold? Do you have a budget in mind that you would like to spend? Do you know their ring size?
What shape of diamond do they prefer? Below we share a few tips to help guide you through the ring purchasing process.
Diamond Shapes:
Very important: Know the 5 C'sThe 5 C's of Diamonds
1. Certification
It is crucial when choosing a diamond to review the diamond certificate, referred to by diamond grading laboratories as a grading report.
Diamonds are always measured in carat weight. One carat is the equivalent of 1/5 of a gram. Additionally, there are "100" points in a carat, so that a .50 "point" diamond would be described as a half-carat.
3. Clarity
Almost every diamond will contain some blemishes, and inclusions formed during the course of its crystallization. The diamonds clarity grade refers to the visual impact of these characteristics or lack thereof, as viewed under 10X loupe magnification. There is a grading structure (GIA clarity grading scale) used to describe inclusions found within the diamond.
4. Color
The "color" of a diamond refers to the presence or absence of inherent coloration in a white diamond. The whiter the diamond is the greater its value since a colorless diamond will allow increased light to pass through it and will consequently emit a greater amount brilliance.
5. Cut
Cut is the most misunderstood and underestimated "C" of the five "C's". Cut is properly referred to as the "make" or quality of the way the diamond has been crafted. "Cut", should never be confused with the "shape" of the diamond. The cut of the diamond is the only "C" that is entirely manipulated by the diamond cutter, and will determine the beauty and value of the diamond.
Virginia is for lovers and Hampton Roads is where our heart is.
It's no wonder so many individuals are engaged and married in Hampton Roads each year. We have so many beaches, historic landmarks, metro areas, museums, gardens, wineries (the list goes on and on) to choose from!
Your guests will enjoy their time here and may treat it as a mini vacation! There are many things to consider when hosting a wedding "on the beach" and The Hampton Roads Wedding Guide has compiled for you in every issue several tips that will ensure your beach wedding goes seamlessly. Happy Planning!
Time and time again we hear from couples that they were so focused on the engagement ring, they forgot to consider how the beautiful engagement ring they purchased will fit with the wedding band. Often, additional money and stress is spent having to have a wedding band custom made. An accompanying wedding band needs to be considered when designing and/or purchasing the engagement ring.
We Are So Fortunate to Have a Full Stretch of Beaches to Choose
From to Marry in Our Region!
From the Eastern Shore of Virginia to the Outer banks in North Carolina, we are so fortunate to have such beauty right here in our own "backyard". We are proud to be able to guide engaged couples through out the planning process. From finding the perfect spot to marry to working out the details of your budget and timeline, the Hampton Roads Wedding Guide is your "go to" resource! Pick up your copy at these fine locations.
