Looking amazing on your big day is about more than whacking on some make-up and a nice hairdo. It’s the result of weeks, if not months of preparation. It’s about glowing – from the inside.

That sage advice comes from natural beauty specialist Merylin Sternstain who has worked in the American and Australian beauty industries for more than 16 years. Though her specialty is skin care, Merylin believes in a holistic approach to pre-wedding beauty, one that, logically, involves taking care of your whole body, from the food you put inside it, to the exercise you do to maintain it and, of course, your daily beauty routine, which adds the final touches on “outer layer will be that you glow”.

Merylin Sternstain believes in a holistic approach to pre-wedding beauty

“I’m not a fitness or healthcare expert, but you can’t go wrong eating a little healthier, exercising a little (more) and drinking plenty of water” says Merylin who founded The Mineral Miracle, an online beauty store specialising in natural and organic beauty products.

“What I can tell you about, however, is skincare and, ideally, a bride’s skincare routine should start about two months before her big day, but it’s never too late to start.”

For those brides with more serious skin conditions or those wanting to improve hyper pigmentation (such as uneven skin tones and dark spots) or acne, starting your skincare routine three months before your big day will give your skin time to adjust to any new products and the overall beauty routine.

Most importantly, it will have time to start healing.

Merylin says the three golden rules of any daily skincare routine are to cleanse, tone and moisturise – and these three rules apply not just to brides, but grooms as well. “Men’s skin is, after all, the same as ours,” she insists.

“Be sure to cleanse your skin twice a day using a facewash or a gentle soap.

“I like to do it once in the morning and once at night as good cleaning will remove any impurities from the surface of the skin,” says Merylin, who also happens to be a trained artist whose passion is painting with oils.

The next step is to use toner on the cleaned skin. Toner is one of those things many of us ditch from our daily beauty routines. Between reports that say toner is used to return the pH balance of the cleaned skin to normal and others that say it does nothing more than sting and dry out the already clean skin, it’s little wonder many of us are leery of toner.

However, Merylin suggests toner is vital for preparing the skin to absorb the moisturiser that will be applied in step number three, which is about nourishing the cleaned skin.

“Do this every morning and every night and, maybe, use a facemask or scrub at least once a week and the difference will easily be visible within a few weeks,” says Merylin.

“Obviously, everyone’s skin is different but by taking a holistic approach to your overall health and skincare, it’s inevitable that you’ll look and feel healthier on your big day.

“You won’t need to use so much make up or product and you’ll genuinely love what you see in the mirror because it’s the real you shining through.”

My wedding photo: Merylin and her husband Gal on their wedding day in the South Desert, Israel in 2011

When it comes to dressing younger members of your bridal party, gone are the days of ring bearers tripping down aisles in ill-fitting suits and flowergirls dressed in frocks designed for fuller-figured and significantly older bridesmaids.

This year will see a return to “age appropriate” clothing (that actually fits) for kids at weddings, whether they’re guests or members of the bridal circle.

“We’ve had so many brides come in asking for children’s clothing designed specifically for them, rather than shrunk down version of adult outfits – that merely make the kids look like adults,” says Melina Zipparo, owner of Sydney-based Stellina Cute Couture For Children, whose best-selling children’s formal wear sells nationally (and internationally) via her online store.

The idea for Stellina Cute Couture For Children came about four years ago after Melina, a mum-of-three, was invited to a formal wedding and ended up searching “for at least two months” for appropriate and unique clothes for her children, then aged 10, 6 and 2 months.

“Not including petrol and time, I ended up spending about $700 on outfits for three kids and I don’t even remember how many stores I visited, but it was a lot! Whatever the number, it doesn’t even include the dozens of websites I visited trying to find something age appropriate and affordable enough.”

Three years later, she funneling that passion (and frustration) for finding unique, age appropriate and truly exquisite clothing for kids into Stellina Cute Couture For Children.

A classic five-piece suit in charcoal by Stellina Cute Couture for Children

“I scour the world, everywhere from here in Australia to New York, London and all over Europe, for clothes you’re unlikely to find elsewhere,”

Melina’s junior bridesmaid dress range comes in a range of colours, everything from ivory and white to electric blue. She she has many different styles on offer, “most of which you won’t find in every single bridal magazine.”

“Be sure to dress kids age appropriately. Look at the age and build of the child and dress them according to that. For example, an A-line dress with spaghetti straps on a petite five-year-old may not be the best design choice.”

Click here for more information on Stellina Cute Couture For Children

An experienced wedding photographer will know how to get the best shots out of the bride, groom and wedding party. Image: Port Douglas Wedding Photography

You only get one shot at your wedding photos. It’s a day filled with lovely, impromptu moments that you can’t just “do again”, so it’s vital to choose a photographer who not only knows how to capture these precious moments, but who is experienced in wedding photography, which is an art all its own.

So, while it is important to peruse a photographer’s wedding portfolio before choosing them to shoot your big day, you also need to be armed with relevant questions and, according to our poll of Easy Weddings photographers, the 10 most important of these are shared below:

1. How long have been photographing weddings?
Ideally your photographer will have at least a few years’ experience photoraphing weddings. By looking at their photos over the years, you’ll get an idea of consistency and the quality of their work. It can take more than 10 years in the industry to even start gaining a good reputation.

2. Who will be our photographer on the day?
Some studios have salespeople doing the selling and booking of photographers and some studios use the services of many different photographers. If you aren’t talking with the photographer who will be shooting your wedding it is important to meet up with them and view their portfolio BEFORE your big day!

3. Why do you like photographing weddings?
It may sound like an odd question, but it’s a fair one. You want to know your photographer is still excited by weddings and still passionate about the service and work they provide to couples.

How they feel about wedding photography will affect how they perform on the day and how comfortable you are around them.

4. What is your main style of photography?
Many of today’s wedding photographers take a photojournalistic approach, which is great for capturing real life moments as they unfold, but it is important to know how they approach classic wedding moments, such as family and friend photos and whether they pose couples when needed.

Seeing is believing, so back up the information they’ve provided with a viewing of their portfolio.

5. Can you provide a list of references with contact details?
Choosing a wedding photographer is a big decision. Aside from the financial investment, you and your friends and family will gaze at these photos for the rest of your life, so don’t be shy about seeking referrals. Why not ask? This way you’ll know how customers have felt about their experiences with the studio’s photography and treatment. It won’t be a decision made solely on photos.

6. How quickly will our photos be ready and how do we view them?
Your images should be ready to view a week after the wedding although this may depend on the package you have chosen. By that time, your photos should already have been edited and retouched with good colour and density adjustments made and burnt to DVD. It’s a good idea to ask if your photographs are high resolution or not. Also if you like natural shots you may wish to clarify with your photographer how much retouching they do -although their portfolio will give you an idea whether you like their finished product.

Printing and proof albums take a further few weeks. In many cases, online galleries will be available for you to view even whilst you are still on your honeymoon!

7. How long do you take to produce the album?
Two to three months after album design has been approved is considered reasonable, although it may depend on the binders and services used by the photographer. Some will be faster and some may be slower!

8. Are there any additional costs we should be expecting?
This is usually limited to wanting extra photos as prints, in the album, for walls and the like. If your balance of the agreed coverage has been paid, the only additional cost will occur is if you request more than what was on your original contract. The most common items couples pay extra for are requesting more time on the wedding day, additional sides in the wedding album, wall prints, framing, parent albums and thank you photos.

9. What kind of equipment do you use?
You want the peace of mind that your photographer uses professional equipment with a good selection of lenses. At least two cameras bodies with a range of lenses covering wide angle and telephoto. Additional features that may be important if you’re a bride/groom-to-be who takes their photos super seriously, are low-light capability and macro for close ups of details.

10. Are you a member of any associations and/or do you have qualifications?
Photography truly is an art, so formal qualifications are hardly necessary, but it doesn’t hurt to find out if your photograher-to-be is formally trained or a member of any photography association as it may mean that your photographer will have to abide by their codes of conduct. It is also good to ask if your photographer is a full-time, professional photographer or a part-time photographer. However, obviously, how much weight this last point has is very much up to the bridal couple and there are plenty of great photographers who aren’t necessarily members of any association – or full-time for that matter.

You and your partner may have a hectic wedding day planned, one that starts with hair and make-up at the crack of dawn and ends well after midnight and only after the last guest has departed, but your guests have a far less busy schedule, one that probably includes lots of waiting; waiting for you to arrive at church, waiting in line to greet you after the ceremony, waiting between the ceremony’s end and the reception venue opening for guests, then actually sitting and waiting for you and your new spouse to arrive and kick off the reception.

All that waiting can add up to many, many hours, so though traditionally couples tend to let guests fend for themselves between the reception and ceremony, increasingly, newlyweds are finding novel ways to entertain guests in the hours between the ceremony and the reception.

It doesn’t have to be expensive and, it’s easier to do if the reception is being held near where the ceremony takes place, but there are a few thoughtful things a couple can do to ensure guests don’t end up sitting in their cars for hours while they go off to have their photos taken.

Here are some of our favourite ideas and they suit all budgets.

Host nibblies and cocktails
Many couples arrange for cocktails and nibblies at the local pub or hire a room at the reception venue where guests can await their arrival. It is up to the couple whether they choose to cover the bar tab or just let guests pay for what they drink, however, the couple will generally cover the cost of some finger food/snacks and, of course, room hire, if there’s a charge involved.

Book an experience afternoon
If you’re holding your event out of town at a country manor house or hotel and your guests will have a few hours to while away, the venue sometimes offer discounts on their pampering services for guests of the wedding party, especially if you’re providing them with a great deal of business. Some venues offer pamper packages for guests that include manicures and pedicures as well as spas and facials! Others offer group wine tastings, walking historical tours of the local town and even cookery classes.

Turn your photo shoot into a picnic
If you’re shooting your wedding photos in a park or garden, why not invite your guests along, too, especially if they’re from out of town or have children in tow. A summer picnic cum photo shoot is the perfect wind down for guests before the evening or afternoon celebrations get under way. Enlist the help of your bridal party in organising games for the kids, such as a treasure hunt, or find a friend or family member to host (or organise) short, guided tours encompassing key landmarks in the area. Most of your guests won’t want to pass up the opportunity to stretch their legs before a big sit-down meal. You’ll also be amazed at what fantastic, out-of-the-box photos will result from having your guests nearby!

Organise games/activities
If you have a particularly long wait, you could hold a fun games afternoon. For this to work, you’ll need to notify guests in advance, perhaps asking them to organise their own teams in the process. Then, once you have the details of participating teams, draft up a series of games and activities guests of all ages and abilities can participate in (without getting too sweaty), such as a scavenger hunt, a How-Well-Do-You-Know-The-Couple quiz and karaoke. Of course, bingo and simple dice, board and card games are always favourites and, as corny as the whole thing sounds, you’ll be amazed at how much fun everyone has and how memorable it will be for your guests. It’s also a fantastic way to get guests on both sides to break the ice before the reception.

Hire a city tour bus/boat
Who says the party has to being at the wedding reception? If your guests are going to be restless and dying to let their hair down, or see the sights of town before the formality of the wedding reception, kill two birds with one stone and hire a tour bus or boat. Most cities will have a choice of vendors, many of whom offer great package deals if you can guarantee a certain number of guests. If you can’t quite stretch your budget to cover the price of guest admission and any potential bar tab, send an RSVP with your wedding invites offering guests the opportunity to partake in the activity, but make it clear they will have to pay their way but that they will receive a discount.

If they’re amenable and can afford it, they may be happy to party away the afternoon while you’re having your wedding photos taken.

Hold a dance-off
This is so much fun, especially for kids and, if there’s one way to help guests build up an appetite, it’s with an energetic event like a dance-off.

Ideally, it should be held somewhere that is en-route to the reception venue, such as a relative’s house or even a room at the venue itself. In the interests of fairness, you may want to organise the competition according to age category, with a small medal or prize for the winner of each. Don’t make it too serious and include fun dances like Grease Lightning or Thriller or even a dorky free dance category. You’ll have the crowd in stitches and it’s the type of activity that kids will love.

Hire an entertainer (such as a band, comedian, caricaturists or magician)
You can’t go wrong with a professional entertainer, especially if your guests are eager to let their hair down after the formalities are over. While some couples prefer the cosy sounds of a jazz quartet or a string quartet, you could turn things up a notch and hire your wedding band for a few extra hours to get the party started. Roving entertainers, or a main event featuring, say, a magician or a comedian is always fun and, given they’re professionals, they’ll know how to keep your guests busy and entertained for as long as you need.

Hiring a caricaturists to draw portraits of your guests will also provide them with a lifelong keepsake of your big day.

Send guests on a mystery tour
There’s nothing wrong with being predictable. In fact, there are many ways you can use it to your own advantage. Those who know you well are unlikely to expect anything out of the ordinary, so call their bluff and organise a mystery coach tour with stop-offs in your nearby town. Build the suspense prior to the big day by compiling a list of guest email addresses, then sending them hints about the tour well in advance. Most will be so curious, they’ll RSVP just to find out what you’re up to!

Stop-offs might include family-friendly entertainment venues, such as the local bowling alley, to more grown up activities like wine tasting at a snazzy bar, or a murder mystery afternoon at a nearby country house!

Hire a photo booth

Image: Quirky Photobooths

This won’t take up lots of time, but it is one way to add an element of fun while they wait. Many photo booths come with props, allowing guests to dress-up or leave video messages for the couple. Of course, you can also have the photo booth available throughout the reception.

A word of warning, though. With all of these events, if alcohol is involved, be sure to ensure you don’t serve too many drinks, as you don’t want your guests turning up at the reception sozzled, nor do you want them turning up exhausted or dishevelled.

Did you organise entertainment for your guests between the ceremony and reception? How was it received and what did you do?

Queen of the coloured couture wedding gown Vera Wang has shared her advice on choosing the perfect colour for your wedding gown – as well as the perfect veil.

Vera Wang

Wang, who is known for the bold use of colour and texture in her bridal gown collections, encourages brides to step out of the traditional mindset of only considering a white gown, saying brides-to-be should push the boundries to choose a dress that reflects their personality perfectly.

“A bride should look at everything she possibly can and try on all the different possibilities just so she can experiment and see what makes her really feel beautiful or glamorous or classical or whatever she desires to be on that particular day,” says Wang.

“Because it’s really about you. It’s about your day, your feelings, your marriage and the rest of your life…”

This very much depends on the wording of your invitations but also your relationship with your parents.

For example, if your invites say something along the lines of; Mr and Mrs Nguyen request the pleasure of __________’s company at the wedding of their daughter etc…

It’s going to look a little strange to say; Mr and Mrs Nguyen request the pleasure of Mr and Mrs Nguyen’s company at the wedding of their daughter etc…

Since you are paying for your wedding, I assume this isn’t the case, but even if your wording uses yours and your partner’s names (as seen in the picture above) to invite your guests, on your parents’ invitation, you should use whatever terminology you normally use when addressing your parents face-to-face.

I’m a big fan of ‘Mum’ and ‘Dad’ because that’s what I call my parents.

I don’t see the point in changing that merely because invitations are, traditionally, worded quite formally. It’s the equivalent of calling them ‘Mother’ and ‘Father’, which sounds contrived unless that’s what you usually call your parents.

So, I’d recommend using whatever name you naturally call your parents is best, even if it’s a nickname such as Pops or Mumma. After all, you’re essentially saying, ‘Mum and Dad’ please come to my wedding,’ aren’t you?

Of course, if you’re not comfortable with that level of informality on your invitations, you can  always use the Mr and Mrs honorifics but the way to find a solution that won’t be awkward is simply to imagine you’re sitting in front of them and asking them to come to your wedding.

What would you call them?

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. It’s a lovely wedding tradition but it’s not terribly adventurous, is it?

Western weddings, while just as wonderful as those taking place in other parts of the world, feel fairly straightforward, even staid and boring compared to the thoughtful (and often fun) wedding traditions of other cultures where throwing plates, pinning money on the couple and stomping on glasses is de rigeur and, usually, contains some lovely symbolism.

Here’s a list of some of our favourite wedding traditions from across the globe – and even if you’re not of a certain religion or ethnicity, there’s no reason why you can’t incorporate them into your big day!

The Money Dance or Dollar Dance appears as a wedding tradition in many cultures across the globe

The Money Dance (Poland)
The Money Dance or Dollar Dance first came to prominence in the early 20th Century, and is believed to have evolved from a folk dance performed by couples married during Europe’s harvest season. Traditionally, the bride wears a purpose-made apron over her wedding dress, and guests must then pin money to her in exchange for a dance. Like most traditions, there is an order of etiquette that should be observed; the groom being first, followed by the father of the bride, relatives then close friends. The Money Dance is found in many cultures and, though traditionally it involves male guests paying to dance with the bride, these days many female guests will do the same for a dance with the groom.

Polterabend (Germany)
Plate-throwing is a custom synonymous with lively Greek wedding receptions, but they aren’t the only ones who know how to have a good time smashing plates. In fact, the German tradition of Polterabend is alleged to be older, originating in a time when it was customary to smash a clay altar immediately following a sacrifice to the Germanic gods. Traditionally, Polterabend takes place on the evening before the actual wedding, and guests are expected to bring small gifts, as well as the obligatory plate or flowerpot for throwing. The action of smashing either is thought to bring luck to the couple and while the pre-wedding party is still popular in some parts of Germany and the US, however many modern brides now incorporate the tradition into the wedding reception instead.

Varmala (India)
Indian weddings are full of inspiring traditions and rites, many of which have specific meanings. Perhaps the best know is the Mehndi ceremony where the bride-to-be’s hands and feet are painted with intricate henna tattoos. Another lovely custom is that of Var Mala, which refers to the gifting of floral garlands between husband and wife after the initial vows have been exchanged. This is one of the most important rites in the entire wedding ceremony, representing the bride’s acceptance of the groom as her husband for life!

Planting a tree for the bride (from the former Czechoslovakia)
Need another excuse for a night with the girls before you get married? In Czechoslovakia, preparations for the bride start early and continue right up until the eve of her wedding. A small, celebratory party is held by close female friends and family, during which a tree is planted in the bride’s garden, then decorated with coloured ribbons and eggshells. Legend dictates that the bride will live for as long as the tree flourishes. Modern interpretations relate this to the life of the marriage, rather than that of the bride. Another lovely tradition is placing an infant in the bridal bed before the marriage to ensure fertility.

Marrying on the half-hour (China)
From the land of Fung Shui comes the tradition of couples marrying on the half-hour rather than on the hour as it is said to bring luck to their marriage because they are marrying on an ‘upswing’ since the hands of the clock are moving upwards rather than downwards.

Blackening (Scotland)
You need to have a sense of humour to partake in the Scottish pre-wedding tradition of the Blackening which involves being covered in mud, muck and/or soot the day before your wedding. The tradition is thought to have originated in Scotland’s Orkney Islands, and involves both the bride and groom being smothered in a mixture of tar and feathers (but it could also be flour, eggs or curdled milk), then either tied to a tree or paraded through the town’s streets in humiliation. This rather messy tradition is meant to give the bride or groom a ‘taster’ of the humiliation that married life may bring.

The Lasso (Mexico)
Mexico’s rich heritage and ancient culture means that many of its most important ceremonies, such as weddings and funerals, are steeped in tradition and ornate ceremony. One such tradition fast gaining popularity in the West is the “lasso” – a white chord or ribbon, but usually an ornately decorated rosary, that is large enough to place around the shoulders of the bride and groom simultaneously. It symbolises the binding love and commitment between them. Customarily, the bride and groom each choose a ‘padrino’ (sponsor) to present the lasso at the start of the service. Once the service is over, the groom removes the ribbon and presents it to his new wife as a token of his newly confirmed love for her.

The gift of 13 coins (Spain)
Whether pinned to an apron or sealed in a bag, there’s no mistaking the importance of monetary wedding offerings to various cultures. In Spain, it’s customary for the groom to present his bride with a bag containing thirteen gold coins on the eve of their wedding. The 13 coins represent Christ and his 12 Apostles. The bride must then carry her bag of gold coins during the ceremony. Some couples follow the older Roman custom of presenting one another with coins during the wedding ceremony; the bride a bag of silver, and the groom a bag of gold as a pledge of commitment and support to his bride.

Throwing a wine glass (Italy)
Italian weddings tend to be lavish affairs guided by religious customs and rites and several of these traditions are seeping into non Italian weddings, including the traditional coffee-laden wedding cake. Though the throwing or stomping on of glasses is generally associated with Jewish and Greek cultures, many Italian grooms uphold their tradition of throwing a wine glass at the wedding reception. The number of shattered glass shards is said to foretell the number of years the couple will remain happily wed and prosperous.

The wedding cake pull (Peru)
All the single ladies at a Peruvian wedding get to do something that’s far more fun than a bouquet toss, they get to perform the wedding cake pull! This involves charms being attached to ribbons that are placed in between the layers of the wedding cake. Before the cake is cut by the bride and groom, each single female guest must pull one ribbon. One of the ribbons is attached to a fake wedding ring and, it is said, that the single lady who pulls that ribbon will be the next to marry. It beats the jostle of the old bouquet toss hands down!

What wedding traditions do you know of?

]]> http://www.easyweddings.com.au/blogs/easy-weddings-experts/10-awesome-wedding-traditions-from-other-cultures/feed/ 0 http://www.easyweddings.com.au/blogs/easy-weddings-experts/caring-for-your-engagement-ring/ http://www.easyweddings.com.au/blogs/easy-weddings-experts/caring-for-your-engagement-ring/#comments Sat, 29 Dec 2012 16:09:54 +0000 Samantha http://www.easyweddings.com.au/blogs/?p=8995 Your engagement ring is a timeless reminder of the moment your beloved asked you to be theirs forever, so, naturally, you want to take care of it. Regardless whether your engagement ring is a blinding diamond or something less blingalicious, you can expect your daily chores and activities to lead... Read More]]>

Your engagement ring is a timeless reminder of the moment your beloved asked you to be theirs forever, so, naturally, you want to take care of it.

Regardless whether your engagement ring is a blinding diamond or something less blingalicious, you can expect your daily chores and activities to lead to a certain degree of wear and tear, and that the natural oils form your skin may eventually dull its beautiful lustre.

Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to ensure your ring stays in pristine condition for as long as possible.

1. Remove your ring when doing household chores
Removing your ring might seem like the sensible thing to do before cleaning the oven or scrubbing the bath, but you’d be surprised at how many people simply forget to do so – or don’t even consider it necessary. Household cleaning products are deceptively corrosive, and, over time, can cause a residual build-up that eventually begins to tarnish the metal.

Friction caused by washing up and scrubbing can also be damaging, causing dents and surface scratches, as well as loosening the prongs that hold the ring’s stone (or stones) in place.

Remember, however, that it isn’t only heavy-duty chores that could damage your ring. Other activities such as gardening, DIY work or swimming have the potential to damage either the metal or the stone or both. Similarly, blows received during sports have the potential to knock stones out of their settings, so if you’re unsure about the impact of an activity or chemical may have on your ring, err on the side of caution and remove it.

2. Establish a proper cleaning routine
Diamonds may be the hardest substance known to man but that doesn’t mean they can’t lose their shine and sparkle. The natural oils secreted by your skin are one of the leading causes of residual build-up on diamonds (and, naturally, other stones), and if left to build up over time, can lead to discolouration of the surface of the stone.

Fortunately this can be avoided with a regular cleaning routine, and the occasional ultrasonic treatment by your jeweller.

You can, however, do the basics at home by regularly soaking your ring in warm water with a few dashes of a mild dishwashing liquid for about 30 minutes. Of course, there are plenty of reputable and affordable jewellery cleaners available and they’re designed specifically for this purpose.

Whichever route you choose, you can remove any particularly stubborn dirt and grime by gently rubbing a toothbrush around the stone’s setting, then tapping it gently to dislodge any debris that may remain.

Repeat the process if required, before dabbing dry with a soft lint-free cloth.

3. Regularly check your settings
No matter how expensive the ring, it’s inevitable that with time and wear, the tiny prongs that hold the stone/s in place will weaken or bend.

One of the simplest ways to test the rigidity of the prongs is by holding your ring close to your ear and gently tapping it with your fingernail.

Any slight rattling denotes a shifting of one or more of the prongs – usually a sign that the stone may need to be reset by a professional jeweller.

Although resetting can be costly, it’s far better than actually losing a stone, which can be significantly more expensive to replace, so if you’re not confident doing it yourself, take it to your jeweller who can easily and quickly do it for you professionally.

4. Get your ring appraised and insured
Though no amount of money will ever make up for the sentimental value of your engagement ring, you’re going to be devastated if you lose it or, worse still, if it is stolen.

Some solace may be gained from a replacement and the safest way to ensure it can be replaced is to insure it. A quick call to your home insurer might suffice for new electrical gadgets and furniture, but when it comes to your engagement ring, you should always get a thorough appraisal before having it listed or re-listed on your policy.

This is primarily because the value of metals such as gold, silver and platinum is wont to change quite often and this, in turn, can affect the intrinsic value of your ring.

You should also consider getting your ring appraised every few years to ensure it is insured for the correct amount.

If you were to lose it, or worse, it is stolen and hasn’t been insured for the correct amount, you could find the replacement value is significantly lower than your ring was actually worth.

5. Store your ring safely
When you do take off your ring, don’t just shove it in a drawer somewhere or in a bag, box or bowl with other jewellery.

This can lead to stones knocking (and, possibly, damaging) each other, which completely defeats the purpose of taking it off in the first place.

Store it in something that has individual compartments that are, preferably, lined.

Oh, and don’t forget that all the rules above apply to any of your non-costume jewellery, including your wedding ring!

While we love the humble sugared almond as bomboniere/favours, there are plenty of alternatives, including these gorgeous silver sails placecard holders

Whether you call them favours or bomboniere, the treats and mementos handed out at the end of your big day can act as a token of thanks for your guests for their support and attendance, or a life-long memory of your wedding day.

Traditionally, five white almonds are given to symbolise health, wealth, happiness, fertility and a long life. However, in recent times, bomboniere have taken on all manner of shapes – and sizes – everything from plants and photo frames to tea light candles and pieces of wedding cake.

“Couples are still giving bomboniere/favours to guests, but increasingly, we’re seeing them put their own modern spin on them,” says Amanda Elliot, Marketing Manager for online party shop Pink Frosting, which sells more than 50,000 bomboniere every year.

“We’re seeing a lot personalisation, for example, couples filling jars with lollies of their choice that guests can take home.

“The jar is resusable and can feature the couple’s names or picture. It’s a nice sweet treat that’s also environmentally friendly and every time a lolly is gobbled down or the jar is used for something else, the guest will think of the couple and be reminded of their happy day.”

Amanda says that, though modern couples are spending about the same amount of money on their weddings (about $38,000), they’re inviting fewer people, which means they can be a little more extravagant with things like the meals or flowers.

They’re also splurging on bomboniere so they can give guests something extra special, such as sterling silver yatchs engraved with each guest’s name or a piece of jewellery for each guest. We even once read about an overseas couple who handed out puppies to whomever wanted one at the end of their farm wedding!

“People are thinking a lot more practically about the gifts they give guests. For a summer wedding, for example, they may give a silk hand fan or a parasol. That’s practical on the day, but also a nicer gift for them to take home.

“Foodie couples may decide to bake biscuits and give them away or we’ve even seen couples who love to cook giving away personalised pizza cutters with a pizza base mix, so guests can go off and make their own pizza and share the couple’s passion!

Couples who love gardening have given away seedlings, small cacti and herbs so guests can start their own little patch with while couples with a penchant for the sea have been know to dole out sea-themed cupcakes or shells with guests names engraved on them.

Increasingly, couples tend to use traditional bomboniere in a non traditional way. So, for example some couples buy mini picture frames and, instead of adding in a picture of the couple or their wedding date, they’ll hire a calligrapher to write each guest’s name on a place card, and then use it to mark their seat at the reception. Again, it’s a practical bomboniere, but also very personal and something guests can keep forever.

However, says Amanda, though choice abounds when it comes to bomboniere, simplicty is what most couples opt for, even the rich and famous. Amand cites the example of In our experience, even the rich and famous are keeping it simple.  When rugby league player Anthony Minichiello married Terry Biviano in Sydney in January, he opted for Pink Frosting’s Bevelled mirror boxes and filled them with truffles.

“This couple were certainly extravagant with other elements of the wedding,”  says Amanda, “but what we can learn from them is that when it comes to bomboniere, often the simplest and most heartfelt gift is the best.”

We’d love to see or hear about your bomboniere ideas! You can email pics and ideas to social@easyweddings.com.au

We’re smitten by the 2013 bridal gown collection from uber-talented Lebanese haute couture designer Zuhair Murad.

As always, his latest collection is delicate, romantic and utterly feminine but features gorgeous embellishments that truly make them stand out from the crowd.

At the end of the gallery (below), you’ll find Zuhair’s stunning creations for Rosa Clara. They embroidery is simply stunning.