Money Saving Wedding Ideas

Save Thousands on Designer Wedding Jewelry at DesignBands.com

They say there are two things that will withstand the test of time, and love is one of them.

However, with gas prices flirting with $4 a gallon and lavish weddings chock full of frivolity, lovebirds are looking for the most cost effective ways to tie the knot.

And they aren't skimping on the details.

THE DRESS AND TUXEDO

Summer may be known as the season for weddings, but according to Cathy Heim, seamstress at Nicole's Bridal Boutique in Seneca, brides-to-be are choosing simpler designs and more contemporary looks to satisfy both the warmer weather, as well as lighter wallets.

"You can pay just as much for a formal dress as can you for an informal," Heim said. "But for this area, people are buying a lot more conservative."

Heim, who is working on more than 20 weddings this month alone, said business is as steady as ever, adding that she has received a lot of requests to alter dresses bought from outside dealers. The four-year employee said many women are purchasing the perfect dress elsewhere, but sticking to local seamstresses for the modifications, saving a much needed tank of gas as well as some sanity.

Heim said the only major cutbacks so far include slightly less expensive bridesmaids' dresses - shortened from full-length to tea. She said she doesn't expect any bride's budget to favor a dress that is subpar to what they have always dreamed of.

"Every bride has a dream," Heim said. "And they will sacrifice to get that. Now whether that means a cheaper tuxedo or fewer flowers, I don't know. But the dress (the average is $650 at Nicole's) really isn't the biggest cutback."

And neither is the tuxedo, according to Rob Walter, an employee with F.L. Crooks and Co. on Main Street in Clarion.

The specialty clothing dealer, offering a range of prices on both lower-end designs and top name tuxedos, said the average cost for the groom comes in at around $100 for a complete rental with the most expensive falling somewhere near $160. And while the only shift Walter has seen is to cooler microfiber shirts, many men are still going for a quality fit and fabric to satisfy their wants as well.

"Everything's really just on par as it's always been," Walter said. "I haven't noticed any big difference."

THE RING

Perhaps the most illustrious piece of wedding memorabilia is the smallest and oftentimes most expensive for the big day.

Niki Volmrich, owner of Feldman Jewelers in Franklin, said couples are shopping vigilantly, but 'going for the gold' when it comes to actually buying.

"I haven't seen where they're really cutting back," Volmrich said. "I mean, they're still buying, but they're just perhaps not spending as much."

A veteran in the jewelry industry, having owned her Liberty Street shop for 23 years, Volmrich said those looking to celebrate nuptials are keeping a keen eye out for more traditional pieces that will not only look good, but won't break the bank.

One way brides are saving money is by purchasing titanium or tungsten bands for the groom, rings that not only have the weight and look of more expensive metals, but cost much less. An average price equals out to a little more than $100. Volmrich said many of the aforementioned materials are a lot more durable than conventional models.

However, she noted, grooms are still perusing the shelves for diamonds set in gold and platinum for their brides, in addition to the pricey engagement rings bought prior to the actual day.

"(Rising prices) don't really affect wedding jewelry, other jewelry yes, but not this," Volmrich said.

She also said the store's registry has consistently done quite well, with brides requesting various decorative accessories and everyday dishware.

"The ring is something you will have forever. You're going to be looking at that for years and years...hopefully," Volmrich said with a laugh.

By: Nicholas Hess
from Derrick.com

With This Ring, I Thee Wed…

More New Couples Seeking Matching Wedding Bands and Ring Set

Valuable jewelry has differing functions and symbolism across cultures. For many, the most important item of jewelry is, of course, the wedding ring.

That being the case, I have some advice concerning wedding rings as the warm summer days -- and along with them many, many weddings -- begin. Women have always been interested in jewelry. In the ancient Greek and Roman societies, jewelry was often worn as a form of protection from the evil eye. While women of those eras would wear many different types of jewelry, men were restricted to rings. These rings were strikingly different from those worn nowadays, and their stones were often also used as signets. This style of ring usage was continued by kings and aristocrats in the Middle Ages. During those times jewelry was sometimes a sign of wealth and at other times worn as protective amulets. Whether worn as a sign of status, for protection, or even just to accessorize, the most important kind of ring has perhaps always been the wedding band. The idea of wearing a ring to signify married status was started by ancient Egyptian princess Nefertiti. And though wedding rings have changed in color, stone, style, size and many other aspects over the years, the finger they are worn on has not. It is always the fourth finger of the left hand that is graced by a wedding band. Of course this is not just coincidental. Everyone knows just how advanced ancient Egyptian medicine was, and in fact medical research now shows us that this finger is the only one with a vein that heads straight for the heart. Choosing a wedding ring, this all-important piece of jewelry, is a meaningful act in that the jewelry is bought with the intention of wearing for the rest of one's life. Wedding rings are also one of the few kinds of jewelry that don't change too drastically along with changes in fashion. More than its actual appearance, the meaning carried by a wedding ring is what is important. The ring becomes almost like a part of the wearer's body, which is why there can be such great arguments between couples when one of them removes the ring. In any case, the wedding season is officially upon us, making it the perfect moment to take some time to talk about new styles and options in the wedding rings now available.

Traditional or modern: always timeless

When choosing a ring, the most important factors to keep in mind are the size and shape of you and your partner's fingers and hands. A thick band will make short fingers look even shorter. If you have bony hands, wedding bands with lots of stones of them are perfect for you. Square cut stones make fingers look a bit thicker, while rounder stones lengthen fingers' appearance. Last season, we saw an increase in wedding bands designed with not only precious metals, but also with precious stones. In particular, many couples decided on wedding rings decorated with diamonds -- classic.

There are many who don't want to pass up on the classic wedding ring, and for couples like this, there are new modern interpretations of the wedding ring available. Though wedding rings made from two different colors of gold were quite popular last season, this season we are seeing single-color gold wedding rings, mostly from red or white gold. Newer models of wedding rings are being designed for women who want to wear the same style of wedding ring as their future husbands. These are wedding rings that symbolize dynamism and a youthful attitude. It is of course also important that they don't go out of fashion. In a season when white gold is being chosen by so many couples for their wedding rings, platinum and steel are also favorites.
I'd also like to note that while we may see men wearing single-stone rings outside of Turkey, I very much doubt that this will find much of a place in Turkish culture. Wedding bands ought to be chosen according to characteristics that allow them to be used in every atmosphere. And if you can't find yourself anything you like from the shops, go to a company that specializes in individually designed wedding rings. You might be someone for whom designing and wearing your own wedding ring is much more meaningful.

A wedding ring that carries your spouse's name and wedding date on the inside of the band will no doubt become one of your most treasured possessions. So take particular care to choose a model that expresses something about your future spouse, not one that just makes a fashion statement. What adds true meaning to your wedding ring is not the stone or metal used in it, but the love felt when wearing it.

Original Article by: Wall Street Journal

Diamond Prices Predicted to Fall Modestly in June 2008

Great news for consumers looking to buy diamond wedding rings and diamond wedding bands.

You've likely never heard of Martin Rapaport but to the diamond world he's famous. Rapaport is to diamonds what Robert Parker is to wine, a person of tremendous influence. He runs Diamonds.Net and his Rapaport Index defines diamond pricing for the world. On Monday, Rapaport spoke to the packed room at the JCK jewelry show in Las Vegas delivering his pronouncements on the diamond market at an annual breakfast event. Right now, the diamond industry is facing similar challenges seen by the rest of the luxury market. Rapaport feels that the current economic climate offers both opportunity and pitfalls for those in the diamond business.

The news is conflicting, larger stones have been getting higher and higher prices and the huge wealth in China, Dubai, India and Russia is creating a hunger for luxury goods and diamonds and diamond jewelry specifically. This is also a time when the plummeting real estate market in the U.S. and Europe means that the Western world, which fueled the global prosperity in the beginning, is now cutting back on spending. Independent stores and small chains are having a tough time and the news is full of stories of stores having bankruptcy sales where goods are being sold off at below cost. This means that diamond prices are coming down worldwide and the best prices on diamond wedding bands are at designbands.com.

As of 2007, the U.S. still made up the bulk of diamond jewelry sales, clocking in at 43%. China brought in 8.5%, Europe did 11% and the Middle East was responsible for 4.6%. Until recently, the U.S. had been on a path of prolonged economic growth and our prosperity fueled the global economy expanding the middle class in India and Africa. Small jewelers in the U.S. are now competing with a global market. As I've heard mentioned at other conferences such as the Luxury Summit, the number of millionaires and billionaires is growing worldwide. This might be one reason why the price of big stones is going up far faster than the prices for smaller stones, especially those under a carat.

For jewelry sellers, as I heard in other sessions at this show, branding is more important than ever, especially to new luxury spending markets. Rapaport cautioned though that branding is a "trojan horse" for the retailers. First the retailers convince their customers which brand to buy and then the seller of the brand raises that price. Many stores are worried about the new DeBeers Forevermark, a branded diamond sold by DeBeers. Now the considerable advertising budget of DeBeers will be aimed at marketing that diamond which will be sold at premium price. Rapaport's answer to those competing against this new stone? Hang a sign in your window advertising that you are selling for diamonds for 10% less than Forevermark.
Overall, Rapaport is bullish about the future of diamonds. His data shows that over time global demand for diamonds will outpace supply by an increasing margin. He made the analogy that just as a forest fire is a way of the forest ecosystem, righting itself for greater growth, the current economic climate will eventually be good for the diamond market as a whole and will benefit the smaller jeweler if they realize that flexibility is power. Just as I heard Nick Failla say about gold at an earlier session, Rapaport too believes that most stores should be buying back jewelry as well as selling jewelry especially since the amount of jewelry being sold back to jewelers will likely hit record rates in the coming years.

One of the big questions about the diamond market is whether prices are being raised by those who are speculating or investing. Before the JCK Show, Rapaport raised his pricing index 25%, a fact which didn't sit well with those hoping to do major business during the show. Rapaport defended his decision saying it was a correction based on a steady supplier price raising. Facing increasing hostility from the audience he stated frankly that he couldn't give a damn about suppliers or buyers, it's his job to watch the prices people are getting for diamonds and reflect what is out there. Rapaport says the non-mining profit in the diamond business comes from finding the right buyer for the right diamond at the right price and that he is advocating for free, fair, open, competitive markets. This information didn't sit well with those in the audience who feared that their buying power had been dropped by one quarter based on Rapaport's guidance.

Rapaport urged the jewelry retailers in the audience to remember that "diamond dream" what is being sold is the idea behind the jewelry, the emotional power behind the diamond remains, the real business for jewelers is to believe in what diamonds mean to people not just the romance angle but also the sense of the diamond as a global industry, it can do good for the people involved. In fact, Rapaport says that jewelry stores have a responsibility to make sure the diamond industry does well, because the industry also supports the diggers in other countries. It can be a tool for good. His own passion for finding ways to make sure the diamond industry is a benefit to diggers in Sierra Leone and other places has led him to be a leader in the fair trade jewelry movement. I'll be reporting in-depth on the fair trade jewelry conference which he moderated later this week.

Overseas Demand Polishes Tiffany

Asia, Europe Strength Offsets Softness in U.S.; Sales Outlook Cautious

Tiffany & Co's fiscal-first-quarter profit rose 19% as higher demand in Europe and Asia helped make up for soft sales in the U.S.

In addition, the New York jeweler raised its full-year earnings outlook while noting it maintains "a cautious outlook for U.S. sales" and doesn't expect an improvement until later this year.

Tiffany also said it plans to introduce a "new, smaller store format" in the U.S. later this year, in addition to its plans to open about 24 new stores world-wide.

Sales at stores open at least a year rose 21% in Europe and 15% in the AsiaPacific region, driven by demand in areas from London and Italy to Hong Kong and China. Adjusted for currency effects, same-store sales rose 12% in Europe and 4% in the Asia-Pacific region.

Overseas sales helped offset flat sales in the U.S., the company's larg market, where a slowing economy' curtailed spending on jewelry , other discretionary items.

International shoppers taking vantage of the weak dollar also hel) Tiffany'S domestic sales. The com ny's New York flagship store saw a: jump in same-store sales, driven by demand from foreign tourists. Meanwhile, sales at branch stores declined 4% as the company experienced soft sales of items below $500.

Sales in the quarter ended April have been driven by engagement rings in the U.S., silver jewelry outside of U.S. or designer collections such as Elsa Peretti jewelry.

Chief Executive Michael J. Kowalski said strong sales growth despite "only modest growth in the U.S. due to challenging conditions reflects the benefit of globally diversified distribution."

"Tiffany is becoming a truly global brand," said Pali Research analyst Stacey Widlitz, who has a "buy" rating on
the stock. "The strength in international and the size of it is enough to offset however long the U.S. consumer weakness is lasting. International consumers love this brand."

World-wide sales so far in May have met the company's expectations, Tiffany said. While U.S. same-store sales for the year are expected to rise, the company said it expects second quarter U.S. sales to decline, which will pressure profit in that period.

Tiffany raised its full-year outlook it boosted in March an additional five cents and now expects earnings of $2.80 to $2.90 a share, maintaining its forecast for net sales growth of about 10%. The latest mean estimate of analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters was for earnings of $2.73 a share on 10% sales growth to $3.23 billion.

By: Andrie Cheng & Donna Kardos
Wall Street Journal; May 31-June 1, 2008

Ahead of Vows, Engaged Couples Seek Bargains On Rings

Sky-high prices for precious metals are prompting many cash-strapped couples to switch from platinum bridal rings to more affordable white metals like white gold and palladium, according to jewelers in Hatton Garden, the diamond jewelry district of London.

Platinum has soared 50 percent this year to hit a record high of $2,290 an ounce in March, driven by strong industrial demand and power shortages in South Africa, a top producer.

Prices of platinum, used in catalytic converters of cars as well as in jewelry, are now quoted at around $2,150, but they are still up 40 percent this year.

The surge in precious metals prices, and a squeeze on incomes caused by the credit crunch and climbing food and fuel prices, are spurring changes in consumer behavior in the bridal market, according to Hatton Garden jewelers.

"People are looking for alternatives - and a good alternative to platinum at the moment is palladium," said Ercan Onguc, manager at Beverley Hills London.

The price differences between the metals are stark.

For instance, a 5 mm, or 0.2 inch, ladies' platinum wedding band retails for £923, or $1,797, almost four times the cost of a 5 mm palladium ring at £250 and a 5 mm white gold band at £263.

"There is less platinum being sold," said Kevin Reilly, manager of Classic Jewels. "People, particularly for wedding rings, have been switching to 18-carat white gold or palladium," he added.

Women, enchanted by platinum's romantic cachet, tend to still insist on platinum, especially those with the highest incomes, whereas men are more likely to compromise on cost and go for the less glamorous and less expensive palladium, jewelers say.

And though both are hard metals, platinum has the edge over palladium because it is denser. Platinum is also marketed much more vigorously than palladium.

A salesman at County Jewelers said some couples on tight budgets were opting for alternative metals to platinum so they could spend more on a larger diamond.

Well informed about the recent spike in precious metals prices, notably platinum and gold, more customers are now making inquiries about palladium and white gold bridal rings, jewelers say. However, a step down in price does not always mean a huge step down in quality. There are still many places, particularly businesses offering online shopping, that carry high quality cheap wedding rings. And so, heightened volatility in precious metals is leading jewelers to re-price their stock much more often nowadays.

A sign placed prominently in one Hatton Garden jeweler's window said: "Due to the fluctuation of metal prices, all wedding rings shown could be subject to surcharges."

Jewelry manufacturers are loathe to use less platinum in wedding rings or to hollow out designs to compensate for the rise in precious metals prices.

By: David Brough Reuters
International Herald Tribune; May 20, 2008

Platinum demand remains resilient despite price

High-end, bridal boost metal's retail sales in 2007

New York—Despite platinum's rising price, which averaged $1,304 per ounce last year—36 percent more than in 2006—retail sales and manufacturing volumes of platinum jewelry in 2007 remained fairly resilient, boosted primarily by the high-end and bridal sectors, according to Johnson Matthey's annual platinum report for 2008.

Global demand for new metal in the jewelry industry actually dipped slightly in 2007, the metals consultancy said, falling 55,000 ounces to a total of 1.59 million ounces, yet demand from both the trade and consumers alike stayed strong for the majority of the year.

Platinum jewelry demand in Europe increased by 7.7 percent to a total of 210,000 ounces in 2007, and net demand for new metal from the Chinese jewelry sector increased by 20,000 ounces to a total of 780,000 ounces.

China remains the largest market for platinum jewelry, according to Johnson Matthey, with Chinese manufacturers buying 2.6 percent more of the metal compared with other markets. In the last year especially, platinum demand in China was particularly supported by the production of novelty platinum items and memorabilia manufactured in preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

In North America, however, where the economic slowdown has been accompanied not only by higher platinum prices but also by pressure on local manufacturing from imported jewelry, purchases of platinum by jewelry manufacturers declined by 5,000 ounces in 2007 to a total of 240,000 ounces.

Looking forward, Johnson Matthey expects platinum prices to remain volatile, though the high prices haven't yet been felt in the jewelry industry this year (for reasonably priced platinum wedding bands, check out Design Bands). The outlook for jewelry demand in 2008 is more dependent on price than previously, Johnson Matthey said in the report, but the high-end and bridal sectors will remain insulated from price changes.

While perhaps the biggest story regarding platinum for 2007 was supply—which fell by 4 percent in 2007—Johnson Matthey said there is still the possibility that supply for 2008 will increase. Among the biggest issues concerning supply in the last year were strikes and wage negotiations at mines in South Africa, plus a Lonmin smelter shutdown in the country, and general issues concerning improved safety and the acquisition of skilled staff.


National Jeweler Network; May 20, 2008

Things Women Need To Know About Wedding Fashion

For The Bride

1. Waist emphasis: After a tumultuous affair with the trapeze dress, America is ready to re-embrace the waist. At the Spring 2008 Fashion Week, designers showed nipped in waists, often accented with wide belts. Look for wedding dresses to follow suit, with a reinvigoration of the obi belt and contrasting color sashes.

2. Trumpet Skirt: As it skims over the body before flaring out near the knee, the trumpet skirt naturally shows off your best curves, especially your waist

3. Jewelry as Part of the Dress: While previous years' fads included heavy jewelry, in the year 2008 wedding trends, jewelries are now commonly worn on the dresses themselves.

4. Lower necklines: Show off the neck and shoulders

5. Back Detail: It's what your wedding guests see during the ceremony, so show it off with intricate details or a low v-back.

6. Vintage inspiration: From dresses to rings, brides are revisiting the past for style inspiration. For wedding gowns, that means delicate fabrics like chiffon and tiers of tulle, along with bygone embellishments such as beaded straps, keyhole halters, and lace sleeves.

7. Silver: The bride who wears a metallic silver wedding dress is sure to stand out and be remembered. If you're more traditional, incorporate the silver wedding trend in other ways like wedding bands and other jewelry accessories.

Bridesmaids

8. Yellow: Yellow was all over the Spring 2008 runways, which is great news for brides. This ideal wedding color is fresh, energetic and summery.
For an evening wedding, pair lemon yellow with chocolate brown. Or, choose a brighter yellow paired with silvery gray. Yellow brings feelings of warmth and happiness. When used alone, yellow makes an impact, when used as an accent; it compliments many other colors very nicely. Pale yellows are great for spring weddings, lemon yellows give a citrus punch to summer weddings and deep mustards are beautiful for fall and winter weddings.

9. Silver / Pewter: Silvers and metallics are taking the place of standard black. Steel gray will replace chocolate brown as the accent color. I absolutely love this soft yet deep hue teamed with butter yellow, bright aqua, rich eggplant, or pale pink. It's so versatile!

10. Bold colors: Jewel tones are back in style! If you love rich purples, bright greens, and shocking pinks, you'll be excited by 2008 wedding trends. But stay far away from the '80s. Today's couples should look to use jewel tones sparingly, mixing brights with cream or gray, or more muted versions of the same color.

11. A variety of dress styles: There's nothing wrong with wanting your bridal party to look coordinated, but because all your girls have unique shapes and styles. Why not pick a color and fabric and have them choose the rest?

Let your girls choose their jewelry. You can and should suggest the type of jewelry you'd like to see them wear (pearls, silver, or gold) but allow them to pick from their own closets when it comes to the particulars. Chances are, your pictures won't pick up the difference in their jewels, and they'll feel more comfortable in baubles they already know and love.

12. Metallic footwear: Rather than asking your girls to buy matching celadon green wedges, these days formal footwear is all about silver and gold - with just about any color and look you've picked for your maids.


Mother of the Bride/Groom

13. Consider the Wedding Party: Though you probably will want your dress to coordinate with the wedding party, it DOES NOT need to match.

14. Consult with the Bride: She is the one who knows best the style and formality of the wedding and can offer great insights.

15. Consult with Each Other: The mother of the bride should choose her dress first and then let the groom's mother know what she has selected.

16. Age-Appropriate Does Not Have To Mean Dowdy: There are many very fashion-forward options for the mother of the bride/groom.


Men's Wear

17. Three Major "Don't"s to Remember: Don't wear socks that are too short. They should come up over the calves so that no skin is exposed when you sit down and cross your legs. (Source: "The Wedding Book" by Mindy Weiss with Lisbeth Levine)

Don't wear a belt with formal clothing. Use Suspenders to hold up trousers. (Source: "The Wedding Book" by Mindy Weiss with Lisbeth Levine)

Don't over accessorize. You don't want to look overly flashy. (Source: "The Wedding Book" by Mindy Weiss with Lisbeth Levine)

Wedding Guests

18. Take Cues from the Invitation: Is it in flowing, engraved black script on a heavy cream paper with formal language? Odds are the wedding will be similarly formal.

Does it cheekily ask you to come see them get hitched? Wedding guests should look for a nice casual outfit. And of course, it may tell you directly on the invitation - black tie, casual attire etc.

19. Do Not Wear White: This rule has relaxed some, and you can get away with wearing a printed dress with a white background and some cream colored clothing.

20. The Black Factor: Black is a great choice for an evening wedding, but you should never wear black to a daytime wedding.

21. Don't Upstage the Bride: Avoid anything too sexy or revealing.


All of the dresses featured in the video portion of this story can be found at Saks Fifth Avenue.

By: Holly Quartaro, Fashion Stylist at Galleria Dallas
Originally published CBS11tv.om; May 7, 2008