Engagement Rings - How to Shop for an Engagement Ring

December is on its way - and with that - engagement season is quickly approaching. (more couples get engaged in December than any other month). As I write this, guys out there are furiously searching the web, trying to gain as much possible about making that all-important engagement ring purchase. OK guys - this is for you. It’s best to face every big purchase equipped with a little savvy. Here’s what you need to know about engagement rings before you start shopping.

First – A Primer on Engagement Rings Cost

The two-months salary convention is a common starting point, but in reality, the ring’s cost should be what the couple can afford without going into major debt. Cost varies for a lot of reasons – especially when diamonds are involved. Carat size is just one factor. In fact, a one carat center stone can cost anywhere from $1000 to $20000. Choice of metal also affects the bottom line; there’s a significant cost difference between a setting of sterling silver and one of platinum – anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand.

With that said, the average cost of an engagement ring in the U.S. is between $3,500 and $4,000. (according to About.com). Our engagement ring savings guide offers many useful tips to get costs down.

Now - you can put together the perfect diamond engagement ring with these three easy steps found in this complete engagement rings guide.

Will you wear gloves for your wedding?

Nothing screams elegance and refinement quite like a pair of white gloves. Just the idea of them is enough to conjure up iconic images of Camelot or Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In fact, gloves used to be a must for all formal events. These days, however, they’re more of a fashion statement – and are completely optional. Unsure if you can pull off this once ubiquitous accessory? Read this guide to bridal gloves to find out.

Wedding Menu Ideas for Every Season

Let your wedding catering take a cue from the seasons with our favorite menu ideas for every season…

Spring Wedding Menu Ideas

Summon the taste of spring with light flavors and delicate textures…

• In Season - serve a main dish featuring ham or lamb
• Fresh produce – round out the meal with a bounty of fresh fruits and young vegetables like baby carrots, baby asparagus and new potatoes
• Elegant sides – serve mini quiches or update traditional deviled eggs by adding salmon or crabmeat
• Bar favorites – a spring menu seems to call for champagne. Mix up a batch of mimosas for a morning wedding, or create a festive champagne cocktail.

Summer Wedding Menu Ideas

Use your summer menu to invoke warmth, sunshine and fun…

• Serve lighter fare – think fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables like berries, watermelon, tomatoes, cucumber, and corn, seafood and lean poultry like chicken. Between courses, serve a light sorbet.
• Spark up the grill - serve traditional picnic and grill fare like barbeque, burgers and potato salad
• Head to the tropics - feature tropical signature cocktails like margaritas, sangria, or mojitos.

Fall Wedding Menu Ideas

Bring out the rich and comforting tastes of autumn…

• Traditional favorites – you cannot go wrong with seasonal standbys: turkey, red potatoes, corn bread dressing, green beans, and honey glazed carrots.
• Family style – re-create a traditional thanksgiving feast by incorporating your family recipes into your wedding menu and serving the meal family style (if your guest list is small).
• Hearty proteins - Choose a hearty meat that will pair with heavier side dishes – turkey, roasted quail, rib roast
• Keep it elegant – you can serve traditional fare in sophisticated, creative ways – present soup or veggie puree in mini shot classes or hallowed out gourds, or warm apple cider in glass mugs with cinnamon sticks.

Winter Wedding Menu Ideas

Warm up to a decadent winter menu with these cool ideas to reflect the season…

• Hearty dishes – serve heartier fare in sophisticated, creative ways – such as colorful butternut squash puree or warm pumpkin soup in ramekins or shot glasses.
• Wintery beverages – warm guests with eggnog, spiced wine or mixed coffee drinks.

Get even more wedding menu ideas in elegala.com's complete guide to wedding catering

Working with a Wedding Planner: Some Tips for Brides

The key to a successful working relationship is uniting together as an invincible team. Here are a few tips on working with a wedding planner:

Be a Team Player

Sure, it’s the “bride’s day,” but remember that you can’t get there alone. A planner can be your advocate and your voice, especially when you’re not around. Successful teams are all about balance: there will be areas where you’ll remain more hands on, and some where s/he runs the show. Determine which tasks complement your strengths, and plan on designating the other tasks to the seasoned pro. Sit down together to review your task list, letting her know where you’d like to remain involved and where you could use more help. Be clear about your expected level of involvement so your planner can adapt accordingly.

Speak Freely

Just as communication is the cornerstone to all successful relationships, it’s crucial to working with your wedding planner. You need to be able to clearly convey your priorities when it comes to your wedding. For example, do you envision a laid back affair with room for spontaneity? Or do you need a tightly scheduled event to feel comfortable. Is there an aspect of your wedding that you are particularly concerned about – such as the dance floor remaining packed or the meal being served promptly. Wedding planners aren’t mind readers. They can, however, remember that your cousin needs a vegan meal—as long as you tell them.

Get in the Trust Tree

If placing complete trust in your planner is difficult for you, remember that s/he has not only your best interests at heart, but his/her professional interests as well. This may be your first trip down the aisle, but an accomplished planner has been involved in countless weddings. Bottom line – make sure you can trust your wedding planner to pull off your event with success, then give them the space to do it.

Get even more advice on hiring and working with wedding planners at Elegala.com -Elegant Galas Made Simple

Grooms: How to Choose Your Groomsmen

Ever played pick-up basketball or football with a number of your best friends? Remember how hard it was to pick some and not others for your squad? Welcome to picking your groomsmen, only here, you’re not judging them on their athletic prowess.

Instead of starting with a concrete number to shoot for, it’s a much better idea to make the quick and dirty list first. Chances are, that should be your final list. But when you tack on trying to match up with the number of bridesmaids on the other side of the aisle, plus the typical “if I ask him then I have to ask him” dilemmas inherent in friends that run in the same circles, it’s not that easy. This useful list of guidelines and suggestions for choosing your groomsmen is here to help...

Bridesmaids' Luncheons: Everything you need to know...

Let’s face it – weddings go by in such a blur that after the dishes have cleared and the flowers begin to wilt, many brides realize they never really had a chance to spend some quality time with their nearest and dearest. That’s what makes bridesmaids’ luncheons so great – they afford the perfect opportunity to get together and enjoy some time with your closest girlfriends one last time before the main event. They’re entirely optional, but this fun and typically hassle-free soiree is definitely worth your while. So what does it entail?

This article spells out everything you need to know about hosting a bridesmaid luncheon…

Unique Wedding Favors Ideas

Wedding favors often evoke a “been there, done that” response from wedding guests. Looking for something a little more memorable than a bag of Jordan almonds? Here are our top choices for a few inspiring guest thank-yous.
Unique Wedding Favors Ideas

Late night munchies
After dancing for hours, rolling out individual snacks like mini hamburgers with a fixings bar are a big hit

Photo shop
Rent a photo booth and let your guests take turns posing for the camera. Set up a DIY station with mini-frames so they can take home their favorite shots.

Escape the Elements
If you really want to impress, give your guests something sublimely stylish yet useful to kep them smiling through the elements: stylish sunglasses (to deflect glare), sleek umbrellas (in case of rain), or cashmere scarves (should a breeze pick up).

Personalized Thank-yous
Place small journals at each place setting, and write every guest a personal thank-you note on the front page.

Make some noise
Liven up the party, and hand out maracas, small horns, or even kazoos - a great idea for a relaxed affair or a particularly festive bunch.

Get even more ideas for unique wedding favors at Elegala.com