We are in love with this incredibly classic and elegant wedding cake made by our very own vendor, Nashville Sweets! They are capable of making any cake or dessert in any style or theme you could possibly imagine. Nashville Sweets always hits it out of the park and we have never seen (or tasted!) anything that wasn’t absolutely phenomenal.
If you would like to know more about Nashville Sweets, please check out their website! nashvillesweets.com
Heirloom stones passed down through the family are perhaps the most meaningful for an engagement ring, linking you to the generations of giddy brides-to-be who preceded you. That said, what if you like the stone but hate the setting? Perhaps it doesn’t reflect your personality, is completely impractical for your lifestyle, or is just plain hideous. Tread carefully: Before you reset, consider the following to keep the stone—and the spirit in which it was given to you—intact for the next generation.
Being offered an heirloom stone can be tricky territory. On one hand, it’s a sign of family acceptance and trust, plus it saves your future fiance a lot of money! On the other hand, perhaps you’ve had a vision of your dream engagement ring since grade school, and it looked nothing like what’s been offered. Two options: Accept it graciously and scrap those childhood fantasies, or reset the stone to make it your own.
Before you head down to the jewelry store, consider this cautionary tale: When Julie, a magazine editor, discovered that her fiance was proposing with his mom’s engagement ring, she was thrilled—about the stone. “It was a beautiful diamond in an ugly yellow-gold, dainty, high prong-set setting. It looked like an old lady’s ring, and I’ve always hated yellow gold, so my fiancé and I made immediate plans to reset the stone in something more me,” Julie says. They chose a substantial platinum setting with two trilliant-shaped stones flanking the now low prong-set family diamond. Everyone thought it was beautiful, except Julie’s future mother-in-law. “We didn’t think to tell her our plans because we assumed that the stone was the important part, not the ring, but she felt that our rejection of the setting was at best rude, and at worst a rejection of her.”
The moral of this story: If you and your fiancé plan on resetting the stone, discuss your intentions with the person who gave it to you. This shows respect, and a genuine interest in his or her blessing. Make it clear how honored and thankful you are, but [insert one of following]:
If the ring has gone unchanged for generations, you may have to suck it up—and wear it only when you’re with members of the family from which it came!
You’ve had a heart-to-heart, you’ve gotten the green light and you’re ready to reset. The first step is to get the stone appraised for insurance and identification purposes, but also so that you know exactly what you’re dealing with—the older the stone, the greater the chance that it has been chipped or cracked along the way (even if you don’t see visible flaws). When you have a complete description of its properties and stability, you can choose an appropriate setting. For example, if the stone’s girdle (perimeter) is chipped, you may want to choose a bezel setting over prongs to conceal the imperfection and protect it from further damage. Work with a jeweler whom you absolutely trust (and who ideally has experience working with antique or estate jewelry) to be sure you’re truly getting the ring of your dreams.
We are so excited to welcome one of our newest photographer vendors, Courtney Davidson! She does fantastic work! Here is one of her photos that we absolutely fell in love with! If you are interested in Courtney Davidson, be sure to check out more of her work! courtneydavidson.com
A bachelorette party can be a great way to celebrate with your friends, have some fun, and take a break from wedding planning before the big day. Whether you are all going on a trip together or are having a night on the town, here is a breakdown of planning dos and don’ts.
The event usually happens around two months before the wedding but can be thrown within weeks of it, too—just not the night before, unless you want to relive The Hangover.
Whether a cocktail party, a night at a club, or a weekend at the shore, the maid of honor is most often the party planner, but anyone can pull together this girls’ gathering. Everyone pays her own way, with the hostess covering the cost for the bride (unless ’maids or invitees are asked to chip in). The organizer should talk to attendees first about how much they can spend.
Whoever throws it will likely consult with you on the guest list, which should include the wedding party (minus junior ’maids), sisters, and close girlfriends. This is typically the final soirée that happens the closest to the wedding, so a relaxing escape, rather than a wild weekend, may be how you prefer to toast single life. Surprises are fun, but the host should keep your personality in mind. There’s no need to plan a raucous escapade if you would prefer an activity like relaxing at a friend’s cabin, taking a private cooking class led by a personal chef, or embarking on a ski retreat at nearby slopes.
Julia Lake, owner of Napa Valley Event Planning could not have said it better, “You primp, sip Champagne, then hit the town.”
Formal invites aren’t necessary for this event. A simple group message or email will get the job done perfectly! Lingerie is an expected bachelorette gift, says Lake. What’s not? “Something else that makes the bride feel pretty and pampered, like a gift card for a massage or a blowout,” she says. Dressing up in coordinated outfits or according to a theme can be a blast, but keep in mind any guest limitations. Not everyone can afford a planned elaborate costume for one evening. Instead try using dress code guidelines with flair like “beach babe” or “garden party goddess.”
Pen-and-paper notes—not e-mails, texts, posts, or tweets—are the only polite way to show appreciation for gifts. (Ask your MOH to help by keeping a list of who gave what.) If the hostess has been working with you on the theme, menu, and details, send her a thank-you gift in advance that could be used for the party, like a flower arrangement that can serve as a centerpiece.
