Society has moved on a lot in the last 30 years and along with it, traditions and priorities. This article will look at the average age of a UK bride and how it has changed over the last 30 years and why.
Weddings take place every day across the globe, ever wondered what traditions different countries and religions have? Well look no further. This article will give you a great insight into wedding rings from other cultures and countries. Here at Wedding Rings Direct, we understand the variance in culture and tradition, that is why we have dedicated sister sites for Germany, Sweden and USA customers.
According to Mintel, the popularity of weddings abroad continues. Since 2005, the number of such ceremonies has risen by approximately 27%. Almost 18% of all weddings are now estimated to take place abroad. In 2008 the UK saw an 11.5% … Continue reading →
Since the world recession hit in the second quarter of 2008, Gold prices have continued to rise. We have seen an increase in the number of “cash for gold” shops popping up here and there. From TV ads, radio advertising … Continue reading →
The Civil Partnership Law was passed in December 2005. This article will look at trends and figures from the last 6 years to illustrate what is happening in the world of civil partnerships.
Mention diamond jewellery to almost anyone, and ask them to name the first woman that comes to mind, chances are they’ll say Elizabeth Taylor. This iconic star had a love affair with jewellery that was to last a lifetime. Ms Taylor was known for being passionate about diamonds and published a book in 2003 entitled Elizabeth Taylor – My Love Affair With Jewellery. Sadly, the 79-year-old Academy Award winning actress died from congestive heart failure on 23rd March 2011.
The magic of owls Owls are making quite an impact on the wedding scene, and are the latest addition to the theme wedding list of “something different, something exciting and new”. JK Rowling’s wizardry world of Harry Potter has meant … Continue reading →
Celtic wedding rings are in many ways quite unique. Their style and design originates from an ancient civilisation that pre-dates both the Greeks and the Romans. Celtic rings are instantly recognisable by their simple beauty, organic form and enigmatic symbolism. They are both a talking point and an eye catcher.
But who were the Celts, where did they come from? Were they Irish, Welsh, Cornish, or Eastern European? It was the Celts who sacked the very heart of the Roman Empire in 390 BC. Or, even earlier, took on the might of the Greek empire in around 280 BC.
Spring and summer are still the most popular times of the year for a wedding. Spring is a time of new life and new beginnings, summer a time of warmth and brightness. In this respect both symbolise the union of marriage perfectly – when Mother Nature is in full bloom; and the cold days and nights of winter now just a faded memory.
Wedding ceremonies have not changed very much over the ages. We’ve stuck with the customs and traditions of old. They have not been updated to suit current trends and fancies, they are cherished and have endured; but sometimes with our own personal touches added. Something a little bit special, something you have inspired…
It was Coco Chanel who once said; “Fashion fades; but style goes on for ever.”Trends come and go; some have never been away. The colour pink has long been a favourite in female fashion, from clothing and lingerie to every day accessories such as Cadillac’s, champagne, precious stones, and iPods.
Pink diamonds and pink sapphires are the very latest trend in female jewellery. Traditional precious metal wedding bands and engagement rings set with pink sapphires or pink diamonds have again set the world of high fashion and celebrity circles buzzing. Traditionally, diamonds conjure up an image of clear brilliant crystal; sparkling white and bright. Scintillating blue sapphires have been revered for centuries, and adorn many royal collections.
Men’s wedding rings have quietly – but not without notice – evolved from the plain and classic wedding band of old to stylishly designed creations incorporating a variety of exotic materials.
Traditionally, gold has been the material of choice, and the ring design one of unassuming simplicity. No matter how extravagant and lavish the wedding ceremony, how exotic and luxurious the honeymoon destination or how big the diamond in the engagement ring; when it came to the wedding ring itself, understatement was the order of the day. Men’s wedding rings in the 21st century still signify commitment and love, but there are tough, durable new kids on the block now to challenge the dominance of gold.
Once upon a time, choosing a wedding ring – especially a man’s wedding ring – was a relatively straightforward task; tradition stated that gold was the metal and the style was classically plain. The only difference between a man’s and a woman’s wedding ring was the width and/or the thickness, leaving us plenty of time to ponder and puzzle over all the other necessaries.
Why tungsten? – Although gold is still the traditional choice of many engaged couples, a lot of men are turning towards a wedding ring made from one of the newer, tougher, more durable materials that have arrived on the scene. More and more in this age of high tech materials and technology, modern day jewellery is pushing the boundaries of the traditional norm – enriching the range and style of products on offer.
Jewellery insurance is very often something that we enter into at the time of purchase because it’s necessary. It makes sense, but then is often forgotten about. We feel assured and at ease knowing that our treasured possessions are adequately covered for loss, theft or damage. Our jewellery is not only a collection of items of adornment and sentimentality but is a valuable commodity. As an investment, jewellery is, generally speaking, only as good as the price you pay for it and as the quality and workmanship of the piece.
Valuable antique jewellery, not only holding but increasing in value, will also meet these criteria. Quality of design and craftsmanship, combined with the purity of base metal and flawlessness of gemstones, will ensure long lasting durability, low maintenance and many years of pleasure.
Insurance is paying for a service we hope never to make use of! But come the time we do need to use our safety net, let’s hope it’s up to the job. There’s only one thing worse than having no jewellery insurance and that’s inadequate jewellery insurance. Gold has been appreciating at a phenomenal rate these last few years, gemstones too have proven to be a good investment, and consequently valuations can very quickly become grossly inadequate and undervalued. If you are fortunate enough to possess valuable items of jewellery,
The announcement of the Royal engagement has resulted in an upsurge in the popularity of sapphire engagement rings. Prince William delighted and touched the hearts of many when he gave his bride to be the very same Sapphire engagement ring that his father had given his beloved mother in 1981. The ring is absolutely stunning and perfectly complimented the Princess’s elegant and stylish wardrobe.
Diamonds have long been the number one choice for many for engagement ring gemstones. This has not always been the case – some say it’s a tradition established by diamond sellers’ high-profile advertising campaigns.
The sapphire gemstone is said to represent truth, compatibility, commitment, and mutual understanding; all good qualities and an excellent foundation for those declaring their love for one another. The sapphire is also identified with chastity, piety and repentance.
The giving of a betrothal gift by a suitor or his family is common through different cultures, and dates back many centuries. Diamond engagement rings are largely a Western tradition, and the exact timing of the gift, or hand it’s worn on differs from country to country. More than 80% of women in the UK wear an engagement ring before they marry, and the majority of these feature at least one diamond.
Origin of the diamond engagement ring – The exchange of wedding rings dates back to Ancient Egypt, but the practice of wearing a ring in the lead-up to the wedding began much later on. Possibly the first known use of a diamond engagement ring was in the thirteenth century, when Mary of Burgundy became engaged to the Archduke Maximilian of Austria. It is not known on which finger Mary wore her engagement ring, but the tradition of wearing it on the fourth finger of the left hand probably stems from the Ancient Egyptian belief that there was a direct link from this finger to the heart.
Think back to the last few weddings you went to. Chances are that there were all largely similar affairs – an indoor ceremony followed by photos in the country hotel or church grounds, and a champagne reception in the sunshine with guests in summer frocks or loosened ties.
With a high proportion of marriages taking place in the summer months, guests can find their summers dominated with wedding after similar wedding. A winter wedding is a real chance to do something different – and save some money at the same time.
More than two million couples live together, unmarried or without a civil partnership, in England and Wales alone. Many of these are living with the belief that they are living in a ‘common-law marriage’ which gives them rights to the property, similar to the rights of a married couple or civil partnership, if the relationship dissolves or if their partner dies. In fact, the concept of a common-law marriage was outlawed in England and Wales in the eighteenth century!
Consider if a woman moves into her boyfriend’s house and pays towards his mortgage or other household bills without being on the paperwork. Whether this arrangement lasts for a year or fifty years, she has no rights to the property if he ended the relationship or even if he died…
With the announcement of a royal engagement this week, conversation in the WRD office has focused on what kind of wedding rings we think they will have. Kate’s engagement ring – a beautiful sapphire surrounded by diamonds – was certainly not designed with ease of choosing a matching wedding ring in mind.
Luckily, the stones are raised from the band, so it has a good chance of fitting snug with a classic plain wedding band – and we think she’ll stick with a plain, diamond-free band so not to distract from the intricacy of the engagement ring. If a plain ring doesn’t fit snug, she would need a bespoke shaped design to go round some of the setting. Many of the brides we speak to have unusual engagement rings that do not fit snug next to a normal classic wedding band, so we offer a vast selection of shaped rings and even a bespoke service for those whose unique engagement rings do not fit any of the designs.
If you are getting married on a budget or just want to make sure you get the best deal on everything you buy, there is a great opportunity to save some of your hard earned pounds when shopping for wedding rings online. But beware – not all rings are the same and all websites equally transparent and trustworthy…
One of the most frequent questions that online jewellers get asked is “why is your jewellery so cheap?” The answer is almost universally “because it’s cheaper to run a business online, from an office with a warehouse or workshop, than from a shop that requires a full range of stock on display and extortionate high-street rents.
With gold prices at an all-time high, many people are turning to other, less traditional, metals for their wedding rings. White gold rings, in particular, are declining in popularity as people discover that palladium is an affordable and durable alternative. People are also turning to long-lasting, non-precious metals such as tungsten carbide, steel, titanium and zirconium. But can there ever be a substitute for the beauty and history of the classic gold wedding ring? And where does the tradition come from?
Wedding rings are thought to have been first worn by the ancient Egyptians, who wove together papyrus and reeds into a circle – their symbol of eternity. They soon began to use longer lasting materials such as hemp and leather; and, later on, bone and ivory. The rings were exchanged as a kind of gift between families as well as a symbol that the wearers were no longer ‘available’.
Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. Traditional weddings follow a tried and tested plan but what could you choose if you want a more contemporary wedding theme? Here are some ideas….
Retro fifties, a seventies style wedding party, or even an Ancient Egypt-inspired wedding may not be your cup of tea, but choosing an overall theme for your wedding can help you make sure that everything works together. A poem or a favourite song can prompt you to be creative when you start planning your wedding, or you can decide to theme your wedding day around the venue you’ve chosen. From a Victorian hotel to a marriage in a lighthouse there are hundreds of themes that can create the perfect wedding day for you and your loved one. Even if you stick closely to the traditional details for the actual ceremony, such as the views and exchange of wedding rings, it doesn’t mean that the reception has to be too.
In this age of women’s liberation, some may think it is a little antiquated or un-PC for a man to ask his girlfriend’s father for ‘permission’ to take his daughter’s hand in marriage. Others see it as a sweet tradition of reassurance and respect. Most wedding-related decisions can be made between the two of you once engaged, but this particular decision is often left up to the proposer to decide and carry out alone – hence why it can be such a daunting prospect.
As with any wedding tradition, it is up to you as to whether or you want to ask the father or not. And what if the father is not around? Should you ask the mother instead? What if there are other important people in her life whose opinion matters? In these days of second marriages and ‘urban families’, it is also becoming more common for men to ask his girlfriend’s children, or even best friend, for their blessing before proposing….
Weddings, possibly more than any other occasion, are laced with superstition and tradition. But where do the two meet? Can you have tradition without pandering to superstition? Most brides will question the origins of ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue’ in the run up to their wedding*, but how about those smaller things that some people never hear about, or go along with without question?
Many wedding traditions reflect superstitions to do with fertility and bearing children, e.g. throwing rice, scattering petals in the aisle – and apparently the couple will have one child for every ribbon broken whilst opening the wedding gifts. Many bridal traditions include horseshoes, which the Greeks used as a representation of the crescent moon and therefore of fertility.
Shopping for wedding rings may seem a little daunting as there is so many things to take into consideration. Whether or not you have a general idea of what style, setting, metal or stone it is that you are looking for, there are still a large number of factors that you need to take into account. Below you will find some useful tips, a sort of buying guide to follow, to ensure that you are getting the wedding ring that you deserve.
Check Out The Company That You Are Buying From
Before buying your wedding ring, it essential that you carry out the necessary checks on the company/website in question. In the same way that you would not buy jewellery from a man wearing a long coat on a street corner, you need to ensure that the company is legitimate and that you are going to be receiving exactly what you pay for. There are a number of checks which you can carry out to confirm the websites authenticity.
Reserving a few pounds out of your total wedding day budget for insurance is worth it for peace of mind.
The average wedding in the UK apparently now costs about £20,000, and with this much money at stake insurance plan is a very sensible option. As little as £50 will cover all your wedding arrangements in case of accidental damage, lost rings or cancelled honeymoons.
Planning a wedding can be a daunting task. Do you really have time to trawl the high street, looking for wedding rings and engagement rings? Here’s an insight to planning your big day.
Don’t you just love weddings? The cake, the cars, the dresses, the flowers, the music, the food, the drink and the vows; it’s such a wonderful day. Unless of course you’re the bride and you’ve been left to organise that huge list! And don’t forget all the boring stuff like the booking the photographer, doing the seating plan, the invitations and the wedding rehearsal!
At Wedding Rings Direct we have over 30 years experience manufacturing wedding rings. We offer fabulous rings at up to half off high street prices, and you can even design your own unique wedding ring or engagement ring using our bespoke service.
At Wedding Rings Direct we know how important your big day is – that’s why we make every effort to help make that special day even more perfect for you.
We have over 30 years of experience manufacturing wedding rings and engagement rings, and can offer everything from plain wedding bands to diamond engagement rings. With our bespoke wedding ring service you can even design your own unique wedding jewellery.
Approximately 300,000 people get married a year in the UK alone, which means that potentially half that number of people have found themselves in the very situation which you are in now; You have decided that she is the one but are struggling to find the best way to ask the person that you love to be your wife. When it comes to proposing marriage, combining originality and tradition is a vital prerequisite to making the day that you propose memorable, for all of the right reasons!…
Ready to buy an engagement ring, but don’t know where to start? Search our collection of diamond engagement rings
For many men, buying an engagement ring is the first time they’ve ever bought an expensive piece of jewellery – and certainly the first time they’ve ever bought jewellery with such significance. An engagement ring is a symbol of the promise to wed, and whether you’ve discussed marriage with your partner, or you’re planning a complete surprise, you need to choose just one piece from the wide selection of engagement rings.
Make sure you shop early for jewellery if you want to get the perfect wedding rings.
When you’re planning your wedding, whether it’s big or small, there will be lots of things on your “to do” list. From flowers to cake, dresses to wedding rings, there’s a lot to think about and a lot to do. Many of those things need to be done in the few weeks or days leading up to your wedding, so it makes sense to shop for other things early so that you can cross them off your list. Wedding jewellery is straightforward to take care of, and allows you to take the time you need to choose the perfect wedding rings for you.
Most couples today tend to have a wedding ring each – the giving and receiving of rings is an important part of the marriage ceremony, whether you’re having a religious service or a civil ceremony.
OK, so you have finally decided that she is the one for you! You have come up with your ingenious and original way of how you are going to “pop the question”; a beach in some exotic location? A romantic candle lit dinner?
Taking her back to the first place you met? All great ideas, but now you have the fundamental problem, the one thing that 99.9% of all us guys do not know, what is her ring size? Something that you need to know before presenting her with her engagement ring!…
Discovered in London in 1803 by William Hyde Wollaston, palladium is fast becoming recognised as the metal of the 21st century. In comparison to platinum and gold, palladium is a fairly “new kid on the block”, boasting a huge increase in popularity over recent years. A huge influx in demand for palladium wedding rings and engagement rings has made the question arise, is palladium the new platinum?
Palladium has a natural bright white colour which means, to the untrained eye, it is hard to tell apart from Platinum…
A white gold eternity ring is the perfect way to say “I love you” and is something that she can keep forever.
It’s almost Christmas, and not before long, you’ll be faced with Valentines Day. Commercial holidays, romantic anniversaries and celebratory dates are always around the corner. If you want to surprise the woman you love with the perfect gift, choose a white gold eternity ring. This is the perfect way to tell someone just how much you care…
White gold wedding rings are a contemporary choice for anyone who doesn’t want the traditional look of yellow gold. Making the ideal alternative to platinum, white gold wedding rings can also save you some money if you are planning your wedding to a budget.
White gold wedding rings first came to popularity in the 1920s. Today, it has become increasingly popular, looks incredibly modern and stylish, and is great for cooler skin tones. Not only is it a more cost effective metal for wedding rings, but it is also fashionable and of current trends.
Men are generally not jewellery lovers. But your wedding ring is to be worn everyday, so at the very least it needs to be comfortable and well-fitting. But wedding rings for men are so much more than just a gold band around the marital finger. There are so many styles to suit your skin tone and your personal style. Whether you like the minimalist look or you like to make a statement with your outfit, there are many different types of wedding rings for men…
As people grow tired of the unpredictable British weather, more and more are opting for unique or overseas weddings, often combining a romantic honeymoon with the wedding itself to have a truly remarkable wedding they will never forget. Here are some of the most unforgettable destinations to help feed your imagination!…
Planning a wedding in the best of financial climates can be a stressful experience. The idea of cutting corners or “making do” is no-body’s idea of a dream wedding.
Remember, behind every Peter and Jordan extravaganza, there’s still a carefully balanced accounts sheet, and you bet your bottom dollar, a list of ideas that for one reason or another, had to be sacrificed…
Nobody can have everything. It’s time to choose strategically the things you can’t compromise on.
