After World War II, the UK along with many other Western Countries saw a huge increase in the number of weddings and babies (the baby boom). Many service men coming home from the war were eager to marry their loved one that had waited for them whilst they were away. In this era, it was common for women as young as 16 to marry but over time society and women’s priorities have changed.

Since 1981 there has been a rapid decrease in the number of women marrying between the ages of 16 and 19. In 1981, there was a total of 63,343 women between the age of 16 and 19 that married compared to 2009 figures of just 3,106.  The huge decrease in numbers is evident but what caused this change?

Recent figures from the ONS show that the average age at which UK women marry has climbed from 29.9 years in 2008 to 30 years in 2009. As the figures illustrate, the average age in which women marry has been consistently increasing in recent years. In 1981 the average age of a Bride was 23.1, this then crept to 25.5 in 1991 and 30 years in 2009.

In correlation with the figures, Lady Diana was just 20 years old when she married Prince Charles in 1981 and Catherine Middleton was 29 when she married Prince William in 2011, suggesting that the Royals are more reflective of British social trends than some may like to admit.

Society has moved on and it is now common for couples to cohabit before entering into marriage, both women and men want to be sure they know what their life will be like living with their partner before getting married. Unlike in the 50’s to early 70’s, it is no longer unacceptable to have children out of wedlock, quite the opposite in recent years. People in their 20’s are getting an education, moving away and finding independence. These changes in the makeup and priorities of society all contribute to the average age of a Bride being slightly older than 30 years ago.

Evelina, who runs the Swedish side of things, recently explained to me that the tradition in her country used to be that the woman wore a plain ring as an engagement ring and a diamond ring for the wedding band – but also that things have changed a bit over the last few years, with many people following a more American process. This gradual change was made quicker by the 2010 Swedish royal wedding as the princess wore a UK-style engagement ring and a plain wedding band.  Swedes consider the UK/American way more modern, and other European countries seem to be thinking that way as well. For example, German women used to wear just one ring and move it from the right to the left hand on the wedding day – but now they tend to have a second ring as well. In Scandinavia, it’s common for men to also wear a ring to symbolise engagement ring, usually the same ring then used as a wedding ring.

Not everyone wears their wedding rings on the fourth finger of the left hand like we do, although this is tradition in most countries because this finger is said to have a direct link to the heart. Some countries believe the left hand signifies the evil energies in the body and that the right hand signifies goodness. This is more common in countries speaking Latin-derived languages, as the Latin for ‘left’ is also the word for ‘sinister’.

Further afield there’s lots more variation in each ceremoy, although some kind of exchanging of rings during the ceremony is common in most cultures. Wedding tradition in Brazil dictates that the wedding rings should be engraved with each other’s’ names. Hawaii has a similar emphasis on engraving, usually with extravagant designs and font style. The famous Russian triple wedding ring is a symbol of the holy trinity, and Turkey has a tradition of puzzle wedding rings (apparently stemming from a jealous nobleman who had a ring designed that would fall apart if removed unless the correct key was used. He made his wife wear the ring when he was away on important journeys, to ensure her fidelity).

Irish Claddagh rings have an intricate design featuring two hands, a heart and a crown, which signify friendship/faith, love and honour/loyalty respectively. This is worn on the right hand with the heart pointing outwards when single and turned around when she is engaged. The ring is moved to the left hand when she gets married.

Although there is variation in different countries and cultures, the meaning is the same. Rings are exchanged and worn to show devotion and commitment, as an everlasting symbol of love.

The average expenditure on weddings abroad has risen; this is still only approximately one third of the cost of the average UK equivalent. With the 2008 recession still looming, it’s no surprise people are thinking about marrying abroad.
The guarantee of warm weather and cost are 2 factors contributing to UK citizens marrying abroad. The average cost of getting married abroad is just £6585 compared to the UK average of nearly £20000.

So let’s weigh this up, what are the pros and cons of getting hitched abroad?
Pros

• Choosing to get married abroad means the world is your oyster, you can literally get married anywhere in the world.

• The weather is almost guaranteed when you marry abroad, especially if you go in the height of the season.
• Cost: getting married abroad can be a lot cheaper than marrying in the UK
• Holding the wedding abroad does often mean less organisation and co-ordination. As you are choosing to marry abroad, you will not have as many guests as you would if you married at home.
• You can combine your wedding with your honeymoon.

Cons:

• Limited number of guests: it is understandable, not everyone can come to the wedding as they have the extra expense of travel and spending money to come. But if you give them enough time to plan for the occasion, you may be surprised by the number of replies you get.
• Some people worry about missing out on the traditions of the UK, but getting married abroad doesn’t always mean being married on a beach. You can get married in a church too, or a beach or a hotel, the list is endless.
• If choosing to get married afar, it may be difficult to go over and check out the venue etc., fear not, you can speak to travel agents, read online reviews and even try get a wedding planner.

As with everything in life, there are pros and cons. The choice of where you get married is up to you. One way to decide if it is for you or not is to take a piece of paper, divide it in to two columns, one side pros and one side cons, they have to be specific pros and cons for you and your partner. Once you have finished your list you have to analyse what is says. Do the pros outweigh the cons? If so you have your answer.

Gold prices began to sharply rise just after the recession hit. When there is either political, market or economic unrest, investors tend to put their money in to gold. The value in gold is safe, although you will not reap the benefits of interest rates as you would if you invested money in a business or a savings account, gold is recession proof. As this recession is going on longer than predicted, people are playing it safe and investing in Gold driving the price per ounce up.

The “cash for gold” companies are well aware of the increasing price of gold and as the unemployment rate hit a record 8.4%, people are desperate for cash to meet their monthly outgoings. The “cash for gold” companies are offering a quick fix by offering what seems to be a reasonable amount of cash for unwanted gold.

Some people do not have any other option than to sell their gold, be it jewellery or coin collections for cash. If you have unwanted gold, why not look at recycling it in other ways. Why not consider having your sentimental pieces re-designed. At Wedding Rings Direct, we currently do not offer the service of re-designing your unwanted gold, what we can do is weigh your unwanted gold and take the value of that from your new piece that you purchase from us.

If a piece of jewellery has been in the family for years and you would like to wear it but it’s just not your style or size then why not look in to having it re-designed or re-sized.

At the moment, Wedding Rings Direct do not offer the re-design service but it is something we are looking in to. We can however, re-size and engrave items for you which gives them that unique and special touch. We are able to take your unwanted gold and add it to a batch of metal, from which a new ring can be cast. However if you chose this option, we can’t guarantee how much of the original material will be in your new ring.

So instead of selling your jewellery, why not consider keeping those sentimental pieces and have them re-designed or re sized into unique one off pieces that can stay in your family forever.

The first quarter of 2006 saw a huge peak in the number of civil partnerships, with 4,869 marriages. This was due to long standing couples enthusiastically taking the opportunity to formalise their relationship. In the period from 2006 to 2009, there was a slow decrease in the number of civil partnerships. 2007 saw an 18% decrease in the number of civil partnerships and this continued into 2009, with a further decline in figures of 12%. This was mainly due to the fact that the excitement of being able to formalise a gay relationship had fizzled out.

In spite of the 3 year decrease in numbers, the figures for 2010 saw a slow but hopeful 1.7% increase in the number civil partnerships throughout the UK. There were some regional differences with Scotland showing a huge 22% increase in 2010. This can only be good news for the wedding ring and mengagement ring market

There seems to have been a trend over the last 5 years, more men were entering into a civil partnership than women however, in 2010 for the first time since the law was passed; the number of women prepared to commit to a civil partnership overtook the number of males. Female couples accounted for 51% of all UK partnerships, up from 49% in 2009 and 40% in 2006.

As the number of civil partnerships increases we see an expected increase in the number of dissolutions. The Civil Partnership Act 2004 states that a dissolution can only be granted when a couple have been in either a registered civil partnership or a recognised foreign relationship for 12 months. Dissolution figures have continued to rise and are now at their highest with an increase of 158 from 2009-2010. The UK recorded a total of 509 dissolutions 306 female and 203 male. This was a 44% increase on 2009. 60% of these dissolutions came from female partnerships, suggesting that male civil partnerships are lasting longer.

As the years go on and more civil partnerships occur, it is likely that we will see a rise in the number of dissolutions. The total number of civil partnerships from 2005-2010 were 44,622 so for there to only be 509 dissolutions, it’s not as bad as these figures reflect. The number of UK marriages in 2009 was 231,490 with 119,589 divorces this represents a 11% increase on 2009 figures. Civil partnerships are resulting in divorce in a much slower rate than the traditional, heterosexual wedding; suggesting that civil partnerships could out live the traditional wedding.

Her collection, which includes some of the world’s finest and most expensive gemstones, is to be split up and sold off along with other pieces from the star’s collection of rare vintage jewels and extensive film memorabilia. Accordingly, Christie’s are planning a series of auctions devoted to Ms Taylor. The star even speculated shortly before her death that one day her treasured collections would be “scattered around the four corners of the world.”

The beginning of a love affair

According to Elizabeth, her love affair with jewellery started at a very early age. “My mother says I didn’t open my eyes for eight days after I was born, but when I did, the first thing I saw was her engagement ring. I was hooked”. She never lost that passion for jewellery, and later admitted that the three great loves of her life were Mike Todd, Richard Burton and jewellery. She is quoted as saying: “You can’t cry on a diamond’s shoulder, and diamonds won’t keep you warm at night, but they’re sure fun when the sun shines”.

Throughout her illustrious career, the actress was seen wearing her beloved diamonds (and other precious jewellery) as everyday accessories. Whether swimming in the pool with Mike Todd wearing the La Preregina pearl pendant, or accessorising jeans and baseball cap with the Krupp diamond at matinee movie shows, she did it with style. For Elizabeth’s 40th birthday in 1972, Richard Burton gave her the heart-shaped diamond known as the Taj-Mahal. This diamond is a rather flat, large gemstone with an Arabic inscription on either side. Set with rubies and diamonds in a gold rope-pattern necklace, Burton said “I would have liked to buy her the Taj-Mahal itself, but it would cost too much to transport. This diamond has so many carats, it’s almost a turnip.” Then he added, “Diamonds are an investment, when people no longer want to see Liz and me on the screen, we can sell off a few baubles.”

A truly breathtaking collection

Elizabeth Taylor’s jewels are well known to Christies as the auction house hosted a public exhibition of her jewels in 2002 in aid of her favourite charities. On display were the legendary 33-carat Krupp diamond, the La Preregina Pearl pendant created by Cartier, and the heart-shaped Taj Mahal diamond necklace. Elizabeth Taylor is reputed to have amassed an estimated $150 million worth of rare jewels during her lifetime, but it has not yet been confirmed which pieces will be up for auction.

The Taylor collection includes other (but only slightly) lesser known but equally exquisite jewels – a stunning sapphire engagement ring from second husband Michael Wilding, a diamond tiara given to her by third husband Mike Todd, and an enormous Bulgari diamond-and-emerald necklace given to her by Richard Burton.
Elizabeth’s favourite piece of jewellery was the 33-carat diamond given to her by twice husband Richard Burton. She had it mounted on a ring and wore it throughout her life. The Taylor collection is well documented; many pieces have a known provenance, and there are numerous photographs of her wearing her jewels, but interestingly, we hear little of her wedding rings.

The Taylor legacy

The auction dates for the Taylor collection are yet to be confirmed but they are certain to draw interest from around the globe. Her collection, although split, will live on: there will be something of her in each of those treasured gems, wherever they may travel. Elizabeth Taylor will be sadly missed by her millions of fans, but has left a charity legacy that, like a diamond, will last forever.

The Uk’s #1 Online Jeweller for Wedding Rings and Engagement Rings – Wedding Rings Direct

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 people have become much more familiar and endeared with owls, making them the star attraction when couples wish to exchange their vows in the wonderful world of muggles and magic. In J.K. Rowling’s universe of broomsticks and sorcery, a Snowy Owl called Hedwig provides friendship to a lonely young wizard named Harry Potter, and acts as his messenger and companion throughout his many scrapes and adventures.

Theme weddings involving owls – and other birds of prey – have been around for a while now, some time before Harry came onto the scene in fact; but there’s little doubt the popularity of the Harry Potter movies and seven books, together with the current proposal under review to allow night time weddings, will inspire many fans to make their day a bit more magical and enchanting.

Owl to the rescue

Owl delivering Wedding Rings at Peckforton Castle

During the wedding ceremony, at the part when the best man is asked for the wedding rings,he makes a show of searching for them, forgetting them (gasps all around) – think the bumbling Lieutenant Columbo. It’s at this point, when everyone is staring, looking around somewhat bewildered, that the groom smiles and tells him not to worry, it’s not a problem, and proceeds to produce a falconry glove from out of his inside pocket, and hands it casually to the best man. Then, to everyone’s surprise, an owl swoops silently down the aisle, or to the front of the venue, with the wedding rings attached securely to its leg in a soft velvet pouch, and land on the best man’s arm. The best man, preferably with a look of amazement on his face, takes out the wedding rings and hands them to the vicar; then turning to face the guests, holds his arm in the air, and the owl flies gently back from whence it came (the arm of a waiting falconer). It will be a very moving part of your service, something your guests will not forget for a long time. It’ll certainly delight the little ones there to celebrate your big day.

Night owls

Muggles from all over the world have experienced the excitement of taming the Hippogriff, of battling a fiery dragon on the Dragon Challenge rollercoaster, have sampled the magical butter beer served up at the Hog’s Head Pub since the June 2010 opening of Harry Potter’s Wizard world in Orlando.

With the popularity of Disney weddings, Harry Potter theme weddings seem a natural and sure-fire winner. An owl would play a big part in the ceremony; it wouldn’t be the same without Hedwig! To save the day, to swoop in and deliver the precious wedding bands…and they were married, and everybody clapped, and they lived happily ever after.

Owls online

Although not yet as popular as dove release weddings, ceremonies involving owls and other birds of prey are gathering momentum. The proposed changes that would allow night time weddings will be the perfect setting for this novel and unusual addition to wedding ceremonies. Many brides and grooms want something memorable and unique for their wedding photographs, and what could be more impressive than a snowy owl winging its way down the aisle carrying the wedding rings? There are not too many people offering this service at the moment, but they are out there. As for the cost, relatively speaking and depending on location, it is not exorbitant – about the same as a mid range wedding cake…but, unlike a cake, the memories will last a lifetime.

To find out more about owls and the part they can play on your big day; to see some photographs, discuss potential arrangements, and get an idea of costs, you will find several established online organisers of owl release weddings.

Buy Wedding Rings and Engagement Rings from online Wedding Rings Direct

"Popular Celtic Jewellery and Wedding Rings"

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. Compared to the wealth of archaeological and written evidence left by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, we know very little about the Celts. The Celts were a people who left no written texts, nor monuments to rival the likes of the pyramids, coliseum, or the Acropolis. Modern day scholars still debate and speculate on the earliest period of the Celts, that time before they first appeared in the writings and journals of others.

Who were the Celts, and where did they come from?

Just about everything we know about the Celts today comes from either scant archaeological evidence or Roman accounts that were transcribed by medieval Christians. As a result, records available today on the Celts are from the Romans, who saw them as an alien culture, opposed their values and beliefs, and believed they needed to be conquered and enslaved. The Christians reviled the Celts as pagans, who had yet to discover the path of Christianity. The Celts were a diverse group of tribal societies existing in Iron Age and Roman-period Europe, who had their own Celtic languages, but common culture and traditions.

The Celts or Gauls as the Romans referred to them, originally came out of Eastern Europe. The earliest archaeological discovered evidence commonly accepted as Celtic was the central European Hallstatt culture (c. 800-450 BC). The culture and traditions spread widely and rapidly as a result of migration. The river Danube was their highway; from this river they spread and settled into Germany, Switzerland, Austria, some regions of France, into the British Isles and as far as Eastern Russia. By the 4th century their numbers were so large that they were one of the four great barbarian peoples of the world. The Celts dominated large areas of territory; each tribe had their own identity but shared similarities in religion, lifestyle and language. With the advancement of the Greek civilisation, Celtic scholars adopted the Greek language and gained much respect for their writings. Artefacts from this period have been found extensively throughout those regions occupied by the Celts, including hand tools and weaponry, hand decorated pottery, and bronze brooches for holding cloaks and clothing in place. A recent and much publicised discovery was the Aylesford bucket, a wonderfully preserved wooden bucket complete with handle and bronze banding. The handle, edges and the feet have beautifully engraved patterns of Celtic art inscribed on them.

Celtic art and symbolism

Celtic art and symbolism holds fascination and appeal for many. The combination of intricate knot work and interwoven rope designs are admired by those of Celtic origin and non-Celtic people alike. Celtic rings, and in particular Celtic wedding rings, seem in a way a direct link back to days and times of long, long ago.
There is powerful symbolism attached to the flowing, twisting swirls and rope work of these rings. Celtic artwork seems to suggest some of their cosmic beliefs. The ebb and flow of the energy patterns which are part of all life forms are mirrored in the intricate knots, twists, swirls, and turns, of their carvings, drawings, and jewellery. The use of interlace patterns has its origins in the artwork of the late Roman period, with knotted patterns first appearing in the third and fourth centuries AD. This is confirmed by Roman floor mosaics unearthed from around that time. Plait work (a woven, unbroken cord design) is a style also associated with the Celtic lands, but more commonly in the Celtic regions of the British Isles, and was exported to Europe by the Irish and Northumbrian monastic activities into Europe.

The Celtic Knot The Celtic knot wedding ring symbolises the thread of life. The Celts believed the soul was but a fragment of the divine, which would return to its source in the next life. In viewing these beautiful knots, we see no beginning nor end, and are reminded of the timeless nature of our spirit.
The Celtic Oval The Celtic oval (spiral) knot in its simplest and purest form signifies eternity, continuity, and infinity of spiritual life. This knot design was created and has been passed down from the earliest generations of Celtic migrants to Europe, England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
The Celtic Round The three-sided knot represents the three forces of nature; earth, fire and water. The single continuous line symbolized unity and strength as well as completeness of spiritual wellbeing.
The Celtic Square This design is of Scottish origin, the single continuous line of this knot symbolizes love and fidelity. This design is part of what is commonly known as the Celtic love knot.
The Celtic Four This knot is a symbol of good fortune, the four distinctive interlocking circles in this design also represent the four seasons. The double lines around the outer edge symbolize the friendship or love between two people who are separate, yet remain together.
The Serpent Knot This knot takes its design from the Book of Kells; a manuscript Gospel book in written in Latin, containing the four Gospels of the New Testament. This, according to legend, was written by St. Columba and his monks at the Kells monastery, Ireland in the 6th century AD. This delicately intricate pattern represents eternal life.
The Celtic cross The Celtic cross symbolizes the four paths of the four corners of the earth, and the meeting of these paths to form a cross at the centre.

A Celtic wedding ring reflects perfectly the romance and legend of its ancient origins. The designs that are so beautifully created today mirror image those of days lost in the mists of time. Whether your choice is a Celtic engagement ring or Celtic wedding ring, the choice of design is huge; with many created in white, yellow or rose gold, in addition to platinum, bi-metal, or silver.

You can find a huge selection of celtic wedding rings and contemporary celtic-inspired jewellery online at Wedding Rings Direct.

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. Theme weddings have been enjoyed by many happy couples in recent years, with choices available that range as far as your imagination and budget can stretch. Underwater, up close to the dolphins, on top of a mountain (but the breathing equipment does spoil the taking of the vows), dressed as a knight in shining armour, or 5000ft up in a hot air balloon, no problem; there’s someone out there who can cater to your desires. There are a couple of ideas around that you do not see too often, which are beautiful, have symbolic meaning; and embrace nature and the world around us.

White dove release weddings

Traditionally, white doves symbolise peace, love and fidelity. Doves mate for life and it is seen as a lucky omen to release a pair of doves at a wedding ceremony. This is not a new idea and the tradition goes back many years. Greeks, Romans, ancient Christians: all embraced white doves in various religious ceremonies.

The release of doves during a wedding ceremony is a moving experience, perfectly suited to the overall mood of the day and the meaning of marriage. The doves can be released at various times during the wedding day. It looks very attractive to have a dove either side of the entrance in a white or gilded cage as the guests and witnesses are arriving. They can then be released by the newlyweds as they exit the ceremony to the cheers of well wishers and family. Many people release the doves during the photo session after the vows; if the reception is held outside they can be released at the cutting of the cake. Such moments make wonderful photographs. Doves, bred for this purpose, have the homing instinct so there is no need to worry about them finding their way home. Dove release suppliers can be found up and down the country and can advise on all aspects of this very charming and popular addition to wedding day arrangements. The cost of dove release, compared to the other wedding day costs we incur on this most special of days, is surprisingly small; you might be pleasantly surprised.

Butterfly release weddings

The German poet Johann Wolfgang Goethe said of butterflies that they are “products of air and light”. Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Keats and Shelley all derived inspiration from the grace and beauty of butterflies. In China, the butterfly is a symbol of everlasting love. Hindu mythology also makes reference to butterflies: while watching the change from egg and caterpillar to chrysalis and the final emergence of the butterfly, Brahma, the God of creation became filled with a deep sense of calm and was convinced the path to perfection was through rebirth.

Native North American Indian legend says that anyone who desires a wish to come true must capture a butterfly and whisper the wish to it. As butterflies have no voice, nor make any sound, they can’t reveal the wish to anyone but the Great Spirit. By making your wish and releasing the butterfly it will be carried to the heavens and the wish will be granted. They carry your hopes for the future.

Butterfly release at weddings is very popular is popular in the USA and, although little heard of elsewhere, it is an idea that is quickly catching on amongst engaged couples who seek something unique, and who are more attuned with nature and the environment. Many countries, including the UK, prohibit the release of animals into the wild which are not normally resident. Monarch butterflies for example are generally only found in a handful of countries (United States, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and a couple of the South Sea Islands), and are the variety of choice in the USA; but their release would be prohibited by law in many countries. Fortunately, there are other beautiful varieties to choose from.

A new life created just for you

The lifespan of butterflies varies amongst the species from a matter of days to a few weeks. The Painted Lady, the small Tortoise Shell variety, and Red Admirals have an average lifespan of several weeks, are ideal for wedding day release, and will be quite at home when set free. They will bring a rainbow of colour and charm to your most special of days. One of the appeals of butterfly release is the fact that they are bred specifically for your big day, almost as if you have created this wonderful life; and it is you and your loved one who will set them free!

Specialist butterfly breeders will supply these beautiful little creatures to you, and take pride in the small part they play in making your day extra special and memorable. Butterflies aren’t sitting around in a cage waiting for someone to hopefully pop by and buy a bag full. Rather, they must be pre-ordered; just as we would order our treasured wedding rings in advance, or our bridal gowns and wedding suits. Butterflies for wedding release are delivered the day before or on the big day.

Butterflies for wedding day release are not terribly expensive; with a memorable display costing far less than the cost of the average wedding cake.

May your wish come true?

Just remember, on that special day, when releasing either doves or butterflies, make your once in a lifetime wish. You never know, it may come true!

Buy your wedding rings online from Wedding Rings Direct