Halo Engagement Ring

The Halo engagement ring is often characterized by a center stone bordered by diamonds that emphasize and maximize the look of the stone. (This is a great setting for a woman who has the “bigger is better” mentality.) While the round halo engagement ring is generally what most people think of when they imagine the style, they can also come with rectangular diamonds (emerald cut), princess cut, cushion cut, or oval diamonds too. The halo engagement ring has been popular since the 1920s, and while many feature designs reminiscent of vintage rings, this setting is anything but outdated.

Classic Solitaire Engagement Ring

The classic solitaire engagement ring is one of the top styles of engagement rings due to its simple, elegant design. Solitaire engagement rings are uncomplicated, yet bold , often only featuring the band and one stone (typically a diamond). The purity of the diamond and the band on which it’s set make a great statement.

Antique Vintage Engagement Ring

The traditional style of an antique vintage engagement ring, combined with modern diamond cuts and outstanding designs, makes for an unforgettable looking engagement ring with a vintage feel. With the beautiful diamonds of today combined with antique-style settings, your bride-to-be will never stop shining bright.

Designer Engagement Ring

When it comes to a designer engagement ring versus a non-designer engagement ring, designers are the experts in creating unique and stylish engagement rings that are of the highest quality and will have the longest longevity. If you want something as unique and special as the love that you have for each other, ask your jeweler about the quality, service and design originality of the engagement ring you’re considering buying.

Unconventional Engagement Ring

If you have the opposite point-of-view, or are on a budget that prohibits you from buying a designer ring, there is also the option to choose an unconventional engagement ring. Embrace a non-diamond gemstone or a ring with a unique shape. Ultimately, if a ring speaks to you and it doesn’t look like a typical engagement ring, there is one one rule above all: it’s your ring, so do what you want. The importance lies in what the ring symbolizes and the memories you create while wearing it every day.

These are just a few of the many options to choose from when picking out the perfect engagement ring. 77 Diamonds is a leading diamond e-tailor with the world’s largest collection of diamonds, check out their new collection of engagement rings.

Hopefully this post has been helpful, and I hope that you are successful in finding a ring that will help create a lifetime of memories for you and your future wife!

One popular option, especially in the Chicago area, is the party bus. While this might have been unthinkable in a traditional wedding, couples are seeing the benefits of getting a party bus as opposed to a limo. For one, there are much more options in time of size, space and customization options. Sometimes, the party bus will drive the bridal party around the city before/after the ceremony, allowing them to stop for scenic photo opportunities. It also provides an easy way for a large amount of people to get back to the hotel after the festivities have ended.

Elite Chicago Limo is a company that has taken full advantage of this new trend, providing executive style VIP service to wedding parties throughout the entire Chicago area. In addition to party buses, customers can choose from an extensive fleet of new luxury sedans, stretch limousines, Hummer H2, Chrysler 300 and limo buses. The possibilities are endless.

Another company that is utilizing the latest trends in wedding transportation is Avital Chicago Limousine. They provide beautiful white SUV Stretch-limos that seat up to 26 passengers. The bride and groom can depart from the ceremony to the reception together, and/or with their closest friends and family. Their vehicles have a wide variety of styles and options, allowing you to pick which one goes back with your special day.

Emperor Limousine is another company that specializes in wedding party buses. They carry a large fleet of 9 party buses that have all be been custom designed and built by a professional luxury vehicle manufacturer. Their high-end party buses provide some of the latest trendy amenities such as porcelain tile floors, unique three tone wrap around interior seating, premium sound systems, multiple big screen televisions, dazzling LED and laser light shows.

American Executive Limousine provides customers with a variety of vehicle options, as well as different wedding package deals. These include unlimited stops (a very nice option to have if you’d like to take advantage of all the beautiful, scenic wedding party photo opportunities around Chicago), decoration of the vehicle, a complimentary bottle of champagne, and even a “Just Married” sign if you want to have a bit of an old school touch to your modern form of transportation.

These are just a few of the many transportation options for choosing the best way to get around during your wedding. When deciding on what type of vehicle you’d like, and how you want to get around Chicago, remember that it’s your day and you should be able to travel in style and get everything you want out of your big day.

Choosing The Right Width

When looking at wedding rings, the first thing you should think about is the width. As you know, here at VIP Chicago Brides we’re obsessed with how everything fits you and the wedding ring is obviously no exception. The most common ring width is 6mm, followed by 7mm. If your ring finger is shorter than average, you may opt for 5mm but 6mm should still be an ideal width..

Something else to keep in mind is the diameter of the ring, which has to be dealt with separately. This means the width of the wedding ring along the finger. If you want a more complex ring design that might not be available in 6mm or 7mm, keep in mind that wider rings can feel uncomfortable when worn (you won’t be able to experience this on the spot so it should always be taken into consideration).

Price of a Men’s Wedding Ring

Simply put, price is one of the single most important factors when looking for a wedding ring. There is an incredibly wide range of ring prices, from very inexpensive to extremely pricy, so how much you choose to spend is really up to you. Deciding how much you want to spend is often a compromise between taste and affordability, so you should set a budget before you begin shopping for rings and try to stick to it.

Your Personality

Personality always comes into play when choosing a wedding ring. If you’re an introvert you will probably want to consider simple wedding rings, and if you’re more of an extrovert, a ring with engravings will suit you better. At the end of the day, however, you should listen to your gut and make the decision that you feel is best.

Your Lifestyle

Most men don’t want to consider this, but like personality, lifestyle comes into play when choosing a ring. If you play a lot of sports or if you do a lot of manual labor, keeping your wedding ring on at these times can prove challenging. Ideally you’ll want to take it off – it’s the best bet. But, if you don’t (some couples decide they don’t want to take it off at all), then it’s best to choose a ring made from a more durable metal. Our advice is to take it off during activities where the ring might get damaged, but ALWAYS make sure it’s in a same place, and obviously remember where you put it.

Choose The Right Metal

Speaking of which, what are the best metals when it comes to men’s wedding rings? While gold might seem like the obviously choice, silver, titanium and tungsten are actually more popular right now. From a style point of view, tungsten and titanium are great choices. The reason is that you can now match your wedding ring with other accessories, such as a titanium bracelet.

If you’re point of view is different, and you’re looking for a more glamorous choice, you should choose from other metals, such as white gold, platinum or palladium. Also, be on the lookout for rings that have diamonds encrusted in them.

Antique/Vintage Rings

If these kinds of weddings rings aren’t your style, you also have the option of choosing a vintage ring. This requires a lot more effort, though, and it’s not within the scope of this article (I’m no expert in vintage jewelry). Some tips I can offer, though are to watch out for fakes and to do your research and know the era in which specific vintage rings fall (Victorian, Edwardian etc.).

Now that you have all of these options for the perfect wedding ring, it’s up to you to make the best choice based on time, budget and your personal lifestyle and preferences.

Set a Budget

When shopping for a dress, it’s easy to get lost in the joy of the moment. There are so many different types of design, patterns, etc. that mother’s often put too much emphasis on material factors and not on the price tag. This is why it’s imperative to set a budget for yourself before the shopping begins, and stick to that budget no matter what.

Pick a Dress With the Right Colors

As you likely know, it’s often stated that on the day of a woman’s wedding, white belongs to the bride and the bride ONLY. Yes, mother’s and daughter’s often like to look alike, but when picking a dress, white should be avoided altogether. The same can be said for black, which many tend to associate with bad luck.

When deciding on color, one good tip is to try to find something that compliments the color of the bridesmaids dresses (as you will also be standing next to them during the wedding ceremony, and likely in lots of photos as well). Once their dresses have been picked, you could find a dress that’s from the same color family and matches the general color tones.

Another tip is to choose a color that matches your skin tone well. Avoid busy floral or dot printed dresses as these patterns can be very distracting. It’s often best (and more fun) to bring someone (or a group of your trusted friends) with you when shopping, as they will offer helpful advice when picking out a dress.

You want to look tasteful and elegant on your daughter’s wedding day, wearing a dress that compliments the dress of the bride while not taking the attention away from her. All of these are very helpful tips in allowing you to pick the perfect dress for one of the happiest days of your life!

General admission tickets are $35 (includes access to standing room lounge for runway show at 7:30pm in General Admission section). VIP tickets are $95 (includes assigned seat for runway show & VIP Cocktail Reception).

The event is being held at the Millenium Park Chase Promenade North, located at 201 E. Randolph St. in Chicago. It includes a VIP Reception from 6:00-7:30, the Runway Show at 7:30 and an Official After-Party from 9-11 at ROOF on theWIT.

In addition to the runway show, event highlights also include wines by Leese-Fitch & TOG Wines, beer by Peroni, Wilson Creek Champagne, sushi rolls by RA Sushi, hors d’oeuvres by Cantina Laredo and truffles & chocolates by Vosges Haut-Chocolat.

Premium sponsors for the event are Diet Coke, LUNA Bar, Peroni Italy and Smartwater. The hotel sponsor is Trump International Hotel & Tower. The official hair stylist is Charles Ifergan Salon. Runway makeup is provided by NARS Cosmetics and models are courtesy of Factor Women. ZZAZZ Productions and FROST Lighting are doing the show’s production, staging and lighting.

This one-of-a-kind event will sellout so get your tickets while you still can. Believe me when I say that this is a show that you do not want to miss!

Fear not! Here are a few tips regarding who should be asked to give a toast at a wedding, as well as some simple rules to follow if you are one of these lucky individuals.

Who Should Give a Wedding Toast?

This is a very commonly debated item. There are a number of possibilities, and every situation is different. Two that are almost always asked to give a toast are the Best Man and Maid of Honor. These are typically siblings or very close friends of the bride and groom, so they are often the first two people to give toasts at a wedding. The Father of the Bride is always a common choice, along with additional parents or other close relatives (grandparents, aunts/uncles, etc.).

Rules for Wedding Toasts:

1. Keep it short: While this is an important portion of the evening, toasts should typically be on the shorter side (we suggest between 2-3 minutes is typically a good benchmark). People want to hear you speak, but no-one is interested in rehashing every story from your childhood.

2. Be polite: An inside joke here and then is all fine and good, but try to keep the wisecracks to a minimum. Obviously, don’t say anything obscene and have an understanding of the dynamic of your audience.

3. Have good eye contact: If you are looking down at notes the whole time, your audience is far more likely to get bored and uninterested. Engage them. Look at the bridge and groom when telling stories about them, but make sure to stay focused on the entire room.

4. Focus on the bride and groom: This is their day, so no matter how many great stories you have including you and one or both, make sure the focus is on them. It’s also important to remember to mention both in your toast. Even if you primarily know one of them, found some way to work the other in so no-one feels left out.

5. Toast the bride and groom: This may seem obvious, but toast givers often forget to actually toast the happy couple. Make sure not to omit this portion, as it’s the reason you are giving the toast in the first place.

Choosing who to give wedding toasts can be a difficult choice, but it’s one that is made easier by following these steps. At the end of the day, these are your wedding guests, so only you will know who is most likely to give a toast that no-one will ever forget!

When choosing a wedding veil, there are three steps you should be taken into careful consideration:

• First:, Choose a veil that is a proper length and the appropriate type for your wedding.
• Second:, Choose a suitable pattern.
• Lastly,, Choose a tiara that will match your wedding veil perfectly.

This is an introduction of the first step. There are five types of wedding veil’s that should be taken into consideration based on length: the blusher veil, the short veil, the elbow length veil, the fingertip veil and the chapel or cathedral veil.

Blusher Wedding Veil

The blusher veil is a veil that covers the brides face, and is lifted from her face either by the father of the bride or the groom at the beginning of the wedding ceremony. This is a very dramatic moment, as when the veil is lifted, the wedding guests are first given a full look at the beautiful bride.

Short Wedding Veil

The short veil is a good complement to some of the more uniquely designed wedding dresses that brides often choose.

Elbow Wedding Veil

The elbow veil is easy to wear, and with its various designs, matches up nicely with the different parts of the wedding dress.

fingertip wedding veil

The fingertip veil is very popular, as it helps to make your figure appear taller and thinner.

Cathedral Wedding veil

The most popular and most classic veil is the cathedral veil. It is long enough to touch the floor, and although it can often be difficult to manage (due to its length), this is the veil that many feel best represents a sense of tradition to one’s religious beliefs and values.

When preparing for a wedding, all of these things should be taken into consideration while choosing the wedding veil that best suits your taste and preference.

Probably even more news-worthy were his exquisite white bralette paired with wide-leg trousers. Bralette, underwear as outerwear, has become very popular and the look is quite sexy. This spring has re-introduced the bralette which is a cross between a bra and a crop top, originally immortalized by Hollywood legend Betty Grable.

Bridal pantsuits are gaining in amazing popularity as well, especially with more states legalizing same-sex marriages. Heterosexual brides are also looking for other options that are unique, allowing brides to march to their own drummer.

So who are the brides that are craving pant suits vs wedding gowns?

Second time brides are a huge and growing market and are applauding pant suits. These women do not want to walk down the aisle in traditional gowns. These women want elegance, to look sexy and still say high end fashionable. Will de la Renta’s bralette and wide-leg trousers become the next rage in wedding styles next year? Among traditional brides, it seems highly unlikely, but there is no telling in this new age of fashion. Colors and prints are prettier then ever before, while being cool does not seem to matter — brides want their own personal look. Oscar de la Renta could turn a potato sack into a wedding gown and announce it to a standing ovation!

Oscar de la Renta spring 2013 bridal show, inside his 25th floor showroom, took off running with gorgeous gowns and suits splashed in brilliant color and intricate details. The designer’s show was brilliant and dramatic at the same time. Traditional white dresses matched with tulle capes, voluminous skirts and his thumb print detailing. Gowns with a wink of color to full, vibrant colors stating romance does not have to be so conservative.

The show’s stunning apex resounded in rich, vibrant, shimmering red, red wedding gowns in gorgeous designs, flowing skirts and breath-taking details. The show was not only quite beautiful, but ended with de la Renta taking a bow with the flower girls.

About Oscar de la Renta:

Born Oscar Aristides de la Renta Fiallo on July 22, 1932. He is one of the world’s leading fashion designers. Trained by Cristobal Balenciaga and Antonio Castillo, he rose to international fame in the 60s as one of the couturiers to dress Jacqueline Kennedy. His Eponymous fashion house continues to dress leading figures, from film stars to royalty.

One main factor to take into account when choose wedding shoes is comfort. When choosing shoes, brides often not realize how much time is spent on their feet during the wedding day. Between the wedding ceremony, photos and the reception (much of which is spent literally running around trying to thank all of your guests for coming), it’s imperative to have a pair of shoes that provide comfort for all of the constant moving.

Kate Spade Wedding Shoes

This should be kept in mind while shopping for shoes. You may fall in love with an elegant pair of high heels, but after a long day of standing, walking, dancing, etc. the last thing you want is to be in pain. This is why it’s becoming a more popular trend to wear shoes that are of a wide width style and can withstand the amount of time that you’re on your feet.

Badgley Mischka Goodie

It’s also important to have keep shoes in mind while shopping for your wedding dress. You want to make sure that both compliment each other. A helpful tip is when you find a pair of shoes that you like try, them out for a day or so. Give yourself a chance to break them in and think to yourself: “is this how I want my feet to feel on my wedding day?” If the answer is, “yes”, then you might have found yourself the perfect pair of wedding shoes!

Ivanka Trump Wedding Shoes

There are many suitable options of wedding shoes, which again will vary based on certain factors (wedding dress, length of wedding/reception, etc.). These include pump, high heels, or flat sandals, all of which can be ideal depending on the type of wedding.

Stuart Weitzman Bridal Shoes

The fabric of the shoe is also a factor. Traditionally, wedding shoes are silk or satin, with the fabric matching the wedding dress as closely as possible. For example, if the dress is made of silk or other shiny fabrics then satin shoes are more ideal. If your dress is of a more dull fabric such as chiffon or crepe, the shoes should match that fabric as well.

Badgley Mischka Guda Shoes

Another element is the overall type of wedding. If it’s a more casual, your shoes should be more casual as well. There are many options available, in a variety of styles and patterns, so you should pay close attention to the general themes of the wedding, as well as the style of the dress you are wearing, and pick the shoes that best fit.

Caparros Zandra Bridal Shoes

When planning your wedding, you want everything to be perfect, especially what you wear. You also want to make sure that you are comfortable and not in pain throughout all of the wedding events. By choosing shoes that complement your dress and are able to successfully handle all of the standing and moving around, you will ensure that you look great and feel great on your wedding day.

Nina Eterna Wedding Shoes

Well, there are a few tricks you should try to fix up those inevitable mistakes that we all run into.

1. Lipstick On Your Teeth:

Ok, you have meticulously applied your lipstick. The color is perfect and it looks wonderful — until you smile! Oh my gosh! You’ve got the wonderful color all over your teeth! This can be prevented quite easily so you never have to experience this again.

After applying your lipstick, blot your lips with a tissue. Place your finger inside your mouth and carefully pull the lipstick out that has logged itself on the inner side of your lips. Better yet, before applying your lipstick, take a small amount of petroleum jelly and place it on your teeth. This will keep your lipstick on your lips and not on your teeth.

2. Clumpy Mascara:

First a foremost, never keep old mascara because as mascara ages it becomes clumping and thick. When you remove the wand from the tube and it’s not smoothly applied on the brush, it’s time to get rid of it. What you see on the brush is going to end up on your lashes.

Take a baby wipe and gently clamp down, from the base of your lashes to the tips, and remove any excess mascara. Then put a small amount of petroleum jelly on your finger tips and run your fingertips over your lashes in order to separate them. You can then define and darken your lashes. You will never experience that ugly, clumpy, unnatural look again.

3. Too Much Blush:

So, you have found a perfect blush and can’t wait to try it out. In your over zealousness, your cheeks are far too rosy or screaming orange! Here’s a really easy way to correct this mistake.

Before applying your blush, apply a translucent powder such as Motives Luminous Translucent Pressed Powder over your cheeks to bring down some of the color. If you are using a creme blush, take a sponge, apply a tiny amount of your liquid foundation and very gently apply over the blush in order to tone down the blush color.

3. Eyeshadow Fallout:

We’ve all been there, you carefully apply that beautiful eyeshadow powder to your eyelids only to have it land below your eyes or sprinkled over your upper cheeks. It’s not the easiest thing to remove without causing the eyeshadow to smear over your face! Here is a really easy remedy for never having to worry about that again.

Before ever applying your eyeshadow, take Motives Luminous Translucent Loose Powder and apply it below your eyes and on your upper cheeks. Apply this powder gently, do not press it into your skin. You want to just barely dust it over these areas so the powder remains loose. Should your eyeshadow fall onto these areas, you can take a soft brush and just sweep it off! No more eyeshadow fallout!

5. Uneven Faux Tan:

We all love using "tans in a bottle" to give our complexion that healthy, sun-drenched appearance. Unfortunately sometimes applying these faux tans can get out of control. You have applied your faux tan and it’s sitting on your face all streaked and uneven. You do not have to start over, here is a really easy fix for a flawless tan effect.

When you end up with a streaky tan, grab a bronzing shimmer powder and stipple, or draw in small touches, where your color is streaked or uneven. You will have a beautiful, luminous, even tan!

These are 5 fast fixes for common beauty mistakes that we have all experienced. Take advantage of these suggestions and leave your errors far behind!