My Pink Diamonds

Unless you intend to marry like Elizabeth Taylor, you only get to wear a wedding dress once in your life. Of course, if by chance or choice you do get married again and again, you would have many wedding dresses! (Don’t even think about recycling your old wedding dress. You might be saving on costs but you are not doing yourself any favors)
Due to the one-time nature of the wedding dress, you must carefully plan for it. And need we mention that cameras and video camcorders are unforgiving in recording for posterity and notoriety your wedding planning lapses including the worst wedding dress ideas anybody dared to apply?Outrageously Unique Head Ensembles
When you walk down the aisle, people will start assessing your appearance from your veil to your shoes and then back again, hopefully to focus on your radiant face. What if they stop in shocked silence at your outrageously unique headgear? You want awed silence at the heavenly vision you present, not shocked silence at the horrific apparition of whatever is on your head!
You have to avoid wedding dresses with headgears that 1) look like the nests of wild animals and your grandma’s whole flower garden; 2) allow your groom to bask in the shade like very wide hats; 3) hide your face completely like layers upon layers of veil; 4) bastardize Queen Amidala’s elaborate head ensembles; and 5) get in the way of the first matrimonial kiss.
Basically, you need a simple and elegant veil that will highlight your face while providing for the traditional head cover required in most church weddings. If you want embellishments on the veil, you can always have a small tiara tucked in there.Balloon Sleeves
You might not have arms to die-for but trying on all wedding dresses with big sleeves can be the death of your look. Why avoid big sleeves like the bubonic plague? Let us count a few reasons: 1) your groom cannot sit beside you because your sleeves take up all the room; 2) you will bump guests off the dance floor; and 3) you will bump the wedding cake unto the floor.
However, there are a few advantages to wedding dresses with big sleeves like: 1) your sleeves can serve as pincushions; 2) your groom can use them as handkerchief – just lean to the right and sneeze; and 3) you can use them as small bags. Indeed, for every cloud there is a silver lining.Plunging Necklines
Your groom will appreciate the view but it is doubtful if the officiating priest will approve your plunging-to-the-nether-regions neckline. Maybe he will deliver a sermon on how there is a time for everything – a time to bare and a time to care. Or something like that.
If you are unfazed with the possibility of a long and winding sermon on how the modern Eves lead Adams to sin with their wedding dresses, then think about these possibilities: 1) your wedding rings can get lost in there and what a spectacle that will be; 2) your guests will stare at you and not in a good way – think jeers and leers; and 3) your turn being Janet Jackson with a wardrobe malfunction will happen on your most special of days. Do you really want your nipples to play peek-a-boo?
You have to remember that when it comes to wedding dresses, you might wear them once but you will wear their memories forever. And that is not including the guests who will remember you either in your most beautiful best or in your most horrible outfit ever! You choose.

Getting engaged? Whether it’s your first time down the aisle or your third, the bride is blushing and the diamonds should be sparkling.

Here’s the Feng Shui Master’s 5 Factor Guide to choosing just the right ring for your one and only true love.

#1 SHAPE

Looking with a  Feng Shui Eye, diamond shapes come in three categories:

Not So Great

Pretty good

Great Feng Shui

*The Bagua, the Feng Shui energy map that represents all facets of life is an octagon. Shouldn’t your ring reflect all of life, too?

#2 COLOR

In Feng Shui we use color energy to lift and enhance different aspects of life.

Feng Shui Love Power Colors:

The standard diamond is white and perfectly suited to bringing “future” energy to your ring. After all, isn’t that what an engagement ring is for? If you do want to add other color energies, use other gemstones, like red rubies for passion ch’i, to achieve the balance and intention in your heart. (There are natural red or pink diamonds but quality ones are very rare and very expensive.)

#3 STORY

The energy of the past carries into the present and on into the future.

A new diamond is like the proverbial blank slate; ready to absorb and hold your love ch’i. It’s when you’re looking at heirloom or estate pieces that “predecessor ch’i” becomes a factor. Just like the new ring will be imprinted with your energy, older pieces may carry the energy of past owners and past events. (There really are “cursed” diamonds.)

Family Heirlooms

Ask for the true stories and check into your true feelings. Did Grandma and Grandpa really have a wonderful marriage? If the answer is yes and you had a wonderful relationship with Grandma then go ahead. You can add another layer of love ch’i to an already blessed stone.

If the true story is not about love or you didn’t get along with her, ask yourself why you’d want to wear a ring weighted with dark feelings.

Estate Jewelry

Not all pre-owned pieces carry negative energy. Some are neutral or even positive. But unless you’re a good energy reader it would be wise to ask for help from a friend who is. You’ll have enough to deal with in married life without adding someone else’s “karma.”

(Disclosure: I bought Debra antique diamonds for both our 10th and 20th anniversaries. Of course, I took a deep look into the stones’ ch’i before deciding.)

#4 BALANCE

To choose wisely, keep logic and desire in balance.

Size, cut and clarity all impact price. Too high a price can put stress ch’i into the ring and into the relationship. Budget well, buy smart and that simple half carat will outshine all others.

Of course, what will really make it shine is Feng Shui Factor #5 –

#5 LOVE

Love really does make the world go round.

Do you believe in magic? Do you believe in love? No matter how big or how small, a diamond ring chosen in love and given in love can be a link between lovers; a love link will only grow as life happens.

Remember, in life and love it’s not really the shape or color or age or cost of your ring that has power. It’s your desire for one another and your hearts’ commitment to sharing the rest of your lives together.

A ring bearer can be a nephew, a godson, or the child of a friend. So you need to give you serious consideration to ring bearer gifts when you prepare for your wedding. He is going to carry your rings after all! Best to treat him nicely to prevent any pre-wedding disasters. He is going to command the ceremony’s attention when he walks down the aisle. Make sure he is smiling when he does.A Little Gift for A Little Boy
Keep in mind that the ring bearer has to rent a suit, buy shoes, join the dress rehearsals, behave during photos, and generally, act beyond his age. Ring bearer gifts are a small price to pay for his cooperation. He is not going to expect a gift for this too. So when you give him one, he will be ecstatic.
Picking ring bearer gifts is not an easy task. It is made more complicated if you really do not know the little boy that well. Remember to pick gifts that are appropriate to the boy’s age. This means that it cannot be breakable or dangerous. We all know how rowdy little boys can be. So do not give a gift that might potentially endanger him. Also, do not give a gift that is too childish for an older boy. He might even be offended by it. When you shop, look at the product label or description. It will usually contain age recommendations.What Gives?
A smart way to pick ring bearer gifts is to ask the mother of the boy about her son. No one knows a son better than his mother. She will be able to advise you about his hobbies and interests. You do not want to give a budding sports fanatic a microscope now do you? This also works if you are ordering a personalized item. The mother can confirm facts. You do not want to look stupid by giving a gift that is the wrong size or has the wrong name monogrammed. Another smart thing is to make sure the groom is involved. He would probably be more suited to pick ring bearer gifts because he was once a little boy himself.
You can give your ring bearer a sentimental keepsake. Examples are personalized feeding sets, engraved combs, a framed poem, or a ring bearer book. This is geared towards those who are too young to remember the occasion. This type gift will allow them to look back on their participation when they are older. For an older child, you can pick something he can use on a regular basis. Bath robes, mugs and even t-shirts fall in this category. Another great practical gift is a piggy bank. It is never too early to learn the value of money and you can give him a leg up on this.
Whatever you choose, give it with love. The boy will be part of a very important day in your life. Show him the appreciation that he deserves by picking a great gift that he will treasure forever.