Men's Engagement Rings: To Do or Not To Do?

A recent article in the New York Daily News (source) discusses the trend of “mangagement” rings, meaning women buying their fiancés engagement rings. Whether or not it’s for you and your fiancé, it’s an interesting idea, don’t you think? Check this one out:

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You can tell it’s an engagement ring, but there’s a certain tailored masculinity to it that makes it very unlike a typical women’s engagement ring.

On the other hand, Chris Easter, Co-Founder of TheManRegistry.com says don’t believe the hype when it comes to men’s engagement rings (source).

So readers, what do you think? Should this one be left alone? Or it is time to change the tradition and buy your man some bling?

Finishing Touches

On your big day, of course you want to look your best, down to the very last detail. And what would your wedding day be without a little frosting? No, not the kind on the cake – although that’s important too – we mean the kind you wear. That’s right… jewelry!

Looking for some bling on a budget? This necklace and earring set will give you plenty of sparkle without the hole in your wallet.
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The vintage-inspired design would perfectly complement a strapless gown.

Or, check out this stylish gold heart from jewelry designer Jennifer Meyer.
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Even though this necklace in particular is pricey, with a little shopping you could replicate this delicate gold necklace for a fraction of the price. It’s perfect if you’re going for an understated look with your jewelry and don’t want to distract from your dress or hair.

If you’re getting married on the beach, this seashell charm would look gorgeous on a fine silver chain.
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Something like this could easily transfer into everyday wear and would be a sweet reminder of your beautiful wedding day.

Even though all the jewelry options out there might seem overwhelming, think about jewelry as one more way to let your personality shine through. Then pick something that makes you feel like you.

Abby & Rafik: Wedding Highlights

Long time, no blog! With a new job and Bustle's wedding season in high-gear, I've been such a slacker.

Abby & Rafik's wedding was on October 31, 2009, and was absolutely fabulous. I worked with them to plan their wedding from scratch in about 6 months. It. Was. Awesome. Abby was so creative and wanted to pack tons of details into their wedding - it ended up being spectacular.

Please check out their highlight video, courtesy of B&C Digital Media Productions:

Abby & Rafik Next Day Highlights from B&C Digital Media Productions on Vimeo.

Thinking Outside the Book

Are you looking for wedding guestbook ideas that are more you than the usual cream-colored book with lined pages inside? Well, here are a few tips on ways to make your guestbook into something more than just a book on a shelf.

A simple and popular idea is to frame a great photo of the two of you, give it a large mat and a beautiful frame, and have guests sign the mat. Ta-da – instant and meaningful artwork!

If you’re wondering how to announce your marriage to far-flung friends and family, consider creating a postcard guest book. Collect postcards from places that hold meaning for both you and your significant other – the city where you get married, your hometowns, your favorite vacation spot – then create a small package that you send to friends and family. Include a postcard, stamped and self-addressed, along with a note announcing your marriage and ask them to mail you their well wishes. When you get the postcards back, put the cards in a photo album or take them to a local copy store and have a custom album created.

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One couple we know, Lindsay and Eric, were looking for a guestbook idea when they came across the window frame from Lindsay’s grandparents’ old house. They put a mirror behind it, and had guests sign the mirror with Sharpie markers. How cool is that?!

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There are no rules when it comes to choosing how you want your guests to mark their presence at your reception. Our suggestion - make it your own, and have fun!

Centerpieces for Any Occasion

It’s the little things that count. For any event to be memorable, it’s the details that take an event from fun to fabulous. Centerpieces can either fade into the background or take center stage. Here are a few ideas that will show you how something little - or not so little - can go a long way.

Fall is quickly approaching - does your wedding have an elegant, natural feel? These wooden centerpieces would be a perfect finishing touch. Don’t you love the varying heights of each candleholder, and how no two are alike?


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If you want to give some personality to each table, but don’t want your dinner guests to have to look around the centerpiece in order to carry on a conversation, these low vases are perfect.


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Plus they’re customizable, how cute is that?!

Maybe you’re looking for something a little more dramatic. These captivating arrangements will wow your guests for sure.


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What’s great about them is they aren’t so huge that they’ll distract people from the event itself.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to table décor. It all depends on your personal style. No matter what you choose for a centerpiece, it's details like these that make your event truly special.

A Dessert To Remember

We’ve all been there. You’re at a wedding and it’s time to cut the cake. You turn to see the bride and groom, knife in hand, slicing through a six-tiered cake with white frosting.

Not your style? We didn’t think so.

If you want your reception’s dessert to be as personalized as the rest of your wedding, it’s time to break away from the mold and give your guests one more thing to remember you by.

Cupcakes have been a much buzzed-about trend recently, and provide an easy solution if you’re looking for that “wedding cake” feel without the price tag. A tiered dessert platter and frosting to match your wedding colors make these an exciting end to the reception meal. You could even have a matching mini-cake, to cut and share with your groom!

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Speaking of mini-cakes…

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These cakes definitely make a statement. Give a beautifully decorated cake, in miniature form, to each of your guests. Later, they can brag that they ate an entire wedding cake by themselves.

If ornate mini-cakes are out of your budget, consider something like these simple fruit tarts, or a dessert bar with an assortment of items to choose from. Added bonus: Instead of sitting at tables, guests can stand and mingle while they indulge themselves.

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If you’re open-minded, the possibilities are endless when it comes to wedding desserts. One kid-friendly option: an ice cream sundae bar with all the trimmings. Or if you have an evening reception, serve your crowd assorted small cookies with a shot glass of milk before they head home. Not sure where to start? Call your favorite local bakery and ask for a sampling of what they recommend for a wedding – no cake allowed!

Introducing.... Liz to the Bustle Team!

Hello friends!

As Bustle continues to grow, certain things (ahem... this blog) have had to be put on the back-burner, especially as Bustle's first wedding season kicks into high gear. So... I have decided to recruit some assistance and fresh perspective on weddings and hired an assistant blog writer! Liz Bryant is a fabulous, cheery, wonderful person, and I'm sure you will love her style! [Liz will also be assisting at some Bustle weddings, so keep an eye out for her!] I'm one lucky duck to have her on the Bustle team.

Without further procrastination, here's LIZ!



{Source: author's personal collection}

Liz graduated from DePauw University in 2006 with a degree in Creative Writing, and currently works in business development for an interior design and architecture firm. She enjoys walking her bulldog through her neighborhood close to downtown, spending time with friends and family, and antique shopping. She is learning a lot about the design industry through her job and now through Bustle Event Design. One of the reasons she loves weddings is because when everything comes together, everyone experiencing the event is fully present in the moment - and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.