Engagement
<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0><script> (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); ga('create', 'UA-47423994-1', 'fortunecity.ws'); ga('send', 'pageview'); </script> <center> <br> <div> <script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.broadcaststation.net/ads/show_ad.php?width=728&height=90"></script> </div> </center> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=160 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="2e3a01a3.jpg"> <div> <B>Brides and Friends</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="2e57fae0.jpg" border=0 width="127" height="174" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Home"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id63.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Planning"><U><B>Planning</B></U></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="2e67f050.gif" border=0 width="127" height="5" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Engagement</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Who Pays?"><U>Who Pays?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Timetables"><U>Timetables</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id67.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Arrangements"><U>Arrangements</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id68.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Legalities"><U>Legalities</U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="05018050.gif" border=0 width="536" height="5" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Engagement</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="05018050.gif" border=0 width="536" height="5" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=390 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <A HREF="#the_announcements_1" TITLE="Engagement"><U><B>The Announcements</B></U></A></div> <div> <B> </B><A HREF="#telling_your_families" TITLE="Engagement"><U><B>Telling Your Families</B></U></A></div> <div> <B> </B><A HREF="#the_engagement_announcement" TITLE="Engagement"><U><B>The Engagement Announcement</B></U></A></div> <div> <B> </B><A HREF="#the_wedding_announcement" TITLE="Engagement"><U><B>The Wedding Announcement</B></U></A></div> <div> <B> </B><A HREF="#changing_your_mind" TITLE="Engagement"><U><B>Changing Your Mind</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#the_rings" TITLE="Engagement"><U><B>The Rings</B></U></A></div> <div> <B> </B><A HREF="#purchasing_information" TITLE="Engagement"><U><B>Purchasing Information</B></U></A></div> <div> <B> </B><A HREF="#matching_ring_sets" TITLE="Engagement"><U><B>Matching Ring Sets</B></U></A></div> <div> <B> </B><A HREF="#custom_designs" TITLE="Engagement"><U><B>Custom Designs</B></U></A></div> <div> <B> </B><A HREF="#insurance" TITLE="Engagement"><U><B>Insurance</B></U></A></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A NAME="the_announcements_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Aristocrat" ><B><U>The Announcements</U></B></FONT></div> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="telling_your_families"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B><B><U>Telling Your Families</U></B></div> <div> An engagement is one occasion that you'll want everyone to know about. First, you'll want to let both your parents know. This is best done in a personal visit. If they live out of town, try to plan a trip to tell them in person.</div> <div> In many cases, the parents have never met. If this is the case, plan for the families to meet. They will all want to play a role in the wedding.</div> <div> A short personal note or a phone call is a good way to tell close friends or relatives about the big decision the two of you have made.</div> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="the_engagement_announcement"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B><B><U>The Engagement Announcement</U></B></div> <div> Next, you will want to let everyone else know. The best way is through an announcement in your hometown newspaper. These must be received at least one month before the wedding. Most papers do not take the information over the phone, but they will provide you with a form to complete.</div> <div> If your paper does not have a form, there is certain information they will need from you. Call the life-style or society editor to find out what they need from you. </div> <div> Type or print clearly to avoid mistakes. Include the name, address and daytime telephone number of someone who can verify the information you have provided. A release date should be placed at the top of the announcement.</div> <div> If you would like to include a photograph with your announcement, it should be a black and white glossy, either wallet size or larger. Call your local paper for their preference. The pose should be a head and shoulder photo of the bride-to-be or the engaged couple.</div> <div> Be sure to attach some kind of identification to your photo and sandwich it between stiff pieces of cardboard for protection. Follow up with a call to the newspaper to confirm the receipt of your announcement.</div> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="the_wedding_announcement"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B><B><U>The Wedding Announcement</U></B></div> <div> As soon as you have set the date and reserved the church, you should think about announcing your wedding. The newspaper must receive it at least one week before the covers the same information as the engagement, but will also include such things as your occupations, schooling, parents, and the time and place of the wedding.</div> <div> You might also want to include the officiator's name, the names of the honor attendant and the best man, the location of the reception and honeymoon, and where you plan to live.</div> <div> The photograph should also be a black and white shot of the head and shoulders, but of the bride only. Remember, only one photograph will be used, however both the engagement and wedding announcements will appear. Again, be certain to follow up with a call to the newspaper to confirm the receipt of your announcement.</div> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="changing_your_mind"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B><B><U>Changing Your Mind</U></B></div> <div> The stress of arranging your wedding can create a lot of tension for you. If a conflict develops, take time to sort out your thoughts and feelings.</div> <div> If you find you are having problems making this final commitment, you should first talk about it openly with your intended. You might also want to discuss it with your clergyman or a counselor.</div> <div> If the problems are irreconcilable, you will want to postpone or cancel the wedding. In either case, act as quickly as possible.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="the_rings"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B><B><U>The Rings</U></B></div> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="purchasing_information"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B><B><U>Purchasing Information</U></B></div> <div> One major wedding expense that will endure and appreciate in value is your ring. Shopping together will assure that both of you will be pleased with your choice. It will also help you to stay within your budget.</div> <div> Before shopping, decide on a price range. Keep in mind that jewelry prices are set according to the purity and type of metal, the quality of the gem and the workmanship of the setting. Consulting a reputable jeweler will assure you the most for your money.</div> <div> There are four criteria to keep in mind when purchasing a diamond ring. The first is the cut. Although many confuse cut with the shape, most diamonds are cut with a full 58 facets. The work of a master cutter permits the maximum amount of light to be reflected through the diamond. This gives it more scintillation and sparkle. The shape of the diamond is a matter of personal preference and does not affect the value per se. The most common shape is round, but rectangular, pear shaped, heart shaped or marquise (oval) designs are also seen.</div> <div> The best color for a diamond is no color. This is because a totally colorless diamond acts as a prism, allowing light to pass effortlessly through the diamond and be transformed into rainbows of color.</div> <div> Diamonds have the capability to produce the maximum amount of brilliance. A diamond that is firtually free of interior or exterior inclusions, or flaws, is of the highest quality. Nothing interferes with the passage of light through a diamond. The diamond's clarity is determined by viewing it under a 10-power magnification by a trained eye. Minute inclusions neither mar its beauty nor endanger its durability, however, the clearer the diamond, the higher its value.</div> <div> The number of carats is a measure of the weight of the diamond. One carat is divided into 100 points. Size is the most obvious factor in determining the value of a diamond. This does not mean the bigger diamond is necessarily better. The value depends on the quality. Diamonds of high quality can be found in all size ranges.</div> <div> Some brides may choose a gem other than a diamond for their engagement ring. If you do, remember you will most likely be wearing this ring everyday. Talk to your jeweler to find out the characteristics of the stone you choose.</div> <div> Once you have decided on the stone, select the metal. Gold and platinum are the most popular. Gold is usually yellow or white in color. Most rings are either 14K or 18K alloys. Pure gold, 24K, is too soft for rings. Platinum, a white metal, is the strongest ring metal available. It is also the most expensive. Usually, it is used for prongs in gold rings.</div> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="matching_ring_sets"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B><B><U>Matching Ring Sets</U></B></div> <div> The popular choice of many brides is to have a matching engagement ring and wedding band. This is not a must. Just make sure the styles you choose complement each other. You may also choose a wedding band that matches your groom's. Because more grooms are wearing wedding rings, make sure he is happy with the selection too. Diamonds aren't just a girl's best friend. Diamonds can add just the right touch to your groom's wedding band. Consult your jeweler for a wide variety of styles, gems and metals.</div> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="custom_designs"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B><B><U>Custom Designs</U></B></div> <div> Many jewelers will do custom design work for you to make the rings uniquely yours. This allows your creativity to become a permanent part of your life together.</div> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="insurance"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B><B><U>Insurance</U></B></div> <div> Protect your investment by insuring your new rings as soon as possible. Discuss this with your jeweler or insurance agent.</div> </td> </tr></table></body>