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How to Care for Pearls

Pearls Require Special Care
Because pearls are an organic gemstone, they are somewhat different from other gemstones and precious metals. They are softer and more delicate, and they can therefore be more easily scratched, cracked, and damaged. In addition, substances such as perfume and hair spray -- and even natural body oils and perspiration -- can dull pearls' luster or cloud their brilliance. For these reasons, your pearls may require a bit of special care.

Be Careful With Cosmetics And Your Pearls
It's a good idea, for example, to apply perfume, hair spray, and other cosmetics before putting on your pearls. In this way, you can minimize the amount of these products that comes into contact with the pearls. After wearing your pearls, wipe them with a soft damp cloth to remove any traces of cosmetic products or body oils. Wash the pearls periodically with a mild soap and a soft cloth, to remove any accumulated build-up.

Have Your Pearls Restrung And Knotted For Safety
To prevent strand breakage, it's a good idea to have your pearls restrung periodically -- perhaps once a year or so if you wear them often. Knotting the strand between each pearl will prevent all of the pearls from falling off the strand in the event the strand breaks. Also, knotting prevents the pearls from rubbing against one another and causing damage. A little bit of care can go a long way toward ensuring that your pearls remain safe and bright for years to come!

Store Your Pearls Separately
Because of their delicacy, pearls should be stored separately, away from hard jewelry items, to prevent scratches or other damage. If possible, store them wrapped in soft cloth or in a soft-lined container, pouch, or jewelry box.


RECOMMENDED PEARL SPOTLIGHT

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Black Cultured Freshwater Pearl Necklace


27 Unique Ideas for Weddings



There is nothing wrong with the traditional white wedding, but sometimes it is nice to makes yours stand out from the rest…

Today’s weddings are all about options that reflect your personalities and style. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite non-traditional or unexpected wedding ideas to incorporate into every aspect of your big day.

Ceremony Ideas

1) Location -
If you don’t host your ceremony in a house of worship or in the same location as your reception, you can get creative with your ceremony location and exchange vows at sunrise on the beach or at sunset from the rooftop of the tallest building in your metropolitan area. Get more ideas for unique ceremony sites.

2) Refreshments -
Use the season or your location as an opportunity to greet guests with a refreshing drink. Lemonade and sweet tea will quench your guests’ thirst while gathering in the blazing sun, or serve hot apple cider to warm your guests during chiller months.

3) Grand Entrance -
Make your entrance especially grand by being escorted by your pet dog or by arriving on a white horse.

4) Vows and Readings -
Not a new concept, but speaking from the heart by writing your own wedding vows or incorporating personalized poems and weddings readings into your ceremony will surely grab the attention of your guests.

Flowers & Decor Ideas

5) Color Scheme -
Try pairing a few uncommon colors together or featuring varying shades of the same color throughout your space.

6) The Food Pyramid -
Fill cylindrical glass vases with fruits and vegetables reflecting your colors. Oranges, lemons, and limes have been done so try a unique, more contemporary look with mangos or coconuts or tie it to the season with texture-rich earthy vegetables like husked corn, acorn squash, or artichokes.

7) Au Natural -
Consult Mother Nature for inspiration, and bring the outdoors in. Natural objects like stones, leaves, pinecones, even twigs can add an organic aesthetic to your reception décor. Place in rustic containers or scatter amongst pillar candles for added ambiance.

8) Lighten Up -
Floating candles in a shallow bowl adds lighting and elegance to your tabletops. Or arrange multi-level candles on a mosaic of mirrors or tiles and surround them with seashells or flower petals. Placing coffee beans or red hot candies at the bottom of a vase or bowl to hold the candles steady also adds an aromatic effect.

9) Consult your Inner Child -
For the kid at heart, fill decorative bowls with your favorite candies – such as jellybeans and M&M’s - in your wedding colors.

Find even more inspiring ideas for unique wedding decorations in this complete guide to wedding flowers and decor

Entertainment Ideas

10) Ceremony Music -
If "Here Comes the Bride" doesn’t suit your style or personality, choose a song that does. There is no written rule that states you can’t make your grand entrance to a rendition of your favorite Beastie Boys’ song.

11) Non-traditional Instruments -
If you desire live music over a DJ, consider tying your musician selection to the theme or location of your event. A beachside bash naturally lends itself to the sound of steel drums, while a trumpet quartet will sound impressive in an elaborate cathedral.

12) Themed Music -
Take it one step further and zone in on the music that is indigenous to your wedding location. Guests attending a Mardi Gras-themed event in New Orleans will bask in a cocktail hour of Dixieland jazz.

13) DJ and a Band -
Can’t decide which you would rather have? Have both to ensure that all types of music are represented throughout your day to please both your 85-year-old grandmother and your 21-year-old cousin.

Photography Ideas

14) Photojournalism
More and more brides are leaning toward hiring a photographer who specialized in a photojournalistic style. These photographers shy away from posed shots and aim to capture all of the candid moments that you’ll always want to remember or may have never seen.

15) Creative Shots
Hire your photographer to follow you throughout your entire day (leading up to the "Do Not Disturb" sign, of course). While it may make you feel anxious to have someone photograph you as you get ready, these shots will help you to remember the joy and anticipation of every part of your big day. Read more ideas for creative wedding pictures

Cake Ideas

16) Minimal Adornments -
Some brides believe in the "less is more" adage. A simple cake minimally ornamented can make a bold statement.

17) Square Tiers -
Looking for a subtle way to break away from the ordinary? Square tiers make a modern presentation. Whoever said "it’s hip to be square" must have been in the cake business.

18) Cake-free -
If cake isn’t your favorite dessert, then don’t feel the need to serve it to your guests. Apple crisp, peach cobbler, pumpkin pie, cupcakes, or even glazed doughnuts are a hit at the dessert table.

19) Sugar-free -
The end-of-meal offering doesn’t have to be made of flour and frosting. Think savory instead, and visit your local cheese shop to have them construct wheels of cheese in tiers and stacked to look like traditional wedding cake.

You can browse hundreds of unique and unusual wedding cakes in this cake photo gallery.

Attire Ideas

20) Wardrobe Change -
Today’s brides are opting to wear not one dress, but two! Wear an elegant gown while you exchange vows, then slip into something a little more comfortable to round out the evening.

21) Anything but White -
A white wedding dress symbolizes innocence and purity, but if that’s not your style, feel free to bring out your colorful personality by adding a splash of color to your attire. You can be as subtle as a colored sash and jewels or as bold as a fuchsia-colored dress.

22) Something Borrowed -
Anything retro screams chic these days. So why not consider donning your mother’s vintage gown as a tribute to a family legacy. A few alterations can make it your own.

Stationery Ideas -

23) Ethnicity -
If your heritage is important for you to represent on your big day, do some research and find a stationer who offers multi-cultural invitations and announcements.

24) Creative Touch -
For more intimate, casual gatherings, request the honor of your guests’ presence in an innovative and entertaining way. Here’s an idea - have your invite printed on a balloon so guests have to blow them up to receive the message.

25) Programs -
Do something a little different with your programs by including personal photos or by printing them on something that serves a dual purpose - like a fan.

26) Storybook -
Get the most bang for your program buck by including stories of how the two of you met, who introduced you, and your relationship to everyone in the bridal party. Think of all the time you’ll save by not having to explain all of this to your husband’s childhood neighbor during the reception!

Transportation Ideas

27) Grand Entrance -
If the size of your bridal party doesn’t warrant a stretch limousine, consider arriving on horseback, on the back of your husband’s motorcycle, or in the passenger’s seat of your dad’s antique car.






RECOMMENDED ONLINE WEDDING SITES

Is Paying for Your Bridesmaids’ Hair & Makeup an Appropriate Gift?



Is paying for your bridesmaids’ makeup and hairstyling an appropriate gift? Many brides have wrestled with this question. There is no exact answer, but here are some factors to consider:

Are your bridesmaids interested in fashion and beauty, and would enjoy having their hair and/or makeup done? Or are you insisting on these services because it is your wedding and they are in your pictures? If Melanie spends hours at Sephora, has a subscription to Vogue and knows that she currently carries “Moonglow” “Very Berry” and “Sublime” lip colors in her purse, chances are she’ll love the gift of makeup and hair. If Melanie spends her vacations backpacking or hiking, thinks high heels are ridiculous and painful and frowns every time she sees a mascara wand-hair and makeup services are more of an obligation than a gift.


Are the bridesmaids' dresses practical, reasonably-priced and can be worn again for a more casual occasion? Or are they imported silk, custom-designed and a high-fashion, original style and color? If the bride is insisting that her maids wear budget-straining dresses and shoes, footing the bill for their makeup and hair is advisable. Although it is an honor to participate in the wedding, bridesmaids rightfully tend to resent their entire paychecks being spent on someone else’s wedding. If their dresses aren’t too expensive and the bride is not too demanding, asking them to have their hair and makeup done may not be overkill.

Is your hairstylist and/or makeup artist reasonably-priced? Or are they stylists to the stars and therefore demand much higher rates? Are you offering these services or insisting that they be performed? If the bride has contracted Angelina Jolie’s personal makeup artist and is requiring her bridal party to do the same, it is appropriate to pick up the bill. If the bride books such artist and simply relates the pricing and information to her bridal party, it is each individual bridesmaid’s choice as to whether or not to book those services.



***Recommended Online Wedding Resources***

  • Find the perfect Wedding invitation. Personalize, preview, and order right on the spot at eInvite.com!

For more wedding advice please visit our sister sites, Fun Weddings or Weddings By Ashlee