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The Citizen, 1991-02-13, Page 15THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1991. PAGE 15. Wedding bells are in the air ... Congratulations! You’re getting married! If you’re like most prospective brides, you’re already dreaming of a magnificent wedd­ ing, a breathtaking gown and an unforgettable honeymoon with the most luxurious lingerie. To help, most bridal magazine^ offer monthly countdowns that organize all those pesky details and keep plans running smoothly. But the big question remains: How do you make your wedding uniquely your own? Brides-to-be How much should your engagement ring cost? Today’s engaged couples are older, better educated and have a higher combined income than ever before. They are looking for quality and value when they make their diamond engagement ring pur­ chase ... especially since this is usually the first major diamond purchase the couple makes. When these couples walk into a jewelry store, 67 per cent of all women and 50 per cent of all men have no preconceived idea of what they are going to spend on a diamond engagement ring. Jewelers of America (JA), the national organization dedicated to consumer education and informa­ tion about fine jewelry, states that although 75 per cent of all couples shop together, the man and woman perceive the purchase of the diamond engagement ring differently. The man strongly believes in the tradition of the diamond engagement ring and the impor­ tance of the quality of the stone. It is the one aspect of the wedding process over which he has control! For the woman, the ring is just one aspect of the wedding pro­ cess. She is concerned with the size and shape of the stone as a function of style, but is also worried about their budget. The symbolism of the diamond en­ gagement ring is implicit, but she tends to downplay the importance of size and price while he is ready to spend more for the best he can give her. In view of these facts, to determine what you can best afford, a wise guideline to use is the two months’ salary guideline. Research shows that this allows a couple to buy the best quality diamond they can afford without breaking their budget. Diamonds are not inexpensive, but remember that while most should consider the type of gown, location of the ceremony, even honeymoon lingerie that truly reflects their own style. According to Modem Bride’s Fashion Editor, Linda Weichen- rieder, “When choosing lingerie, you’ll want to select something that reflects your own tastes. Traditional and conservative wo­ men may feel very uncomfortable wearing a sheer or revealing gown the night of their honeymoon.” She adds, “It’s important to purchases depreciate over the years, the diamond lasts long after the honeymoon and cham­ pagne are over. And, if you appreciate quality and look for it in everything you do, you’ll want a diamond that is symbolic of the quality of your love. Once you’ve decided on a budget of two months’ salary, quality should be your first con­ sideration. In order to understand quality in diamonds, you must understand the four C’s: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat-weight. Cut: Diamonds are cut into a number of shapes, depending on the nature of the rough stone. A well-cut diamond is better able to handle light, creating more scintillation and sparkle. Color: Diamonds are found with a range of colors; however, the best color for a diamond is no color. It is a totally colorless diamond that allows white light to pass through it and be dispersed as rainbows of color. Clarity: Most diamonds contain very tiny natural birthmarks known as inclusions. However, the fewer and smaller the inclu­ sions are, the less likely it is that they will interfere with the pass­ age of light through the diamond, and the more beautiful the dia­ mond will be. Carat-weight: This is the weight of a diamond measured in carats. One carat is divided into 100 “points”, so that a diamond of 75 points weighs .75 carats. Jewelers of America suggests you ask your local jeweler to show you a selection of quality diamond engagement rings. You’ll find a ring that’s perfect for you and that fits your two months’ salary budget. For more information about diamonds and other gem­ stone?. write to J A for a free series of brochures: JA. 1271 Sixth Avenue. New York. NY 10020. follow your instincts when making wedding arrangements so the day of the event you’re comfortable and relaxed with the choices you’ve made.” Here are five fantasy examples to spark your imagination. TRADITIONAL The traditional bride selects a long-sleeved, silk Empire gown, overlaid with Alencon or Chantilly lace and encrusted with tiny pearls. The length of her train hinges somewhat on the size of the room; a six-foot train looks silly in a private chapel. Her morning wedding takes place in a Gothic-style church or cathedral, or in a dramatic synagogue. After the ceremony, stretch limousines convey the wedding party to the reception. The set­ ting: A rambling, Tara-like coun­ try club, perfect for dancing on the terrace to a local ensemble. Here, lunch and champagne are followed by an all-white, tiered cake covered in white sugar flowers. For her honeymoon, she looks to sun, sea and sand in Hawaii, Paradise Island and Cancun, de­ stined for a memorable two weeks. A long stretch of beach decorated with palm trees gleam­ ing in the sunset is her fantasy backdrop as she makes her en­ trance in a traditional peignoir set from Vai Mode Lingerie. It is a delicate spaghetti strap gown with a jacquard bodice, and a jacquard coat featuring decorative lace trim on the sleeves. From the waist down the coat is sheer and tied with a ribbon belt, a honeymoon ensem­ ble perfect for every traditional bride. SEXY How daring are you? Daring enough to hold your wedding and reception under an Arabian tent on a New York rooftop? If so, a hot and sexy style may be right for you. Things begin to warm up around 10:00 p.m., with the bride making her entrance in a body­ hugging strapless sheath. The reception features the music of Anita Baker for slow dancing, and O' Sweetheart Sale BRIDES if your gown is ordered before Feb. 28/91 you will receive 10% OFF your gown plus a FREE pair of satin shoes. and BRIDESMAIDS order your gown before Feb. 28/91 and your satin shoes will be dyed FREE OF CHARGE. Hours: Mon. & Tues. 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Wed. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 482-3088 9 RATTENBURY ST. E. ■■■ CLINTON an enticing menu that includes oysters, creamy pates, grapes and figs followed by a dense, semi­ sweet chocolate cake, with mounds of fudge frosting. For her honeymoon in Monte Carlo, the bride packs a sheer black lace teddy with a chiffon flounce and embroidered red roses. ROMANTIC The romantic bride chooses an updated fairy tale wedding held on a yacht at sunset. Her gown recalls the bows and puffs of Lady Diana’s white confection. Delicate pearls capture the glow of a thousand candles lighting the reception in the great room of the yacht. Champagne flows throughout dinner, and dessert is a lacy, tiered white cake flavored with a hint of orange. After dancing until dawn to the music of Michael Feinstein, our heroine and her husband depart for Portugal, where they honeymoon in ■ a 19th-century palace with a view of gently rolling hills leading down to the ocean. Her trousseau includes an ivory charmeuse gown covered with a flowing chiffon wrap detailed with sequins and pearls. SOPHISTICATED Whether on Chestnut Street in Boston, or on Nob Hill in San Francisco, the sophisticated bride chooses a gracious townhouse for the setting of her wedding. Mix­ ing the old and new, she wears a crystal-pleated Mary McFadden evening gown in spun silver or soft gold, offset by antique dia­ mond teardrop earrings. Her reception features dancing to the music of Peter Duchin, the finest champagne, and an impres­ sive menu including caviar in new potatoes, smoked salmon, tiny lamb chops, and vegetables stuff­ ed with herbed cheese. Dessert is a hazelnut Genoise covered in rum icing. For a sophisticated honeymoon, she and her husband have plann­ ed a theater week at the Savoy in London. Dining on the balcony with the Thames in the back­ ground creates the perfect setting for a romantic dinner in luxurious lingerie. The bride wears a dram­ atic black scroll patterned char­ meuse gown featuring built up straps for a look of sophisticatior from the Jessica Lynn Collection. The matching full-length kimono robe with a rope tie is optional to cover the slit of the gown. PLAYFUL The playful bride is nothing if not spontaneous. She and her fiance invite friends and family to a country party at a winery. When the guests arrive, they find the tasting room draped in white parachute silk. When they see the bride wearing a short, slinky white dress with layers and layers of ruffles, they suspect something is afoot. After the brief surprise cere­ mony, everyone celebrates to Kentucky bluegrass music. The menu is down-home: southern fried chicken wings, cornbread, mini-tacos, sliced catfish on homemade biscuits and the winery’s finest wines and cham­ pagnes. As expected, the cake is unconventional: a replication of the bride’s skirt, executed in spun sugar. In keeping with her spontan­ eity, this bride has packed a smashing red coulette teddy with delicate spaghetti straps, button down front and a slightly flared and flirtatious bottom that she discovers can appear as a chemise or a pant for a secret surprise on her honeymoon down-under in the Australian outback! Every bride-to-be dreams of a wedding that reflects her indivi­ dual style. Concentrating on a single theme provides direction, and helps to organize all those details that keep your wedding running smoothly. Once those elements are in place, a bride can enjoy putting together her trousseau, from a selection of delicate lingerie to her bridal gown and even her floral arrangements. Taking the time to plan carefully means the reward of sharing a wedding that truly has your signature.