Tag: Proposal

10 Vital Things to Know Before You Propose

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Here at Bel Aire Bridal, we are married, single, it’s complicated, on a second marriage, widowed—with different ages and life challenges. One thing we all agree on: getting married is so special.

If you’re thinking about spending your life with your current partner, congratulations! You are about to embark on a wonderful journey together, and we couldn’t be more excited for you.

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we’re going to cover a few things that you should know before you get down on one knee. Make sure you’re proposing the right way!

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Is He/She Marriage Material?

A person’s moral values, political views, and personality quirks (even their sports teams) usually stay the same despite other changes in life. To be marriage material, your partner should be right for you. Check out our blog 12 Signs You’re With the One if you have ANY doubts about moving forward. *

Ready, Set…

Timing is everything, even when you feel deeply in love. If you’re not ready or he/she isn’t ready, the engagement may do more harm than good. An honest talk about your relationship and expectations about a future together is a nice alternative to a symbolic ring.

How to Love

Couples who get divorced were never as in love as you two… right? Thing is, there’s an important psychology and physiology to love. How does your partner prefer to be appreciated? How do they need to be intimate? Know the specifics of how he/she wants to express and receive love.

How to Fight

If your relationship is pure bliss, chances are it actually isn’t. Many people can get along when times are good; running into challenges will reveal how you relate when it’s not so wonderful. Marriage really is for better and worse. Learn to communicate and be prepared to deal with the worse.

All Those Secrets

Do you know about his childhood crush? That humiliating experience she had in high school? How much student loan debt he really has? Her secret ambition? The weird dream he had last night? Genuine communication goes beyond superficial conversations. Marriage is for life, so be your real self!

About That Sparkler

A nice, basic approach to engagement ring shopping is as follows: research gemstones and the 4 C’s, find an ethical jewelry company, and pick a ring within your budget. When choosing a ring style, you can use social media to help, or just find one that matches his/her personality.

Popping the Question

When proposing, be absolutely sure that your partner will say yes. Your intuition will tell you—and many people even drop hints. If you’re unsure, wait awhile. No one wants to be the girlfriend or boyfriend who has to think up an awkward reply and/or break off a relationship prematurely.

Audience & Ambiance

Proposing is as much about the experience as the question itself. Are you in a private, romantic setting? Somewhere memorable? Somewhere with a view? Also, who is there to witness this big moment—just the two of you, the whole family, a handful of strangers passing by? Plan it out.

Your Delivery

Most women still expect a proposal delivered on one knee with a ring in hand. The basic, “Will you marry me?”  is acceptable. Some people ask using their partner’s full name or give a short speech that expresses their feelings of devotion. Points for creativity, but keep it genuine and you’ll be fine.

How to Celebrate

Getting engaged is a significant event, often professionally photographed or caught on video. A surprise engagement party right afterwards can be nice, if that’s your partner’s style. Other people might prefer a romantic day alone together. Know what he/she would like out of this experience.

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We wish you a wonderful proposal and happy Valentine’s Day!

XO,

Bel Aire Bridal

*We hope our suggestions are helpful to you! If you need to resolve serious issues in your relationship, we recommend consulting a licensed marriage counselor or professional therapist.

Happy Proposal Season! 12 Signs You’re With the One

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Hey ladies, it’s proposal season! We can hardly believe it’s that time of year again. But before you get all giddy about sparkling diamonds and swoonworthy stories—oh, too late.

We are so excited and can’t wait to see new brides-to-be flaunting their bling on Instagram! To celebrate this wonderful season of all things romantic, we’ve reviewing one tiny little detail: how to know that you’re with someone you should marry.

Being in love doesn’t mean you should get married. Everything from emotional maturity to finances influences whether or not you’re ready to the tie the knot—and the guy you’re currently dating may or may not be your One for eternity.

When all your instincts are saying YES, here’s how to double check and be really sure.

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He treats you well.

This should go without saying, but sometimes it’s easy to look past someone’s obvious red flags because you want to be in a relationship. The right guy is kind and thoughtful and puts your needs first.

He’s proud of you.

A guy who is worthy of marriage knows how lucky he is. He says good things about you to his family and friends. He proudly shows you off in public. He’s introduced you to his boss. He appreciates all the wonderful things about you and isn’t shy about it.

He gets you.

We’re talking inside jokes, traded glances, and random giggles. Any couple who can go the distance understands and enjoys each other. Communication is everything.

He’s financially stable.

Every blog will tell you to be financially stable before you get hitched. Marriage is about starting your own household, so you should be able to take care of yourself. It’s imperative to be able to discuss money, save, and pay debt.

He’s got goals.

A successful marriage is composed of two people who are generally happy with their lives. A partner with goals will be driven to overcome obstacles—whether they are personal or professional.

He’s got skills.

He has an education or is acquiring the professional skills he needs. It’s important that you’re on board with each other’s career plans—be it moving for graduate school or paying for a certificate program—before you agree to a future together.

He prioritizes your relationship.

A guy who can stay married knows how to prioritize your relationship. He does favors for you. He comes to meet you. He takes your call immediately, or calls you right back. He goes out of his way to make your life better.

You trust him.

He’s around all the time, and when he’s not, you probably know what he’s doing. If anything important came up in his life, you’d be the first to know. He doesn’t text exes and invites you to just about everything.

You like his family.

He has a history of long-term relationships: namely, his family. He’s not a clone, but he’ll probably display some of the same traits. If you don’t like his family—perhaps even he doesn’t—there should be good reasons for it.

He supports your dreams.

Just as you support his goals and dreams, he supports yours. Married or not, you’ll spend your lives seeking self-fulfillment and happiness, and this includes professional accomplishments. He builds you up and empowers you to succeed.

You share common interests.

Ever hear of those couples who just stop getting along at some point? This can happen when people don’t enjoy doing things together. Shared interests such as hobbies or sports will keep you happily active—together—over the years.

You share moral values.

While you don’t absolutely have to share the same political views or religion, it’s easier if you do. Minimum, you agree on moral values and want the same things when it comes to big life choices: kids, pets, and where you’ll live.

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Life doesn’t have to be perfect before you get married. Yet if an engagement doesn’t feel right, remember that not now doesn’t mean not ever. True love comes willingly and endures all things.

If you are with the One, maybe you’d like to discuss marriage or go ring shopping together first! This doesn’t necessarily spoil the surprise—it just keeps you on the same page.

What do you think? Share with us how you knew you were ready to say, “Yes!”

‘Till Death Do Us Part—Halloween Proposal Ideas

Planning a spooky Halloween proposal? Pop the big question with a seasonal twist using one of these fantastic ideas. Whether your beloved covets a glittering black diamond, a gothic skull ring, or a traditional sparkly setting, these proposals will definitely get a “Yes!”—if she’s not too afraid!

 Corn Maze Hunt  

Does she love playing games and solving puzzles? Take your star sleuth into a corn maze for the best treasure hunt ever! Give her clues to guide her through to the end, where you can drop a knee and/or ask actors in the maze to hold up signs.

Haunted House Surprise

Give your future fiancée a scary surprise by popping the question inside a haunted house! If you’re a thrill-seeker with a spine of steel who would brave monsters, zombies, and psychos to stop and declare your love, this is a daring way to go. Just make sure she’s not too freaked out to say, “Yes!”

Pumpkin Patch Romance  

Does she love seasonal, family-friendly activities? For a good old-fashioned fall proposal, take one knee in a pumpkin patch! You can plant the ring on a special pumpkin ahead of time, or ask friends and family to write your message on pumpkins and meet you there.

Black Cat Delivery 

For animal lovers, there’s nothing more adorable than a furry new family member bearing a sparkly present! You can also engrave their collar or tag with the question, which makes a great keepsake. For a Halloween twist, adopt a black kitty—and start your engagement with nine lives’ worth of good luck!

Candy Dish Delight

If your sweetie loves treats, why not deliver your question by offering her a dish of candy with an extra-special present sitting on top? This simple proposal is both classic and fun. You can also drop the ring into a glass of cider, or replace the plastic spider ring on a Halloween cupcake with a major upgrade.

Jack O’Lantern Message 

Nothing is more romantic than asking for her hand in marriage by flickering candlelight—preferably with scattered rose petals. Carve pumpkins to ask, “Will You Marry Me?” and drop in some candles. After it gets dark, lead your lovely lady to the magical location!

Trick or Marriage

Do either you or your beloved have kids? Let them be part of the proposal by asking them to hold up signs. When she opens the door expecting Trick or Treaters, she’ll be thrilled by your heartfelt surprise!

How are you going to propose? Share your story!

Top Signs He Might Propose

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Are you ready to tie the knot? You might be wondering, is he?

It’s a good idea to enjoy your relationship as it is and discuss any unmet needs together. However, if you know he’s the One and are wondering if you should be dressing up a bit more on date night, consider the following signs that he’s about to drop down on one knee!

You’ve been together between two and three years
Not that this means anything in specific relationships; some people are together for a long time without being married! You could have good reasons for getting engaged earlier or later (for example, career plans, desire for financial stability, or personal beliefs). Statistically, however, many couples get engaged after they’ve been dating for a couple years.

He’s cleaned up his place or has recently moved
If he’s no longer using his Xbox screen as a night light, chances are he feels that you are more important than his bachelor habits. Efforts to make you feel comfortable and at home are a sign of caring and commitment.

You’ve met each other’s parents
Increasing numbers of women want to know about their engagement before anyone else, but it is historically traditional for men to ask parents for their permission or blessing. Similarly, he’ll want to be sure that you know his family and where he’s coming from.

Your ring size and preferred metals are suddenly relevant
Guys don’t really care about the jewelry you’re wearing—most compliments range from, “You look beautiful today” to “You look so pretty in that color.” If he’s suddenly very interested in your favorite metals or shapes of rocks, it’s a sure sign that he’s starting to shop.

He’s acting weird
Many guys are still into the surprise proposal. With a plethora of videos and online photos posting evidence of creative and outright over-the-top gestures, there’s a lot of pressure on him to make it memorable, romantic, personal, and fun. Also, he’s supposed to covertly make sure you look nice for the professional photographer he’s paid to hide in the bushes. Plus he’s expected to arrange for your best friends and/or family to congratulate you at a surprise party afterwards. Oh, and there’s the small caveat that, no matter how sure he is of your relationship, he’s still asking a question—and is waiting to see if you’ll say yes.

Wouldn’t you be acting a little nervous and weird, too?

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Are you ready to say, “Yes”? What is your ideal proposal? Would you be disappointed if he picked a ring without your approval? Let us know!

Top reasons to LOVE Valentine’s Day Weddings

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Romance is in the air. Besides getting proposed to on Valentine’s Day, nothing quite tops the drama of a wedding. Fun, feminine, and flirty, a V-Day wedding is the perfect opportunity to bring everyone you love together. Here are our favorite reasons to tie the knot on February 14!

Hearts

Do you love love as much as we do? Celebrate in fun, D.I.Y. style by incorporating hearts into your wedding! The ring, invitations, cake, balloons, confetti, and general décor can all be cut or made into a hearts to celebrate the romance of your relationship.

Bridal Red

Need an excuse to show off a vintage red lip, rock red high heels, or buy a little red reception dress? This is the perfect opportunity to express your glamorous side! If you’re really bold, try on a red wedding dress like Vera Wang’s elaborate ball gown, Romona Keveza’s flowing A-line dress, or Alex Perry’s fit and flare statement piece.

Love Quotes

Display your favorite quotes about love at your wedding for a personal, memorable touch! Ask guests to share their best advice for the bride or groom, use quotations instead of table numbers, or create an aisle runner with a meaningful verse. Valentine’s Day is, above all, a celebration of love.

Red & Pink Roses

Lavish, vibrant, beautiful, and soft, red roses exude passionate romance. Yes, roses will be more expensive on Valentine’s Day… but does it really matter? The point of a wedding is to celebrate your enduring love—and spending a bit more for the best is worth it!If you’re a blushing bride, pink or white peonies are also a lovely choice for a V-day wedding! Match a blush colored gown and veil for the ultimate, sweet statement.

Dramatic Veil

As countless celebrities can attest, cathedral veils create instant drama. Whether you love the idea of a lace masterpiece or an elaborately embroidered show-stopper, a breathtaking veil is essential for a V-Day wedding. Think of it as the icing on top of your cake, or the perfect mate for your dream gown. You’ll thank us when you see your photos.

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Sparkle Style: What Your Ring Says About You

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Are you dreaming of a sparkly Christmas?
According to a recent poll by Brides magazine, about 51 percent of brides are involved in choosing their engagement rings. Whether the rock is a complete surprise or you show him exactly what you want on that special finger, we hope that you receive a design you absolutely love. After all, you’ll be wearing it for the rest of your life!
When it comes to diamonds (still the most popular stone for engagement rings), the four C’s reign supreme. Clarity, color, carat, and cut play into how expensive your bling will be. We’re going to focus on the cut of your gorgeous stone—which comes in a dazzling array of choices—and what each shape says about your personality!

Cushion Cut – Modern, Trendy, Fabulous
Also known as a “pillow cut” or “candlelight diamond,” a cushion cut stone looks like a square with rounded corners. Sparkling like crushed ice, this cut has enjoyed recent popularity with brides who want something slightly more modern than a round diamond—though this style has been around for over 200 years! Usually set as a solitaire or halo, the cushion cut embraces any band with dazzling radiance. Cushion brides lean towards runway trends such as plunging necklines, embellished backs, snazzy silhouettes, and celebrity styles. You are modern and not afraid to shine!

Heart Shape – Sentimental, Romantic, Feminine
If you’re a fairy-tale bride, a heart-shaped ring may be in your stars! This sweet shape evokes a theme of true love; you are marrying your soul mate. Pairing this enchanting stone with an engraved band will personalize your engagement ring. Only the true romantic chooses a heart and keeps it with her always. Heart brides lean towards lavish lace, extravagant floral arrangements, feminine colors like blush or champagne, and intimate wedding details. You are in love with love!

Emerald – Confident, Powerful, Sleek
Utterly chic, an emerald cut evokes minimalist beauty. The confident, no-fuss bride with a penchant for shine prefers this clean look. Free from distractions and crafted with narrow, long facets, the emerald cut is best if you prefer pure elegance. Due to its shape, jewelers often need higher grade clarity diamonds to create this cut (making it more expensive). Emerald brides are attracted to sheath gowns and simple, elegant details. You already know you’re fabulous.

Round – Classic, Traditional, Sparkly
If you love sparkle, choose a round brilliant stone! With 58 facets and the most brilliance of any cut, a round stone will make everyone stare at your hand. This cut looks amazing accented with a pavé band, halo setting, or raised solitaire. Classic yet popular, a round stone is the best choice if you’re unsure of what you like or want something that will stay in style. Round cut brides are modern yet classy, leaning towards popular wedding trends and flattering styles.

Marquise – Alternative, Free-Spirited, Artistic
If you like to stand out from the crowd, a marquise diamond is right up your alley. Unique as the bride who wears it, this stone is shaped like a tiny boat and has a slimming effect. This brilliant, elongated cut marries a look of courtly elegance with creative appeal.Marquise brides go for non-traditional gowns and quirky accents.

Princess – Trendy, Modern, Romantic
Combining classic sparkle with an edgy shape, the princess cut looks square (sometimes slightly rectangle) with the most brilliance and fire of any non-round cut. One of the most popular choices for engagement rings, princess diamonds add artistic beauty to any setting. Princess brides stray only slightly from the beaten path, enjoying classy but modern gowns, trendy accessories, and just a few romantic touches. You’re willing to bend tradition and personalize your wedding!

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What shape of diamond would you choose? Would you prefer a colored gem?

Do you want to pick it yourself?

Tell us ALL about your dream engagement ring!

Additional Sources:
http://www.jewellerymonthly.com/diamond-shapes-for-engagement-rings/
http://www.jewelry-secrets.com/Diamonds/Diamond-Fire-Dispersion/What-Is-Diamond-Fire-Dispersion.html
http://www.abazias.com/diamondblog/diamond-education/diamond-shapes-a-guide-to-the-cuts
http://www.lumeradiamonds.com/diamond-education/round-diamonds
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/537124693032969899/
https://www.bezambar.com/princess-cut-diamond-inventor/