Happy Halloween! 10/31/2009
 
In the spirit of the holiday here are a couple of Halloween themed inspiration boards. Enjoy and have a safe and happy Halloween!

If you would like to have an inspiration board created for your personal wedding style and featured on our site click here.
Picture
Picture
Click pictures to enlarge
 
 
A: It’s not necessary to register before your engagement party but it is perfectly acceptable if you do. Some of your family and friends will want to purchase a gift for the newly engaged couple and setting up a registry will give them options and ideas.

However, registry information should not be included on the invitations for your engagement party. Only provide registry information to people who specifically ask for it.

Also, keep in mind that some items that are typical found on registries are seasonal and are often discontinued or unavailable at the end of the season. If you do register before your engagement party you should manage your registry throughout your engagement and update and remove any items that may have been discontinued or that are no longer available. 

Do you have a question? Email us and we will be happy to answer it.
 
 
Picture
If your families have not already met, an engagement party is a great opportunity for the families to meet and get acquainted. Traditionally the bride’s family hosts the engagement party, but the honor of hosting is really up to whoever offers. When making the guest list for your engagement party keep in mind everyone who is invited to the engagement party should also be invited to the wedding. Before the party ends be prepared to give a toast thanking your hosts and guests for coming. Lastly, keep track of any gifts you receive and send out thank-you notes promptly. 

 
 
Picture
Besides shouting from the rooftops, “We’re engaged!” and spreading the news of your engagement by word of mouth, you have a couple of other options when it comes to announcing your engagement. You can mail formal announcements to your friends and family or you can publish an announcement in your local and hometown newspapers.

Mailing Announcements – To create your announcement contact your local stationary store or an online retailer and have your announcement typeset and printed. You can also design your own announcements using a site like Vistaprint When designing your own announcement you will have the flexibility to choose the look and feel that best suits you as a couple. Keep in mind this will be your guests’ first preview into your wedding. The announcement should convey the overall tone and formality you think you’ll want for your event.

Newspaper Announcements - Call the publication(s) where you want your announcement to appear and speak to the editor in charge and find out the following:
§       The fee for publishing your announcement
§       Are there any guidelines or a standard form you must use?
§      Do they accept pictures as part of the announcement? 

 
 
A: To clean your engagement ring at home, soak your ring in a mild liquid detergent and use a soft bristled brush, like an old toothbrush, to loosen any dirt that may be stuck on your ring. Then, rinse your ring with water and use a soft, lint-free cloth to dry your ring and it should sparkle like new! You can also take your ring to a reputable jeweler and have it professionally cleaned using an ultrasonic or steam cleaner.

Tip: Before purchasing and using any store-bought cleaner make sure it is safe to use on the type(s) of metal and gems that are in your engagement ring. If you are unsure if a particular chemical will have an adverse effect on your ring contact your jeweler and find out what cleaning method they recommend.

Do you have a question? Email us and we will be happy to answer it.

 
 
Sending a picture of your engagement ring to family and friends is a great way to include them in your excitement. However, taking a good picture of your ring can be a bit of a challenge. The best way to take a clear picture of your ring is to place it in bright, indirect light. Turn off the flash on your camera and set your camera to the macro setting and you should be good to go!

 
 
Picture
Engagement rings symbolize strength and permanence, however accidents happen and rings can be damaged, lost or stolen. That is where insurance comes in.

Insurance can be purchased as a rider for your renters’ or homeowner’s policy. Tip: If you move make sure your rider follows you. If you don’t have a renters’ or homeowners’ policy ask your jeweler if they work with an insurance company that offers stand alone insurance.

The following are things to consider before deciding on a policy.

§       Is the ring covered if its damaged, lost or stolen?
§       What proof will you need to provide in the event the ring is lost or stolen?
§       Are there any circumstances when the ring would not be covered?
§       Is the ring insured for the full cost or a fraction of the price?
§       What would be the process to replace the ring?

 
You're Engaged! 10/24/2009
 
Congratulations on your engagement! This is such an exciting time and we wish you the best of luck, lots of love and happy planning!

Our best piece of advice for newly engaged couples; don’t get caught up in the hoopla and drama of planning the perfect wedding. Make sure you take the necessary time out to fully enjoy your engagement and properly prepare for married life.

If you would like your engagement featured on our site click here.


 
Welcome! 10/23/2009
 
Welcome to Soulful Engagements! Soulful Engagements is a comprehensive wedding planning blog that offers a fresh voice for brides of color looking for advice and inspiration throughout the planning process. By providing relevant articles, practical advice and personal experiences we hope to make the wedding planning process as stress free as possible.

In an effort to stay current and be a resourceful tool we want to hear from you! Leaving your comments and participating in the surveys and polls will give us insight into the things that are important to you and that you want to read about. So if there are any topics you want to see discussed, questions you need answered or suggestions on how we can improve our site please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to incorporate those changes.

Thanks for stopping by and we hope to see you back here soon!