The 5 Most Common Mistakes Brides Make When Choosing Bridal Jewellery

January 30, 2011 · 0 comments

With so many things to do before a wedding, it’s easy to overlook problems you may run last minute on your wedding day. Considering jewellery plays a crucial role in your big day, you’ll want to know the about most common mistakes brides make in order to prevent these unwanted disasters from happening to you!

Mistake #1:

Choosing An Ultra Trendy Engagement Ring

Trends come and go but engagement rings are designed to last a lifetime. Unless you’re having an engagement ring custom designed for you according to your own personal taste, you may want to think twice before choosing the next ‘It’ engagement ring.

For example, the latest trend in the engagement ring market is replacing the classic, white diamond with a birthstone. There’s no mistaking that this is a fantastic idea but remember to ask yourself if you want to be reminded of your birthday every day or your future husband.

Also keep in mind that your coloured birthstone may not match all of your clothing. If you were born in April (diamond birthstone) or June (pearl birthstone), then you can easily get away with this dilemma but if you were born in a colourful month like July (ruby birthstone) or August (peridot birthstone), your engagement ring may not flow as well with all of your pink or orange clothing.

Engagement rings can be an investment and the last thing you’d want to do is look back five years later and realize your wedding set has long gone out of style leaving you wanting a new set. It could possibly hurt your bank account as well as your spouse’s feelings.

The Fix:

If you’ve already chosen your trendy ring, enjoy it! If, however, in a couple of years, you decide that you’d like something more classic or updated, there’s always the option of having your jeweller make the changes necessary to keep you enjoying your ring forever.

For those who are 100% certain of putting colour into your engagement ring, think about opting for coloured diamonds instead of birthstones. Not only will they remind you of your most memorable day, they’re 58 times harder than the next hardest mineral on earth making them almost indestructible – that is, unless you plan on putting your ring into a fire of 1405 degrees Fahrenheit.[1]

If you’re still in the process of choosing your custom designed engagement ring or having it designed, the best selection would be a timeless wedding set that, 25 years later, you’ll never grow tired of admiring its beauty.

Mistake #2:

Picking The Bridal Jewellery BEFORE Picking The Wedding Dress

Once a woman receives her engagement ring, the frantic planning for the race to their dream wedding day begins. Because there is so much pre-wedding planning to do, it’s easy to lose order during the chaos.

Picking the wedding dress beforehand allows the bride-to-be to pick the bridal jewellery that emphasizes the gown rather than hiding under it or worse, clashing with it. The last thing any bride needs is to look just as chaotic as they felt when pulling together their wedding. By creating the wrong fashion statement with something as simple as the wrong choice of necklace, it will ensure that their wedding will be remembered for all of the wrong reasons!

The Fix:

The two most important considerations to notice before picking the bridal set is the neckline of the wedding dress and also, the embellishments that may or may not have been added. If your dress includes embellishments such as pearls or crystals, you’ll want to follow the theme accordingly with your jewellery.

For the neckline of your wedding gown, you’ll want to consider wearing your bridal jewellery the following ways:

  • Halter Neckline or Backless Dress – These are perhaps the most restricting gowns when it comes to jewellery choices. Wearing only stud earrings and a bracelet would be the perfect selection.
  • Square Neckline or Strapless Dress – These necklines are just the opposite, leaving many varieties open for most types of jewellery to be worn. The best choice would be to wear drop or chandelier earrings with a single or double stranded necklace. Another option that looks fantastic is wearing simple earrings with a fancy bridal choker.
  • V-Neck or Plunging Neckline – Since you’ll want to draw attention to your face, wearing stud earrings with a y-drop or a pendant necklace will do just that!

Finding your dress and picking bridal jewellery afterwards is the common sense approach to take; however, if you’ve already fallen in love with the jewellery that you’ve decided is a must-have for your wedding day, you can always opt to design your wedding around the jewellery. Just remember that that can get a little tricky since the philosophy behind wearing bridal jewellery is to enhance your overall wedding look while bringing your own personal style into play.

Mistake #3:

Not Styling Your Hair According To Your Bridal Jewellery

That sounds a little silly, doesn’t it? But think about it, if you’ve chosen to wear beautiful pearl stud earrings with a matching necklace and have left your hair down, you wouldn’t even see most of your bridal jewellery!

The Fix:

Before going to the salon to have your hair glammed up, check out a few bridal magazines or try your jewellery on while standing in front of a full length mirror to get a feel of how you want to look on your wedding day. Ask a close friend or family member for their honest opinion because most store employees will say anything to get a sale.

Unless your wedding dress is extremely embellished, you’ll most likely be wearing a full bridal set and it’s a safe bet to say that you won’t want to hide it under your hair. By keeping your own personal style, you can incorporate professional styles to elegantly pull your hair up off of your neckline and away from your ears. If you have short hair, sweep either one side or both sides up over your ears to show off your gorgeous bridal earrings.

If you’re unable to decide on your own, much like consulting with your jeweller to pick out the perfect bridal jewellery, you can consult with your hair stylist to pick the perfect up-do meant just for you!

Mistake #4:

Not Matching Your Bridesmaids

Every bride wants to stand out on her wedding day and looking unique is a sure way to do exactly that. Your wedding day should be all about you which means this is the one time it’s okay for you to be selfish about who wears what with of your friends without sounding catty. Much like buying the bridal jewellery set before the wedding dress, you must plan out your bridesmaids’ entire ensemble beforehand so there aren’t any last minute clashes.

The Fix:

Most women prefer to give jewellery as a gift to their bridesmaids but if buying complete jewellery sets are out of your budget, purchase just the earrings, bracelet or necklace for your friends to set the tone of the theme. By choosing the coloured gemstone and/or design for them, they’ll be inclined to follow suit that emphasizes you and doesn’t upstage you on your perfect wedding day!

Mistake #5:

Choosing Your Bridal Set From The Store At The Mall (Gasp!)

Sure, bridal jewellery sets can be costly and after purchasing the wedding gown, wedding ring set, bridesmaid dresses, facility rental, DJ (the list goes on and on), you’ll be feigning to save money when you can. However tempted you may be, jewellery is one area you should never forego quality on.

Bridal jewellery is not always necessarily worn after the wedding day but it either already is or will be a future heirloom to pass down to worthy family members. In other words, bridal jewellery is meant to last not just your lifetime but generations to come.

The Fix:

You can cut down on extravagance to save some dollars but you should never wear cheap jewellery on your wedding day. You’ll want every little detail to be stunningly perfect and guess what? Cheap jewellery can tarnish even the most beautiful of all wedding dresses, not to mention the greenish marks left behind on your skin. To make sure you don’t fall victim to committing this wedding faux-pas, talk with your jewellery designer to use materials that work for your wedding day as well as your budget.

If you aren’t planning on holding onto your bridal set to pass down as an heirloom, discuss options to make your jewellery a part of your life that you can wear to fancy occasions or wear as an everyday piece.

Knowing what you now know to avoid falling into these common little traps, you can put your mind at ease and be rest-assured that you’ll not just look great on your wedding day; you’ll look above and beyond spectacular – you’ll be DAZZLING!

References:

[1] http://didyouknow.org/diamonds/

{ 0 comments }

Pink Diamonds Steal The Show

January 27, 2011 · 0 comments

Diamonds are considered to be an extremely valuable asset since they maintain their sparkling looks and in turn, never depreciate in value. More valuable than any other gemstone or precious metal, investing in diamonds has only risen in market value making it a sure-fire way to increase capital gains while preserving wealth.

Although all natural diamonds are considered as rare, coloured diamonds are much rarer causing the appreciation value to skyrocket, more auctions to be held and more investments to be made. Of all coloured diamonds, pink diamonds have become the investment of choice ever since the Argyle Diamond Mine opened for production in 1985.

Located in Western Australia, the Argyle Diamond Mine has since produced nearly 15 million carats of diamonds since it’s unveiling and currently accounts for 90-95% of the world’s pink diamond supply!

Considering its rarity, this may sound like enormous amounts of pink diamonds are available but in reality, is quite the opposite. To help put the amount of pink diamonds available into better perspective, only 1 carat of pink diamonds will be found per every 100,000 carats of diamonds mined which is only 0.1% of all diamonds mined.

With a better understanding of its exclusivity, the need for this particular investment in pink diamonds has skyrocketed even more so with today’s failing economy. Since formal records were first kept at the beginning of the 1980s, prices for pink diamonds have increased in value by an average of 20% per year, which is 300% better investment than a rental property in Australia, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

This has allowed for pink diamonds to become the most popular choice among diamond investors and traders/brokers at diamond auctions. Just recently in November, 2010, a pink diamond was bought at the Sotheby auction in Geneva, smashing the world record for jewels bought at an auction, for a total of $46,158,674!

Sold to a well-known top diamond trader, Laurence Graff, this 24.78 carat Fancy Intense pink diamond outsold its predecessor of an auctioned 35.56 carat blue diamond which had sold for $24.3 million dollars which just goes to show the incredible value of a pink diamond.

Pink diamonds, without a secondary coloring are considered to be the rarest and most expensive of all pink diamonds and as quoted by Sotheby’s head of the jewellery division, David Bennet, “I think this tells you a bit about the health of the market.”

This world record has brought much needed attention to the pink diamond market proving its value in the investment world. Ansar Ali, CEO of Elite Gems profoundly said, “The market for natural coloured pink diamonds is very strong at the moment and prices have risen by 35% within the last six months. If that pace continues, an investment in a natural coloured pink diamonds today could double in value in the next 12-18 months.”

Knowing this market is highly sought after, jewellery auctions are quickly becoming every investor’s dream! And why shouldn’t it? Being the most concentrated source of value on earth, analysts predict that the demand for coloured diamonds will outstrip supply for the next decade.

Jewellery auctions hold such high appeal for purchasing these rare diamonds because these diamond traders and brokers highly value the investment aspect and more importantly, they value their diamond treasures as a collectible. Because of this, traders and brokers have full knowledge of the history of each individual diamond, the value of it and the most up-to-date diamond market information.

With the spotlight on pink diamonds, attendance at jewellery auctions is at an all time high due to the fact that the Argyle mine is slowly being depleted of its natural pink diamonds. It is expected that within the next 10 years, these precious pink diamonds will be even rarer which is great news for investors but more costly for those not already in the pink diamond investment world.

As of right now, pink diamonds are achieving record prices currently above $100,000 USD per carat and it’s currently estimated that by the year 2018, prices will reach over $750,000 USD per carat! The appeal and its never depreciating intrinsic value for pink diamonds is obviously the investment of a lifetime. Investors who have already recognized this have gained immensely from the pink diamond market and those just learning about its invincible market are all too eager to get started.

There’s nothing to be lost by heading over to the next jewellery auction to learn from the best diamond investors in the world. Learning insider information about the history and the valuable worth behind these dazzling pink diamonds is sure to guarantee you the best investment of your life!

{ 0 comments }

50 Top Celebrity Proposals, Part V

January 23, 2011 · 0 comments

Watching celebrities lives unfold can sometimes be interesting. They live their lives in the eyes of the public no matter what the circumstances are. At times these moments can be inspiring while other times can be humiliating. In this last in a series where I examined some of the breathtaking moments when celebrity women become celebrity brides, we’ll look at the last 10 in my list of 50.

1 Kara DioGuardi and Mike McDuddy

Kara DioGuardi is used to life in the public eye as a former judge on American Idol, so it comes as no surprise that her engagement to former school teacher and general contactor Mike McDuddy went public as well. While the two were on vacation in Mexico, Mike decided to pop the question while Kara sat in her thermal pajamas. With lit candles he presented a champagne citrine stone designer ring to Kara.

2 Stephen Moyer and Anna Paquin

While True Blood costars Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer were heating it up on screen, they were also secretly heating it up off screen. The pair managed to keep their relationship out of the public eye for quite some time before going public with their engagement. Stephen proposed to Anna in Hawaii on the beach while vacationing with friends.

3 Jeff Francoeur (Atlanta Braves) and Catie McCoy

The “beauty” Catie McCoy found true love with her “beast” when Jeff Francoeur proposed to her during a production of “Beauty and the Beast” in Atlanta. While in the theatre Jeff got down on one knee and gave Catie a diamond engagement ring. Hopefully this marriage ends just as the movie.

4 Nick Cannon and Selita Ebanks

Vitoria’s Secret model Selita Ebanks and Actor/Musician Nick Cannon had a night of magic when he proposed to her on May 7, 2007. After leaving the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala in New York, the couple headed to Times Square via limousine. On the JumboTron screen the words “Selita, will you marry me” appeared for her and the world to see.  After Selita answered with a yes the couple celebrated with friends and relatives at Butter. Unfortunately, the party may have lasted longer than the engagement. The couple broke up in October of 2007.

5 Tiffani Thiessen and Brady Smith

Former Saved By The Bell and Beverly Hills 90210 actress Tiffani Thiessen had a dream engagement to actor Brady Smith. Brady presented Tiffani with a scrapbook he handmade that showed their relationship step by step. Their wedding took place in July of 2005 in Montecito, California. Some of the celebrity guests included Jeannie Garth, Tori Spelling and Jason Priestley.

6 Travis Barker and Shannon Moakler

Tattooed rocker Travis Barker became engaged to actress Shannon Moakler on December 24, 2003 while on the Haunted Mansion ride in Disneyland. The couple got married in October of 2004 in California. Their wedding was inspired by the movie “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and was full of Goth inspired décor’. Two kids and a reality series later, the couple filed for divorce in 2006 and reconciled in 2007. After officially breaking up again the couple reconciled for a second time. It sounds like their marriage is still on the Haunted Mansion roller coaster.

7 Brendon Fraser and Afton Smith

Funny man Brendan Fraser had big plans to propose to actress Afton Smith. While on a vacation to Paris the couple was having a Polaroid picture taken of them. Right before the camera snapped the picture Brendan opened his coat to reveal a note that read, “Will you marry me, Afton?” Once the picture was developed he realized the words were too small so he had to open his coat a second time to reveal the note. The couple married in late 1998 and now has two sons.

8 Faith Hill and Tim McGraw

“Spontaneous Combustion” was the title of the tour and has since become the headline of the lives of Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. The couple met on tour in 1996 and Tim proposed to Faith right before a performance. Since Tim didn’t have time to hear what her answer was she wrote her answer on a mirror for him to see when he came off stage. The rest has been made history. The couple and their children lead the picture perfect lives.

9 Neve Campbell and John Light

British actor John Light and actress Neve Campbell had a romantic evening when he proposed. John recited lines from Shakespeare while on bended knee. Neve said yes and the couple married in Malibu in May of 2007.

10 Jake Pavelka and Vienna Girardi

We’ve all probably watched “The Bachelor” at one point in time, but the engagement of Jake Pavelka and Vienna Girardi was beautiful. While on the island of Saint Lucia Jake presented Vienna a three carat, princess cut, Neil Lane diamond platinum ring. While in her one shouldered teal dress Vienna said yes to Jake as he knelt on one knee. We all had hoped their romance would be as breathtaking as the engagement ring but it seems already to be over.

Celebrity proposals are not always what we think they will be. Some are corny and some are romantic, but one thing is for sure; it is always fun to see how the lives unfold of those whom we see in the public eye.

{ 0 comments }

Famous Names Add To Pink Diamonds’ Investment Appeal

January 20, 2011 · 0 comments

Pink diamonds have profoundly left their mark on society, not only as a fantastic investment but also, its natural one-of-a-kind beauty. Celebrities have only increased the appeal of a pink diamond’s stigma, adding to the effect of its rarity and value by displaying their expensive tastes on the red carpet.

As more celebrities flaunt pink diamonds, the more curiosity arises surrounding this unique gemstone. For many, it appears to be the new enviable and trendy fad to hit the red carpet but considering diamonds have been around for nearly 4 billion years, a pink diamond’s history goes just as far back as any other diamond does.

In 1643, long before there were cameras and red carpets, the first known pink diamond made its appearance. Originally presented by the King to Louis de Bourbon, Prince of Conde and Commander of the French Army during the Thirty Years War, the pink diamond was then bought by Louis XIII. Weighing in at 9.01 carats, this Conde Pink Diamond currently sits in the Musee de Conde in Chantilly, France.

Also discovered during this era, was a pink diamond called the Darya-i-Nur or, better understood in English, the Sea of Light. It has since been dated back to its discovery in 1642 although it wasn’t known until much later, in 1739. During this time, the invading Persian army took it from India and brought it back to Iran, where it remains today.

What makes the Sea of Light rose-coloured pink diamond so incredible is that it’s the largest pink diamond ever discovered! The carat size has remained debatable over the years, coming in at 175 carats all the way up to 195 carats, since the risk of removing the stone from its brooch setting for the past 130 years has been deemed too great of a risk.

The next most famous pink diamond that came to light was given as a wedding present to Queen Elizabeth II in 1947 by geologist, Dr, John Williamson. The Williamson, as it was later called, was originally a 54 carat piece of rough pink diamond that was cut down to 38.5 carats and gifted in the presence of Queen Mary to then, Princess Elizabeth.

During the next five years, the diamond was trimmed down to its current 23.6 carats in which Queen Elizabeth had a brooch designed after her favourite flower, the daffodil. With such a big stone and her penchant for brooches, this pink diamond was finally placed in the centre of a daffodil flower brooch that the Queen still wears favourably to this very day!

The historical and momentous occasions surrounding pink diamonds have left the though of wearing it seemingly untouchable and better worn by royalty. It wasn’t until 2002, when Ben Affleck gave Jennifer Lopez a pink diamond engagement ring, that the appeal seemed to hit a more realistic target. While their engagement didn’t last, the pink diamond had already left its significant mark towards the new surge in popularity of coloured diamonds.

Soon after the hyped-up engagement made front page news and pictures of the engagement ring covered gossip magazines, other celebrities began following the trend. Mariah Carey was next to take the spotlight wearing her 17 carat pink diamond engagement ring from, now husband, Nick Cannon. Estimated at $2.5 million, the centre stone is an emerald-cut, light pink diamond weighing in at 10 carats and is surrounded by 58 intense pink diamonds which are flanked by two half moon diamonds.

The most recent addition to the pink-diamond-wearing cast includes actress, Portia de Rossi, who was proposed to by TV Host, Ellen Degeneres, with a delicate 3 carat marquise-cut diamond whose band was decorated with pink pave diamonds. Although they’ve since married, Degeneres stole the show, not just for winning awards at the 35th Annual Daytime Emmys in 2008 but by also announcing their new engagement while showing off the amazing engagement ring on the red carpet.

Surrounded by famous faces, royalty and world-record breaking auction prices; it’s only expected that the demand for pink diamonds has shot up. With the Argyle Mine, in Western Australia, being known as the leading source for high quality pink diamonds, it has quickly gained notoriety since it’s opening in 1980.

Knowing that diamonds are millions, if not billions of years old, obviously, natural diamonds aren’t likely to regenerate anytime soon – at least not in this lifetime – which naturally leads to its depletion. This has pushed the pink diamond market into its highest demand yet, making the natural pink diamond more covetable and rarer by celebrities, jewellery collectors and investors than ever before.

If it’s one thing everyone loves about diamonds, it’s the luxury and rarity that it has to offer. Whether given as a gift or worn by royalty and celebrities, it definitely makes the owner feel exactly what a pink diamond is all about: Exclusively and luxuriously extravagant!

{ 0 comments }

50 Top Celebrity Proposals, Part IV

January 16, 2011 · 0 comments

Most celebrities have fabulous weddings that the public rarely gets to see, and proposals can be just as much fun. From the first date to the I-Do’s sometimes the relationships can be kept hush-hush. I have been reviewing the top proposals in a series of posts and here are 10 more that made the top 50.

1 Chris Bosh and Adrienne Williams

After dating for one year Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat and Adrienne Williams got engaged in Miami just outside of their home. After the proposal they partied with friends where Adrienne was seen sporting a large diamond ring.

2 Kendra Wilkinson and Hank Basset

Kendra Wilkinson and Hank Basset were atop the Space Needle when he popped the big question. Hank wasn’t originally going to propose that day but decided that it would be a huge surprise so he made the decision to do it anyway. After taking family pictures with both families Hank got down on one knee to propose. He presented her with a 2 ¼ carat diamond mounted with sixty diamonds and white gold. Sources say Kendra was extremely shocked and very happy.

3 Simon Cowell and Mezhgan Hussainy

American Idol’s former make up artist Mezhgan Hussainy and former judge Simon Cowell met on the set while filming episodes for the show. The couple starting dating in 2008 during filming. The engagement ring Simon presented her with is almost bigger than life. It is reported to be six carats and approximately $750,000. The age difference between the two (fourteen years) has not slowed them down.

4 David Walliams and Lara Stone

Finding your engagement ring in a hamburger may not be your idea of glamour; but if it was a $100,000 art deco ring from Tiffany’s you may think twice. This is how model Lara Stone found her ring from comedian David Walliams. Apparently David thought that since Lara always removed the top bun from her burger to remove items she didn’t want it would be a clever way to present her with the ring. After Lara accepted his proposal they went on a romantic vacation to Mexico.

5 Chad Michael Murray and Sophia Bush

With twenty bouquets of roses and five hundred candles on a tennis court, actor Chad Michael Murray proposed to actress Sophia Bush. The couple held an outdoor wedding overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica. Unfortunately, their marriage didn’t burn as long as the candles and they were separated just five months later.

6 Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan

Channing Tatum proposed to Jenna Dewan on an island in Maui. Channing invited their closest friends to view the proposal without Jenna knowing anything was going on. The couple met during the filming of the movie “Step Up” but didn’t begin dating until after filming was completed. The engagement ring was purchased from Neil Lane but no other details of the wedding were being disclosed.

7 Bill Rancic and Giuliana DePandi

In a helicopter ride over Chicago with pizza and champagne, season one winner of The Apprentice, Bill Rancic popped the question to E! News co-host, Giuliana DePandi.  The couple who had been dating for one year returned to Bill’s apartment which was filled with roses and chocolate cake. Their wedding took place in Italy in 2007.

8 Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott

With a horse drawn carriage ride that leads to a Christmas tree farm in Canada, Dean McDermott proposed to Tori Spelling. Lights led the way to a table for two in the middle of the trees. The couple soon wed and could not be happier. On every anniversary Dean presents Tori with a new wedding ring. She says it reminds her of the day she first became his wife. She says she looks forward to the day when she can pass on her large wedding band collection to her children.

9 Howie Dorough and Leigh Boniello

Backstreet Boys Howie Dorough found that singing in front of 40,000 people was easier than proposing to his girlfriend Leigh Boniello in front of the family. Howie made sure to ask Leigh’s family for permission; included in this were her parents and grandparents. The couple met in 2000 while she was working as Webmaster for his band. The relationship was kept quiet at first but  they decided it was time to share the news with the world right before the wedding. The ring was one round diamond surrounded by two smaller round diamonds that Howie designed himself.

10 Brandon Routh and Courtney Ford

Superman Brandon Routh wasn’t so brave when he asked girlfriend Courtney Ford for her hand in marriage. While the couple was painting a mural for a charity he asked her to reach into his pocket for his chap stick. Instead, Courtney came out with an engagement ring. Brandon said he was afraid he would say something dumb so he chose to do things the easy way.

Join me next time when as I take a look at 10 more celebrity proposals.

{ 0 comments }

50 Top Celebrity Proposals, Part III

January 9, 2011 · 0 comments

The celebrity world of proposals is both interesting and intriguing. It is fun to see where these couples have gone and mourn those who couldn’t go the distance. Regardless of how they end, the beginnings – through the proposals – are always filled with excitement and beautiful jewelry. Here’s a look at the next 10:

1.  AJ McClean and Rochelle Karidis

The Backstreet Boy is now off the market as he has officially proposed to girlfriend, Karidis. The decision was made while McClean was celebrating his birthday. McClean made a very public proposal to Karidis at a band gig, asking for her hand in front of the crowd while on stage. McClean gave Karidis a princess cut diamond ring, surrounded by at least 20 princess-cut diamonds on the band.

2.  Karolina Kurkova and Archie Drury

While visiting Capetown on Table Top Mountain in South Africa, Drury decided it was time to propose to Kurkova. Drury hid the engagement ring in his sock and then convinced Kurkova – who is scared of heights – to go up the mountain with him. The heights nearly distracted Kurkova from what was happening and Drury had to ask four times before he secured a, “Yes!”

3.  Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert

The “hillbilly” singer put on his best manners to secure the hand of Lambert. The country music duo make a cute couple and Shelton leaned on tradition for his proposal. Before asking Lambert for her hand, he called her dad to get his blessing first. Shelton then selected an engagement ring to offer to Lambert in a surprise proposal in the woods near Lambert’s home. She readily said, “Yes!”

4.  Bret Michaels and Kristi Gibson

Michaels has been known as the ladies’ man and constant bachelor for years, but his recent brush with death appears to have given him the kick he needed to make a big decision. After his brain hemorrhage, Michaels decided to finally propose to on-again, off-again girlfriend – and mother of his two daughters – Kristi Gibson – after the 4th of July weekend at his ranch outside of Scottsdale, Arizona. Some say the proposal never happened and Gibson’s ring is simply a promise ring – either way, the engagement ring is beautiful.

5.  America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams

The girl with the unusual name is set to tie the knot. Boyfriend Ryan Piers Williams reportedly went all out for the proposal, presenting Ferrera with a $70,000 diamond engagement ring. The 4-carat, round-cut ring is set in platinum. The two seem to be tight-lipped on the actual proposal, but happy with the results!

6.  Pink and Carey Hart

Never one to do things the traditional way, Pink actually proposed to Hart. The event took place during the motocross champion’s third lap on the race. Pink picked up a pit board and wrote, “Will You Marry Me?” on it and held it up in front of the grandstands. As Hart continued another lap, Pink wrote another message on the board, “I’m serious!” At that point, Hart let his competitors pass him, pulled over to the side and picked Pink up to give her a “Yes!”

7.  Courtney Cox and David Arquette

Life may not be all sunshine and roses for Cox and Arquette right now, yet the proposal the two shared is still one for the books. Known as the constant funny man, Arquette was able to rely on his softer side to ask for Cox’s hand. He proposed to her on a Florida beach, arranging for fireworks to go off at the same moment he popped the question. How could a girl refuse?


8.  Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman

Music executive Bratman proposed to singer Aguilera while vacationing in Carmel, CA. Bratman had a hotel room filled with rose petals and gift boxes. Each of the boxes contained a present and a self-penned poem. After Aguilera opened the last box, she found a 5-carat engagement ring. At that point, Bratman got down on one knee and popped the question. She, of course, said, “Yes!”


9.   Ellen Pompeo and Chris Ivery

Known as a very laid-back couple, Ivery proposed to Pompeo on her 37th birthday. The two were at the home they share and it was just after breakfast. Pompeo had no idea and was both shocked and thrilled. Ivery presented Pompeo with a 3.5-carat emerald-cut diamond set in platinum, which she readily accepted.

10.  Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood

This proposal was definitely one worth writing about as Brooks created an original proposal opportunity. The country legend popped the question during an unveiling of a bronze statue made of himself. The event took place at the Buck Owen’s Crystal Palace in front of 7,000 fans. When the statue was unveiled and he pointed to a wedding ring etched into “his” bronze hand, he then got down on one knee and asked Yearwood for her hand in marriage. Although completely overwhelmed, Yearwood said “yes” as she wiped away a tear.

Join me next time as I take a look at 10 more celebrity proposals.

{ 0 comments }

50 Top Celebrity Proposals, Part II

January 2, 2011 · 0 comments

As we continue on this journey into the celebrity world of proposals, I’ve found some fun stories and interesting approaches to nuptials. Some are repeating an engagement with the same person, while others may already be seeing the end of their marriage as I write this. No matter the outcome, however, some of these stories are quite “engaging”.

1.  Nicole Richie and Joel Madden

Richie and Madden have been a tight pair for some time, already building a family together with a 3-year-old daughter and a 13-month old son. Madden reportedly popped the question to Richie over a romantic Valentine’s weekend. When he presented Richie with a stunning engagement ring, she excitedly accepted.

2.  Jason Seehorn and Angie Harmon

Perhaps my favorite story within this set, Harmon and Seehorn shared their moment with literally millions on “The Tonight Show”. Harmon was a guest on the show, but refused to talk about her private life when pushed by host Jay Leno. Former football star – and Harmon’s boyfriend –Jason Sehorn came out on stage with a Diamond ring to pop the question. Harmon’s father was even on hand to provide his blessing over the proposal and a tearfully surprised Harmon accepted both.

3. Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller

Despite current problems between Sheen and Mueller, the proposal shared between the two was nothing short of sweet. While on a 10-day vacation at the Four Seasons Hotel in Costa Rica; Sheen proposed to Mueller with an 11-carat, $500,000 engagement ring. Mueller was reportedly caught off guard, but happily accepted.

4.  Katy Perry and  Russell Brand

The recently married Perry and Brand were engaged in a romantic ceremony at the Taj Rambagh Palace hotel in India on New Year’s Eve. Brand planned every detail of the proposal, including the dining experience and what Perry would wear. The couple arrived for the special evening in a horse and carriage. At midnight, they enjoyed fireworks while sitting on an elephant and were then taken to Mughal Garden where the engagement ring was hidden among the flowers. Perry found the ring, Brand proposed and Perry immediately accepted.

5.  Carmen Electra and Rob Patterson

Electra set out to plan her third trip down the aisle after Patterson proposed. The couple were celebrating Electra’s 36th birthday in Las Vegas when Patterson popped the question. The two had been dating for more than a year and Patterson presented Electra with a black stone engagement ring. She excitedly accepted his proposal.

6.  Beyonce and Jay Z

Beyonce and Jay Z were a steady item for about five years before he asked for her hand. Jay Z proposed to his favorite girl while the two were enjoying a romantic getaway in Cannes. He reportedly promised to get her the “biggest diamond she could fit on her finger.” Beyonce excitedly accepted the proposal. With the promise of that kind of ring, how could she refuse?

7.  Roselyn Sanchez and Eric Winter

Winter knows how to take romance to the next level, creating the perfect proposal atmosphere. Under a full moon at midnight, just two days before Christmas of 2007, the two were seated in a double kayak off the coast of the Puerto Rican island of Vieques. It is reported that Sanchez became worried when the guide in the other kayak paddled away, until she realized it was part of the plan. Winter presented Sanchez with a proposal and a 4.3-carat brilliant-cut diamond ring. She readily accepted and then realizing they were still surrounded by acres of sea, begged him to put the ring away for fear of dropping it in the water.

8.  Ali  Fedotowsky (The Bachelorette) and Robert  Martinez

Not all reality television shows focused on finding “the one” can gain attention as a great proposal. However, the end of the Bachelorette, featuring Fedotowsky as the one looking for love, the proposal from Martinez was nothing short of breathtaking. Rumors had been surrounding the show and Fedotowsky as she was reportedly planning to remain single. Perhaps it was the 3-carat Neil Lane engagement ring worth about $50,000 that changed her mind.

9.  Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green

The second time around may be the magic number for Fox and Green who are engaged – again. Green proposed to Fox on the beach of the Four Seasons Hotel in Hawaii. The two had picked out a 2-carat diamond ring together and Green presented it to her on their special day. The day ended with confusion, however, as Fox reportedly lost the ring on the same beach. Hotel staff members combed the sand looking for the ring, but were unable to recover the prize.

10.   Tara Reid and Michael Axtmann

Party girl Reid appears to be on the path to finally settle down – or at least make the commitment to party with only one man. After a whirlwind romance of less than a year, Axtmann asked Reid for her hand while having dinner at The Little Door restaurant in Los Angeles. Reid readily accepted and patrons throughout the restaurant clapped and congratulated the couple as Axtmann placed a beautiful round brilliant cut diamond ring on her finger.

Join me next time as I take a look at 10 more celebrity proposals.

Sam Kritsotakis
Eskae Private Jeweller

{ 0 comments }