When it comes to diamonds, many people talk learned of shape and cut as though they are the same thing. Confusingly, often they can have the same meaning – after all, things (including diamonds!) are cut into shapes. But when it comes to gemstones, there is a slight – but significant – difference between the two. Let us examine these, before looking at the most popular shapes for engagement rings, and the cuts that are required to achieve them.
What is a Shape?
As it sounds, a shape is the external silhouette of a diamond. For example, a diamond that takes the form of a heart (one of the most popular diamond engagement ring styles) is said to be a ‘heart shaped’ diamond. While you could say that it has been cut into a heart shape, you could not say that it was a ‘heart cut’ diamond.
So, What is a Cut, Then?
The cut, as well as forming the external shape, includes all the facets which are formed on the diamond. These facets (the word means ‘little faces’) give diamonds – in fact, all gemstones – their unique sparkling properties. This is because the crystals from which the stones are made reflect light in certain ways, and the cut can enhance or mute this according to the taste of the cutter.
Adding to the confusion, there are different kinds of cut too. Some words associated with the cut of a diamond: dull or brilliant, deep or shallow, refer to the reflectivity that the finished stone will throw out. So a flat, squared stone will almost always be ‘shallow cut’ because the stone does not have the literal depth for a ‘deep’ cut. The other kind of cut is usually named for the shape of the finished stone, but it refers to the many facets cut all over the stone, not just those used to create the external shape. A good example is the first and most popular shape and cut for a diamond that is to be used in a diamond engagement ring: the brilliant round. Brilliant means that the facets are designed (usually a vertical array) to make the diamond throw off a maximum of light, creating a brilliant sparkle, while ’round’ refers to the shape of the diamond, when seen from the top down. Let us look at popular engagement ring shapes and cuts in more detail.
Brilliant Round
As mentioned above, this stone is round when viewed from above. However, from the side, the diamond will have the traditional diamond shape, with a pointed end widening out to a girdle, before turning in and ending with a flattened top, called a table. When these stones are loose, they can be rested on their tables and examined for flaws, color, clarity and so on. This shape is the most popular as it shows good diamonds off to their very best.
Princess Cut
The second-most popular diamond cut for an engagement ring, not only does this stone have a beautiful name, it has a beautiful and rather unusual shape, being squared, but with those brilliant vertical steps to enhance the sparkle of the stone. If you have a stone that has slight imperfections that might be shown up by the spare lines of a brilliant round cut, a princess cut can be more forgiving, minimizing flaws and enhancing that desirable sparkle and symmetry.
Emerald Cut
An emerald cut is immediately familiar to anyone who has ever looked at emeralds! It is a rectangular cut, often with shaped corners, and lending itself well to flat wide stones – a formation that natural emeralds often appear in. While it is unusual to have diamonds with an emerald cut, it is not unheard of, and some people prefer the more muted hint of inner fire that this cut can give a diamond, rather than the overt sparkle of the traditional diamond cuts. Emerald cut stones have flat horizontal facets cut in steps that can be very forgiving of larger inclusions or clarity issues with a diamond. While it sounds like a ‘cheat’ in fact, diamonds are often improved, with the value increasing dramatically, by using the right cut to obscure faults and enhance the stone’s good points.
Oval Cut
The name is a perfect descriptor, and oval engagement rings look striking, adding to the aesthetics of the hand they are worn upon by making the fingers seem long, slim, and elegant. Again, the cut can be used to disguise flaws in a stone, or it can be used to maximize the carat value of the stone, with the shape being chosen to snip off occlusions, leaving only high-quality gem behind.
Marquise Cut
Always an evocative name because of its association with aristocratic wealth and opulence, a marquise cut stone is shaped rather like a narrow rugby ball: an oval that ends in two points, rather than curving softly. Like the oval cut, a marquise cut engagement ring is strikingly attractive, lengthening the fingers and giving the whole hand an elegant and delicate appearance.
Pear Cut
This unique cut is somewhere between an oval, with one curved end, and one more acute end – something like a tear drop. If the ring is designed so that the tapered end points towards the finger nail, it can create a wonderfully baroque, and yet aesthetically pleasing look.
Trillion Cut
For something distinctive and yet still beautiful, with that evocative brilliant sparkle, a trillion-cut diamond ring is rapidly gaining popularity. This stone is broadly triangular when seen from the top, can boast great depth, if the right size diamond is used, and looks very attractive when set into an engagement ring.
These are just some of the more common shapes and cuts that are used to create diamond engagement rings and hopefully now you can distinguish between a shape and a cut when discussing your own diamond preferences. Do make sure you look for accreditation from GIA and AGS, when buying a diamond: these two institutions are the guardians of diamond integrity in the USA, offering verifiable certification for all stones that pass through their hands. For more information and some extra shapes and cuts, check out this useful guide on diamond shapes from Pricescope, one of the largest impartial diamond and jewelry forums. Consequently, if you are looking for wedding gowns or bridesmaid dresses, check out website at Best for Bride.
Your wedding venue is probably the first big decision you’ll make when planning a wedding. There’s a lot to think about, so this can be a tough decision. Here’s how to find and choose the perfect one.
Types of Wedding Venue
The most traditional wedding venue is a house of worship, such as a church or mosque. These are usually available for the wedding only, but some also offer reception space. Hotel weddings are also popular, as you can usually have the whole day in one place. For large weddings, banquet halls work well. Looking for a rustic venue? Choose a barn. You could also get married at a vineyard, winery, garden, country house, restaurant, city hall, or even at home. No one type of wedding venue is better than another. It all depends on your tastes and needs for your wedding venue.
What To Look For When Choosing A Wedding Venue
When you start looking, dozens of venues are bound to come up. Narrowing down which ones are worth visiting can be tough. Start by considering some important factors.
Budget. What is your budget? If you’re on a tighter budget, look for packages, as these are often cheaper. Many venues don’t list their prices on the website, so you may have to call to enquire. Don’t look at a venue that you can’t afford, or you’re sure to feel disappointed when you can’t book it.
Location. Where do you want to get married? Is the venue easy to travel to? Is there enough parking for those who will drive? What public transport is available to those who won’t? Are there enough hotels nearby for all your guests/
Space. How many people will the venue hold? It’s no good falling for a huge country manor for 500 guests if you only want 50, and it’s equally troublesome to view an intimate public garden with room for 50 if you want 500.
Personality. Does the venue suit your style? If you’re a modern couple, is that church really for you? If you’ve always dreamed of a classic white wedding, is a funky downtown restaurant the best pick?
When Is The Right Time Book A Venue?
Popular wedding venues often book up well in advance, so most people book their venue at least a year in advance of their wedding. From first-hand experience with managing Davenport House, a large country house wedding venue in Shropshire, this is when most of our couples tend to book the venue.
If you want to get married on a weekday or a less popular time of year, then you might be able to leave it a little longer, but booking too close to your preferred date is generally not a good idea. Sometimes, if you book really far in advance, you may be able to get a bit of a discount too.
Where Do You Find Wedding Venues?
Google is the place where most couples start when they start looking for their wedding venue. Search for ‘wedding venues near me’ or search for wedding venues in the area you want to get married. You should find plenty of options this way and will find both venues’ own websites and listing sites.
Wedding fairs can also be a good place to find a venue. Many venues hold their own wedding fairs, so you can see how the venue might look when dressed for a wedding, look around the venue and find some local wedding vendors at the same time.
Also, you should always look into local registries as it’s a sure way you’ll find something in close proximity that works for you. Big Peach couples often choose an Atlanta wedding venue found here and book it as soon as possible. This ensures that they have a great spot and the date they want for one of the most important days of their lives.
Wedding Venues On A Budget
If you’re on a budget, don’t worry. There are some great options for wedding venues.
Family property. Does a family member have a large, beautiful garden? Maybe you could get married there? Garden weddings at home are very popular and can make for beautiful, relaxed ceremonies, with no money spent.
Small venues. Small restaurants, local bars, and town halls often have space for weddings that will be much cheaper than larger venues. If you’re planning a smaller wedding, one of these could be ideal.
Book early. Many venues offer deals for those willing to book well in advance.
Choose an unpopular time. Most people want to get married in the Spring or Summer, on a Saturday. These make those days much more expensive, thanks to the increased demand. If you don’t mind when you get married, you can save a lot by choosing a weekday, or getting married in the Winter or Fall.
Book a package. Lots of venues offer package deals, where you get venue, food, and items like flowers all included. These can often be cheaper and mean you know exactly what everything will cost from very early on, so you know how much you need to save.
Questions To Ask A Wedding Venue Rep
When you go to look at a wedding venue, you should ask the person who shows you round lots of questions, so you can find out as much as you can to help you make the right choice. When you’re looking, it can be hard to remember all those questions, so it might be useful to write them down before you go. You could also email over all your questions before the appointment, so your rep can find out the answers to anything they’re not sure about before you arrive.
Start with the basics to make sure the venue has everything you need. Ask questions about the space, and the practicalities, like setting up for the ceremony, and how the reception will work. If you need something specific, like wheelchair access, a quiet space for people to get away, or unisex toilets, your viewing is the time to ask.
Is the venue available on the date that you need it?
How many guests can the venue accommodate?
What are their wedding packages and what is included in those packages?
Will there be other events at the same time as your wedding, or will the venue be yours exclusively?
Is there somewhere that you can get ready at the venue?
Can you bring in outside food if you don’t want to use their catering?
How long can you have the room for? Can you drop things off the day before, set up the night before, and leave things to collect the next day if you need to?
Who will decorate the venue? When will you be able to get in to decorate if the venues don’t set up themselves?
Is there a smoking area?
Is the venue accessible to wheelchair users?
Is there a cloakroom?
Is there a bar? What sort of bar?
Is there a secure area to store gifts?
Ask some questions about how the venue is set up for weddings. Usually, you have to view venues empty (although you may be lucky and be able to see it set up for someone else’s wedding if the venue is ready in advance). If you can’t see your venue dressed for a wedding, these questions can help you to picture what it will look like.
How is the room usually laid out for a wedding? What layout options are there?
Do they have photos of past weddings at the venue?
Can you see it dressed for a wedding?
Who will be the contact on the day of the wedding?
What will you need to bring yourself? Ask about things like stands for signage, cake stands, a cake knife, and any other practical and decorative items that you aren’t sure who will provide.
Ask about decorations. Some venues have some basic decorations that they will put up for you, while others expect you to bring in everything. Some will have rules about things like lit candles or confetti, so ask first.
When can you start decorating?
Are there any restrictions on decorations that you can bring in?
Can you have candles?
Can guests throw confetti?
What decorations does the venue provide?
How many people can sit at each table?
Will they provide items like menus or place cards?
Are there high chairs available for children?
Ask plenty of questions about the food, especially if you have dietary requirements.
What are the different ways that the venue can serve food, such as buffet, family, or silver service?
Do they have in-house catering or preferred caterers?
Can you arrange a menu tasting? Is there a cost for this?
Are any drinks provided with the meal or for the toast?
Can they accommodate dietary needs?
How many menu choices can you offer your guests?
If you plan to serve alcohol, either via the venue’s bar or by bringing in your own, you should ask a few questions about this.
Does the venue have a liquor license/
Does the venue provide the alcohol and the bar service?
Are any drinks included in the price of your bookings, such as a welcome drink, wine with the meal, and a drink for toasting during the speeches?
Is there a cash or an open bar?
Is there a charge per bartender, or will the venue hire them?
What happens to any unopened bottles after the reception has finished? Will you be charged for these?
Can you bring in your own alcohol? Is there a corkage fee for this?
Are there any restrictions on their alcohol service?
For your reception, ask plenty of questions about music, dancing, or any other entertainment that you think you might like to have.
What kind of sound system do they have? If you need microphones for speeches, do they have those?
When can the band, DJ, or other entertainers set up?
What time do they allow you to play music until?
Can you bring in things like a photo booth? What are the rules for this?
Are there any photography or video restrictions?
Don’t forget to ask about the money too. Even if you know the overall cost or cost per head, you may have more questions.
Can you set up a payment plan?
What deposit is required, and when by?
When must the balance be paid?
What payment options are available?
What is the cancellation policy?
If you’re getting married outdoors, you should plan for the weather turning out badly for you. Nobody likes to think about it, but you should make sure that your venue has a back-up option available, just in case.
Are there any covered areas outdoors in case of rain?
Is there an indoor space you could move to?
Is there a generator for power outages?
Don’t forget to talk about some of the practical points that your guests will need to know too.
Is there overnight accommodation at the venue? Do they have deals with local hotels? Is there anywhere that they recommend?
What are the room rates for overnight stays for guests?
Is there a discount available for a block of rooms or rooms for guests?
Is there parking at the venue? How many spots? Where else can guests park if there aren’t enough?
Is there a valet service?
Is there a cost to park?
Is there anything else going on nearby on the same date that may make it hard for guests to find somewhere to park?
Is there a local taxi firm that they partner with to offer discounted rides to guests staying elsewhere?
It can feel like you’re asking endless questions, but it’s important to get all the information you need. As well as being beautiful, you want to make sure that your venue can cater for all your needs, whether that’s plenty of parking for all your guests, a safe, nut-free menu for your cousin with allergies, rooms for out-of-town guests, or a payment plan to spread out the costs. Much of this information can often be found on the venue’s websites or in their wedding brochures, so spend some time looking through these. Make notes, and don’t be afraid to make notes during your viewing to help you remember everything.
Start your research early, so you have plenty of time to find your dream venue, at the right price and with everything that you might need.
And if you need wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, bridal accessories and more, check out Best for Bride website.
Author Bio – Lizzie Adams
Lizzie Adams is the owner of the wedding business Davenport House which is a luxurious wedding venue located in the heart of Shropshire. Lizzie’s background as an international wedding planner and the stunning weddings created at Davenport means that couples get access to the very best wedding planning at the gorgeous Stately home and estate. From progressive, modern weddings to the more traditional country house affairs, Lizzie has seen it and planned it all. Lizzie is active on Facebook and Instagram and she’s happy to answer all of your wedding-related questions.
The overall impact of your wedding depends on the venue you pick. This is because your choice of location affects the theme, décor, lighting and other aspects of your wedding. It even affects your dress decision to a great extent. Hence, the venue decision isn’t one to take lightly. In fact, it is one of the first wedding planning decisions that every couple should make.
From indoor venues like barns, banquet halls and castles to outdoor venues like beaches and gardens, there are plenty of options to choose from. However, there are so many factors to consider when choosing your wedding venue. These include the following
When you look for your wedding venue, it is often difficult to ascertain whether a site is right without seeing it all decked up. To make the right choice, you should have a fair idea of what you want it to do, and how it can be transformed to suit your wedding plan. For many couples, this may be the first time they are hosting any event on this scale, and so it can be very confusing.
Set aside a realistic amount for the venue charges. If you are getting married in a church or house of worship, you will also have to factor in the donation for using the space.
Look at places where the rent is within your budget. Ask about any other charges or overheads in addition to the rent, so you know whether you can afford it. Also ask if the package includes services like an on-site co-ordinator or staff for serving cake and wine, or whether you will have to pay separately for these services.
Practicality of the venue
The location should be easy to access and your guests shouldn’t have trouble getting there. It would be best if both the ceremony and the reception venues were nearby or in the same location. This will be most comfortable, but if it is not possible, consider arranging transportation between the venues. See if you can have parking at the first venue and make transport arrangements to the reception.
The size is right
Look at the maximum number of people the site can hold. Don’t forget to accommodate for your band, musicians, buffet table and aisle when determining the maximum capacity. Only then will you get a clear picture of whether all your guests will fit comfortably in the space. If it is a small wedding, avoid a big venue. Being mostly empty will reduce the overall impact.
The rates for using it overtime
Venues are either charged by the hour, or for a certain slot of time. Ask about the extra charges you will have to pay if you wish to access the venue for a few extra hours, before or after the ceremony. Also ask for their rates if your wedding party extends late into the night.
Provision for disabled access
Check whether the venue allows for disabled access. It is likely that there will be older guests in your wedding party. The availability of washrooms on the ground floor would be convenient for them. Also, are there any outdoor seating arrangements that your wedding guests can use, if they have to wait before entering the venue?
Don’t forget to consider the practicality of the venue for the wedding look you have in mind. It wouldn’t be fun negotiating your way up and down a staircase, if you have chosen a mermaid-style wedding dress or a heavily layered one. So choose accordingly.
The more boxes you tick off this checklist, the better suited a venue will be for your wedding. For more wedding tips and ideas, keep visiting us at Best for Bride.
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