Planning your dream wedding this spring or summer? Local businesses have you covered!

Tim Brody - Editor

As temperatures warm up this spring, maybe love is in the air for you and that special someone? 

If you’re getting ready to pop the question to the love of your life, or perhaps you already have, an engagement ring is often one of the first things people think about purchasing.

Ralph Ireland of Ireland’s Jewellery said people shouldn’t get hung up on saving two or three months wages to buy a ring. Instead, he said people should purchase the best quality diamond they can afford.

“When you’re first starting out and looking to get married, you probably can’t afford a movie star type ring,” he said.

He said often people will upgrade their engagement ring five or six years down the road, “They’ll get a little better quality stone, a larger stone, or add stones to that ring. You don’t have to put down a huge amount of money at the beginning.”

When buying diamonds, Ireland strongly suggested people consider buying Canadian diamonds as they are conflict free.

When selecting a diamond ring, he said people should ask about the inclusions a diamond has, in addition to its colour, clarity, cut and carat weight.

“All diamonds have inclusions… you want the inclusions to be small, hidden, away from the facets… smaller, lighter colour, harder to see,” he advised.

Ireland said engagement ring styles have changed over the years, with three diamond trinity style rings becoming popular in recent years, as well as square princess cut diamonds.

“The last couple years it’s halos, a large diamond in the centre and then a halo of smaller diamonds around it to give it more flash, more brightness,” he shared.

Ireland said he prefers when couples come in together to shop for that perfect ring.

“I always prefer to work with couples. It’s more fun for me. The guys tend to want to make it a surprise. The lady’s going to be wearing that ring for the rest of her life, we hope, he’s going to be looking at it for the rest of his life, we hope... The idea of getting engaged, getting married, spending your life together, why not do that together as well?”

“The biggest thing is to pick the ring up, see how it looks, look at several of them, see how it feels on your finger,” he informed.

After your future partner says yes, it’s time to say yes to that dress or suit you’ve been dreaming of.

Dori Hopko of Dori’s Sewing Studio said it’s important everyone be comfortable in what they’re wearing for the big day and had a few tips on how people can look their best.

“I think my favourite tip would be, for the girls buying a wedding dress, do not go in with the mindset that you’re going to lose weight. It’s always easier to take a dress in, than it is to try and let one out and try to match the fabric. Same when the ladies are purchasing their bridesmaid dresses. I would prefer they go a size bigger.”

She added, “When you are trying garments on. It is important to have the proper undergarments while trying these dresses on because your body is shaped differently and fits differently. So if you have the proper undergarments, your end result looks much better.”

Hopko also had some tips for the gentlemen, “I think for guys we have to remember when they’re taking the measurements, it’s at your actual waist; not where a lot of guys wear their pants. 

“A lot of the grooms either stick to your traditional black and white or your black and a colour. Some of the younger generation is going to more of a navy or beige. It depends on what type of wedding you’re having, indoor, outdoor, destination.”

Strapless dresses have been a trend in recent years for brides she shared.

No wedding would be complete without flowers and Lesley Starratt of Cheers! Gifts, Baskets, Balloons & Flowers is happy to make couple’s wedding days bloom with joy.

She said it is important to let your florist know your budget and, if possible, provide them with some photos of the flowers you would like to beautify your special day.

Roses she said, are probably the most popular wedding flower, with coral being this year’s hot trend.

When you’re planning your special day, how you will capture those special memories to cherish in years to come is certainly a consideration.

Ashley Webster of Silver Birch Photography suggests, “Look for a photographer whose style matches your own and what you would like the photos of your special day to look like.”

Getting a list to your photographer of photos you want is a good idea she said.

“I think it’s important to tell your photographer about your story as a couple because it’s nice to get their personality in pictures,” she concluded.