Wedding Planning |

How do you know you’re ready for ‘I Do?’

December 7, 2016 Admin Comments 2 comments

Marriage is a huge step in a relationship. If you’re at the point in yours where you’re considering tying the knot, you might be wondering if you’re truly ready. After all, marriage is a lifelong bond. Taking that next step might seem a little frightening. So, how do you know you’re really ready to get hitched? Here are the eight major signs that you’re ready to say “I Do.”

Your Communication Skills Are Top Notch

Communication is perhaps the most important element of making a long-term relationship work. When you have trust and openness with your partner, you can talk about anything with them. When you can talk openly and honestly in your relationship, you’ll avoid many problems and be able to clear up your disagreements much more easily, as well as be able to understand your partner’s perspective.

You Accept Each Other For Who You Are

This might seem like a simple one, but not every couple can check this one off the list. Some people might like their partner, but think of them as more of a “fixer upper.” Or they might think that marriage will change them, and all the problems in their relationship will go away once they exchange vows. But this kind of wishful thinking is merely fantasy. Marriage does not magically change a person. Before you say “I do,” make sure you love your partner for who they already are, flaws and all.

You’re On The Same Page About The Future

Marriage is about spending the rest of your life together, so you need to make sure you and your partner have similar plans for the future. This can be everything from whether or not the two of you want children, to where you ultimately want to live, to how you like to save and spend your money. Whatever your plans for the future are, you’ll want to be sure you and your partner are on the same page.

They Lift You Up

A healthy relationship should make you feel like the best version of yourself. Being with someone who believes in you and cheers you on (in all aspects of your life) can drastically improve your life. If your partner supports you and makes you feel like a winner, you’ll have a much happier life together.

You Know You’re Ready To Stop Playing The Field

If you’re thinking of getting married, you’re also thinking about the end of your dating life as you once knew it. Since marriage is a lifelong commitment, you need be confident that you’re done with dating other people before you make or accept a proposal.

You Want A Marriage, Not Just A Wedding

Are you excited about the thought of spending the rest of your life with your partner, or just excited about the wedding day festivities? A wedding should be merely the side effect of having found your partner, not the main thing you want. Make sure it’s your partner you’re excited about and not just the idea of an extravagant party.

Your Family And Friends Approve

Marriage is not just a merging of two people. There’s a common saying that when you marry someone, you also marry their family. Before you say “yes” to marriage, make sure your trusted friends and family approve of your partner.

You Can’t Imagine Your Life Without Them

The last, and most telling, sign of whether you are ready to say “I Do” is if you can’t imagine your life with out your partner. If, when you think of your future, you simply can’t imagine a life without your partner in it, you might be ready to finally tie the knot. If you can’t see a future without them, it’s probably time to ask them if they feel the same way.

Once you know you’re ready to pop the question, there are only two things left to do: plan the proposal and get the perfect ring!

You’re Engaged!… Now What?

July 31, 2015 Admin Comments 0 Comment

Congratulations!! You’ve just made one of the most life-changing decisions that some people only dream of: You’re engaged to be married! Once the initial haze of bliss fades it might be overwhelming thinking about wedding planning and invites and flower arrangements, oh my! But fear not, with a little planning, a great attitude and a lot of gratitude, the next major steps you take after you become engaged can be a breeze. Here is a list of a few concrete steps to take first:

1. Celebrate!

Take as much time as you want to just bask in the joy of it all.

2. Insure Your Ring

Back to reality. Anything can happen. INSURE YOUR RING! We cannot stress that enough. Engagement rings are an investment. Get all your paperwork in order, get your ring appraised, your center Certified and get everything insured. Of course nothing means more than the powerful statement of love and devotion behind your engagement ring and that is even more of a reason to insure your beautiful, new engagement ring.

3. Think about the Particulars

Start daydreaming about when and where you want your wedding to be. Do you want a big wedding in the country in the middle of Summer? Maybe a small, elegant affair in the heart of your favorite city? Your thoughts might wander to the inconvenience of your guests but don’t let that deter you. This is YOUR wedding. You can have it any way you want it to be. And if you really don’t want to inconvenience anyone, elope!

4. Set A Budget

If you got it made like Heisenberg.. well you wouldn’t be reading this to begin with. But if you’re like the rest of us, you need to set a budget. Budgets aren’t sexy but saving money is. Do your best to put as little as you can on credit. You don’t want to spend the next decade paying for one day, even if it seems worth it at the time. It’s not. Be reasonable and have a little fun with it. DIY wedding projects are a blast if you do them with some fun bridesmaids and wine!

5. Pick a Dress

The best part!!! Once your budget is set and you have an idea of how and when you want your wedding to be, you can start thinking about your dress and even your bridesmaids dresses. Soooooooooo many choices! Great resources are The Knot’s Lookbook they have in every issue, and Brides Magazine.

We hope this tiny guide helps you in the scary initial phases of wedding planning. Congratulations on your engagement! Just remember, this is your day. You can have it anyway you like! Have some tips we missed? Share them in the comments!

How To Buy a Natalie K Engagement Ring

February 21, 2014 Jennifer

Purchasing an engagement ring is not only a financial investment but an emotional one as well. We know a lot of time and consideration go into finding the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, the same should be true of your ring search. It’s a personal and intimate choice you, and perhaps your partner want to make together. We know just how important it is to find an engagement ring that means a lifetime of love to you.

We know just how important it is to find an engagement ring that means a lifetime of love to you.

But with so many choices and styles it can be a little overwhelming. Don’t fret, that’s why we’re here. We want you to be brilliantly happy when you find the one, by helping to make your ring purchase special and painless. While we have a website that gives detailed information on many of our styles and options we are not a retailer. Our designer brand is carried across the U.S. and the world at trusted and expert jewelry stores which are open and waiting for you.

If you’ve browsed our site, scrolled through our Facebook or Instagram feed maybe you’ve already found a ring you love! Your first step is to take note of the style number, which looks a lot like this: NK12345-18W. If the style number isn’t listed with your image feel free to email us with the image at info@nataliek.com or give us a call at 1.800.688.6101 and we can help. But keep in mind we do not provide prices.

For prices or estimates you’ll need to find the store nearest you. Our site offers a store locator to make that step easier, simply type in your city, state or zip code and click submit! Pictures are one thing but finding the ring of your dreams and seeing it sparkle in your hand is incomparable. That’s only one of the many benefits of walking into a store yourself.

Online dealers tend to imply that brick and mortar stores present some kind of challenge. As if you’re only allowed to go in as an expert with an exact idea of what to purchase, but that’s not the case. We’re not all experts, we don’t expect for anyone to enter knowing exactly what they want. Take the time to browse and take advantage of a jeweler’s expertise. Ask questions, and let your imagination run wild, because being in touch with a jewelry store also allows you to customize your ring. From black gold to rose gold, diamonds to sapphires, just go in with an open mind and open heart.

Don’t forget they’re there to help you. At the moment of purchase and in the future. Having them nearby is a great way to check in from time to time for cleanings, fittings and even repairs if necessary.

Take the time and you’ll find the ring you’ve been looking for.

5 Secret Ways To Figure Out Her Ring Size

January 24, 2014 Jennifer

This week we’re shaking things up a bit! Our Fashion Friday Trend Reports are all about introducing details, options and tidbits of information that can help you choose the perfect ring, but we were recently asked a question on our twitter that made us realize we hadn’t covered all the bases!

Hello, a friend needs to surprise his girlfriend by giving an engagement ring but dont know her size. Ideas?@NatalieKJewelry

— Olanrewaju Rotifa (@Olareh) January 17, 2014

Say you’ve found the perfect ring, it calls your name, but you have no idea her ring size!? You want to make it a grand surprise proposal, but it won’t end well if the ring doesn’t fit. Let’s go through a few good, stealthy ways to figure out her ring size. Tip #1, your jeweler is your friend!

Trace a Line Take a look in her jewelry box, does she have a ring she’s fond already fond of that she wears on that special finger (either, right or left, hand is just fine). Sneak in a pen and paper and trace the inside of the ring! Take it into the jeweler and voila!
Soap?! If you’re worried you might not get the perfect outline try making a quick impression in a bar of soap. This will give a pretty accurate read when compared with a ring sizer!
Use a Candlestick Less likely to find around the house, but easy to get your hands on is a tapered candle stick. Take the ring, slide it down and make a gentle impression or mark where the ring falls comfortably! Tada! Make shift mandrel*!
“Borrow” a Ring Want to get a more accurate measurement, try swiping one of her rings for the day to take to your jewelers. Of course it’ll have to be a least favorite, one she won’t notice, otherwise the jig is up and you’ll have some explaining to do!
Enlist a Partner If you can’t get a moment alone with her treasure chest, go it the easy route. Ask around, her mom, sister, father, best friend, cousin twice removed! Anyone she’s close with whose done a shopping trip with her or bought her jewelry might already have the inside scoop. If not, maybe take up a partner in crime and have someone do a quick shopping trip.

If all else fails, take a guess! Most jewelers carry a stock size somewhere between 6.5 and 7, your jeweler can almost always resize the ring post proposal. But if you’re in doubt, size up! You’ll be able to slip the ring on her finger for the perfect proposal picture (remember guys get a photographer) and have it sized down later.

Find the perfect Ring on NatalieK.com and see it at your local jeweler!

* A tapered metal tool used to determine rings sizes, you can see one in the image above.

Five Tips for How to Plan the Perfect Proposal!

October 16, 2013 Jennifer

The lights dim, the violins play, suddenly you’re down on one knee and with your heart in your throat and tears of joy in her eyes, you utter the words she’d been waiting for. “Will you marry me?”

Women dream of the moment they get to choke out, between joyful sobs and uncontrollable giggles the word “YES! Of course I’ll marry you.” And we know it can be a bit scary, but the proposal is all about happiness and union. Don’t fret, no matter how you ask, it will always be perfect. And to help, just a little, here are a few tips gathered from the experts.

Ask Dad (or Mom): We know it seems a little antiquated, and probably a bit terrifying (if you’re not on the best terms) but nowadays it’s much more a gesture than a requirement. You’re not asking for permission, but asking them to join in on this very special moment. You’re taking them into account and already bridging the family gap. And while you’re special girl may not have put this on your radar 83% of women would like their dad to be asked beforehand, and 25% would love to have their mothers included too. If you need a little more reassurance check out theartofmanliness.com
Find the Perfect Ring: While there is a vast percentage of couples who collaborate on finding the perfect ring, there is a bit of magic in opening a ring box she’s never seen to reveal the ring of her dreams you chose yourself. It can be a bit daunting, here’s a few fail-safe tips. Play James Bond and snag one of her rings to size her up, sneak a peek at her Pinterest page and scope out her style and if all else fails have her friends do a little detective work on your behalf! (We’ve also got some helpful posts on the 4Cs here)
Make it a Surprise! We cannot stress this enough! The *gasp* moment requires a little romance and a lot of shock and awe! While marriage might be in the cards and she might even be expecting a proposal make sure the moment of is out of left field. 88% of women say that the ‘surprise factor’ is majorly important.
Catch it on Film! Or digital recording device, or Polaroid, get it carved in stone!!! It doesn’t matter how you do it, just be sure there is someone or something there to witness and capture the special moment. Her expression will be priceless and except for her look on your wedding day nothing will compare. We suggest hiring a professional photographer, who can discreetly and candidly capture the moment. They’ll know what they’re doing and know the best angles. Better yet, you can have an impromptu engagement shoot!
Don’t Forget to Ask the Question: Though the ring, fancy dinner, nice suit and wobbly knees are a dead giveaway don’t forget to actually pop the big question. 68% of women say that the actual question “Will you marry me?” is essential and another 29% say it’s not a deal breaker but they’d prefer to hear it.

For some inspiration check out The Knot’s top 50 proposal idea s, How He Asked’s expert advice tab, and The Art of Manliness!