Things To Consider While Choosing LGBTQ+ Wedding Rings

Choosing the right ring can be tough for any couple. There are so many options available to couples. Everything is customizable. There are dozens of stores to pick your rings at. Once you find the place you want, you still have to choose a size, shape, setting, material, and so much more. Plus, rings are expensive so you want to make sure you get something you actually like. The whole process can be stressful. Now, place on top of that the challenge of choosing wedding rings for an LGBTQ+ couple. The wedding industry has been designed to benefit the straight couple for so long. This makes it more difficult for an LGBTQ+ couple to find rings that are not designed to be “his and hers” style rings. But finding the right rings for you and your partner is not impossible. With the stress of too many choices comes the blessing of so many options.

Match the Material 

You or your partner may have a preference when it comes to jewelry materials. Some love the rich looking white gold look while overs may prefer a more subtle silver. You may even want to go with a non-traditional ring material like wood or silicone. If you choose the same material as your partner, you will already have rings that look good together. 

Compliment The Other’s Style

Sometimes your materials may not match up. One of your could really be feeling a wood ring. The other could want to go with the white gold. There is nothing wrong with wanting to express your own style. But you can still keep the rings in the same vein by going with complimentary looks. You do not want them to clash. The rings represent your bond so they should work in tandem with one another. 

Consider Ethical Sourcing and Allergies

It is important now more than ever to be conscious of where our goods come from. There is an inherent guilt when buying a ring from a store that may not have ethically sourced diamonds. Even the other materials that are available could have a tragic backstory. You do not need to be part of the problem. Doing a little research on your rings’ history beforehand can bring a piece of mind. 

In the same way as not wanting to hurt the world at large, you do not want to hurt yourself or your partner. Some people have allergies to the irritants found in some rings. They may not even know they have the allergy until they try out the new material. To ensure health and safety, make sure you and your partner will be okay with the materials of your choice. It would be tragic to have to deal with a rash or worse from your rings on your wedding day.

Go with a Non-Traditional Centerpiece

Many individuals are opting to not go with the classic diamond in the gold setting. This can be because of ethical choices, feeling it is too old fashioned, or it does not represent who they are. It is starting to become the new normal to get a ring that is “not your grandparent’s style” rings. This gives more freedom to express yourself through your ring choice. Feel free to choose the ring that is right for you no matter what others may think.

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Reasons To Book a Professional DJ

The perception of the DJ has shifted in the modern era. With the boom of music streaming services, access to music is easier than ever. Buying equipment to play said music can be pricey, but is less complicated to set up than it used to be. With these innovations, individuals have started to use music streaming services. They buy cheap equipment to try and make a profit. Basically, everyone thinks they can DJ. To the untrained ear, they would be right. Anyone can curate a playlist and play it from their phone. But that is not what a professional DJ does. It is not just about playing a few songs and calling it a night. There is a finesse to being a professional DJ that an amateur cannot offer.

Better Crowd-work

A professional DJ knows how to please a crowd. They are the face of your wedding (other than you, of course). Public speaking and charisma are a must have for a professional DJ. Most amateur DJs do not take the time to practice their crowd-work. They are the entertainment for the evening. The responsibility of the wedding DJ is to keep the energy high and the guests engaged. Audience retention is not easy to maintain. A professional DJ will not let there be a lull in the energy.

Better Equipment

Most venues will have a sound system in place or some sort of extra equipment package. Sure, anyone could play through this system. But there is always the potential for troubleshooting or audio issues. An amateur will not know how to make a system work in a pinch. In the event the venue does not have a sound system, you definitely need a professional DJ. They will offer you packages they are familiar with. A professional DJ knows the proper system for different spaces. 

Better Sound Quality

In the same vein as better equipment, a professional DJ will know how to mix the audio for your wedding. They will know the volume the music should be at versus the microphones. The amateur DJ has a grasp of on and off. Past that, it is not very in depth. A professional DJ will make sure your audio sounds the best it can.

Better Time Management

Weddings have a lot of moving parts. An amateur DJ will not have the know-how of how long it takes to set up, when to take breaks, or when to stop. A professional DJ runs a tight ship and knows exactly when they should be transitioning. They will always transition more smoothly than an amateur would. Experience and charisma will give a professional DJ a leg up on an amateur.

Better Experience

All in all, you will have a better experience with a more experienced DJ. An amateur may be enticing since they are often less expensive. But you get what you pay for. If you value quality and peace of mind, go with the professional DJ. Your wedding is important so give yourself the DJ you deserve.

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How To Write The Perfect Speech

Making a speech at a person’s wedding is an honor. It is a chance for you to let the couple know how much they mean to you. The couple is putting their faith in you. They believe that you will speak about them in a personal and entertaining manner. All that pressure can be extremely stressful! There are dozens of examples of bad wedding speeches in movies, television, and even in real life. No one wants to give a bad speech (or hear one for that matter). Here are some tips to make sure your speech is exactly what it needs to be.

Plan Ahead

The key to writing a successful wedding speech is to start working on your speech early. Waiting until the last minute for a speech is never a good idea. Even the best improvisers struggle with speeches in the moment. Even “speaking from the heart” sounds better if it has been rehearsed. You can get a better idea of the beats and the length of your speech. The earlier you start the more you can change. You can put your best foot forward with a speech that is not a first draft.

Be Personal, Be Funny, Be Gracious 

Teetering the line of being sentimental and funny in a speech can be tough. You want to give a good anecdote without crossing a line. You want to get the guests choked up without getting uncomfortable. Choose memories that can thread that needle well. Avoid being mean for the sake of the joke. Remember that this is a celebration of love and should still be respected. In all instances, be gracious. Thank the hosts, the guests, the venue, and anyone else you feel needs a shout out. It takes a lot to put on a wedding so express your gratitude. This is also a good buffer in case you end up crossing a line. If you are concerned about a part of your speech, run it by someone. You do not want to be “that jerk” on the couple’s wedding day. 

Keep It Concise

No one likes a long speech. Keep it short and sweet. It is always better than a long winded speech.

Practice Makes Perfect

The first time you do the speech should not be at the wedding. You should practice saying it out loud to yourself as much as you can. Put the speech on your phone and run through as many chances as you get. Practice with a trusted friend. They can give you edits or help you figure out the speech’s pace. The more you practice the more prepared you will feel on the day of. That being said, you can still make mistakes on the day of. We are all human so we all will flub a word or two in our time. If you practice, it will help you recover better since you know what comes next.

Don’t Overthink It

Even though a wedding speech is a lot of responsibility, you do not have to overthink it. You are showing your support so no matter what you say you will be successful. Be encouraging and thoughtful and the rest will follow. All the guests are cheering for you to do well. No one will judge you even if you mess up. The wedding is about the couple; not about your speech. Stay calm and do your best.

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Should I Hire A Band or A DJ?

A wedding has to have music. Music is used in a variety of ways. It can get everyone on the dance floor. It can accompany the wedding party going down the aisle. It can give ambient sound while people eat and drink. Without music, weddings would sound weird. But who should be playing the music at my wedding? A band or DJ? Well, you cannot go wrong with either. It depends on what exactly you are expecting at your wedding. Weigh these pros and cons to see exactly what you need at your wedding.

The Pros of Hiring a Band

Bands give an electrifying feeling to a wedding. You can always tell when music is live. It tends to sound a little bit better when it is performed in front of you. It is a great way to promote a band you love or give business to wedding bands. Your wedding will stand out. This is especially true if everyone else you know has been using DJ services. They tend to be more self-sufficient. They set themselves up and play when they need to play.

The Cons of Hiring a Band

There is a lot of setup involved with a live band. They have their own unique equipment that will need time to set up and take down. Depending on the size of the band, they can take up a lot of room on your dance floor. Their musical stylings will likely be limited. If they are playing cover songs, they will never sound as well mixed as the original. If the band is bad or if there is a complication, you are stuck with that. There is always the potential for human error. Bands can also end up being more expensive since you are paying more individuals.

The Pros of Hiring a DJ

There is an unending list of songs that can be played. The songs will sound exactly the way you want them to sound every time. The more variety, the more moods that can be expressed. If the venue already has a sound system, the DJ will not have nearly as much setup as a band. You get a lot more bang for your buck with a DJ. DJs do not have to take as many breaks. DJs can be used for more than just music. They can emcee your wedding events as well. 

The Cons of Hiring a DJ

DJs tend to not be quite as memorable as a live band. They do not have as much of the personal touch a band might have. DJs can also take the spotlight and be more about their own self promotion. In either case, it does not benefit you and your partner. DJs can put dancing as the central focus. This is not always what a couple is looking for. A lot of people think they can DJ when you really should go with a good DJ service.

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