Have You Just Only Started Dating?

While love doesn’t work on a set timeline, in most cases it’s wise to be sure you’ve given yourselves enough time to get to know each other. If you’ve just only met, chances are the timing isn’t right to propose.

You need time together as a couple to experience highs and lows, so you see how you function in both.

Marriage isn’t meant to be rushed, so even if you know this is the person you want to spend your life with, if you’ve just started dating then there really is no rush. You’ve got your whole lives together, so be sure to spend enough time in the dating phase first.

Have There Been Discussions about the Future?

Have you and your significant other talked openly about the future? Do your plans and goals match up? You want to be sure you’ve discussed such things as job goals, where you want to live, in what kind of dwelling you want to be, if you want kids and how many, etc. The only way to discover if your futures match-up is to talk about them.

For some couples this can be a hard and difficult subject to broach and there is no reason you have to lay out all your plans in one discussion. The lines of communication should be open at all times so that as things pop up, you can feel free to discuss them.

Have You Discussed Finances?

This is one of those conversations that can be very uncomfortable and because of that many couples choose not to have the conversation at all. The unfortunate thing is that the leading cause of divorce is finances. 

Don’t worry if you find this difficult. According to a survey, 46% of men would also be fine with sharing details of their personal spending habits, whereas 68% of women keep their lips sealed.

Being open and honest with each other about the state of each of your finances and how you see your future finances is imperative in creating a strong and lasting relationship.

Are You Ready for the Commitment?

Perhaps the biggest question to ask yourself is whether or not you are ready to make the lifelong commitment to this one individual. Are you ready to think of yourself as a unit rather than just you on your own?

It’s a heavy question and one that you should give lots of time to. You don’t want to feel pressured or rushed into deciding what you can handle. The fact of the matter is that usually once you find that “right person”, commitment comes easily. 

Ready for the Leap

Once you’ve decided you are ready to propose and feel excited to do so, all that’s left is to ask that special person for their hand in marriage.

The post 5 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Deciding To Tie The Knot appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

This article will look at five ways to pop the question this Valentine’s Day, but before we get into that, it might be worth heading to somewhere like hatton garden jewellers in order to get some ring inspiration.  There are a variety of standards banded around about men needing to spend anything between two and three months’ salary on their engagement ring, but in reality, this loses the very essence of what a proposal is.  

A proposal is simply declaring to someone that you want to spend the rest of your life with them based on the alignment and significance of connection you share – it shouldn’t be predicated on buying a fancy ring, however, as a society we have been conditioned to place a great deal of emphasis on the quality and size of the diamond that accompanies the proposal.

  HOORAY - WE’RE GETTING MARRIED!!: The engagement post

Here are three quirky ways to consider popping the question this Valentine’s Day:

Pamper Evening

Go to somewhere like Lush and arrange a pamper evening where you have a nice bath together, wash your partner’s hair, gently pour jugs of warm water down her back and conclude the evening with a sensual massage where you save the left hand for the last – and as you massage that hand, slip the ring on her finger, and gently pop the question in this wonderfully understated way.

Go To The Cinema

There’s substantial advice around the idea of not going to a cinema on your first date, and at first glance, the concept of proposing in a movie theatre might seem a little flat, however, if your partner loves films or there’s something meaningful about a particular cinema – you can purchase a one-off advert at the start of the show and create a thirty-second video showing your journey so far; with the question either appearing on screen, or it could be simply whispered in their ear.

Kidnap Her

Okay, the title might be a little off – but the idea behind it is rock solid.  Explain to your partner that you’ve arranged a surprise and that you need to blindfold her before setting out in order to not ruin the surprise.  

In doing so, you’re building anticipation… and once you arrive at your destination, let’s say a beautiful secluded beach such as Bedruthan Steps, walk her down to the magical spot (still blindfolded) have something wonderful set-ups such as a campfire, picnic, and tent with tons of blankets… get down on one knee and tell her she can finally remove the blindfold.

In summary, proposing isn’t just about buying a fancy ring and asking the question in an expensive restaurant – it should be personal and magical. It should be inventive and tailored to her specific interests and the dynamic of your relationship; sometimes people overcompensate with physical gifts (such as a fancy diamond ring) when what women really want is to feel special, significant, and cared about in an action-based way where their partner makes an effort to be creative.

The post 3 Quirky Ways To Pop The Question This Valentines Day appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

The only thing is, you just don’t know where to start, but that’s where we come in. Here’s a comprehensive list of all you should accomplish in the months after you’re engaged and before you’re married. Get ready: it’s going to be a busy, beautiful, unforgettable time of your life — let’s get started.  

Celebrate Solo

You’ve probably already snapped pictures of your ring, shared them with loved ones and maybe even posted them on social media. Still, make a point to celebrate your engagement with your new fiancé before you dive into the rest of your engagement and pre-wedding responsibilities. This is the beginning of a busy time for you both, so enjoy a loved-up dinner date or weekend away before getting started.

We curled with a tin of personalised engagement biscuits from Biscuiteers and made a list of places we would research for potential honeymoon ideas. There are so many places we’d love to travel to, so it was really exciting scribbling down a list of all the countries we could go to. These are undoubtedly the best biscuits I’ve ever eaten in my entire life – they’re so moreish! I am biased, as biscuits are my vice, but even my fiancé agrees!

Tell People in the Right Order

We’ve already touched on the sharing-of-the-ring Instagram, and you’re certainly free to post one. Just make sure you’ve alerted your nearest and dearest so that they’re not finding out online.

A good rule of thumb is to start with your and your fiancé’s parents. If you can, divulge the news in person. Of course, not every engagement happens while you’re home or near to your family. In that case, hop onto FaceTime or another video-calling service so that you can see everyone’s faces when they find out you’re engaged.

Then, tell everyone else who has to hear it directly from you: siblings, best friends, grandparents… whoever should know before the general public. Then — and only then — should you break your engagement news on social media.  

Plan an Engagement Party

Now that you’ve taken time to celebrate with your fiancé and told everyone closest to you, it’s time to plan an engagement party! This isn’t necessary for every couple — some prefer to stick to bachelor(ette) parties, wedding showers and the actual wedding — but others like to kick off the wedding festivities with an engagement celebration.

Typically, the bride’s parents are in charge of planning an engagement party, but you don’t have to stick to this trend. Like your wedding, your tastes will be different from the next bride-to-be, so don’t feel as though you have to conform to tradition. Invite your best friends and family members and it’s sure to be perfect.

**PSST** Need some inspiration for tasty treats at your engagement party? Just sayin’.. 

Come Up With a General Timeline

At your engagement party, a lot of guests probably asked when you’d be walking down the aisle. You don’t know this, of course — you just got engaged. However, once the post-engagement excitement starts to wane, you should begin to map out your planning timeline.

You won’t be able to choose a particular date and run with it. But choosing a few weekends or a month in which you’d like to have your wedding is a great start. Booking your venue will be the deciding factor in the date for your wedding, so, unless you want to get married on a date that’s special for you and your significant other, you can’t set a date until your venue okays your nuptials.

Once you know around when you’re getting married, it’s time to start laying out how you’ll prep for the big day. You can hire a wedding planner, of course, or just follow a typical wedding planning timeline to get yourself on track and ready for your walk down the aisle.

Draw Design Inspiration

What will your colours be? What kind of flowers will you carry? Do you want a mermaid-style dress or a ball gown? You might have answers to these questions at the ready; if not, you can start looking for design inspiration to help you choose your wedding jewellery in all the familiar places.

Sites like Pinterest will help you come up with ideas for literally everything you could dream up for your wedding. You’ll find location ideas, decoration inspiration, colour combinations, hair-and-makeup looks, dream honeymoon destinations and more. Seriously, start a bridal inspiration Pinterest board of your own to see where your tastes lie.

This will be especially important when you head to the bridal shop to try on gowns for the first time. Envision your entire look — including the wedding jewellery you’ll wear aside from the rock on your finger — and keep your must-haves in mind as you shop. If you dream of wearing dramatic chandelier earrings, for example, you won’t want to pick up any other accessories to go with your gown. You’ll have to find up-do inspirations so your hair isn’t blocking your show-stopping jewellery.

Get Started

Now that you’ve had the celebration, drawn up a timeline and found your design inspiration, you’re ready to fully dive into planning. Again, this time will fly by, so don’t forget to pause, look around and really enjoy your wedding preparation. Before you know it, you’ll be walking down the aisle, so savour every moment.

For now, though, it’s time to start with step one: celebration. You’re newly engaged, after all.

The post Things To Do After You’ve Got Engaged! appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

You can find many types of wedding rings in the market starting from the ones that are embellished with colorful stones to stunning vintage designs. Just ensure that you get the best deal when you’re purchasing one so that you can save some of your precious bucks. I am here today with the five most exquisite designs of wedding rings available in the market now to make the whole episode of finding a perfect one for your partner an easy and convenient one. So, let’s get started!!

Coloured Diamonds

If you want to give a modish touch instead of the traditional style then a colorful diamond is one of the best options to choose from. The pretty and stunning fancy colored diamonds like yellow or pink creates an extraordinary look without being too much over the top.

Moreover, if you have a bold choice then you can either go for black colored or chocolate diamonds which just look absolutely fantastic!

The Quirky Halos

The halo settings are something that has captured the market of wedding rings for quite a long period of time. And it is still the talk of the town in 2017. The row of dazzling diamonds which remains in the surrounding of the ring attracts the attractions towards the quintessential look of the center stone as well as even make the whole ring look big in size.

Now, in the current year, there have been few remarkable modifications in such designs like the vintage trends and geometric as well as expensive halos which make them look yet more striking!

Scrollwork Settings

This type of wedding ring is extremely on-trend nowadays. And why should it be not that even? The extremely organic look of this type of ring with a vintage touch in it is just awesome! Moreover, the ornate setting, as well as the scrollwork, give a yet more astoundingly playful and unique feel. So, this will be just more than perfect for your beloved life partner!

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The Classic Twist

At the first glance, this type of ring looks very simple but there’s more in such rings than what meets the eyes. You can see the prongs around this type of ring a little bit twisted in such a way that it would fall at the same position where 12, 6,3, and 9 falls in a clock.

Moreover, you can even find in some unique designs that the diamonds which lie on the bands are twisted around the same in spite of lying in the same straight row. That’s how these rings get an outstanding look!

Double Shanks

Won’t it look immensely spectacular if you can find a band of diamonds in your wedding ring? Well, when you go for such a double shanks wedding ring you’ll not only get one but also multiple bands of tiny diamonds embedded in it. It’s just simply pretty and a ring of such a design will look more architectural and give a unique, elegant, and trendy feel.

So, make sure that before you finally decide on the wedding ring that you want to buy, you’ve got the aforementioned designs in your mind. I can assure you that if you choose any of these designs, your wedding ring will certainly end up becoming the center of attraction!!

Author Bio: Clara Decker is a free time writer and full-time internet surfer. She likes to work on making in-home life better in society. She lives like an entrepreneur to support her husband at the month ends. Connect her on Facebook.

The post The Top 5 Engagement And Wedding Ring Trends For 2018 appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

An easy way to narrow down your search is to consider your own personality while you look at rings, as some designs simply won’t suit your aesthetic. If even that seems too broad, don’t worry: we’ve narrowed down the following five styles to help you pair your bling with who you are on the inside.    

If You’re Traditional and/or Practical…

Don’t think of traditional as being old-school or out-of-fashion. Instead, a traditional bride-to-be is one who wants her wedding look to be timeless. This aesthetic likely transcends into your day-to-day life, too: your wardrobe is simple and subdued with pieces you invest in and wear for years and years. Your ring is will be the ultimate accessory to this pre-existing style.

A traditional ring is also perfect for the practical side of your personality. That’s because a traditional ring is, well, traditional: in other words, it’s unlikely to go out of style because it’s been in style since the inception of the engagement ring itself.

The traditional ring is easy to find. Typically, it’s a single diamond set on a simple band so that you can wear it with anything. Don’t be fooled, though: your traditional ring doesn’t have to be cookie-cutter, and there are plenty of different band colors, diamond cuts and settings to choose from while remaining true to your classic side.

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If You’re Modern…

Modern is very similar to traditional, but with a twist: you’ll probably have the same simple band, but your diamond will be cut or set in a way that’s much sleeker. A perfectly circular or geometrically cut diamond will be yet another piece of modern art for you to enjoy — and wear.

You might be a modern bride if you want your wedding day look to be clean with simple lines: think a spaghetti-strapped slip dress or a seemingly simple long-sleeved, A-line frock with a completely open back.

If You’re Bohemian…

Not everyone can pull of an effortless, breezy, Bohemian look — and then there’s you. From your fashion to your home décor, you know how to put together fabrics, vintage pieces and art to create something one-of-a-kind. You envision lots of flowers, lace, a loose braid and maybe even some cowgirl boots on your wedding day: no princess vibes from you whatsoever.

Your engagement ring should, therefore, come without frills. Instead, speak to your inner free spirit with a moonstone or opal rock at the center of your ring instead of a traditional shiny diamond. You can also look for intricate bands with nature-inspired designs, for example, to suit your style, too. 

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If You’re Trendy…

Trendy could encompass any of the other styles on this list because it’s an ever-changing way to describe one’s style. If you’re trendy, you not only stay abreast of all the latest crazes, but rotate your own style to match what’s on the catwalks and sidewalks around the world.

Therefore, a timeless engagement ring wouldn’t really suit you at all. Sure, others might argue you’ll grow tired of a trendy ring — one with a rose gold band or a pear-shaped diamond, for example. But, knowing you, you’ll know how to make it work no matter what style comes to the forefront next.

If You’re Glam…

Finally, it’s time to consider the glamorous side of your personality. If that’s the truest reflection of who you are, then an extra-large rock with diamond-encrusted band would be the minimum requirement. For one thing, it will have to be big in order to stand out amongst the bling you already wear on a day-to-day basis. Plus, a glamorous engagement ring will match your girly style, picture-perfect makeup and well-manicured nails better than any other ring type on this list.

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If You’re Still Not Sure…

Perhaps none of the above styles quite describe you — don’t panic. Instead, the best way to figure out the ring you like best is to start window-shopping. Head to a local jewellery store, peruse and try on the bling that catches your eye. Maybe it won’t be an perfect representation of your character, but just a ring you really, really like. Once you wear it every day, it will become a part of who you are, personality included.

The post What Style Of Engagement Ring Fits Your Personality? appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

In 2015, my boyfriend of 6 months moved in, 1 year later he’s down on one knee asking me to marry him, and in 2 years’ time we’ll be tying the knot in front of our friends and family in Cornwall. Someone, please tell me, how did I get so lucky to hold onto such a catch? I’ll save you the mushy reasons why I’m so ridiculously happy in our relationship and jump straight to the part when we got engaged two weeks ago…

One month before my birthday we were scanning the internet to figure out what to do on the weekend I turn 26. Initially, we were going to head back to Snowdonia because I absolutely loved our trip there last year, however, after a bit of searching, we decided to go somewhere different. I’d always wanted to go to the Alps, so what better time than my birthday?! Flights were surprisingly cheap, considering it was ski season, and we found ourselves a lovely little log cabin with a wood burner in a forest at the base of the mountain range in Chamonix Mount Blanc. We headed out for a week because we knew there for plenty to see and do there, and hey – why not!? We’ve been working so hard recently, we deserve it.

Birthday treats started from the airport duty-free shops on February 28th- EEK! S ensured I had plenty of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, anything I wanted in the airport and plenty of tea to keep me awake. We flew out from Bristol airport, which meant the journey wasn’t anywhere near as bad as what we usually have to endure. We arrived at Geneva airport in Switzerland in the late afternoon and then jumped on a bus that took us across the border up into the French Alps. The traffic was pretty horrendous, so we arrived relatively late so after we dropped our backpacks at the log cabin, we decided to pop across the road for dinner instead of going into Chamonix centre. Little did we know, it was a Michelin Star restaurant, so we had a 6 course meal and drank wine until the staff looked like they were about to throw us out!

The first day we explored Chamonix and played in the snow because there was a blizzard the night before. Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll write a few separate posts about the holiday in general because there was so much to do there (our new favourite place!), I could never squeeze everything into one single post. One thing was for sure during our trip, we knew during our time in the Alps we wanted to go to the summit of Aiguille du Midi (3,842 m / 12,605 ft) in the Mont Blanc massif. If you’re a regular reader here, you’ll know that S and I like to go out into the mountains, camping and hiking, whatever the weather! This holiday was about fun and indulgence though, and we didn’t want to come back sore – so luckily there was a cable car to take us to the top.

The cable car ride between Chamonix and Aiguille du Midi is in two stages. The first leg brings visitors to the Plan de l’Aiguille (2,317m). The second stage, without any support pillar, traverses Les Pelerins glacier before rising up the North Face of the Aiguille du Midi at the top station (3778m). A footbridge connects the cable car top station with the Central Piton terrace. An elevator inside the rock rises the final 42m to the top terrace at an altitude of 3,842m. This is the closest you can get to the summit of Mont-Blanc without hiking or climbing.

Absolutely terrified the entire journey up, S couldn’t stand still as I made our journey through the clouds. I’ve never seen him so fidgety, little did I know why.. We finally made it to the summit of the mountain, the clouds disappeared and the sun was shining bright – WOW!! In awe of the spectacular views of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps, we decided to get a snap of us with the giant mountains in the background. My other half is a photographer and I knew it was really important to him to get a good picture. He set up the shot and handed his DSLR to another photographer that was also taking pictures nearby.

Just as we’re having our photograph taken I feel S pull away from me. As I turn to him I see he’s down on one knee holding open a box that’s sparkling. OH MY GOD!! WHAT ON EARTH IS HE DOING!? Neither of us says anything and I just cover my face and begin crying, which is when he asks “Will you marry me?”. Stupidly, at the time I didn’t even say yes, I just repeated “Thank you!” through my tears. The photographer inched forward as I hugged S, and he placed the ring on my finger. We’re so lucky that somebody was there to capture such a special moment.

Crying at high altitude in the thin air and -19 degrees windchill is pretty intense, so after a few more tears, we moved inside. We ordered a bottle of champagne and macaroons at one of the highest restaurants in the world and laughed about how emotional it was. We giggled about how both of us thought we’d handle it a lot better than we did – instead of both being a blubbering mess. We had been ring shopping, and I knew that S had bought me a ring in the past (but it wasn’t good enough, so I hear!), so I had an inkling it was going to happen. That said, he was so good at throwing me off the scent, so I was still absolutely blown away when it happened. Good work S!

We couldn’t wait to tell our friends and family (especially as my parents were eagerly waiting to hear if I had said yes, as S had asked permission before we left). Once everybody knew the fantastic news, we headed to a bar to watch a live band and celebrate being engaged. In the morning I woke up on my 26th birthday (3rd March), opening presents and cards in bed addressed “to my darling fiancé” and “my daughter-in-law to be”. We headed for lunch in Mer de Glace overlooking the largest French glacier to continue celebrations before heading back to England that night.

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Perfectly planned, the celebrations didn’t end when we got back to the UK. When we arrive back to Cornwall (about 2 am!), we caught a few Z’s before my parents came over with gifts then we headed to The Cove in Maenporth for lunch. We sank a lot of bubbles, but I still managed to squeeze some more in when my friends came over in the evening to celebrate into the night.

Feeling slightly fragile the following day, 10 of my nearest and dearest headed to a spa day at Merchants Manor. I had an extra-long massage, so much food and even more bubbles. We figured that was back to reality for us, but in a matter of fact, it’s been going on for about two weeks now!! Our feet are finally touching the ground, as we’ve seen everybody, told our story and flashed off the gorgeous ring. We’re so blessed to have so many people around us that care for us and want to celebrate this exciting time in our life with us.

We don’t mess around, and we’ve already booked our ceremony and reception for a spring wedding at Scorrier House, a private stately home set in beautiful flower-filled gardens surrounded by 450 acres of woods and parkland. So you can expect to see a lot more wedding based posts coming from us… Oh, and don’t forget the honeymoon – we’re planning something once in a lifetime!

The post HOORAY – WE’RE GETTING MARRIED!!: The Engagement Post appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.