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Quote: Originally Posted by starfish kate My sister's engagement ring is palladium. Her fiance researches EVERYTHING and he found that palladium is similar to platinum in that it is very strong, but it keeps its color better than white gold, and its polish better than platinum. Her ring looks like a brand-new white gold ring all the time- it doesn't turn yellowy like white gold and it is very strong. From what I understand, though is that it still isn't very easy to find. Hhhmmm.... sounds like a good find, though, if the jeweler in Ireland does happen to work with that metal. If the price is right .... I'll do some research and maybe go that route. Thanks! Here's some info I just found on Palladium, for anyone else who might be interested. The current metal prices of gold and platinum are close to their all-time highest price levels. Palladium is the perfect choice if you were considering a platinum wedding ring, but didn’t want to spend quite that much money. In comparison, palladium is much less expensive per ounce than gold and platinum, and this makes palladium a very affordable alternative to platinum. Palladium Characteristics Palladium is a metal that is part of the family of Platinum Group Metals found on the periodic table of elements (symbol Pd). Just like platinum, palladium is a naturally white and strong metal. It is 30 times more rare than gold. Palladium offers all of the same benefits as platinum, except it is about 40% lighter than platinum, and therefore, it is much less expensive than platinum. Palladium weighs about the same as 14kt. gold. It is actually whiter than platinum and it is 12.6% harder than platinum. As with platinum, palladium rings will scratch when worn daily, but the white color of the metal will never fade, and the metal will not tarnish. If you take into consideration the positive attributes of palladium, and the lower cost in comparison to platinum, you might conclude that it’s the best white metal choice for your wedding ring selection. In the upcoming months you will hear similar raves from many of the top designers in the jewelry industry. This is not a fad metal that has no value. Palladium is one of the rarest and most precious metals on earth, and we believe it’s popularity will be long lived, as long as the increasing demand doesn’t cause the metal price to escalate. You can be one of the first in your circle of friends to own a wedding band in palladium. Don’t wait until it becomes so popular that the price for this metal skyrockets! Benefits of Palladium over White Gold The 2 biggest negatives of white gold are the color and the nickel content. As you may know, pure gold is a very yellow metal, but when it is mixed with other alloys, it can have a fairly white appearance, hence, the term white gold. White gold actually has a slightly yellowish tint and white gold jewelry requires rhodium plating to make it look bright white. Rhodium is another Platinum Group Metal, and it is commonly used for plating white gold. The rhodium is what gives white gold it’s super white appearance. Unfortunately, the rhodium plating wears off over time and your ring will need to be re-plated to keep it looking white. Palladium is a naturally white metal that does not require rhodium plating. White gold contains a nickel alloy, which can have an adverse skin reaction in about 10% of the population. Palladium is completely hypo-allergenic. Our palladium wedding bands are 95% pure with 5% ruthenium. We offer a 30 day money back guarantee on our palladium wedding rings. If you like platinum, but not the cost, then you will LOVE palladium!

Does anyone know anything about Palladium Wedding Bands? I called a jeweler to check on making Tom's Celtic Band in Platinum, but when she checked with the designer in Ireland, the sale pice was still well over $2000 (closer to 3k). She said it's too much to pay for that ring, and that's exactly what I was thinking. She suggested Palladium, and is checking to see if the Irish jeweler works with that metal. She says its similar to Platinum, and has some Platinum in it, so it looks and holds up the same, but without the steep price tag (she says it's more than white gold but substantially less than Platinum). Anyone know much about this type of metal?

Quote: Originally Posted by akh Paul's is 7mm ... and I know you've seen it before, but here's a picture! Oh yes, and love it. That doesn't look like it's too wide in a 7mm, though. hhmm... maybe the 6mm or 7mm with the Celtic Knot design. (I'm finally getting everything narrowed down!)

Quote: Originally Posted by JHillHolmes13 My husband's band is this one: It's stainless steel, 6mm with ceramic inlay, seen here: TeNo Stainless Steel Ring w/ ceramic inlay, 6mm Quote: Originally Posted by lambert13 My wedding band is an 8mm wide titanium ring similar to the photo below. It is definitely wider than most bands, but I like the size of it. Thanks! that's a big help already. I like your ring, Jason, but don't think Tom would want one that wide. But at least now I can put a better width to the sizing numbers. I think 5mm might be too thin ... so I might go with a 6mm...

Quote: Originally Posted by Nrvsbride Since you first problem is already solved I won't comment on it. LOl. You are actually right, the "standard, proper etiquette" is that you wish the bride best wishes and you congratulate the groom. That is the Emily Post proper way of doing it. Blah, blah, blah. In reality you should say whatever you like. Wishing someone happiness can never be said in the wrong way! My Mon always refers to Emily Post -- and I keep telling her we are not having anything close to a traditional, etiquette-filled ceremony/reception. But, still, it's nice to know what the true "proper" way to do things is. We are doing things our way ... but I, too, worry that some of the toasts will be a little over the top. We'll probably do most at the rehearsal dinner.

I just signed up too ... but I'm also tracking at SELF.com: Fitness, Health, Exercise, Nutrition, Diet from SELF Magazine if anyone's interested in that site. they have giveaways everyday for anyone who tracks their food intake and exercise.

I'm in! Do I sign up at Free Diet Plans at SparkPeople? (Never heard of that site.) I just need to get my butt back to the gy, I lost 15+ lbs last January-March ... but haven't done a darn thing since and need to get motivated...

Tom is letting me pick his band for him ... and I don't want to get anything too think or too thin ... but not sure what mm size might be best. So, I'm curious what width's your FI/DH ring will be/is. Pics along with the width would be a big help as I compare styles as well... Thanks ladies!

I've got to see if my brother has some Halloween pics of my nephews ... cos I don't have ANY of me in a Halloween costume. ugh!

Quote: Originally Posted by carlymcmullen Holy crap, Tami! This looks perfect! (Not sure that I love it, but I don't need to!) Awesome! Yeah, he's the one who needs to love it, right? lol!

And if you took a pic of this design (Ann already posted the link) ... I am sure it would be easy to reverse the colors so it's a black ring with silver 'tread marks'. Brian Bergeron Designs

Here are some comparisons ... Black Wedding Ring - Rings - Compare Prices, Reviews and Buy at NexTag - Price - Review You can also get 18k Black Gold.

Try this site ... Absolute Titanium Design - Black Titanium & Black Zirconium Metal rings, 18K Black Gold, Titanium Wedding Bands, titanium wedding rings, and Diamond Tension Set Engagment Rings in titanium

Yeah, I like them alot. I think they look great together. We are doing flowers, but I'm getting parasols for our pictures. Since they are pretty inexnsive, I am just going to buy them and have them at the ceremoy location for the girls to pick up after the ceremony.

We are simply meeting at one of the resort bars for cocktails and letting people get food when/if they want from the buffet area. We are doing a welcome reception Wed & Thurs nights since people are arriving on different days and then another reception riday after the rehearsal dinner so everyone can meet the night before the wedding.

Again, stunning photos and a gorgeous bride (and groom!). I LOVE IT!!!

Oh wow ... I would be freaking out too. You definitely need to keep your wits about you when speaking to the owner, but also be firm that this was NOT the timeframe that you were given and that the bridal shop needs to see about putting a RUSH on the order or allowing you some sort of alternative plan (getting a dress off the rack and they alter, all free of charge). Do you have anything in writing that states the expected timeframe for delivery? How quick are they promising to be with alterations if the dress DOES come in December 1?

Great thread. Will definitely be helpful for the DR as well as Mexico. I haven't had to go through customs in YEARS ... but Tom is an old pro at it -- and he speaks Spansih -- so hopefully we'll do alright.

I've hired a US photog who is travelling with us (bringing a 2nd photog as well) and shooting the entire day of the wedding as well as a day-after shoot for our TTD. $4000 for everything, including travel and accomodations and a slideshow, hi-res CD and 150 printed pics.

That's a GREAT price! There's a yacht we've looked at for our reception in the DR, but it's $45pp for 3-hours. My only concern is to make sure that everyone is a boat person. I have a BM and some guests who either can't swim or aren't keen on boats, especially for that length of time. And 8 hours is a long time on a boat!

What color are your BM dresses? Why don't your FI girlfriends wear beige colored dresses to match the khaki/white of the best man?

YIPPEE!!!

Cute! Thanks for sharing, Jessica! Your time is drawing near! How exciting!!!

You don't sound cheapo at all. You actually sound like you are doing so many of the exact same things so many of us are planning to do as well. I'm keeping flower costs down by using silk and transporting them -- no flowers for the guys -- myself and BM only. Making and bringing all of our centerpieces as well (simple and under $5 each). Got a great deal on my dress and got my TTD dress for a steal on eBay. Bringing our iPod and renting only speakers instead of a DJ (but really so we can listen to what WE want and not what a resort DJ has available) Made STD and invites on our own saved us literally HUNDREDS of dollars. Our budget is $15K and we should be right on target -- hopefully!

Congrats and welcome! A cruise DW sounds like a blast! I don't recall any forum members who are planning one, so if that's what you decide on, I can't wait to follow your planning!!!