Wedding Tips Archives | Schwanke Kasten

08 Nov

Holiday Proposals

Holiday proposals mark a special time when family and good friends gather together. If you are out-of-town with your significant other, and are coming home for Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years, all are great occasions to “pop” the question. Whether you have everyone around the table for dinner or dancing the night away at a New Year’s Eve party, a quick “clink-clink” with a spoon on a glass gets people’s attention.

Not sure where to start in selecting an engagement ring … go to your love’s Pinterest page to see all the romantic pics of items they’ve been collecting. Next checkout our online engagement collection or stop by one of our stores. If you are looking for something completely unique, bring your ideas to our Whitefish Bay location and our onsite gemologists will help make your dream a reality. Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers carries a wide array of renowned ring designers, styles and materials.

Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, a locally owned store since 1899, has a full-service sales staff to assist you. Whether you are in the Milwaukee area or coming to town for the holidays just give us a call. We carry an expanded selection of ready-to-go ring designs; however, if you are looking to have a mounting created, the process takes about 3 weeks or so.

Make the holidays of 2018 something you both will remember forever with a holiday proposla!

08 Feb

New Engagement Rings Website

With Valentine’s Day, the second most popular day for proposals, coming up. We redesigned our Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers engagement rings website to be more intuitive.

We created an easy-to-use web page to help you understand how to select the perfect diamond engagement ring.

Start at the diamond education page, “All About Diamonds”, where briefly highlight several questions you should ask yourself before shopping. Then dive into the 4 C’s of diamond quality. The actual diamond is the bulk of your cost; therefore, it’s very important to fully understand what you are looking for when selecting a diamond.

Once you have an idea of what kind of diamond you want, we recommend checking out our “Engagement Ring Mounting Ideas” page to see the different ways your beautiful diamond can be mounted into a ring setting. While the rings showcased here represent some of our more popular styles, we encourage you to stop in at our Whitefish Bay location to see our complete engagement collection. With an on-site GIA certified gemologist and a goldsmith we can easily make your dream ring a reality.

Have the ring? Here are some ideas on where to propose in Milwaukee.

21 Nov

Wedding Gifts – Affordable

When it comes to weddings, the costs can add up – airfare, tuxedos, hotels, meals, etc. But it is all worth it! At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, we have a great selection of bridal jewelry and wedding gifts for all budgets!

Sterling Silver Cufflinks – Starting at $135.00

Timeless and effortless, especially if the groom (or wedding party) are business professionals. Our round or oval sterling silver cufflinks can be personalized with the groom’s initials. For the frequent traveler, we make St. Christopher cufflinks, the patron saint of safe travels.

Pearl Earrings – Starting at $155.00

Organically beautiful, pearls have been loved for centuries. Generally associated with new beginnings, pears are frequently the gemstone of choice (along with diamonds) for bridal jewelry and make great wedding gifts. These pearl earring drops, in particular, have an 8mm freshwater pearl set on either 14k white or yellow gold earring.

Everest Watch Pouch – Starting at $25.00

An extraordinary deal from Everest Horology Products for the watch fanatic groom or bride who is a frequent traveler! We’ve also got watch winders and custom straps to personalize your beloved timepiece at Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers in Whitefish Bay!

Birthstone Earrings – Starting at $390.00

If the bride’s wedding is in a special month or enjoys her birthstone, then consider purchasing her a jewelry piece that features the particular birthstone! Our Ava Earrings Collection beautifully features an array of birthstones along with diamonds, while set in 14k white gold!

Stop by Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers in Whitefish Bay or Milwaukee to see more beautiful jewelry in person. Visit us online if that it is more convenient!

15 Nov

Buying An Engagement Ring

Buying an engagement ring can seem like a scary experience. It doesn’t have to be! Before you go buying an engagement ring, the experts at Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers recommend considering the following:

Buying an Engagement Ring – Budget

Budget: The golden rule has always been two month’s salary. However, we believe that you should set aside a budget that won’t leave you dead broke. We recommend setting an honest budget with the forethought that engagement rings are expensive.

Learn the 4C’s:

Carat Weight – This is the size of the diamond (or another precious gemstone). If your finance wants a big stone but your budget is limited, ask for a stone with a large table. While this will affect the brilliance and fire of the stone, it will make it appear larger. If you want a beautiful stone and size isn’t the issue but the budget is. Select stone just under the nearest whole carat (i.e. 1.85 carats vs. 2 carats). There tends to be a jump in price once a diamond’s size hits the nearest whole integer.
Color – Ranging from D – Z, D being colorless and Z being a light-yellow hue. The more colorless the diamond, the more expensive. From the visible eye, it is tough to tell the difference between colorless and near-colorless.
Cut – If she is more reserved or traditional, you may want to opt for a round, brilliant cut diamond. However, for a unique look, there are a whole array of fancy cuts like Ascher, emerald, marquise, pear- and even heart-shape are used for creating engagement rings. Do keep in mind, fancy cut diamonds typically are limited in the types of mountings.
Clarity – To the naked eye, the clarity of the diamond is often impossible to judge – sometimes even to a trained professional! We recommend, while important, that this be the last of the 4C’s to consider.

Mounting

Mounting: There are numerous types of diamond mountings that can showcase the center stone, however it is important to consider the following:

Will you be purchasing a matching wedding band in the future? Some mountings and diamonds are made in a way that a matching wedding band is not feasible. There are practical solutions to this, however.
Consider her line of work, sometimes a high mounting isn’t possible. This is especially important if she works in the medical field or works with her hands frequently.
If she has skin allergies, a certain skin tone or wears a particular color of jewelry, you may need to consider a specific type of precious metal.

Ring Size

Ring Size: If you can, swipe a ring that she often wears on her ring finger, then we can help you select a size for the ring. Jewelers can size up or down most engagement ring mountings one size. Another option is to simply present a ring, and then come and choose a slightly larger ring size as it is easier to solder a ring down.

Ask your married friends, her friends, AND your parents for help and input. There is nothing wrong with being nervous or unsure as it can seem like an overwhelming experience.

We recommend checking out our diamond vocabulary list, to familiarize yourself with various diamond terms. Visit one of our Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers stores to work with our highly trained staff, including GIA certified gemologists, to discover buying an engagement ring with easy!

15 Feb

Wedding Day Customs

Depending on the culture and country, there are many wedding day customs. Some wedding day customs are thought to bring good luck or avoid back luck!

For Protection:

The ancient Romans and Greeks believed that a bride’s veil would protect her from evil spirts, and it quickly became a tradition which is still seen today.
To protect women from evil spirits in their home, men carried their brides over the threshold.
Bells were believed to ward off evil spirits, and the Irish tradition of church bells ringing for a wedding is still widely used today. Bells are also popular wedding gifts for continued protection.

For Good luck:

Traditionally, rice is thrown at the bride and groom for good luck. But in the Czech, they throw peas.
To sweeten the marriage, a Greek bride will slip a sugar cube in her glove.
In Egypt, women pinch the bride on her wedding day.
Giving knives to newlyweds represent a broken relationship therefore they should not be gifted.
The English believe that finding a spider on your wedding dress symbolizes good luck!
The Italian tradition of breaking a glass dates back centuries, and it’s said that the number of broken pieces will represent how many years of happiness the couple will have. Grooms are known to work hard to smash the glass.

No matter the custom or tradition, a wedding is a time to celebrate love, happiness and the future! Furthermore, Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers has a great selection of wedding gifts and bridal jewelry.

15 Sep

Exchanging Wedding Rings

One thing to consider for your wedding is how your will be exchanging wedding rings. Who will be responsible for exchanging wedding rings? How will they be presented? This major part of your wedding ceremony can be traditional or infuse special guests into the mix.

The Ring Bearer

Traditionally a male child brings the rings down the aisle on a pillow, who then hands them off to the Best Man and/or the Maid of Honor. Some people don’t feel comfortable giving such a big responsibility to a child, so often “fake” pillow rings are carried for ceremonial effect.

The Best Man / Maid of Honor

If you choose fake pillow rings or if you have no ring bearer, rings are most often the responsibility of the best man. The best man may hold both rings, or the groom’s ring may be held by the maid of honor.

Man’s Best Friend

Occasionally, you may wish to enlist a beloved canine friend as ring bearer. Having a dog ring bearer is only recommended if the dog is highly trained and can be relied upon to be calm in that situation. Furthermore, a cute ring pillow collar or harness can be made or purchased for the task. However, we recommend taking a few practice runs with the dog.

Ask Schwanke-Kasten about how we recommend exchanging wedding rings

20 Jul

Wedding Date – How to Choose

Congratulations! The engagement ring has been bought. The question has been popped! And you’re about to get married to the love of your life. But what wedding date should you choose to hold your public celebration of love?

Schwanke-Kasten Wedding Date

Schwanke-Kasten understands there a number of factors involved when choosing your wedding date and we’d like you to consider the following questions before the “big day” is announced!

What’s the weather going to be on your wedding date?

Rain on your wedding day may be considered lucky in some cultures, but it can become a logistical nightmare and make your guests feel miserable. While you can’t predict the rain, you can be sure that you have contingency plans in place in the event of rain and that a portion of your budget allows for expenses related to weather (i.e. umbrellas for rain, fans for excessive heat, heaters for extreme cold, etc.).

What’s the most popular months to get married?

Related to the above, weather in most regions of the United States tends to be pleasant during the months of June, September, and October and these are the most popular months to get married. As a result, they can also be among the most expensive.

What are the benefits of choosing an off-season date?

Getting married during off season months could save you considerable money in certain areas. For example, your chosen venue could be less. It’s also likely you’ll have to be prepared to make sacrifices in other areas, however. For example, your favorite flowers that you must have in your wedding may be out of season. It could be difficult, if not impossible, for your florist to get those flowers. It could also cost considerably more if they can. Certain food items, particularly fruits, may also be out-of-season and cost more.

What days are special to you?

Some couples try to choose a date that is on (or close to) a day of special significance. Your first date, the date of the wedding proposal, or your parent’s wedding date. Other couples may want to avoid particular wedding dates. A person who isn’t marrying for the first time, for example, typically will avoid choosing a wedding date on – or near – their first wedding. Finally, some couples belong to cultures or religions that have rites or practices to help them choose the most auspicious day for their wedding.

What about holiday-themed weddings?

This is a tricky decision. Holiday themed weddings can be beautiful and are relatable to many people in attendance. Many guests may already have time off from work which could make it easier for them attend. On the other hand, some guests may not want their holiday plans disturbed by a wedding. Costs could also run higher. For example, using roses for your wedding during Valentine’s Day may be more expensive. You also may want to consider if the holiday may overshadow the special significance of your wedding.

How much time is enough time to plan?

There are beautiful, meaningful weddings that are planned in a matter of weeks and there are equally gorgeous weddings that take months – or over a year – to plan. Anything is possible. If you’re attempting to plan your wedding fairly quickly, and hoping to have something more than a very small wedding or reception, there are factors to consider. First, rush jobs cost more. Be prepared to spend more. Second, fewer guests will be able to attend. Make sure the VIPs can make it. Third, custom wedding gowns take time (often over a year). Finally, you want your Schwanke-Kasten wedding bands to be ready for the wedding. Be sure to check in with one of our Schwanke-Kasten professionals to be certain you understand when the wedding rings will be ready for pickup if they are to be customized or special ordered.

In closing, when considering how much planning time you’ll need, the main point is that you want to give yourself enough time to address those factors that are most important to you!

21 Jun

Wedding Trends – 2016 to 2017

If you’re a couple planning for a wedding for late 2016 or early 2017 this article is for you. Schwanke-Kasten invites you to consider the information below that explores the hot wedding trends!

Hot Wedding Trends

The Dress!

One of the biggest decisions for brides, pink wedding gowns are on trend. While white is still the timeless and elegant choice for traditional looks. Brides with modern sensibilities are choosing dresses that are a shade of pale pink or blush pink. Dresses with texture will also take center stage in 2017. Wispy feathers, floral embellishments, or hand-sewn beading can add a chic, modern touch to your dress.

Wedding Trends - Schwanke-Kasten : The Dress

The Wedding Party!

Matching the attire of all of your bridesmaids or groomsmen is losing favor. Instead choose an array of shades in the same color family to complement your chosen décor, or pick a mix of textures in similar tones. If your wedding colors don’t work for the groomsmen, have them wear various shades of a neutral color. Think different shades of brown, grey, or white/cream.

The Cake?

One of the latest trends for the cake are animated cakes where animation sequences are projected onto an all-white wedding cake. Other couples are choosing to forego the traditional wedding cake and instead opting for tiered displays of other delectable desserts.

The Flowers?

The next big thing in wedding florals is no florals. In place of florals couples are choosing simple arrangements of green leaves, branches or palms. Greens can add more elegance and nature to your wedding and typically help to make your guests feel much more fresh and comfortable.

The Rings!

In addition, stacked rings for women remain very popular. Can’t decide on a stone, metal, setting, or style? Stacked rings are the solution. They allow you to get a little bit of everything you like and find creative ways to place them together. Stacked rings also allow flexibility. You can alter the look depending on an occasion, what you’re wearing, or what becomes trendy in the years to come. Explore our line of engagement rings and weddings rings on our Schwanke-Kasten website for some ideas. For men, cobalt wedding bands remain popular. In fact, they have a lightweight feel which is welcomed by men not accustomed to wearing rings. Furthermore, they’re elegant, durable, scratch-resistant, and easy to clean. Explore our Schwanke-Kasten colbat wedding bands for men.

Schwanke Kasten - Wedding Rings

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Category Archives: Wedding Tips