Brilliant Earth Conflict-Free Diamond
Jewelry We've all heard about the suffering caused by diamond mining in third-world
countries and it's not unusual for a bride or groom to have a tinge of guilt when buying
a typical diamond ring. You can avoid being conflicted about your rings by checking out
Brilliant Earth's custom conflict-free diamond rings, ethically-sourced sapphires, and
recycled gold and platinum offerings. Learn more at their website or call 800.691.0952.
Claudia Endler Designs Claudia's a good
friend not just because of her exquisite taste and artistry--she's a gracious and lovely
human being as well (yes, it is possible to be sweet AND chic in this mean old town.)
Claudia's not only got top-notch style, but she's really smart and will help you
discover the best rock, metal, setting, and design for you. Want to delve into the
fascinating worlds of jewelry, gemology, and fashion? Sign up for her fascinating
newsletter
here or email her here to set up a
consultation and showing (by appointment only, dahling.) Call 800.313.9784 if you're a
phone person. Note To Claudia: We'll cherish the wedding beads you made us forever. Note
To The Rest Of You: get a Claudia Endler Designs piece and you'll be saying the same
thing.
Raru.Com: Affordable Custom Gold Rings from deSignet
International It's impossible to start listing all the design options at Raru.Com; I
contemplated it whilst polishing my own Raru.Com wedding ring (they even sent a
complimentary polishing cloth with my order.) I selected a gold band etched with
grapevines, but it was very difficult to choose from the thousands of beautiful
patterns, metals, and styles offered. They have a massive collection of intricate Celtic
designs (and will customize them with your initials), theme rings, modernistic designs,
military, musical, Victorian, poesy rings, estate jewelry, in-stock rings or
custom-made--in other words, a vast selection with something for everyone. I can attest
also that the service was courteous and prompt; go spend some time cruising their online
catalog, or go visit their store near Niagara Falls (but then you might not need
MarriageToGo!) 1.888.727.8266
GreenKarat.Com: Ecologically Responsible
Jewelry These days it's important to seek sustainability in everything we do; even
weddings have gone "green" with recycled paper invites, organic catering, and
hybrid limos. But what about the most famous wedding icon, the wedding ring? Well, now
you can green that too (after a manner of speaking) by buying a ring of recycled gold or
other material from GreenKarat. Recycled metals reduce mining, pollution, and the carbon
footprint; via GreenKarat's partnership with GreenAssay, you can learn about the
ecological profile of your purchase. 800.330.4605 (US & Canada) An MTG client
recommendation.
Contura
Platinum Profile Ring This is the ultimate in unique rings--a ring that bears the
profile of your Beloved. About four weeks after submitting a profile photo to the maker,
you'll receive a grooved ring which, when viewed sideways, will bear your sweetie's
visage. Cool? You bet. Available at Fitzsu Modern
Gifts.Silver Spoon Jewelry I don't often
fall immediately in love with a piece of jewelry and buy it on the spot, but Jennifer
Northup's designs made from Victorian flatware are enchanting and unique. You can buy
some of these enduring dainties online--I bought two heart necklaces toute suite when I
saw her work at the Huntington--and they make beautiful gifts for your bridal party or
for yourself as part of your wedding day ensemble. Since the Victorians gave us much of
our wedding floral lore, many SilverSpoon items are themed around a particular flower,
so perhaps something for mom adorned with her favorite bloom, or pendant earrings that
match your wedding bouquet?
Elvish Jewelry .Com Need One Ring to Bind
You Both? Here's where you can find a ring of power inscribed with an Elvish love verse.
Gaelsong.Com: Celebrating the Celtic
Imagination Not only Celtic wedding rings (we really like the Eternal Knot rings)
but unique and beautiful home decor, instruments, accessories and more.
Shop Irish .Com We think these are the some
of the nicest claddagh rings online, plus other unique wedding items.
GoldSpeed.Com Wedding bands and lots of other
jewelry online--recommended by MTG.Com clients!
Wedding Cookies From Signature Sweet
Shoppe The best and most beautiful cookies ever! I can personally attest to how
delightful and delicious these cookies are. Served up in a festive basket, these tasty
little works of art will captivate everyone at your reception, shower, office or holiday
party. Master Cookie Baker Jenny Arata can make custom shapes with your corporate logo
or wedding photo in many tasty flavors; they make great favors and thank-you gifts for
your guests. Check out their website for cookie pops, photo cookies, heart cookies, and
more! 800.526.4418
ThinkGeek I marry a lot of folks in the
tech and game industries, and they really aren't going to bother to take home another
pewter picture frame or candle holder as a wedding favor--or anything analog. Why not
get your geeky guests gifts they can grok? ThinkGeek has everything a gearhead could
desire, and your Remote Control Ninja Vs. Pirate, plush stuffed microbe toys, World of
Warcraft action figures, astronaut ice cream, and titanium sporks will win over their
nerdy little hearts. You could also set your reception tables with the LED candles that
blow on and off, as long as you don't mind those being the center of attention instead
of your father/daughter dance. 1.888.GEEK.STUFF, but you should really cruise the online
catalog.
BeauCoup--Favors and Ideas BeauCoup has a
wide selection of favors with clever twists. Customized fortune cookies, garden seeds in
a box with a silk flower on top, custom travel candles, and a wide array of placecard
holders (the personalized poker chips were pretty cool, too.)
Keepsake Favors Wedding favors plus a
complete selection of favor supplies, custom chocolates, mints, and almonds.
MyWeddingFavors.Com Elegant and
unusual wedding and shower favors like personalized coffee or tea packets, garden seeds,
golf and beach-themed favors, unique packaging, and more! Their consultants can also
help you find a special favor for your seasonal or theme wedding. Excellent service,
too!
Tender Seed Company Seeds are a
symbol of growth and new life, and make excellent favors and gifts. Tender Seed Company
will create personalized seed packets for your wedding, baby shower, or corporate or
holiday event. Tender Seed offers a large selection of seeds and labels (as well as
plantable seed favors.)
The Best Candle and Diane's Honey Solid Beeswax Candles Candles
make great gifts for your guests and wedding party, and can enhance the look and meaning
of a wedding ceremony immensely. The Best Candle sells "Trapp Private Garden"
candles--long-burning, high quality waxes infused with natural aromatherapy
essences--and Diane's Honey makes clean-burning, sweet-smelling solid beeswax candles in
many sizes. Share the sweetness as well as the light!
Candles That Care For
almost 20 years the Frontline Foundation has been feeding people year-round on Skid Row.
This scrappy local organization has managed to stay alive by keeping its overhead low
and relying on resolve and community donations. They always need cash, food, and
volunteers to keep the program alive; now you can purchase aromatherapy "Candles
that Care" as wedding favors and gifts via their website to support their work. We
were gifted with some of these candles; they are well-made, attractively packaged, and
the entire purchase price goes to benefit Frontline. Check out their three-foot tall
candles--that's a Unity Candle you can keep for a looong time. It's best to look at the
online candle catalog, then call to place your order: 818.780.1995.
Affordable Dream Weddings--Bridal Party Gifts
and Wedding Accessories Affordable Dream Weddings offers bridal party gifts and
wedding related accessories, such as ring pillows, guest books, garters, and jewelry (as
well as a line of Breast Cancer Awareness gifts.) All items are 10% off, and
personalization is free! 562.841.8529.
Supplies
Paper and More Excellent selection and
prices for wedding invitations, vellum, linen and metallic papers, cardstock, labels,
and more. Buy some beautiful sheet and create invites, programs, and reception cards
that are uniquely yours.
Gifts
Red
Envelope.Com In Asian cultures, gifts are often presented in a red envelope as a
symbol of honor, luck, and appreciation. RedEnvelope is the quickest and most
appreciated way to send an amazing gift without having to dig up an envelope of your
own; they make it easy to shop with occasion, recipient, type of gift, or "last
minute" suggestions. Don't worry if you can't decide--everyone loves getting a Red
Envelope gift certificate. 1.877.733.3683.
IGourmet.Com One of our couples turned us on
to igourmet and their gift baskets of scrumptious chocolates, cheeses, wine, coffee, and
more. We think their best offerings are the gifts that keep on giving--club
subscriptions that send monthly doses of the gourmet items above or fabulous salsas,
olive oils, or teas (the selection of Irish cheeses in our March St. Patrick's Day
basket was superb.) Even better, you get a written description of each item's origins
and suggestions for serving and wine pairing. Subscriptions come in three, six, or
twelve month lengths, and don't worry--they have heart-healthy options too. Please don't
lick your screen when viewing their website. 1.877.igourmet (877.446.8763)
ThinkGeek If you have a computer geek as a
best man/woman, they really aren't going to get much fun out of a tieclip or beaded
purse as a thank-you gift. Get 'em something geeky from ThinkGeek, where a laser star
projector, Halo 3 Full-Size Plasma Weapon, waterproof gadget case, or t-shirt that
detects nearby wireless networks would express your gratitude in a more personal way.
1.888.GEEK.STUFF, but you should really cruise the online catalog.
Classic Collectibles.Net Classic
Collectibles carries a wide variety of memorabilia signed by your favorite sports and
cinema heroes. Check out their website for unique gifts and signing events.