As a newlywed, it is fresh in my mind what it is like to plan a wedding, so I’m going to give you some advice: don’t lose your unique vision for your wedding in the piles of tulle and taffeta others thrust upon you. When you begin to plan your wedding, you can expect that everyone will have an opinion about how you should do things. Your mom might think you need daisies while you want red roses. Your bridesmaids might want to wear evening gowns when you prefer them to wear vintage tea dresses. Your future mother-in-law might want to be in charge of everything! In spite of all the different voices telling you to do things a certain way, remember it is your wedding! (Well, it’s yours and your soon-to-be husband’s wedding.) The two of you can do things however you want!  

Once you feel free to make your own decisions without giving in to all the opinions of others, think about what you really want. Sometimes it helps to focus on small items that create a large impact, like your wedding rings and bridal jewelry. We consulted Allison and Bill Craig of North Georgia Diamond as our local experts on jewelry.  Allison has been a very talented jeweler and designer for the last 26 years. “My dream when we began was to make unique diamond creations,” says Allison, smiling happily. True to her dream, their store creates an experience for couples. The emotions involved in an important purchase like an engagement ring are going to be remembered forever, especially by the woman.  “We’ve even had couples get engaged in the store,” notes Allison.

When it comes to your wedding rings, there are many options, so why not ask the best for help? North Georgia Diamond carries everything a bride could want from traditional diamond solitaire rings to opulent sapphires You might also consider other unusual yet beautiful gemstones like pink, blue and black center stones, or yellow diamonds. If you’ve got a vision for your bridal set, Bill and Allison work to make your ring dreams come true. “It is our goal to deliver happiness to our customers,” Bill smiles.

What about your husband’s ring? Aside from the traditional gold band, there are a host of other metals available for your man’s jewelry. Titanium is a modern favorite for men because it is lightweight. It’s also the same material the space shuttle was built out of! If your husband is a man who is hard on his hands, tungsten is scratch-resistant and heavy, the hardest of all metals.  If you’d like the traditional look of gold but with a twist, try cobalt chrome. It has a white platinum look, but is comparable to gold. Any of these choices would be great for your husband!

As a way of saying thanks to those bridesmaids who agreed to wear your vintage tea dresses, give them a beautiful gift. North Georgia Diamond carries a pearl and leather collection called Anaeli. Each piece is handmade with higher-end pearls and leather. This jewelry is created so that it can be worn in several ways and with each purchase comes a chart showing how to knot the leather. There are pendants to add if that is something you’d like to consider purchasing with the necklace.  Bill and Allison also carry two different silver lines that are beautiful and perfect for a bridesmaid’s gift.

Being in the wedding jewelry business, the Craigs have had many experiences with other wedding service providers. In addition to their wide and varied jewelry selection, they have an on-staff photographer and caterer. North Georgia Diamond is truly a one-stop shop for all a bride’s wedding needs. With an interactive Facebook page, a presence on social media sites like Twitter, Yelp, and Four Square, and their own website, they have unparalleled customer service and dedication to their clients. “If you shop with a national chain, they won’t remember your name. We get to know our customers; we know their names and their kids’ names.” Bill says.  “The better we know our customers, the better we can serve their needs and build a trust that keeps them coming back.” North Georgia Diamond strives to make your experience with them a positive one that will create return customers again and again.

Your wedding will be wonderful because you and your fiancé are wonderful. Remember, you have great taste, so don’t fret over the choices you make. Trust your instincts. Remember that your wedding day is about more than the flowers and the jewelry, the food and the fun. It is about a promise you make to another person to spend your entire life loving and caring for them in hard times and in good times. That’s a winning bridal strategy that will make you and your husband very happy!

If you would like to visit with Bill and Allison at North Georgia Diamond, stop by their showroom at  29  Highland Crossing Ellijay, GA 30540. They can be contacted at (706) 515-1551 or at their website northgeorgiadiamond.com. They love Facebook fans, so be sure to look up their page: facebook.com/northgeorgiadiamond.