Men Only: The Essential Guide to Engagement Rings

Men are capable of great things but if there’s one thing we’re not very good with its weddings, and more generally, anything to do with getting married! This normally includes picking the perfect engagement ring.

Whilst we are just as keen and equally as excited as the fairer sex, most men are simply lost at sea when it comes to anything marital. That’s why we have created this essential guide to engagement rings, to help you men in your most important hour of need - shopping for an engagement ring.

Choosing the perfect engagement ring for your partner is a very challenging decision as it will be one that you have to live with for the rest of your life. When you’re shopping for an engagement ring you must consider many things – think about the ring’s shape, colour, setting, and crucially, consider how much you’re going to splash out on such an important purchase.  

If you’re stuck for inspiration and don’t know where to start, don’t worry. We’ve compiled a guide to choosing an engagement ring that’s based on asking yourself the following questions:

How much should you spend?

This burning question has us men on the edge of our seats but at the end of the day you can only spend what you can afford and what you’re comfortable with. Tradition suggests that you should spend between one and three month’s salary on an engagement ring.

What setting?

Once you have ascertained a rough budget for the ring, the nest step is choosing a setting. There are two main types of setting; claw and bezel.

Claw setting

This setting holds the diamond in place with ‘claws’. This setting style allows light to travel freely through and around the diamond enhancing the natural shine and sparkle of it. This style emphasises the most important part of the ring, the diamond.

Bezel setting

This setting creates a collar around the diamond. Whilst claw settings are more popular as they are viewed as traditional, bezel settings are modern and contemporary. Bezel settings provide better protection for your diamond so it’s often a favourite for those with active lives.

Which metal?

To decide which metal you want for your engagement ring, it’s often advisable to consider which colour you prefer. Think about which colour your partner would choose by basing it on the colours she (or he) already wears day to day.  

When it comes to engagement rings, there are typically four options available:

Yellow gold
Rose gold
White gold
Platinum

Coloured Golds

Yellow, rose and white gold are all real gold. When gold is used to produce jewellery, pure gold is not used as it’s too soft. Instead of using pure gold, alloys of other metals (such as silver and palladium) are added to it. It is the type of alloy used that determines the gold’s colour.

All colours retain the same amount of pure gold so their cost and quality characteristics are very similar.

Platinum

Platinum is a more precious, heavier, hardwearing and expensive metal than white gold. And unlike white gold platinum remains white and shiny for its lifetime.

Carat Gold

18 carat gold is the most popular choice when it comes to engagement rings as it contains 75% pure gold and is the best quality for making rings.

9 carat gold is another popular yet more affordable choice for engagement rings but the pure gold percentage is reduced to 38%.

Jason Keith, who kindly contributed this piece to the SX Lifestyle Hub, hopes you feel better prepared for your decision after reading this guide to choosing the right engagement ring and wishes you all the best with your proposal! Check out his wedding jewellery design business.

A Short Guide To Party Planning for Event Amateurs

An event is taking place, and you have been given the daunting task of organising it. Where do you start? Whether it’s a wild party or a more formal occasion, such as a wine-tasting event or a creative fair, there’s always so much to consider and a limited time to make sure everything’s ready. With this in mind, here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure everything goes smoothly for you and your guests.

1. Set a provisional date.

When deciding on a date for the event, make sure it’s on a day that’s both appropriate for the event and suitable for your intended guests. If it’s a birthday or holiday celebration, you want to get it as close to the event as possible but you also have to take into consideration availability. For example if a birthday falls during the week it may be best to hold the party on the closest weekend to ensure guests can celebrate without having to worry about work the next morning.  If it’s an event aimed at university students it would have to be during term time and preferably not around exam season. 

Consider these factors and once you’ve selected a date, ask around to ensure your prospective guests keep their diary free.

2. Do some research.

Every party planner will have a budget and some will be willing to spend more than others. But it doesn’t have to be too expensive as long as you look in the right places. Once you’ve got a date and some prospective guests, consider where you want to hold the event and exactly what it is you want to feature. For instance if there’s going to be music you’ll need a DJ, or if it’s a themed event you might want an expert on a particular subject to give a talk. You may require catering as well. Phone or email local people and businesses, compare prices and services they have to offer and this will help you find the best deal you can. Once you’ve done this and made your decisions, you’ll be able to move onto the more practical side of things with minimal fuss.

3. Put your plans into action.

Start with the location, as this will be the most crucial component. Make sure your booking is confirmed before moving on to anything else, as without a location there will be no event! Once this is done you can begin adding in the other components such as the catering and the entertainment, and from this you can draw up a schedule for the event to help things run efficiently on the night.

4. Network.

Formally invite your guests. The easiest way to do this is using social media. Create an event page on Facebook, share it on your timeline, Tweet about it. Target groups who will specifically be interested in what you have to offer, for instance if it’s an event for young children it might be worth visiting a parenting forum. If it’s a film screening look out for online communities for film enthusiasts. There are millions of communities all over the internet tailored to various interests. But whatever the occasion, make sure you invite as many people as possible and get your guests to invite others as well. If everyone spreads the word it’ll reach a much wider audience.

5. Enjoy!

This is the time to relax. If things don’t go completely according to plan or you don’t manage to stick rigidly to your planned schedule don’t worry. Just enjoy yourself and remember that without you, the event never would have happened in the first place.

The most important thing to remember of all is don’t panic. Keep focused on the end result and, if you allow yourself plenty of time and stick to these guidelines, you should end up with an event to be proud of.

It's also important to consider how you're going to transport yourself and your guests between venues. Party Bus Essex, a division of Lodge Coaches, offers a luxury 12-seater party bus for hire - it'll be sure to get your friends and family talking!