Wedding Bands: Part 1 - Little Spoon

We are less than five months from our wedding day and the time has come to consider wedding bands. Let me preface this post by saying that I have been looking for several weeks now. Big Spoon suggested that we wait until late summer to shop for bands, mostly so I didn't drive him crazy and also so that I would have more time to consider the budget and my current "wants". The two don't always coincide. Instead of scaring you with revealing the budget we set for bands (here's a hint, we forgot to put it in the original budget), I'll make sure to put it in the breakdowns after the big day :)

See that little pink arrow? Little did I know, my "unique" setting would be so difficult to pair with a band of any sort. The two beveled diamonds on the side prevent me from buying a plain 'ol round band. After shopping online, in major chains and a few hometown jewelry stores, we've come to the conclusion that I need to a) have a plain band "notched" to fit the beveled diamond on the side of my solitaire, b) buy a contoured band and weld it to my engagement ring or c) have a ring custom made ($$$).

Yeah ... anyway, after Big Spoon humored me several times now and went band shopping anyway, I had an "ah ha!" moment yesterday. Hold on to your seats, folks. I bought my wedding band for a grand total of $52.93 (without sizing). Whoa wa-what? YES. I am the queen of bargains ... for today, at least.

Really though, here's how it went down: ultradiamonds.com is an online jewelry retailer I became aware of through my Discover card. I luv my Discover card* and have been saving my Rewards cash back credit for our wedding. While shopping online, I checked my Discover card's rewards retailers and found Ultra Diamonds. I went to their website and found the band above for $299.00 (which is already a steal compared to other places). It's almost exactly like ones I have tried on at the major retail stores, but for much less. Combine the already great price with their current $100 off promo code and my Discover e-certificates redeemed specifically for Ultra Diamonds and voila! A $260 savings! 

I ordered the ring un-sized so that if it doesn't work out, I can return it within 30 days. They have a fair return policy and good customer service. I just couldn't wait for it to come in before I blogged about it! I'm hoping it can save someone out there some money. Specifically, if the quality of the diamonds in your band are less important to you than those in your engagement ring. 

Stay tuned for Part 2 when we reveal Big Spoon's wedding band! 

*We were in no way compensated for this blog post by either Discover Card or Ultra Diamonds. We like a good deal and we're telling our readers about it. Good day to you.

9 Months to Go, But Who's Counting?

Hello blog world! We've been super busy over here at Big Spoon Little Spoon and I have a big-ish announcement for you this week. But not yet ... this is what we've been doing lately ...

We booked our honeymoon and wedding night hotel this month because Orbitz was running a great Winter Sale and Discover Card (my credit of choice) was rewarding 5% cash back bonuses on travel and hotel purchases. Not to mention, I get another 5% cash back by using Shop Discover. Cha-ching!

The Hilton family of hotels is also running a January Sale. Since Big Spoon works in West End, he wanted did not want our wedding night to be anywhere near his office. We opted instead to stay half-way between our venue and home in the brand new Hampton Inn in Mt. Juliet. It might sound less glam than the posh downtown hotels, but we have an in-room whirlpool tub. So ha!

On Jan 17, I attended the big big bridal show with Hillary Capes of Your Day of Fairy Tales and two girlfriends who are engaged to marry after us (not each other). Much fun! Thanks again to Hillary and Jonathan Campbell Photography for my show ticket.

I've been collaborating with my FMIL to plan our rehearsal dinner. Gallatin, TN is smallish, so the variety of nice restaurants is ... limited, shall we say. We are looking at Monell's Gallatin and a new place in Hartsville, TN called Tully's Bistro.

*Just a word of advice while we're on the subject. Don't limit yourself to "in town" venues. An additional 20-30 minutes outside of Nashville might save you hundreds of dollars in venue costs. It certainly worked out that way for us and thank goodness we don't have to fool with the _________'s at Metro Park Services!


And there's more ...

Big Spoon got really great news this week: he’s been reappointed to his faculty position! Yay! (That means we don’t have to pack up and move right after the wedding.) I’m not ashamed to say that I cried a little I was so happy about it. He worked very very hard last semester to make this happen and I’m soooooo proud of him.

Lastly, I’ll leave you with a bit-o-bling .... I purchased this on Etsy for our cake, but it’s a lot bigger than it looks. I’m wondering if I shouldn’t ask them if I can exchange it for another. Gorgeous, no?

Diamonds & Pearls

I was supposed to go to "Veil Night" at Arzelle's tonight, but something about this weather made me want to come home and watch a movie ... maybe sip some hot chocolate! I knew that Big Spoon wouldn't be home from work for awhile, so I headed out to our jewelry store instead.

I say "our" jewelry store because I can't imagine ever using another one as long as we live here! Wholesale Jewelers in Hermitage is stellar.

I have a nearly broken string of pearls that my parents gave me the day I graduated High School. Needless to say, no matter how inexpensive they were, they have sentimental value to me. They are freshwater pearls, not even beaded like the good stuff, but I want to wear them on our wedding day. The jeweler cut me a great deal on having them re-strung and while I was there, I sold some old yellow gold pieces I've held on to for a decade. Who says old high school boyfriends aren't good for something? I made $20 to apply toward my necklace repair. Yay!

My wedding dress is beaded with rhinestones and pearls. Pearls are my birthstone and definitely a favorite of mine - timeless and classic. I'm so excited to have them fixed and someday, hopefully, pass them along to my daughter or grand daughter.

Something Blue

My something blue arrived yesterday! I purchased these beautiful pearl and blue rhinestone vintage earrings for $15 from {Pattycake's Plunder} on {Etsy}

I intend to clip these little guys onto a plain pair of shoes to match my wedding dress. Plus, I'm positive that less elaborate shoes will be less expensive and mine will be one of a kind with my little blue earrings.