Congratulations to the Live the Fairytale Open House giveaway winners!
Tanya Albrecht is the winner of the free boudoir session from LaBarge Photography
Sabrina Baig and Jeremy Paulsen are the winners of the free engagement dvd with purchase of a wedding photography package from Artful Joy Photography
Amber Gustke and Jordan Brownlow are the winners of the free engagement session from Adam Shea Photography
Ashley Dahle and Derk Blaszak are the winners of the Pampered Chef gift basket from Tanya Albrecht
Heather Lesher and/or Jeff VanderZanden are the winners of the free 30 minute massage from Healing Touch Massage
Also, congrats to Tanya and Chris for contracting with Details! They will receive a free overnight stay at the Copperleaf Hotel in downtown Appleton.
Free overnight at the Copperleaf incentive is valid on contracts signed with Details on or before March 12. Call to book your appointment!
A special thank you to all suppliers who participated in the event with Details, a professional planning company:
LaBarge Photography
Artful Joy Photography
Adam Shea Photography
Sound Decision
Acme Lighting
McVey Tent and Expo
Your Guest Chef
My Phase 2 Floral
Arbonne
Pampered Chef
The Bagpipe Guy
Simple Simon Bakery
Lamers
Krystal Kleer Ice Sculptures
Details specializes in the planning and execution of coorporate meetings and events, incentive programs, social and community events, and weddings. Graphic Design services are availabe to ensure the look and feel of your event is evident on every element.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Spread the word about the Details Live the Fairytale Open House, this Saturday, February 27 from 1-4pm! http://ping.fm/DlHih Awesome products and services to be given away like a hi-res dvd of your enhanced engagement session photos offered by Artful Joy Photography when you book a wedd...ing collection - value $495! http://ping.fm/XFDmB
Friday, February 19, 2010
Exciting Giveaways for the Open House on Saturday, February 27 in Appleton! Adam Shea Photography is offering a free, no strings attached, engagement photo session to a very lucky couple! Check out Adam's work at http://ping.fm/ImJ4t
Adam is a preferred supplier to Details customers and offers a special gift ...to our clients. Call either of us to find out more!
Adam is a preferred supplier to Details customers and offers a special gift ...to our clients. Call either of us to find out more!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Let's Get Real!
Brides typically struggle when trying to put together a figure for their wedding budget because they have no clue what each of the elements cost. Parents try to offer advice based on their wedding with an allowance for inflation. The internet can be a great resource, but can quickly become overwhelming. At Details, we offer our clients resources that indicate averages for various wedding elements. So how do you accurately determine a budget for your wedding?
1. Don't spend more than you can afford. This may sound simplistic, but you would be surprised at the number of brides and parents who overextend themselves when it comes to that special day. A beautiful memory can be created on any budget, you may just need to adjust your expectations a bit - the string quartet may get crossed off.
2. Seek a planner. And I'm not just saying that because that's what we do : ) . Not all planners will walk you through the budgeting process and help you make the proper financial decisions by providing options as well as spreadsheets comparisons.
3. Take in percentages with a grain of salt. Most resources will tell you that photography should average approximately 7-15% of your total wedding budget. Hmm, maybe. Percentages and averages are fuzzy characters and can be misleading. For instance, in our photography scenario, a quality, basic photography package will be a minimum of $1500. So if a bride with a $10,000 budget books that basic photography package for $1500, she has just used 15% of her wedding budget on that element. Another bride can have a budget of $30,000 and decide to book the same basic $1500 package and she has only spent 5% of her budget for the exact service. Bride A may see the average percentages and think that she can get photography service at the low range - 7%- since she has a limited budget. IF she finds a photographer for $700 she is going to sacrifice either quality of image, quality of service, or quantity of product or, all of the above.
4. Consider what is most important to you. Details has each of its potential clients complete a 5 page Bridal Questionnaire that not only helps us understand your wedding expectations and budget, but also has you rank various wedding elements in order of importance. This information helps us adjust your budget numbers to appropriately divide your finances.
5. Speak with all party members involved to delicately inquire as to how they can assist with your special day. Most elements are better left to the professionals, but mom and pop can be great financial resources : )
6. Before or shortly after your first meeting with your planner, determine what items must be included in the budget given to her. For instance, will the cost of the rehearsal dinner need to be considered or is coming from a different purse? What about the wedding dress? Honeymoon? Rings? A planner wants to understand what her real working number will be.
7. Consider fixed costs vs variable costs. Some elements are fixed costs in that they are not going to cost you any more if you invite 2 guests or 200. Photography, some venues, the dress, the planner, and the band are a few examples of fixed costs. Other costs are variable and allow you opportunity to adjust the impact on your bottom line based on the number of guests you invite or the number in your bridal party. Floral, linens, food and beverage are a few examples.
Here's a quick peek at bottom line sample pricing in mid-sized Midwestern cities:
Wedding cake - $3.50 a slice and up
Officiant fee - $400 and up
DJ service - $1200 and up
Photography service - $1600 and up
Elements such as food and beverage, floral and venue rental vary greatly depending on your selection.
~ Jami
1. Don't spend more than you can afford. This may sound simplistic, but you would be surprised at the number of brides and parents who overextend themselves when it comes to that special day. A beautiful memory can be created on any budget, you may just need to adjust your expectations a bit - the string quartet may get crossed off.
2. Seek a planner. And I'm not just saying that because that's what we do : ) . Not all planners will walk you through the budgeting process and help you make the proper financial decisions by providing options as well as spreadsheets comparisons.
3. Take in percentages with a grain of salt. Most resources will tell you that photography should average approximately 7-15% of your total wedding budget. Hmm, maybe. Percentages and averages are fuzzy characters and can be misleading. For instance, in our photography scenario, a quality, basic photography package will be a minimum of $1500. So if a bride with a $10,000 budget books that basic photography package for $1500, she has just used 15% of her wedding budget on that element. Another bride can have a budget of $30,000 and decide to book the same basic $1500 package and she has only spent 5% of her budget for the exact service. Bride A may see the average percentages and think that she can get photography service at the low range - 7%- since she has a limited budget. IF she finds a photographer for $700 she is going to sacrifice either quality of image, quality of service, or quantity of product or, all of the above.
4. Consider what is most important to you. Details has each of its potential clients complete a 5 page Bridal Questionnaire that not only helps us understand your wedding expectations and budget, but also has you rank various wedding elements in order of importance. This information helps us adjust your budget numbers to appropriately divide your finances.
5. Speak with all party members involved to delicately inquire as to how they can assist with your special day. Most elements are better left to the professionals, but mom and pop can be great financial resources : )
6. Before or shortly after your first meeting with your planner, determine what items must be included in the budget given to her. For instance, will the cost of the rehearsal dinner need to be considered or is coming from a different purse? What about the wedding dress? Honeymoon? Rings? A planner wants to understand what her real working number will be.
7. Consider fixed costs vs variable costs. Some elements are fixed costs in that they are not going to cost you any more if you invite 2 guests or 200. Photography, some venues, the dress, the planner, and the band are a few examples of fixed costs. Other costs are variable and allow you opportunity to adjust the impact on your bottom line based on the number of guests you invite or the number in your bridal party. Floral, linens, food and beverage are a few examples.
Here's a quick peek at bottom line sample pricing in mid-sized Midwestern cities:
Wedding cake - $3.50 a slice and up
Officiant fee - $400 and up
DJ service - $1200 and up
Photography service - $1600 and up
Elements such as food and beverage, floral and venue rental vary greatly depending on your selection.
~ Jami
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Huff, Flash, Disperse in a Dark Room
DIAMONDS: HOW TO TELL CZ FROM DIAMOND
Diamond stimulants like CZ may be suitable for costume jewelry, and the average person in casual circumstances may not know the difference between a CZ and a natural diamond. However, no professional will be fooled and laymen who would like to know the difference between diamond and CZ can try these fun and easy tests:
The Huff Test
Hold the stone in question next to a diamond and "huff" on them with your hot breath. Both stones will fog up. The diamond will clear up rapidly, while a CZ will take a little longer. This is due to diamond's greater thermal conductivity.
The Flash Test
When a CZ is upside down and backlit (light coming through the crown, viewed from the pavilion side) its pavilion facets will often "flash" orange.
The Weight Test
CZ is 80% heavier than diamond. Hint: This will show up pretty fast when she's comparing items with her friends.
The RI Water Test
Put the CZ a glass of water, along with a diamond. A CZ (with a 2.2 refractive index versus diamond's 2.42) will appear more "transparent" than a diamond. It will look more "washed out", or "ghostlike" compared to a diamond.
The Dispersion Water Test
In a dark room, put the stone in question in the bottom of a glass alongside a diamond, face down. Lift the glass up a couple inches, and shine a flashlight down on them vertically from above. Diamond has a dispersion of 0.44, while CZ's is 0.66, 50% more. You will see a circular pattern of light images under the stones which has been "stretched out" into a rainbow spectrum. If one of the stones is a CZ, its rainbow spectrum will be 50% longer, more "stretched out" than a diamond. The difference in look is obvious.
The Give It As An Engagement Ring Test
Give the stone in question to your fiancée as an engagement ring. If she throws it back in your face within 24 hours, it is a CZ/diamonds. This is the most decisive test of all of them.
Thank you to Whiteflash, our Guest Blogger for this helpful contribution!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Check out our Open House Sponsors!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
This Week's Guest Blogger: Ashley Bailey with Whiteflash.com! Shopping for a Diamond?
Whether they're for your engagement or for an anniversary, you can't go wrong with a diamond ring, necklace, bracelet, or even a watch. The problem is that men don't necessarily enjoy shopping for them.
So, to make this dreaded task easier on men, I've compiled a list of common questions and concerns men have about buying diamonds for their special ladies. I then went to expert Debi Wexler from WhiteFlash.com for the answers. Debi shared her knowledge on how to avoid getting hustled when buying a diamond, which "C" is more important, how to insure your rock, and more.
Here is what every man should know before shopping for a diamond.
Q: What's the difference between a cubic zirconia and a diamond?
A: A cubic zirconia (CZ) is a man-made crystal with a different refractive index (the degree to which a substance can bend and impact light, making the substance look more or less brilliant) than a diamond. CZ is not as durable as a diamond. It also weighs 60% more, so if she likes to trade rings with her friends to compare, you could get busted.
Q: Which of the 4 Cs (cut, clarity, color, and carat) is the most important characteristic to consider when buying a diamond?
A: The most important characteristic is cut. The cut is the quality of a diamond's proportions, described in angles and percentages. It is not merely how symmetric the diamond is, as described by the "symmetry" grade on the lab report, as you may be told. Cut has the most impact on a diamond's overall beauty. Many consumers are kept in the dark about the finer details of cut. Find out more information about diamond cut .
After cut, our money is on clarity, then color -- because great cut quality can make a stone appear more colorless. As for carat weight, we all want size (and so do our women), but given a choice, the stone with the best cut quality wins.
What questions should you ask and how much should you spend?
Q: What type of information and documentation should I demand when purchasing a diamond?
A: You should insist on knowing these details of the cut: Table %, Depth %, Crown angle, and Pavilion angle (see diagram below). These measurements will allow evaluation of a diamond's cut quality.
Independent laboratory certification is a must. We feel very strongly about this. It is a pedigree of quality that should come with the diamond. We prefer American Gemological Society (AGS) reports, because they include cut proportions, but Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and European Gemological Laboratory, USA division (EGL-USA) are reputable as well.
Q: Is it true that the price of a diamond increases exponentially as its carats increase, especially as it gets close to 1?
A: Prices fluctuate, but the short answer is yes. The dramatic increase is because larger pieces of a rough diamond are needed to produce larger sized diamonds. These pieces of rough cost more. The good news is that prices you've seen in the "real world" are inflated. In this day and age, you can get a higher quality diamond for similar or better prices from a reputable Internet vendor.
Q: What is a Whiteflash ACA Hearts & Arrows diamond?
A: Hearts & Arrows is a term used for a round, brilliant diamond that exhibits a kaleidoscopic pattern of hearts in the pavilion (bottom) and arrows in the crown (top) due to the precision in its cut. These diamonds are considered the best-cut diamonds in the world.
To earn the Whiteflash ACA name, the stone must have the planet's highest cut grade of AGS 0 "Ideal." Further, the physical alignment of each facet must be perfect. Less than one in three million diamonds displays Hearts & Arrows, and only a fraction are good enough to be branded Whiteflash ACA.
Because of the very specific proportions, each ACA has a harmonious blend of white light, colored flashes and sizzling scintillation. Expressly dynamic in all lighting conditions, this marriage of crisp brilliance and robust fire makes Whtieflash ACA the most visually balanced diamonds in the world.
Q: What's the most popular metal used when creating a diamond ring?
A: These days, it's platinum, which we recommend for its durability. Gold is always in fashion, too.
Q: What's a reasonable budget for buying a diamond? Is it really three months' salary as advertised by some?
A: The short answer is to buy what you can afford.
Finding the perfect diamond is personal. The traditional figure is three months' salary, but who's to say that's right for your circumstances? We are guessing that if she's ready for you to pop the question, she wants it to be popped soon. Don't wait needlessly. No budget is too small or too large, but you should look for the best value in craftsmanship and performance for your money, whether it's a 15 pointer for $150 or a 7-carat Superideal True Hearts & Arrows cut for $250,000.
How to insure your diamond and avoid getting hustled.
Q: Do diamonds have a resale value once they've been cut and purchased?
A: Only at a slight percentage over wholesale cost. Your best security is to make sure the vendor has sound return, trade-up and/or buyback policies. Of course, WhiteFlash.comoffers all three, including a unique lifetime trade-up policy: We'll give you full value for the purchase amount if you ever want to upgrade! We want customers for life, including future birthdays, anniversaries, and simply for getting out of the doghouse.
Q: How should I care for the diamond?
A: Diamond is one of the hardest known substances, so just keep it clean and degreased. Dish soap, warm water and a soft brush do the trick. The setting may require more delicate care.
Q: How can I insure the diamond?
A: Often, your jewelry can be added to your homeowner's or renter's insurance. Separate policies can be obtained through Chubb, Jeweler's Mutual and similar companies. You will need an independent appraisal for insurance purposes. WhiteFlash.comprovides an independent appraisal with each diamond purchase.
Q: Is there a foolproof way to avoid getting hustled when buying a diamond?
A: Be smart. Follow these four key words: education, information, communication, and reputation.
Demystify the element of cut. Insist on obtaining all the information and don't accept excuses. Ask questions and be certain the answers make sense and aren't "feel good" tactics. Investigate vendor reputability and find the best-cut stone with qualities of clarity, color and weight you are happy with at the most competitive price.
If someone tells you that you don't need to know proportions, dodges your requests for information, or tries to claim that grades in polish or symmetry indicate cut quality, you should run and take your business elsewhere.
If someone tells you the Internet is a scam, ask them for all of the same analytic information and lab certification we provide, compare overall quality, prices, guarantees, return, buyback and trade-up policies, and then make your own choice.
There you have it, the basics of buying a diamond. With your newfound knowledge, shopping for a diamond shouldn't be such a difficult task anymore. Visit for more information
About Us
Whiteflash is the first company in the U.S. to specialize in the coveted Hearts & Arrows diamond and bring the sheer beauty of “super ideal cut” to the Internet. Debi Wexler, a computer entrepreneur founded Whiteflash in 2000 bringing an expansive selection of loose diamonds to the Internet, including an exclusive brand of Hearts & Arrows. A Cut Above (ACA®) is unmatched in its brilliance, fire and sparkle and remains the only Hearts & Arrows diamond sold online with advertised standards and a “true patterning” guarantee. In addition, Whiteflash offers original handcrafted platinum and gold settings, diamond engagement rings and wedding bands, custom designed engagement rings and diamond jewelry.
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