OmniBride™ & TWC: New Beginnings & Fond Farewells

The Wedding Chat has been a labor of love and a launching pad to something new and exciting for the entire online wedding community. You see we discovered a black hole…

As bloggers in the wedding industry we adore the vast blogosphere but, for a while, have felt such a deep void when attempting to research and find great content. Oh, we know it’s out there. In fact we take pride in the topics we’ve covered. But think about it-when you try to find something it’s often a time-consuming, hit-or-miss experience. There is so much valuable information out there and searching is like drifting aimlessly out in space.

Well, our frustration turned into opportunity. We connected with some tech virtuosos to help us create OmniBride, the first search-find-share destination solely for the wedding industry.

Our mission was to bring the entire online wedding community together so none of us has to wander aimlessly through the Internet to find great ideas, inspirations and resources.

We are just beginning to officially launch OmniBride and say a fond farewell to The Wedding Chat. We are sad for TWC to end as it has been steadily growing in popularity but feel our mission to bring together the entire online wedding community is the best use of our energies. We felt it even more when blogger Kelly Gribben, Keg Design, landed on us while she was randomly checking her site meter…”I discovered OmniBride as a referring site and one that is solely devoted to wedding-related things. What a cool concept! It’s definitely something the online wedding community can use.” We hope you think so too!

For brides: You’ll find that OmniBride is the most comprehensive destination for researching and planning your wedding.

For bloggers: Your voices will be heard by an exponentially greater audience. If the community loves your content, your stats will grow—and so will your fan base.

For industry: You have the opportunity to find out what the online wedding community is saying (or not saying) about your goods and services. You can engage in the community dialogues.

For journalists: This is your tool for researching and uncovering the latest buzz and resources.

You have the power to rate the value of a search result by either “loving” or “trashing” it so, unlike a general search engine, the community determines what rises to the top. So participate often and let your voice be heard throughout the wedding universe!

But there’s more to OmniBride—check out our feeds for the daily news and the most current wedding-related contests and giveaways. And if it’s being talked about—we’ll find it!

You may have noticed that this is a BETA version of OmniBride. This means that Version 1 is ready for take-off. But our vision doesn’t end here—count on an explosion of features and functions in the near future. For now, enjoy your exploration…and let us know about your experiences of finding it in the wedding cosmos.

“Conflict” on a wedding blog?

Okay, when I say “conflict” on this website, what comes to mind first? The wedding’s OFF!

In today’s political climate, probably something else should come to mind…conflict diamonds.

About the same time that conflict diamonds began appearing on the market, something VERY interesting was happening near the Arctic Circle. In the early 90s, a tenacious geologist, Chuck Fipke, discovered a vein of diamonds up in the Northwest Territories of Canada, with the first Canadian diamond mine opening in 1998.

The miracle with all this is that now, in just a decade, Canada has become the third largest producer of diamonds in the world, even beating out South Africa!

So you ask, what does this have to do with me? When the time comes for you to purchase gems, especially diamonds, there is a place to go if you want to ensure that none of your purchases include conflict diamonds: BRILLIANT EARTH, located in San Francisco.

Beautiful diamonds aren’t the only good reason to visit BRILLIANT EARTH. Five percent of its profits are donated to communities impacted by the jewelry trade: from gemology training in Madagascar to medical assistance to amputees and other survivors of the war in Sierra Leone, and more. BRILLIANT EARTH makes a difference.

So, as you contemplate purchasing a new diamond (and we all know that diamonds really are a girl’s best friend) and you want to know where that stone was mined and under what circumstances, visit BRILLIANT EARTH first! See for yourself and feast your eyes!

Above Photos Courtesy of www.soophotography.com

To learn more or to see more sparkling conflict free diamonds, visit www.brilliantearth.com

Buying time…in style!

More than ever, it is in style for women to wear watches with more presence. Ok, ok! Bling! Well there is a watch company that stands out when it comes to adding sophistication and “bling” to a womens time piece. CHARRIOL has created a line that is worth taking the time to try on. The Colvmbvs Collection.

The inspiration behind this leading brand of fine diamond watches and designer jewelery that features the Colvmbvs collection is Mr. Phillipe Charriol. In 1983, after a decade, he left behind a very successful career with THE Cartier company and pursued his own dreams of being an entrepreneur to create the immediately triumphant jewelery company CHARRIOL and so he began spreading….”The Art of Living the Difference.”

I am a huge fan of the Colvmbvs Collection. It fits me perfectly and its on my list of gotta haves! Ladies, this watch is well worth taking the time to save your pennies! I am looking forward to experiencing “The Art of Living the Difference.” Aren’t you?

To learn more about the Colvmbvs Collection, Other CHARRIOL Fine Jewelry, or to find a local retailer near you, visit www.charriol-usa.com

Long distance proposals popped in style!

How many of us have a box of outdated electronic gizmos and gadgets? Well, here is one gizmo that won’t ever make it into the box, and it will be a keepsake forever.

A long distance relationship just might require a long distance proposal. Those days of popping in the VHS tape or a DVD to deliver that special “will you marry me?” message are officially over, because it now comes all in one neat little package…a ring box with an LCD screen and sound by EURICASE!

As Ready to Propose, a custom proposal and concierge service, puts it…You can “pop the question in style!”

The EURICASE comes in a variety of finishes, colors, and features. For you camera shy guys, you can opt for sound only. And did I mention yet…that there is an illuminated light to enhance the bling!? The LCD screen version displays a video or pictures you’ve chosen to personalize your ring box, and you can load a marriage proposal or any personalized message. Rest assured on space, as there is plenty of memory in the EURICASE; and it can hold up to 500 of your favorite photos or 30 to 60 minutes of video.

This is one way she can tell her story forever, as she can replays your proposal video over and over for her family and friends to show everyone just how much you love her.

I think this ring box is just so incredibly cool that it could be used for EVERY proposal. As for the price tag…who can put a price on style and a near guarantee she will Say Yes!

To learn more about purchasing a EURICASE ring box, or to find a local retailer then visit their online store www.euricase.com

The “real” family in the diamond business

One of the most difficult decisions when it comes to investing in real gemstones and diamonds is actually the decision itself—to part with your hard-earned dollars for something small, sparkly, and oh, so shiny! The next decision you will have to make, once you commit yourself to the big splurge is….where to go get it?

There are many reputable diamond and fine jewelry stores with highly qualified gemologists on staff in the S.F. Bay Area; however, there is one place in particular I would like to highlight here on The Wedding Chat. JOE ESCOBAR DIAMONDS of Campbell, California, is a company that puts its reputation and family name behind its guarantee of quality product, fair prices, and impressive service.

Visit JOE ESCOBAR DIAMONDS
450 East Hamilton Avenue, Campbell, California 95008 www.escobardiamonds.com

Established in 1977, JOE ESCOBAR DIAMONDS is a family operated diamond and fine jewelry store. Today, Joe’s staff of 25 includes his three children: David, Mark, and Stacey; as well as seven GIA Graduate Gemologists, to guide you in selecting your diamond. In addition, their five Goldsmiths can help design your piece of jewelry or create that perfect setting, and it goes on…Just Like That! It is very likely you would get an opportunity to meet and work with one of the Escobar family when you visit their store. Truly, their knowledge of the product and their selection is both vast and superior. I was, and still am, very impressed!

To boot, recently, one of my brides made her diamond ring and wedding band purchase with Joe Escobar Diamonds and lets just say…she is very happy!

Below, are just a few things, big and small, that you might find when you visit their store. And the answer is YES!…that is a real, 8.5+ Carat, Oval Diamond Ring! Isn’t life good!

Photos Courtesy of Soo Photography, Cupertino CA.

A gift that will make your bridesmaids smile!

Instead of the same ol’ matching necklaces…instead, you can give all of your bridesmaids matching baubles for their fingers or wrists that they will wear…and thank you again and again! A fantastic selection of cocktail rings, bangles, cuffs, and bracelets can be found through online retailers, such as Max and Chloe, and believe it or not, QVC! Both retailers have one of my personal favorites, KENNETH JAY LANE RINGS, that vary from high fashion bling to sophisticated elegance. Prices range from $35 to $250. As you can see, there is something sophisticated and flashy for everyone’s budget!

Fashion and cocktail rings currently available through QVC online - www.QVC.com

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