In the past, engraved engagement rings were common but limited to usually just your initials. Some went a little further and would put a sweet note on the inside of the wedding band to send the right message of true love. While very sweet, by being on the inside, no one would ever see it.

Now to modern day, modern times with new ways of doing things. The world is no longer filled with conservatives that down play the excitement that the present youth of today fully embrace. Expressing one’s love for the world to see is no longer seen as boasting or wrong.

There are many different ways of doing this. There is still the improper way like what Tom Cruise did by jumping up and down on a couch in front of an audience. But a proper way would be to engrave your views on the ring to your most loved. Yes, some things are too far but a message of love forever placed on the ring she will wear for the rest of her life cannot be wrong. Read the rest of this entry »

Many different countries and cultures use wedding rings as a part of their wedding ceremony. This article looks at some of the traditions around the World.

Wedding ceremonies vary from country to country, however, many places use wedding rings as part of the marriage ceremony. Here we will look at some of the wedding traditions from several countries.

The finger on which the wedding ring is worn varies depending on the country’s traditions

The finger on which the wedding ring is worn varies from country to country, some placing the ring on the right ring finger and others placing the ring on the left ring finger. In some countries the hand on which the ring is worn can change before and after the ceremony. For example in Greece, the couple wear the ring on the left hand until after the wedding ceremony when they are transferred to the right hand. In some European countries, the engagement ring also serves as the wedding ring and it is engraved after the wedding. Some people choose to wear the engagement ring on the right hand ring finger and the wedding ring on the left hand ring finger. This can help to prevent damage to the rings caused by them rubbing together.

The Romans considered the wedding ring to be the last in a series of gifts

The Romans believed in giving a series of gifts to the bride-to-be, and the final gift of the series was the wedding ring. The engagement ring could also be one of the series of gifts.

Some recently-introduced traditions include the trilogy ring, the eternity ring and the pre-engagement ring

The trilogy ring usually consists of three separate diamonds which symbolize the couple’s past, present and future. The eternity ring symbolizes a long marriage, and the pre-engagement ring is sometimes given when a relationship becomes more serious. Read the rest of this entry »

We, at Abella Studios, have shot thousands of engagement shoots throughout the NJ area and have noticed a pattern, as we continue to return to the same locations time and time again. I thought it may be helpful to provide the location information and some images captured at each to couples who are currently researching same for their NJ Wedding.

Engagement shoot locations…

1. Lambert’s Castle, West Paterson, NJ – Built by business tycoon Catholina Lambert in 1892, Lambert’s castle is one of the area’s most popular places for engagement and wedding day pictures. This small but versatile location offers unique architecture, surrounded by beautiful trees and an excellent view of New York City. This location is great for any time of the year, visit in the summer for lush green scenery, or come in the winter time and have a snowball fight!

2. Branch Brook Park, Newark/Belleville, NJ – Located in Newark and Belleville, Branch Brook Park has the largest collection of Japanese cherry trees in the United States. With over 360 acres, and 4,000 cherry blossom trees, this park offers endless opportunities for photography. The perfect time to visit Branch Brook Park is in mid April, when the trees are in bloom, the beautiful pink and white blossoms will make a perfect background for your engagement pictures.

3. New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood, NJ – The Botanical Garden in Ringwood is one of the largest and varied landscapes in the area. Over a dozen formal gardens surround the Skylands Manor, which was built in the 1920s. No two photo shoots are the same here because of the enormous variety these gardens have to offer. Visit this state park spring through autumn for a gorgeous engagement shoot backdrop.

4. Hamilton Park, Boulevard East, Weehawken, NJ – If you are looking for a view of New York City, this is one of the best around! Hamilton Park lies just north of the Lincoln Tunnel on a cliff overlooking the NYC skyline. This small park has manicured landscaping and unique features, giving you a garden setting, with a city view. Schedule an engagement shoot here in the early morning and watch the sun rise over New York City. Read the rest of this entry »