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Tips to ensure a wonderful engagement
Etiquette
By Nedra Wickremesinghe
And so you're getting engaged. There are a million things to do, so get started fast.

The cake
Pearly white, pastel and shades of white were the popular choice for engagement cakes, decorated with sugar roses in subtle hues and embellished with delicate ribbons. Such cakes are still very popular among tradition-conscious brides. But we are seeing a change. With engagement parties being celebrated in the ballroom of a five-star hotel, the cake too has taken on a different look. Jerome Corea, Executive Pastry Chef of Fab Food Pvt. Ltd., says he gets special requests to comply with the overall colour theme. The engagement cake too has to blend with the theme and decor of the hall. Some clients ask for the cake to reflect their traditions and culture like a Kandyan theme complete with paddy and araliya.

Colours too have changed; in vogue are dark backgrounds with contrasting decorations. The cake may consist of more than one tier. Adds Jerome, "There is drama and character in a colourful cake while a plain cake can look dull and boring." He also takes into consideration the beliefs and superstitions attached to engagement cakes. For instance, when cutting the cake the couple has to face the two-ends of the horse-shoe. "Lighting the candles signifies lighting your life together" says Jerome.
The price of an engagement cake could vary between Rs. 5000/- and Rs. 16,000/- or even more.

The ring
The engagement ring represents the unbroken circle of love. No engagement is complete without the 'ring ceremony'. The first step, of course, should be to set a budget. Then decide on the style (classic, modern or vintage) and the shape of the stone (round or emerald). When you see a ring you fancy, have a close look, as this is the biggest part of the investment. You are supposed to look deep into a diamond to discern its character and cut - some cuts radiate light, some have a subtle glow. Take your time when choosing a ring -you will want to live happily ever after with whatever ring you choose.

In an ideal situation, every bride-to-be is thrilled with the ring she gets. Unfortunately this may not be so in all cases. The ring of his choice may not set your heart aflutter, but you should accept it and wear it with a smile. Who said you can't re-set it in a couple of years?

Though diamonds are the most popular choice for engagement rings, some prefer other gems.

Among the precious family of stones are rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. Navy stones work with any wardrobe while romantic rubies rank third. Because emeralds are soft and tend to scratch easily, they are not recommended for engagement rings that will be worn every day.

The setting
The newest thing in engagement rings? Classics. At the beginning of this millennium many celebrity brides opted for antique rings with an abundance of frilly details. Nowadays the number of settings to choose from is almost limitless.

The traditional Tiffany or solitaire setting perches a single diamond high on the band.
The setting of a cluster of stones around a larger stone is also popular.

Colombo Jewellery Stores (at Crescat) unveiled its spectacular wedding ring Collection 2002 exclusively for The Sunday Times. The exquisite settings in perfect combination in 18kt gold and white gold rings is mounted and encrusted with dazzling diamonds. Set in modern styles, these rings are sought after by the young brides-to-be with a limited budget. The price ranges from Rs 22,000/- upwards.

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