The IVA Website

Getting married is a very special occasion, and something that the average bride wants to be memorable. She wants to shine in a beautiful gown and sparkling jewellery, with all her friends and family there to witness her special day (the average groom would be happy with a register office ceremony and a pint down the pub, but goes along with what his fiancée says for a quiet life and a happy marriage). With the cost of a wedding often reaching more than the price of a family car, is this something that can be justified in the current economic crisis?

Whether money is enough to make someone happy is a question that many people ask and there are different views on the topic. Ultimately, money cannot make you happy. If there are other factors missing in your life such as a loving partner, friends and family then having a load of money is unlikely to turn you into a really happy person. It will help of course as you will have the freedom to do what you like when you like, but if you don’t have special people to enjoy yourself with then you will probably still feel sad and alone.

Whether it's for an engagement, wedding, anniversary, birthday or other occasion, at some point most of us are going to buy an item of fine jewellery for somebody. However, fine jewellery, which is designed to last a lifetime and longer, is not cheap, so are there any ways to save money on this kind of jewellery?