As time has changed so have consumer traditions and buying patterns. The rich tradition of exchanging vows as a symbol of love and devotion is still a traditional time honored ritual practiced in many cultures. Certain aspects of engagement and marriage have changed with time however. Whereas in times of old a couple might take several outings together in search of perfect engagement rings or wedding bands, in modern times more and more couples are buying engagement rings, wedding rings and wedding bands online. Thanks to internet and resulting access to a global marketplace, couples are realizing they have more options available to them all from comforts of their living room. Some couples are even going to extreme, not only buying engagement rings, wedding rings and wedding bands online, but also purchasing wedding gowns, flowers and even participating in virtual marriages.

How have these changes come about? What can today's modern couple expect when planning a walk down aisle?

The Engagement Ring

The practice of a groom offering his bride to be an engagement ring as a promise of love and affection began nearly 2 centuries ago in United States; many associate giving of engagement rings with a need to express implied commitment and understanding forever. The term "A Diamond is Forever" was in fact used as a means of reinforcing notion that an engagement ring is a commitment from one fiancé to another to live a life together in marital harmony forever. The phrase is also a popular advertising catch phrase that reinforces notion that love and devotion are part of everyday symbolisms that require an outlet for expression.

The use of engagement rings as a token of love and affection is a norm that instilled in hearts and minds of most people, in part due to heavy marketing and advertising from diamond ring and other jewelry manufacturers, and in part based on needs of mankind to project symbolism into everyday living.

Wedding Rings

Once a couple has decided to walk down aisle together, next step is often purchasing wedding rings together. Because there are so many different kinds to choose from, it helps to know what distinguishes one wedding band from another. There are several tips that you can follow to ensure that you purchase wedding bands that suit your individual preferences and budget.

First and foremost consumers should keep in mind that it certainly pays to do their homework. The best advice for wedding ring shoppers is patience. Couples should take time to shop around and look at several different wedding bands, and have in mind an idea of what exactly they are looking for. Far too often customers compromise because they feel they can't find exactly what they are looking for; chances are you can find what you are looking for at a reasonable price, if you give yourself plenty of time to research wedding rings thoroughly before purchasing.

The process of emotional growth is both independent, and uncomfortable. To ideally maintain and promote harmony, each partner must be willing to flex with growth needs of other, while also contributing to growth of relationship.

A long-lasting relationship is founded on compassion, respect, and genuine love for your partner. These qualities can – and should – be frequently expressed in a number of ways, to reaffirm value of relationship. Continuously seeking to re-invent relationship by expressing appreciation for your partner will solidify connection between you.

To nudge your relationship out of proverbial emotional drought, here is a list of suggestions for adding more passion into your relationship:

1. Reality check your partner. Before doing anything to encourage relationship, ask yourself if your partner is good for you, and why. Know basic answers like back of your hand. If you find yourself unable or unwilling to admit value in your partner, you may be in wrong relationship.

2. Acknowledge uniqueness of relationship through your partner. There is potential in every moment to experience greatest point of your relationship. Showing appreciation for your partner’s uniqueness further defines relationship based on a broader attraction. Communicate acknowledgement of individuality of your partner frequently, both emotionally and physically.

3. Make love right now. Allow sexual aspect of your relationship to evolve into an activity of ultimate fulfillment, reserved only for your partner. Instead of making love for your satisfaction, make love for your partner, and allow them to do same for you.

4. Be friends, too. Would you be friends with your partner, outside of relationship? If you find answer is “no,” don’t worry – there’s always time to make new friends. Identify activities you and your partner can do and enjoy together. Participate in a third-party project, such as charity work. Activities beyond intimacy will broaden, and therefore strengthen, foundation of your relationship.