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What Kind of Brides Wear Bridal Tiaras?

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:05:00 +0000

We’ve had so many of our bridal clients come to us cautiously looking for the perfect bridal tiara that we eventually had to ask ourselves why there were so many tentative shoppers out there. When we dug a little, it turned out that a lot of brides-to-be were worried about looking overdone or over-the-top and feared that the drama of a, say, Swarovski crystal bridal tiara would make them look stuck up rather than elegant. The good news is that nothing could be further from the truth! Today’s bridal tiaras are every bit as sophisticated as bridal hair brooches and pins – and not, we’d like to point out, trying to be the crown jewels.

In fact, a bridal tiara can be a perfect accompaniment to a bride’s overall wedding day look, harmonizing fabulously with her bridal jewelry, gown, and shoes. Can a tiara stand out and play a starring role in wedding day attire? Absolutely, if that’s what the bride wants. Most brides who choose tiaras, however, aren’t looking for something queenly so much as something that will show off their beautiful hairstyles and in many cases, a simple veil. And tiaras are a great way to do just that while also being easier for many brides to wear than clips or hair pins.

If you’re a bride-to-be and you’re not wholly sold on bridal tiaras just yet, keep these 5 tiara buying tips in mind:

1. Buying a bridal tiara may be more complicated than finding something you like and clicking ‘purchase’. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time for exchanges, just in case.

2. Consider your hair length, your anticipated wedding day hairstyle, and how difficult a given tiara will be to secure in place through your ceremony and reception.

3. Your face shape matters, so look for guides that will help you choose a bridal tiara that looks beautiful on you.

4. Tiaras come in different heights, so consider how much height you want to add to your wedding day look when choosing a tiara.

5. Don’t forget your dress! Tiaras come in so many styles, colors, and metals, so be sure that the tiara you choose complements your wedding gown instead of competing with it.

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Wedding Inspiration: Blue and Yellow

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:27:02 +0000

If you’re a bride considering a blue and yellow color palette for your wedding, there’s plenty for you to think about… teal versus navy, for instance. Mustard yellow versus something brighter. There an innumerable shades of every color, of course, but a quick search of blue and yellow weddings (or yellow and blue weddings) yields so many results with so many different combos! Even in our own store, we have blue Swarovski crystal bridesmaid earrings… in a dark but-not-quite-navy blue and in a pretty aqua, too, not to mention all of the blues you’ll find among our regular crystal bridesmaid jewelry. That’s just one example, but it’s one that resonates with us! Blue isn’t just blue and yellow is never just yellow.

So the first question you need to ask yourself if what blues and what yellows you like best. We put together a little blue and yellow inspiration board with the blues and yellows we love – that includes some of our own jewelry and bridesmaids’ dresses – and we’d be happy to say these were our wedding colors!

The next questions are what will flatter you and your bridesmaids, and what will look good in your wedding venue. If you’ve been lucky enough to choose a wedding venue that is relatively neutral in terms of color, then the sky is the limit. But if a colored carpet or colored walls are the reality of that space, make sure that your blues and yellows won’t look absurd in that space. The specific shade of yellow bridesmaid dress you choose may not work with every shade of blue. It’s all about color matching, and there are numerous online tools that will help you create color palettes or show you which colors work well (and which don’t).

Eventually, you’ll find the perfect pairing of blue and yellow that will look amazing at your wedding. Is blue and yellow the perfect combo for every bride? Of course not! But if it’s your favorite combo, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t match blue and yellow every which way. Happy color matching!

Brides: Wear What YOU Love, Not What Someone Else Likes Best

admin — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:09:32 +0000

As a bride, everywhere you look, someone is telling you what to do. And it’s not just the magazines and wedding planning websites, either. In addition to the pressure to be trendy or to DIY your wedding to the nines, we’re guessing you have well-intentioned friends and relatives who are offering up unsolicited advice left and right. The big ones? Are usually that brides have to wear white… that bridesmaids have to match… that you have to serve cake… have a wedding DJ… wear high heels and a bridal jewelry set… toss the bouquet… There are plenty more. We could probably spend the next hour listing off the “musts” that poor brides-to-be have thrust upon them as soon as they start wedding planning. It can get irritating – or disheartening, depending on whether you were excited to buck the trends or you simply were trying to cut down on costs.

Here’s the thing, though. There are only a few real “musts” in the wedding planning world. You must speak your vows in whatever way is required in your state. You must feed and entertain your wedding guests – if, that is, you’re having guests at your wedding. And that’s about it. Wedding favors? Not necessary. Cake? It’s up to you. An iPod can stand in for your DJ if you really want it to. There’s no rule saying you have to have a sit down meal at your reception.

Brides, as it turns out, actually have a lot of wiggle room when it comes to what they “must” do, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. For every bride who wants to wear Swarovski crystal bridal jewelry there’s a bride who wants to wear a simple veil and no other accessories. Most brides still choose white, but we’ve been to many weddings where the bride walked down the aisle in red, purple, green, or even black – and saved a bundle of money as a consequence. Matching bridesmaids? Only necessary if you like that look! Some brides choose a color and let their bridesmaids choose the dress. Others choose a pattern (see above) and go from there.

The point is that there is more than one way to have a wedding, regardless of what the magazines and wedding planning websites would have you believe. As a bride, you should wear what you love, not what someone else likes best or what some expert tells you is proper. Do we offer recommendations? Of course, and we do it weekly! But we’d much rather know that you’re standing at the altar feeling comfortable and beautiful than be the ones to pick your colors, your bridesmaids’ dresses, and your jewelry.

Because, bride-to-be, that’s your job! If anyone tries to tell you any different, feel free to thank them for their input and then disregard that input entirely.

Dress Your Bridesmaids in Swarovski and Color!

admin — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:15:40 +0000

The best thing about Swarovski crystals is, in our opinion, that they come in so many rich and beautiful colors. It doesn’t matter what your wedding colors are or what your bridesmaids are wearing – there is Swarovski crystal bridal jewelry that will go perfectly with your wedding color palette. In fact, when you want spectacular shine, there’s nothing better! We’ve put together three wedding inspiration boards with different colors, dresses, and accessories to show you how amazing Swarovski crystal jewelry looks as part of a wedding. Especially on bridesmaids! Take a look:

We are in love with this retro one-shoulder red bridesmaids dress but we didn’t want to go too crazy with the red and black – which can get dark – so in addition to pair it with amazing black and white bridesmaids bouquets and coordinating shoes, we topped our bridesmaids off in a four strand Swarovski crystal and pearl jewelry set. This is one sophisticated look!

Red and teal is still a fun wedding color combination that is popular but relatively rare. We put our own spin on it with a Lela Rose bridesmaids dress in WHITE accented with our aqua Swarovski crystal jewelry set, aqua patent pumps from BHLDN, and strikind deep red Gerbera daisy bouquets. And those harmonize with matching centerpieces dolled up with pretty aqua ribbon.

And finally, we paired black and fuchsia for an elegant palette that would look amazing at a nighttime ceremony and reception. Our bridesmaids are wearing black Alfred Sung bridesmaids dresses with fuchsia slip-ons and understated Swarovski crystal bridal bracelets in fuchsia and clear. Of course, we wouldn’t want to leave out the gents, so our groomsmen are in black suits with deep fuchsia ties.

Introducing the New Dareth Colburn Collection

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 12:29:03 +0000

Have you noticed our new look? We are so loving our new website design and we really hope you’ll go check it out. Obviously, our focus is on bridal jewelry and accessories, but can you blame us for wanting to look pretty? Our new look is definitely feels more like us – and, we hope, more like you, too! Take a look if you haven’t already, then come back because we have some other news to share…

Namely, the debut of the Dareth Colburn Collection! Our Dareth Colburn Collection features new and original Swarovski crystal bridal jewelry handcrafted with genuine Swarovski ELEMENTS, freshwater pearls, and other fine materials – right here in the US.

We’re very proud of the new designs, and we’re looking forward to debuting even more beautiful bridal jewelry designs in the near future. For now, we invite you to browse the collection and please, don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions at all!

Brides, Are You Forgetting Something?

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 12:06:43 +0000

You have your emergency kit. You have your wedding earrings. Your dress has been pressed and is hanging framed in front of a tall light-filled window. Your shoes have been thoroughly broken in. Every vendor has confirmed. Every detail is seemingly in place. Or is it? You probably have a team that’s going to have your back on your wedding day. The ushers who will make sure everyone is seated smoothly. The bridesmaid who happens to be a makeup goddess. You mom, who’s hurrying over to the reception venue immediately after the ceremony to make sure everything is set up and ready.

But who, we wonder, will be taking care of you? One thing that is conspicuously absent from your list is a point person. That’s the member of your bridal team whose job is to be your wedding day PA. She – or he – might run little errands for you, like zipping off to the drug store for a detergent stick. Someone who takes on the responsibility of finding out why the photog is 15 minutes late. Your point person is the one who makes sure you’ve eaten breakfast or lunch before the ceremony and also the one who keeps you fed and hydrated during the reception. Something’s stressing you out? Your point person will offer to fix it, insofar as she or he can.

If you haven’t chosen a point person for your big day, consider who among your friends and family is both uber responsible and also unencumbered by wedding day duties. Sometimes a sister is the perfect person for this role. Though admittedly, sometimes a sister is the worst choice! Only you know who the best point person will be on your wedding day. That said, even if you have more than one willing wedding day PA, don’t work their poor fingers to the bone. Your point person should have the same chance to enjoy your ceremony and reception that the rest of your guests will have!

xoxo

A Mint and Lavender Wedding Inspiration Board

admin — Wed, 02 May 2012 12:54:37 +0000

Mint and lavender? Too pretty! And convenient if you consider that there are literally hundreds of ways to incorporate lavender – the plant/flower – into your wedding decor. Now that spring has sprung, we’re thinking of soft, spring wedding color combinations for spring next – or summer weddings! This is a beautiful combo that’s easy to wear for bridesmaids and easy to look at for guests. Brides we know are loving it, too, because while you can’t always find *stuff* with a mix of mint and lavender, it’s very easy to find one or the other. Lavender bridesmaids dress with a mint sash? Why not! A touch of mint here, a lavender accent there… with white or without, you can’t go wrong! See what we mean?

What do you think about this pretty combo?

Shown: bridesmaids in mint and lavender from Bridalbeauty.com; a mint crystal bridal bracelet; floral bobby pins from Etsy seller waterwaif; an herbal sheaf style bridal bouquet; lavender cake by JollyBe Bakery; wedding shoes photographed by Liz Banfield; a mint paint swatch garland; a lavender bridesmaid dress; a lavender crystal wedding tiara

Wedding Headband Styles for Every Style Bride

admin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:34:19 +0000

Bridal headbands are all alike, right? Nah! There is as much variation in the world of wedding headbands as there is among any other bridal accessory. While it wouldn’t be possible to categorize every wedding headband – we’d be writing this post forever if we tried – most bridal headbands fall into one of the following types:

Simple Wedding Headbands

The most basic bridal headbands are slim and feature a single strand of pearls, rhinestones, or metallic detailing like filigree. Because they tend not to be overly detailed, these headbands work beautifully in almost any bridal hairstyle.

Brooch Style Wedding Headbands

This style of bridal headband is the perfect alternative to a hair brooch for the short-haired bride or any bride who is concerned about combs and brooches staying put. A slim, simple band is accented at the top or on the side with a brooch style side ornament – usually featuring rhinestones, pearls, or feathers.

Double and Triple Strand Wedding Headbands

This versatile style of bridal headband features different profiles and is often adjustable. For example, a triple strand wedding headband could be worn with each row spaced widely apart for a lot of impact in a low key hairstyle or closer together for the perfect accent to a more dramatic updo or half-and-half style.

Floral Wedding Headbands

If you’ve toyed with the idea of wearing a flower in your hair on your wedding day but don’t want to deal with wilt, a floral headband might be the perfect compromise. Similar to brooch style headbands, floral wedding headbands feature delicate or striking flower embellishments – usually situated to the side.

Ribbon Wedding Headbands

Ribbon wedding headbands differ from other bridal headbands in that they feature embellishments on a delicate ribbon rather than a metal loop. Other than that, ribbon headbands can be thick or thin and may be similar to brooch or crown style headbands.

Reverse Wedding Headbands

Most bridal headbands are meant to be worn like the headbands you might wear on any given day, but reverse headbands are worn around the back of the head – typically over a low placed veil or as part of the bride’s hairstyle.

Inspiration Board: Ribbon Wedding Headbands and Winter Weddings

admin — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:48:37 +0000

While summer weddings may get almost all of the attention, there are plenty of frost-loving brides out there who choose to brave the elements and plan winter weddings. And why not? Winter weddings have all the beauty of frost on a window pane – delicate lace outside, with warm comfort within. What’s more elegant than snowflakes? We love wedding photos that see the bride and groom posing in snow drifts, complete with boots. It’s the perfect time to add some wintery elegance to your hairstyle with a ribbon wedding headband embellished with tiny sparkling gems. Not to mention that winter weddings tend to be less expensive since winter is definitely considered the off season by most.

Love the idea, but need a little more inspiration? Check out our winter wedding inspiration board for loads of winter wedding design ideas:

Maybe you’re worried that even with all the shimmer, a winter wedding will leave your guests feeling cold. Well, we say it doesn’t have to be that way! Make your ceremony and reception feel cozy with small touches like lots of candles, soft textures, and details that evoke feelings of warmth, like a mulled cider or hot chocolate bar. Think carefully about saying your vows or having your receiving line outside. If you really want to have part of your wedding take place in the elements, make sure it’s fast. Really fast. Nothing can kill a festive mood like frosty fingers. Create a winter menu that features in-season goodies like squash, but make sure that whatever you serve, the meal leaves guests feeling warm and full. And consider having your ceremony and reception at the same location to avoid travel issues related to the winter weather.

That’s it! The rest is up to you! Some of the most beautiful and memorable weddings we’ve attended have been winter weddings so we know how wonderful they can be.

Shown: The double strand wedding headband; pine seedling wedding favors (Image via Nancy Gould Photography); a beautiful winter wedding cake; a bride and her bridesmaids in stoles to keep warm; a bride in boots (via Greg Gibson Photography); a winter snowflake wedding cake topper; adorable cocoa wedding favors (via Simply Photography and Andrea Dozier Photography; a winter wedding style shoot (Binita Patel Photography)

Feathers, Feathers Everywhere!

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:42:42 +0000

How many brides-to-be are too afraid to get a little trendy because they’re worried that their wedding photos will look dated in 25 years? To which we say, honey, all wedding photos will look dated eventually.

Right now, we can all gush over our grandmother’s 1950s and 60s weddings because that look is in. Two decades ago, brides-to-be would have laughed at the idea of copying that look – and justified their derision by saying that it was all too old fashioned. So if nothing else, let that ease your mind. Today’s classic looks will probably seem just as dated to your daughters as today’s on trend bridal ideas. When you’re planning your wedding and choosing accessories like wedding headbands and jewelry, go with what you like and don’t worry about what the future will think about your choices.

One on trend look we’re loving right now is feathers in weddings. Timeless? Maybe, but like every other trend, it goes around and comes around. Feathers may not be iconic, but they’re ‘in’ more often than not – and right now? They’re hot. Have you seen some of the feather wedding dresses walking down runways lately? They’re nothing short of amazing. Expensive, but amazing. Let’s say you love the look of feathers, but don’t want to spend that much on your wedding dress and you don’t want your guests’ first thought upon seeing you to be ‘Big Bird’. Not a problem! There are so many wonderful ways to incorporate feathers into your wedding!

Obviously, wedding accessories are one place feathers can play a starring role. We love feather wedding headbands because they’re flirty and romantic and glamorous without being too overwhelming. A feather bridal comb in your updo takes it down a notch without sacrificing any of the glamour. Feathers on your bridal shoes? Yes, please! We love these gorg pumps from BHLDN, for example. Or how about a luscious feather clutch to store your wedding day essentials?

Then again, you as the bride shouldn’t have to carry the full load when it comes to feathers! We love feather wedding centerpieces of all sorts, from tall to small. And feathers on your wedding cake? Why not! Just make sure the design you go with makes it easy to remove the feathers before serving so none of your guests end up looking like the cat that swallowed the canary. Some brides have figured out that flouncy feathers beat droopy flowers in bouquets and are having some or all of their bouquet made not with flowers, but with feathers. And we’ve seen feathers on invitations, post-ceremony when guests pelted brides and grooms with feathers instead of rice, on garters, as table décor, and more!

Are feathers trendy? Could be. Should it matter if you really love them? We say no.

Shown, bottom right: The amazing Demi feather wedding headband