Wedding Style Update

Timeless Styles: Wedding How-To’s

Save money and ensure you get exactly what your heart desires for your special day by creating your own designer wedding jewelry -- for a fraction of what you’d spend in bridal shops or department stores.

From classic styling to designing outside the traditional jewelry box, you’ll find the latest bridal jewelry fashions and style how-to’s for upcoming wedding seasons.

Accessorize for Spring/Summer Weddings

Statement jewelry is every bit as important as the statement of your dress for spring/summer wedding style. Even heavily embellished lace gowns are lavishly accentuated with giant gems and intricate crystal pieces -- because a day this big deserves big beads.

Color continues to play a leading role in bridal jewelry, with many brides choosing palettes in the same bright or subtle tones as their wedding colors. Sparkling baroque and teardrop crystals in brilliant blue, purple, green, pink and orange shades accented with marcasite components are worn as earrings and collar necklaces.

Flowers and rosettes incorporated into necklace designs and headpieces celebrate the freshness of spring and are blooming in bridal style as are embellished fabric and tulle floral pieces worn at the waistline. Hair vines are a Hollywood wedding favorite many brides are smitten with for their versatility – they work with every hairstyle, and they’re easy to make. Beaded ribbon headbands are another popular choice among brides, continuing from fall/winter wedding hairstyles into spring/summer fashions.

Cameos are reappearing on the fashion landscape and are a favorite for both traditional elegance and contemporary style. Bold, multi-strand necklaces in striking black and ivory, or elegant carnelian and ivory colors are leading choices for brides to be. Small-size cameo and velvet ribbon bracelets make a more subtle statement of delicate femininity.

Layers of pearls – either cultured freshwater or Swarovski™ crystal pearls – satisfy both the classic romantic and the avant-garde bride. High collars bring traditional style to strapless bridal gowns, while backless and plunging necklines call for long layers of pearls in uniform or graduated sizes.

In keeping with World Beat fashions, bridal jewelry – especially for destination weddings – is also culturally influenced, drawing particular inspiration from Mexico, India and Thailand. Large sterling silver beads combined with carved gemstone beads and tassel pendants give stand-out style to a floral print gown in neutral shades. Feathers are another global accent for both hair accessories and jewelry. Exotic colors of peacock and parrot feathers help showcase the bouquet and add interest to a classic white gown.

Jewelry isn’t the only bridal bling that’s in vogue for spring/summer weddings. Beaded bridal handbags, shoes and shawls complete the look.

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