(Written by: Harmony Scott)
"Couture" vs. "Costume" for your Wedding Jewelry
Designer, handmade jewelry is such a wonderful choice for your wedding day. Why not wear a work of art that will express your personal style? Handmade, quality jewelry doesn't have to be expensive...you just need to be a smart shopper. It is quite possible to find a jeweler who creates gorgeous, unique jewelry with exotic gemstones and pearls set in silver or gold. "Real" jewelry can be surprisingly affordable, yet still carries lasting value. This can be the one item from your wedding (besides the ring) that you will wear over and over through the years. Handmade, designer jewelry made especially to compliment your wedding day will continue to be enjoyed into the future, and may even become a sentimental heirloom for your children or family members.
Swarovski crystals and faux pearl bridal jewelry are (sadly) everywhere, and often cost just as much as their far more fabulous and "real" counterparts. So why not choose "couture" over "costume" and celebrate your unique sense of style and beauty? I hope you will take a moment to read these tips, and find the ideal jewelry artist to create your perfect handmade wedding jewelry!
Where to Start
Start researching at least four months before your wedding date, so you won't be rushed. As soon as you have found your wedding dress you are ready to find your jewelry. When choosing a jewelry designer, make sure you are familiar with their style and price range. Start with a little research on jewelers in your area, ask your friends for recommendations, and clip photos in magazines of attractive styles. I particularly like Lucky and InStyle magazines for their variety and price range. If you want something very specific, it is always best to find a jeweler nearby that you can meet with face to face. Otherwise, email makes it pretty easy to refine your search and communicate with your designer of choice.
Websites are a great resource. Spend some time online where you can browse and educate yourself at your leisure. The more specific your search keywords, the more refined your results will be. Use keywords like "bridal jewelry" or "wedding jewelry" along with "freshwater pearl", "semi-precious gemstones", "affordable handmade jewelry", "handmade designer jewelry", "sterling silver", and "gold." It is helpful to narrow the field of choices by searching for specific gemstones or materials you like (like moonstone, topaz, amethyst, or pink freshwater pearls) or styles that attract you (like "Victorian", "Edwardian" or "Antique"). One useful website is www.thefind.com. It is basically a shopping search engine that organizes your results by price or search-term relevance, and best of all, it has little thumbnail photos of each piece so you can see if you like the item before you click through to the specific website.
Once you have a few good design candidates, make an appointment to speak with each jeweler on your list in person, by phone or via email. Bring in or email photos of your dress (preferably with you in it), have a clear budget and time frame, and be sure to communicate any other important details that will give the designer a good idea of your desires and expectations.
Buyer Beware
Steer clear of any jeweler who pushes you towards a design that is not your taste or is too expensive. It is one thing for a designer to educate you about the jewelry they create, but don't let someone sweet-talk you into a design that you don't really love or can't afford. This is a big red flag, and the best course of action is to go somewhere else. Also, don't let your sister's best friend guilt you into wearing a necklace she "designed" just because she can string beads in a row. This is your day, and you should have it your way! You deserve to work with a professional who takes their craft, reputation, and customer service seriously. With a little effort you can find a talented designer who creates jewelry you love, listens to your needs, caters to your budget, and treats you with the respect and honesty you deserve.
Budget Minded
Once you have found your jeweler of choice, you can trim your expenses by purchasing a design that is currently available for sale in their line, or by asking the designer to repeat or make small changes to a style they have created previously. This will help save money since the artist will not have to create something from scratch especially for you, and the price should be more reasonable. If you do want something made specifically for you, expect to pay more, and in some cases the increased expense can be significant. This is because the designer will have to take much more time and care to create a look that is exactly what you want, and may have to create and re-create the piece several times to get it just right. Always get an estimate first before any work has started to avoid any nasty surprises! Its best to be upfront with your budget, most jewelry designers will appreciate your candor and be able to guide you to your ideal look and price range.
I hope you have enjoyed these tips! Best wishes on finding the perfect jewelry designer to suit your specific style, budget, and desires for your special day.
Showing posts with label handmade jewelry colorado. Show all posts
Showing posts with label handmade jewelry colorado. Show all posts
Monday, April 13, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Colorado Bridal Jewelry
Spring weddings are one of the most desirable times to marry due to weather, fresh blooming flowers, and the comfort all brides can feel in their dress, no matter what the design-even long sleeves can be worn comfortably in the spring, especially in Colorado. While it is important to pick the right dress, shoes, veil, and other bridal attire, picking colorado bridal jewelry for your spring wedding should be tops on your list-especially with today's fashion trends changing from season to season and year to year.
Beyond a necklace and earrings for you, the bride, you should also think about your bridal party and how their jewelry can enhance the look of the bridal party but not over shadow it. Trends for both dresses and jewelry for the 2009 wedding are leaning toward color in both dresses and jewelry. While basic pearls and teardrop earrings remain popular, bursts of color are appearing in these traditional bridal jewelry wear and more and more, brides are choosing to have their bridal party wear various colors instead of all one matching color for their jewelry selections. Even different styles for necklaces, earrings, and bracelets are accepted and can make your bridal party unique.
When thinking about your spring bridal jewelry for the upcoming spring season instead of going with sterling silver necklaces and earrings, choose alternate colored jewelry such as turquoise and costume jewelry with colors like purple, blue, and pink. Ruby red, faux pearls in all colors, and even black crystal necklaces are on the rise. Big and bold statements are popular for spring in almost any design of bridal jewelry.
New twists are being made in Colorado bridal jewelry for spring and while it's still popular to wear everything from traditional to vintage jewelry, the styles and colors are fresh and new in sterling silver, gold, and faux and costume jewelry. Bulk necklaces that shout color and uniqueness are also in for the New Year in many designs.
Finding bridal jewelry in Colorado for your spring wedding doesn't have to be expensive either, whether you are choosing styles for yourself as the bride, or for the entire wedding party. Popular wedding color themes for spring are leaning toward wildflowers in bright greens, pinks, yellows, and greens. Coordinating jewelry for spring wildflower themes include chokers, teardrop necklaces and earrings, crystals of all kinds, and varied styles of both gold and silver combination.
Brides and their attendants are straying from the traditional high cut necklines this spring and v-neck and scooping lower necklines are being enhanced by longer necklaces with bright detail, styles, and shades.
Before you buy your spring bridal jewelry, think about your theme and colors and make it a fun event for your colorado wedding. While you may wear pink faux pearls and teardrop earrings, have your attendants compliment your jewelry style with flower designs in varied colors or pick jewelry with a flair for the more dramatic in twisted silver and gold or rhinestones in colors that match your theme.
If you want to give your bridal party their spring wedding jewelry for a gift to wear the day of your wedding, it's becoming appropriate to look for styles that don't scream wedding, but instead, choosing styles that can be worn for any occasion-even causal. If you do a little research and use your imagination, your spring bridal wedding jewelry can be fresh, unique, and remarkably received by both your attendants and the guests at your wedding.
(Source: Denise Sanger)
Beyond a necklace and earrings for you, the bride, you should also think about your bridal party and how their jewelry can enhance the look of the bridal party but not over shadow it. Trends for both dresses and jewelry for the 2009 wedding are leaning toward color in both dresses and jewelry. While basic pearls and teardrop earrings remain popular, bursts of color are appearing in these traditional bridal jewelry wear and more and more, brides are choosing to have their bridal party wear various colors instead of all one matching color for their jewelry selections. Even different styles for necklaces, earrings, and bracelets are accepted and can make your bridal party unique.
When thinking about your spring bridal jewelry for the upcoming spring season instead of going with sterling silver necklaces and earrings, choose alternate colored jewelry such as turquoise and costume jewelry with colors like purple, blue, and pink. Ruby red, faux pearls in all colors, and even black crystal necklaces are on the rise. Big and bold statements are popular for spring in almost any design of bridal jewelry.
New twists are being made in Colorado bridal jewelry for spring and while it's still popular to wear everything from traditional to vintage jewelry, the styles and colors are fresh and new in sterling silver, gold, and faux and costume jewelry. Bulk necklaces that shout color and uniqueness are also in for the New Year in many designs.
Finding bridal jewelry in Colorado for your spring wedding doesn't have to be expensive either, whether you are choosing styles for yourself as the bride, or for the entire wedding party. Popular wedding color themes for spring are leaning toward wildflowers in bright greens, pinks, yellows, and greens. Coordinating jewelry for spring wildflower themes include chokers, teardrop necklaces and earrings, crystals of all kinds, and varied styles of both gold and silver combination.
Brides and their attendants are straying from the traditional high cut necklines this spring and v-neck and scooping lower necklines are being enhanced by longer necklaces with bright detail, styles, and shades.
Before you buy your spring bridal jewelry, think about your theme and colors and make it a fun event for your colorado wedding. While you may wear pink faux pearls and teardrop earrings, have your attendants compliment your jewelry style with flower designs in varied colors or pick jewelry with a flair for the more dramatic in twisted silver and gold or rhinestones in colors that match your theme.
If you want to give your bridal party their spring wedding jewelry for a gift to wear the day of your wedding, it's becoming appropriate to look for styles that don't scream wedding, but instead, choosing styles that can be worn for any occasion-even causal. If you do a little research and use your imagination, your spring bridal wedding jewelry can be fresh, unique, and remarkably received by both your attendants and the guests at your wedding.
(Source: Denise Sanger)
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