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Royal Wedding – StrictlyWeddings.com Style

As Americans, we are as enthralled with the romance of a Royal Wedding as those in England. So, we reached out to our very talented group of Dallas partners to create their vision of a Royal Wedding. Orchestrated by wedding planner, Jordan Payne, with the magic of Thisbe Grace’s photography, the inspiration board below showcases their idea of a royal wedding set amidst the elegance of Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. Wedding gown and accessories are from Warren Barron Bridal. Jewelry from deBoulle. Makeup by Mayra Rams-Sanabria of My Fabulous Faces and hair by Sonia Trevino. Such beauty and grace. Thank you to all who donated their time and talents for this incredible shoot.

Come back on Wednesday for Part 2 of our Royal Wedding shoot!

Photography – Thisbe Grace Photography
Flowers & Planning – Jordan Payne
Location – Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek
Jewelry – deBoulle
Bridal Gowns – Warren Barron Bridal
Hair – Sonia Trevino
Make up – Myra Rams-Sanabria/My Fabulous Faces
Model – Megahn Moll

Cathy Waterman – Magical Engagement Rings

Cathy Waterman works in a sun-splashed studio within sight of the Pacific Ocean, a must she says, for the sight and sound and scent of the sea is a tonic for her inner peace. Ivy and bougainvillea cling to every outside wall and roses from her garden fill the air with their fragrance. Cathy was born in Hollywood, rode horses and danced ballet. She studied Byzantine and Early Church history in college and became a lawyer and developed film projects and designed clothing and had a family.

It was in 1990 that she began translating her love of exotic stories into 22k golden jeweled treasures inspired by ancient and medieval history.  She followed that first collection with her uniquely identifiable Color of Dreams collection of interlocking platinum and diamond leaves, multi-colored webs and vines like lace, colorful tassel earrings and richly hued beaded bracelets enrobed in platinum and diamonds.

She’s passionate about her work and a perfectionist, too, seeking to create jewelry with the attention to detail of the old world masters with a modern aesthetic. Below are just a few of the exquisite engagement rings in her collection. Visit her site for more.

Vintage Ring Boxes

Vintage ring boxes come in a variety of materials and shapes, like these dainty blue Bakelite boxes, or a more rustic looking in old vinyl or in antique sterling silver. The inside is just as beautiful covered with velvet fabric in complementary colors. Also, the gold filigree ring boxes reminds one of grander times. Truly unique. And nothing says “I love you” like one of a kind trinkets.

Source: Ruffled – fascinating wedding blog for those who adore all things vintage

Wedding Jewelry with a Splash of Color

Susan, our StrictlyWeddings.com partner from The Left Bank Jewelry & Wedding Shoes in Chicago, brings us today’s blog post. Her inspiration? Vintage Champagne. Her subject? Wedding Jewelry with a splash of bubbly color.

Do you have champagne tastes and want to add an unexpected splash of color to your wedding ensemble? These romantic vintage inspired gems embellished with a touch of champagne Swarovski crystals are guaranteed to make a statement.

For those who love this divine spirit, a favorite quote to share:

“I only drink champagne when I’m happy, and when I’m sad.  Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory.  I trifle with it when I’m not hungry and drink it when I am.  Otherwise I never touch it – unless I am thirsty.” ~ Lily Bollinger

Visit their Bridal Blog – www.EverythingButTheDress.blogspot.com

Photographs courtesy of Melissa Diep Photography

Fairytale French Wedding Courtesy of The Left Bank Chicago

When our ideas and creativity are challenged, we look to our partner at The Left Bank in Chicago and their Everything But The Dress Blog for ideas they’d like to share with our readers. Once again, they came through. Below is their dream French wedding:

As avid Francophiles, we would love to host a fairytale French wedding. Become a true princess bride and rent a luxury French chateau in the heart of the Loire Valley, just two hours outside Paris.  The Chateau de Guerinet is a breathtaking castle filled with spectacular French  architectural details. If you’ve ever dreamt of a wedding in France, you must set your eyes on this property that offers amazing rentals for an intimate French wedding.

Here are our picks for must wear jewelry to your French Wedding.

Our exclusive “Les Beaux” tiara

The Parisienne Chandelier Earring

The Duchess Cuff Bracelet

For other jewelry ideas, please visit their web site to view their beautiful Wedding Jewelry. You also have the convenience of purchasing online!

Meridith Griffin necklaces for Elizabeth Fillmore Bridal

We’re always excited when local girls succeed. We came across Dallas native, Meridith Griffin, when working with Elizabeth Fillmore Bridal. Meridith launched the Meridith Griffin line for Elizabeth Fillmore Bridal last October on the runway. She worked with fabrics and textures that inspired the overall look of the gowns that season. According to Meridith, “I use silk chiffons, light organza, and lux duchess satin from the same mills Elizabeth Fillmore uses for the wedding gowns and embellish them with vintage Czech chandelier crystals, rawly faceted crystal quartz, semi precious stones and extra large irregular fresh water pearls, draped with vintage silver and gold chunky chains.”

Meridith has since launched a ready to wear evening jewelry line in intense colors as well as crystal earrings in emerald, amber, cobalt with rose, gold, and silver wire wrapping.

As if she’s not busy enough, Meridith also designs wedding gowns with Elizabeth Fillmore and is director of Marketing and Sales.

You can find Meridith’s jewelry at Elizabeth Fillmore Bridal’s web site or call 212-647-0863. Her pieces are sold at Browns in London, Beyond the Dress in Seoul, Korea, Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City, Warren Barron Bridal Dallas, among many others.

Top to Bottom: Amelia, Cami, Natasha, Odine, Yasmine

Hints for the Ultimate Engagement Ring

An engagement ring is a source of joy. No man wants to purchase the engagement ring incorrectly, so help him, and yourself, out. In other words, “speak now, or forever hold your peace!” To avoid getting an engagement ring you don’t like try some of these hints and give him a clue.

Window Gazing (or Internet Browsing)
This is an especially good way to go. If his eyes glaze over, you know that he is probably not quite ready for the big plunge yet. However, if your engagement has been talked about, he will be keen to get some ideas. Looking at what suits your finger and budget is a practical course to take. At least now he will know whether you favor a solitaire, 3 stones, pave setting, or another engagement ring entirely. Make sure that he does have some clue as to the styles, metals, and settings that you prefer. You may also like to point out the engagement rings you really don’t care for. For an online resource, we’ve heard very good things about Blue Nile.

A Joint Effort
For the couple who likes to do everything together, look at various engagement ring styles together and decide as a team what you both like and don’t. This allows input from the both of you, and will ensure an engagement ring that both of you love.

Friends and Family
Some savvy guys may seek assistance from a sister or good friend, if they feel they can trust them to keep a secret. Make sure those close to you that he may ask really do know your style. Tell them if you are unsure.

Casually Point Out
While reading mags or surfing the Net, you can try and show him what you like. “Isn’t that a fabulous engagement ring that so and so got? Take a look at this photo.” If it’s online, then either send him the link to the story, photo or web site – make it easy on him. If’ it’s a magazine, then leave it hanging around your coffee table or kitchen counter for a while.

Were you surprised with your engagement ring? Share your story with our readers!

Shoe Clips – New Trend to Dress Up your Shoes

Looking for a way to add some color and personality to your wedding shoes? Grab a pair of colored shoe clips! Dyeable shoes are great, but shoe clips are one of our favorite new wedding trends for 2010. You get the lovely look of a silk shoe to match your wedding dress and a little sweet spot of bling-y color. Grab a pair in blue for your “something blue,” or match them to your bridesmaid dresses or wedding accent color. They’d also look gorgeous on black bridesmaid shoes. The possibilities are endless! Source: EverythingButTheDress.blogspot.com | Photos courtesy of The Left Bank Jewelry, Chicago

Accessorizing – The Final Touch

The bride has found the perfect dress for her coveted wedding and is now ready to accessorize, but what jewelry best complements the dress she has chosen and accentuates her sense of style? A bride should look to jewelry that she feels most comfortable wearing and it’s best to not over-accessorize. A single piece of jewelry that can serve as a focal point is best, while not overwhelming the look. Your choice should Complement (not overwhelm) the dress.

Strapless gowns are a classic yet trendy style for brides, which call for a bold statement piece of jewelry to draw attention to the neckline. For a halter style dress, a bride may choose smaller diamond earrings and a stunning bracelet leaving the focus on the cut of the dress. For a sweetheart neckline, a bride may find the best piece of jewelry to be a beaded necklace or a lariat necklace that accentuates the neckline.

Whatever jewelry the bride may choose, it’s most important that she feels it complements her look and resonates with her own personal sense of style and grace.

Blinging Rules

According to InStyle Weddings, here are 10 top tips for buying the engagement ring:

1. Skip the Solitaire

There’s more than one way to wear a carat of diamonds on your finger.

A ring with a classic solitaire at this weight (right) will generally cost thousands. But a band covered with tiny pavé diamonds that add up to just under 1 carat (left) sparkles plenty and can cost up to 90 percent less than a ring with a big center stone.

2. Compare Settings

The way a diamond is framed can have a major impact on how big it looks. For example, a bezel—a thin band of metal that wraps around a gem—gives the illusion of a larger stone. These two rings both hold .25-carat diamonds, but the solitaire on the left seems more substantial than the prong-set one on the right.

3. Know Your Metals

Platinum and gold are the top choices for engagement rings. The former will cost you—a simple platinum band can cost nearly $600 more than a comparable one in gold—but many brides feel the price is worth it. Platinum is a far more durable metal. It will show fewer nicks and scratches, and platinum prongs will hold a stone more securely. As for color, some people believe that yellow gold casts an unflattering light on the diamond, while others prefer the hue’s warmth and traditional look.

4. Invest in Insurance

The cost of protecting yourself against loss or theft depends on several factors—including the value of your ring, of course, as well as where you live (major city dwellers will pay more). According to Donna Syverson, a spokeswoman for the national insurance firm Jewelers Mutual, your annual premium will be about 1 to 2.7 percent of the jewelry’s appraised value, even for rings that cost six figures.

5. Have Your Ring NumberedYour diamond’s certificate number (or jeweler’s designation) can be laser-inscribed on the side of the stone, allowing it to be positively identified in case of theft or after cleaning or repair. Such inscriptions, which are visible under magnification (shown at right for the ring below) don’t affect the gem’s value. They cost from $40 to $200 and offer more than mere peace of mind: Some insurance carriers will give policy discounts on inscribed diamonds.

6. Save Big with a Smaller Stone

Most couples look for diamonds in whole carat weights, but what you may not realize is that jewelers charge a premium for such stones. If you opt instead for a gem just under a carat (or under 2 or 3 carats, for that matter), the savings can add up to 30 percent. And the difference in size is so insignificant, you won’t be able to tell. Of the rings shown here, the top one features a 1.03-carat solitaire and costs $14,000; the solitaire at the bottom weighs .93 carats and will run you $11,000.

7. Dream Up a Custom Piece

Believe it or not, many reputable jewelers offer one-of-a-kind rings without charging exorbitant fees. Some companies require a minimum purchase or bill clients a small amount for preliminary work, such as drawings.