Most people have a general idea about the type of jewelry they want to wear for their special day, but they can’t always find it in a store. It might be helpful to look for a  professional jeweler who specializes in custom design jewelry.

A custom design jeweler is going to be able to handcraft the styles that their customers design, and they will also have access to every material imaginable. This means that if a bride and groom are planning their wedding day and have very specific or special ideas about their wedding bands or engagement jewelry, they will be able to have it made to order.

While choosing a custom design allows the couple to have truly unique wedding bands, it is always important to remember that the quality of the materials (especially costlier items like diamonds and gem stones) should be certified.

Where can you find ideas for custom design jewelry? Many people first look to style icons and celebrities.  Elizabeth Taylor has inspired women around the world with her seemingly endless collection of diamond and precious jewelry, of which many pieces were custom designed just for her.

Looking through the hottest styles worn by celebrities might also inspire a future bride in designing her own wedding jewelry as well. Recently chandelier earrings or vintage cut diamond rings have been trendy after appearing on many red carpet events. Taking cues from the structure, stones and metals of popular celebrity jewelry is often a great way to create a remarkable piece of custom design jewelry. This is particularly true where engagement and wedding bands, or bridal jewelry is concerned since these often become heirloom pieces.

AvantBride readers can use the coupon code: AVANTBRIDEBLOG for $10 off your next jewelry purchase at Abazias Diamonds.

If you’re in the Seattle area please check out www.AvantBride.com for wedding recommendations by brides!

Bouncing Wall

Last week I stopped by the Bouncing Wall in Queen Anne for their two year anniversary celebration. While sipping on some of their complimentary champagne I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful line of jewelry by K D’Angelo.  Owner Kim Flanery-Rye told me that a lot of brides come into the Bouncing Wall to purchase jewelry for their big day, especially for jewelry made by K D’Angelo.  After trying on a couple of necklaces I could see why, her handcrafted pieces are classic (so when you look at your pictures in 20 years you won’t say “what was I thinking?”) but also have a fresh, contemporary twist.  The combination of semi-precious stones, gorgeous metals and wood radiate a positive energy.  Bouncing Wall associate Drea mentioned that K D’Angelo also does custom work for brides and other customers.  However, if you already have your own jewelry picked out, you might consider helping to design or purchase coordinating jewelry for your bridal party.  Either way check out Bouncing Wall, it’s a really cool boutique that supports over 100 local Seattle artists and designers!

 

Just an ode to Elle Macpherson Intimates: not only is Elle a supermodel but also a super lingerie designer.  I love her line (available at Nordstrom, Bare Necessities, Saks or Fig Leaves to name a few retailers).  I especially adore her sheer ribbons design.  It is beautiful, sexy, chic and amazingly comfortable.  More importantly (to this blog) it was bridal!! Of course, once you get a pair you’ll go bankrupt buying the whole collection.  They even carry it in blue, if you’re still looking for your something blue.

Wedding Accessories 

When I first started flipping through wedding magazines I saw this beautiful ad for Paris, the wedding accessory company (posted above).  It struck me as elegant so I ripped in out and tossed it into a binder with other miscellaneous wedding things.  I loved the image of a gorgeous hair comb pinned into the back of an elaborate wedding day coiffure.  It was European looking and had Swarovski crystals in it.  Soon after splurging on my dress, I knew I wouldn’t be able to buy one as my dress consumed my entire bridal budget and more.  What to do? Luckily I had a crafty bride friend who in an attempt to match family jewelry to a broach on her dress had some antique pieces worked on by a local Antique Roadshow celebrity.  Off I was to antique stores looking for a unique hair comb.  It turns out that hair combs are difficult to find for logical reasons: they break over time from use and not many are created to begin with.   I soon decided to find a broach and make it into a hair comb.  After visiting many different places I finally saw a beautiful medium sized broach with a great design, pearls and rhinestones.  It was around $30 at the Antiques at Pike Place store in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. It was missing a couple little pearls and one rhinestone but I knew just where to bring it.  The mother-daughter team at Rhinestone Rosie had it fixed and shiny in about a week.  They also determined that a comb was the best way to keep it in my hair and had one attached to it.  Needless to say, I loved the end result.  It was exactly what I wanted and I didn’t feel extravagant in the process.  I would recommend this route if you have the time and energy! Or perhaps make room in your budget for Paris or a custom creation by the Lucia Sayyah (daughter of Rosie Sayyah of Rhinestone Rosie) who can be found at Lucia Jewelry.