Bridal and Wedding Tips

Why select handcrafted artisan jewelry for your wedding? Sometime ago, I realized that my handcrafted jewelry designs would be perfect for brides, since many brides prefer handmade and handcrafted items for their wedding and reception. My handmade bridal jewelry offers a beautiful high quality alternative to mass-produced pieces. My bridal jewelry designs are one-of-a-kind, handcrafted for you - no two pieces are exactly alike.

In wedding jewelry designs, I offer made-to-order handmade tiaras and headpieces for the bride and also for her attendants. I have several tiara designs in the Bridal/Wedding area of my website - tiaras created in pearls and crystal or in rhinestones - but these one-of-a-kind tiara styles are really just suggestions. I can create the design you see in your choice of silver or gold with your favorite gemstones and crystals or I can design a tiara just for you. My silver tiaras can be created in sterling silver and also in long lasting quality silver plate. My 14/20 gold-filled handcrafted tiaras are an elegant alternative to karat gold. All of these choices are heirloom-quality bridal jewelry that you'll treasure for a lifetime.

My headpieces are delicate lightweight art jewelry creations handcrafted in your choice of gemstone beads braided and twisted with gold or sterling silver and Swarovski crystal. These headpiece designs range from garland-like designs in beads and silver or gold to smaller pieces that are designed to pin into your hair or anchor your veil. These art jewelry hair accessories can be as simple or as elaborate as you desire. I can design individual handcrafted pieces for each member of the wedding party or coordinate designs for a "sophisticated" look .

Don't forget the other members of the wedding party - a small piece of jewelry makes a wonderful gift for the bridesmaids and attendants and the mother of the bride would look wonderful in a handcrafted pearl and crystal necklace.

Since I began my handmade art jewelry bridal line, it's grown to include several styles of handcrafted art jewelry crystal and pearl necklaces, a large variety of gorgeous crystal and pearl earrings, and gemstone bracelets. I create the handcrafted bracelets one link at a time in silver and gemstones.

Many brides are interested in more economical wedding arrangements, but they still want to have a lovely special day. Since I design jewelry for brides and attendants, I'm often asked for suggestions on the wedding and reception. Here are a few ideas:

- Rent a gown or wear a pre-owned dress. There are a number of websites that offer good values on gowns and accessories.

- Consider a wedding planner-a good planner might actually save money. Also,having your event in the off-season can save big bucks in both the cost of the venue and associated costs. Hotel accomodations for your guests will cost less, too.Facilities that offer wedding coordinators and other services can save you a lot of money over hiring these services separately.

- Limit the number of guests and attendants

- Prioritize your to-dos and recruit your friends to help you. Do as many things yourself as you can.

- Forget the engraved invitations in favor of less formal notes. Choose a limited color scheme for your invitations, etc. - you'll save a lot on printing costs. Another way to save - don't have a program. You can also use the fonts on your computer and design your own invitations, etc., then get them printed at an on-line printer.

- Create your own dot.com - I'm seeing a lot of these and they really make sense. You can post all the details, photos, and more and e-mail to your friends and family.

- Gardens are great places to get married - but have a fall back in case of rain.

- Choose your own spot for the reception. Try a restaurant which already has all the facilities - not a rented hall.

- Forget the limo - it's an unnecessary added expense

- Make a checklist for everything that needs to be done - vendors, guests, venue, etc.,and check things off as all the details are completed. The checklist will really help you to stay on track with your planning and can save you from overlooking things that need to be done.

- Consider handmade decorations and jewelry

- Be creative with food ideas to reduce costs. You don't have to have a fancy wedding cake. You can use something else in place of the cake - a tower of pasteries, for example. Consider pre-made sheet cakes in different sizes that can be stacked and decorated economically. You can also get a small cake just for the bride and groom to share. Consider having a wedding breakfast instead of a fancy reception. One of yesterday's tips applies here - consider a restaurant instead of a rented hall.

- One of Martha Stewart's suggestions that I hearily second: buy the booze yourself and keep the champagne at the bar for those who request it (many people don't drink champagne so open bottles just go to waste. Alternatives - limit the bar to one particular signature "drink-of-the-day" or serve a really yummy punch instead - alcoholic and non-alcholic.

- Make-up tip: Martha Stewart suggests that if you use a make-up artist, you should ask them to leave you a touch-up kit (rather than having them stick around for hours). If your wedding look is done at a cosmetic counter, buy only the products that you'll use again and purchase sample quantities.

- You can rent your jewelry or use vintage pieces from your family and friends. Martha Stewart suggests borrowing something - a veil, earrings, etc. that will add meaning to your celebration while keeping costs contained.

Consider some of my vintage jewelry pieces.

- Look for a photographer whose work you like, but one who isn't in high demand for weddings. This goes for the band, too. Try a non-wedding band - it's generally cheaper. Plan to use taped music for parts of your big day.

- Use smaller flower arrangements and vases, even bud vases, rather than large showy baskets of flowers. Use large flowers to cut down on the number of flowers and look to local farmers for flowers for your arrangements. Attractively packaged potted plants will make great flowers for the tables and they can become take home gifts for your wedding party and guests. Use small corsages for bridesmaids and attendants rather than individual bouquets.

- When you select shoes and accessories, pick items that you will actually wear after the ceremony.

- Another idea from Martha - get on wedding gown designers' e-mail lists for updates on trunk shows and sample sales.

The New York Times recently ran a great article on rental runway fashions - a terrific way to save on fantastic clothes for a wedding or any other special occasion.

Rental and/or lightly used pre-owned dresses are great money saving options to consider when planning your wedding budget. There are a number of shops online that specialize in pre-owned wedding attire and accessories.

Here are some tips for taking care of your jewelry. These tips apply to all jewelry, not just my handcrafted silver and gold pieces.

Don't exposre your jewelry to perspiration and dirt. You should remove your jewelry before working in the garden or engaging in other physical labor, exercising, swimming, bathing, etc. Avoid exposure to household cleaners and chemicals that can damage your jewelry - remove your jewelry before dealing with chemicals. It seems logical that pearls and other porous stones can be damaged by chemicals, but even karat gold can be discolored by chemical exposure (to chlorine, for example), even from something like a soak in a hot tub.

Apply your cosmetics, make-up, hair spray, and perfume before putting on your jewelry. Remove bracelets and rings before applying hand lotions and creams. Remove earrings when you have your hair done, especially if you are having it colored.

Jade, turquoise, malachite, and lapis are among porous soft stones that should not be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner or soaked in jewelry cleaner solutions. Softer, more porous stones such as these require extra careful treatment. Avoid using hot water on these stones.

Remember that pearls are precious gems, too. No ultrasonic or soaking in jewelry cleaners - just wipe off with damp soft cloth. If more cleaning is required try soapy water (Ivory flakes) on a soft cloth and dry thoroughly.

Jewelry often comes in a protective bag or box. Store your jewelry flat in a plastic bag. Store pearls in soft bags away from other jewelry which might scratch the pearl's surface. Never put your jewelry away wet - wipe it off with a damp cloth and air dry.

Store your jewelry in a clean dark dry place. Don't just toss your jewelry loose into a jewelry box or drawer. Your pieces will scratch each other. A fabric lined jewelry box is ideal and individual bags and jewelry boxes are excellent, too. Store your silver jewelry in a tarnish resistant bag.