Non-Traditional Bridal Looks

Looking for that extra pizazz or sparkle but don't want to look too traditional? Check out some of our suggestions for achieving that polished non-traditional look.

Contemporary Floral Haircomb
Made from vintage molds $88

Pearl and Antique Gold Cameo Necklace $149
Austrian Crystal inset Cameo

Silver and Blue Austrian Crystal Cameo Necklace $98

Asymmetrical Austrian Crystal Drops $64

Wedding Guest Book Wishing Tree

Looking for a fun, unique, and "green" alternative to the guest book? Try a wishing tree! Have your florist find you a miniature tree or create a branch sculpture and let guests write their sentiments on a small tag and tie it to the individual branches. This is a great way for all your guests to leave their best wishes and love advice. Even your littlest ring bearer and flower girl guests can scribble something. When the reception is over you have a lovely stack of tags to bind into a small book or tuck into the end pages of your wedding album.

Add Color to Your Bridal Look!

Color is so the new thing for 2010. Check out some of our suggestions for adding a pop of color into your bridal look and wedding day!

Pink Pansy Hairpins
$18 set of three

Swarovski Lee Earrings
$148
Shown in Aqua, available in almost any color

Swarovski Snow Necklace
$58
Shown in Paprika, available in almost any color

Purple Crystal Bracelet
$29

Vintage Something Blue Brooch
$78

Bold Bridesmaid Bracelets

Want to get in on a hip new trend for bridal parties? Check out these bracelets that have been flying off the counter and onto bridesmaids' wrists for the past few weeks! We're seeing more and more bold, chunky, and funky baubles for bridesmaids now. Treat your girls to a beautiful Friendship Hand Bracelet (above $58, available in gold or silver) or add a little flirty sophistication to their look with a Dancing Hula Girl Bracelet (Below $68).

No matter which one you pick, your girls are sure to thank you for your fabulous style. It's a gift they can keep on wearing long after the reception has ended. As always, if you order three or more from The Left Bank, we'll give you a 10% discount!

Wedding Day Hair - Headbands

Through thick and thin, a sparkly headband will be your wedding hairdo's best friend.

Thin Headbands

(from top to bottom)

MEG Baguette/Colee $198

Vine Bandeau $129

Emerald $129

Love Knot Deco $169

Deco Bandeau $129

Thick Headbands

(from top to bottom)

Nicolete Double $320

Deco Princess Bandeau

Incroyable $298

Enchantment $129

Duo Twist Bandeau $99

Why We Love Custom Designed MEG Jewelry

I wear some MEG custom designed earrings to my cousin's wedding.

All of us at The Left Bank Jewelry love the fantastic designs of MEG Jewelry. Here are a few reasons why we heart her collection. MEG designs...

*Unique, fresh pieces that you’ll be hard pressed to find another Bride wearing.
*Versatile pieces ripe with re-wearability.
*Convertible pieces, take them from backdrop to bracelet, bracelet to extended necklace.
*Cool new design concepts like cornflake pearls or pearls embedded with Swarovski stones.
*Awesome colors – sparkle in clear silver backed or new temptation purple.
*All totally handmade in the USA.
*Feel good to wear – it’s sturdy and high quality.
Shop a small selection here, or pop into the shop for a custom consultation.

Unique, Contemporary Wedding Brooches

Think adding a brooch to your wedding ensemble is stuffy? Think again! Brooches don't have to be boring. Check out these contemporary and unique shapes. From Left to Right, Star burst $48, Ribbon Bow $29, Fleurette $62, Contemporary Bow $48.

Who Do I Need to Send a Thank You To? And Some Sweet Stationary!

Thank you notes – when in doubt, send it out. Anytime someone goes out of their way to be a fabulous person or do something nice for you, they deserve a thank you. It’s always appropriate to send a nice note, but you should definitely send thank you notes to anyone that sends you a gift, offers you a free service, or goes above and beyond.

Make thank you note writing easy on yourself by sending them out asap. My personal plan of attack? Make a rule that you can’t use any gifts until that thank you is stamped and in the mail. That will keep you from having to write 107 notes when you get back from your honeymoon.

Another way to make thank you writing fun? Do it on beautiful stationary. Some of my favorites (pictured above) are from Natalie Eden. Here pretty cards are all 100% recycled and made in Seattle, WA. Try the Chandelier Thank You, Sweet Cupcake Lady, and Merci Beaucoup Eiffel Tower with Bow. All only $16 for a set of six.

Flower Girl Gifts

Looking for a sweet gift to say thank you to the littlest members of your bridal party? See some of our favorite ideas for beautiful jewelry that will make your Flower Girl feel like one of the grown ups!

Simplicity Pearl Bracelet

Fresh water pearl bracelet with a sterling steel monogram drop.

$29 each

Also available in a pearl and colored gem mixture

$28 each

Gift Set

Each set includes a necklace, post earrings, adjustable ring
and monogram petite purse.

Crystal Flower Set (Left) includes a CZ crystal flower necklace
$29

Heart Locket Set (Right) includes a heart shaped locket with
engraved initial
$36

Circle Sterling Silver Locket with Engraved Initial

On pink corded ribbon $36

On Sterling Silver Chain $56

As always, if you purchase it at The Left Bank, engraving is free.

Peacock Hair Piece for Weddings

Want to try a hot new color combo for your wedding day hair do? Try the sexy blues, greens, and purples of peacock. Jewelry designer Meg Lammers has created this fabulous, fun peacock feather hair comb. It's the perfect accent for the glamorous bride, wear it all day or swap out your veil for a chic reception look.

Meg Peacock Feather Haircomb $129

Caring for Fashion Jewelry

With proper care, fashion jewelry will last a long time. Here are tips to keep it looking as good as the day it was purchased.

1) Moisture can tarnish the surface of costume jewelry, so never bathe or shower with jewelry on.

2) When not wearing jewelry, store it separately in tiny Ziploc bags to limit exposure to air and oxidation, which can break down metal over time. This also keeps it free of moisture, tangles, and scratches.

3) Lotion, make-up, perfume and hair spray can damage jewelry, so make putting on jewelry the last thing you do before heading out the door.

4) If you notice a bit of tarnish, use a cleaner that states it is compatible with costume jewelry. We recommend Sassy’s Jewelry Cleaner and Buff Cloth to make it look like new.

Colored Wedding Shoe Clips

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!

Shoes from Left to Right
Chelsea $130, Angie $79, Crush $79, Sienna $130

Pick up a pair for $22 - $32 a set and we'll adhere them to your Left Bank shoes for free! No need to worry about snagging or nagging when we put them on for you.

Blog Launch Party Photos!

Susan & Kirsten
Susan is wearing hand made gold jewelry from La Vie Parisienne
Kirsten is wearing a custom necklace and Fairytale Pearl drops from Haute Bride

The ladies sip Something Blue Cocktails by Hpnotiq

A bride to be tries on one of our custom veils

Thank you to everyone who came to our Blog Launch Party! We had a fabulous time and are so grateful to everyone who came. These are just some of our favorite photos from the party shot by 5th Floor Photography. Check out the whole event by clicking here.


We'd also like to say congratulations to our raffle winners!

Laura A. won a Palmer House Spa Chakra "Fassage"

Precious H. won a Meg Necklace

Chritine Y. won a fabulous Deco Cuff from The Left Bank.

And the following lovely ladies won $25 Gift Cards & Honeymoon Certificates:
Emily M.
Katie L.
Valerie W.
Sheena J.

Congratulations to all our lovely guests who won prizes and thank you to all our fans and our fabulous sponsors!