How to Find Your Bridal Style

Welcome to "How To" week!  This week all our posts start with those fabulous, helpful words...How To.  We'll help you tackle finding a style, breaking in your shoes, and caring for your jewelry!  Make sure to check back Wednesday and Friday for more great advice.

How to Find Your Bridal Style 

We participated at a recent bridal event called "Find Your Bridal Style" and were in love with the idea.  The swanky event held at Susan Fredman at Home in the City aimed at discovering your style as a bride.  The formula was simple.  Four "types" of brides reveal four different looks.  Discover which one you are and watch the pieces of your wedding day look reveal themselves.  Here are the four styles and our favorite jewelry and shoe choices.  Read on to find out your bridal style.

Vintage Glam
Your style screams dramatic, ultra-feminine and glamorous! When it comes to your wedding day, think luxury with enchanting detail.  Look for the bold and beautiful - pair it with black and you've got a splash of glamour! Pearls and vintage brooches next to a comfortable, art deco inspired shoe will make sure you're in the spotlight all night long.

Our suggestions: Astoria Shoe by Angela Nuran $249, Scroll Cuff Bracelet $98, Pearl & Crystal Earrings $88, Mila Necklace $269, Casique Brooch, $56

Simple Elegance
You are the epitome of style and grace.  You want your day to be exquisite, yet traditional and understated.  Crystal glassware, matched with silver and black patterns speaks to your elegant nature as will your jewelry that is simple, classic, and soft.


Our Suggestions: Chelsea Peep Toe Shoe $130, Bubble Pearl Bracelet $68 and Earrings $46, Veuve Pearl Hairpins $98/set of three.

Bohemian Beauty
You are unique, free-spirited, with an adventurous streak.  You can add flair to any look, creating your own distinctive style.  Look for our floral patterns, pairing them with colorful glassware.  Jewelry that is soft with a touch of sparkle will look beautiful paired with a simple flat and sassy headband.


Our Suggestions: Flower Flat Bridal Shoe $88, Organza Flower Headband $68, Becky Coin Pearl Lariat Necklace $189, Althea Bracelet $149, Megan Earrings, $98 all by Meg Wedding Jewelry.

Urban Chic
Sophistication comes to mind.  Your style is refined, versatile, and contemporary.  You have impeccable taste and an eye for fashion.  Embrace trends like sky high heel, feathers, and giant stones.  With your sense of style, it is sure to look fabulous.

Our suggestions: Valentine 4" Heeled Shoe $195, Crystal Glam Bracelet $42, Glam Earrings by Haute Bride $149, Blush Featherette Hairpiece $129.  We also love the brand new glam all crystal shoes by Benjamin Adams (not shown) which have debuted to rave reviews.

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CS Brides Afternoon of Bridal Luxury Giveaway!

We're pleased to announce that once again, we'll be giving away a free ticket to one lucky Bride!

Everyone in Chicago knows that the Chicago Social Brides Afternoon of Bridal Luxury is one of the swankiest bridal events in the city...and we want you to go. We have one FREE VIP ticket, valued at $90, to giveaway to a lucky bride! Your VIP ticket gets you free admission for you and one guest to the fabulous wedding walk and a luxury swag bag for the bride (including fabulous earrings from The Left Bank and a card good for $10 off the purchase of a pair of wedding shoes).  The wedding walk starts at The Private Dining Rooms of Spiaggia on Sunday, September 19, 2010 at noon.  Best of all?  The tickets benefit the American Heart Association!

To win all you have to do is send us an email at TheLeftBank@sbcglobal.net with the subject line "CS Brides Giveaway" and give us your first and last name and wedding date. We'll be accepting emails until Friday, September 3, 2010. We'll pick someone at random and post the lucky winner on the blog on Labor Day, Monday, September 6, 2010.

Want to learn more about the Wedding Walk or purchase tickets?  Click here.

Reception Essentials

Everyone knows the traditional ceremony items you need for your wedding day...unity candle, garter, etc...but what about the reception?  Here's our list of the items you need to make your wedding reception unique, chic, and totally you.

Card & Envelope Holder
Keep all those cards, gifts, and well wishes organized in style with this ultra bedazzled card holder.  This metal and glitter box is shaped like a present with a fun, sparkly bow.  A great place to keep all your cards during the reception and will look lovely under your tree for your first married holiday season together!  The Princess Box measures 10" by 10" and is available for purchase for $55 or to rent in the Chicago land area for $35 per weekend.  (Call us at the shop for details, 773.929.7422.)

Guest Book
You'll want to remember who was there to watch you tie the knot.  Whether you opt for the traditional lined guest book or something more modern, you'll need a place to put all those well wishes.  Try something fun like a Polaroid Photo Guest Book.  You'll be chic with your new miniature instant photo camera and
petite picture guest book.  Your guests will gladly sign in style while a business card sized photograph of them develops and slides right in.  Comes with 30 acid free, archival pages, photo protectors.  Personalization is available in the black or white album, $68 each (camera not included).

Guest Book Pen
Don't forget pens for your guests to sign with.  Opt for vases full of Sharpie markers in your wedding colors, or choose a contemporary, personalized pen.  My personal favorite, the Optical Crystal Pen comes with a silver pen sitting in a round cut diamond shaped clear base.  Personalize it with your names and wedding date, $36.  Pen base measures 2.25". 

Head Table Vases
You'll want somewhere to put your gorgeous bouquet while you and your bridesmaids are eating dinner.  Why not gift yourself and your girls with personalized centerpieces they can take home afterwords?   Opt for a classic Glass Vase Centerpiece engraved with each girl's initials?  Sold individually for $24, or in a set of three for $52.  Or add some photos to the fun with the Wedding Reception Glass Photo Vase, $32.  Each vase doubles as a frame to hold a 4x6 photo and can be personalized with each girl's name or a line of custom text. 

Cake Topper
Adorn your cake with some bling too!  Chic silver and crystal letters in your new monogram or initials will add a perfect personalized touch to your wedding cake.  Each letter is embellished with Austrian Swarovski crystals flowers.  Sold as a set of three individual letters so you can arrange them on your cake just as you'd like. One Large letter is also available now for $56, small letter is also available now for $46.00.

Toasting Flutes
Personalized toasting flutes are one more keepsake you'll want to use long after the wedding is over.  Opt for simple flutes with your names and wedding date, $26 a pair, or  pick an embellished set that fits the theme of your wedding.  Toasting Flutes in a Vase, $38 set, will echo your "two peas in a pod" feeling as tapered, frosted flutes nestle in a small vase.    Personalization is available.

Here's where to buy these fabulous items.

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How to Select Bridal Hair Jewelry

Bridal Hairpieces by Bride's Head Revisited

One of the more perplexing wedding accessories to select is the hair jewelry.  Be it a headpiece, clip, comb, or bandeau, lots of options can leave you feeling overwhelmed.  We're here to help.  Hop on over to our post on Bridal Headpieces - Defined! to get familiar with the options.

Now that you know the names of all your options and what they look like, here are our top five tips for selecting the perfect headpiece for you.

1.  Decide if you'll be wearing a veil. - The size of your headpiece is dictated by whether or not you'll be wearing it with a veil or not.  Here are some questions to think about...am I wearing a veil?  Will I be taking off my veil for the reception?  Do I want a piece to wear with my veil?  Do I want a piece to replace my veil when I take it off?  If you're not wearing a veil, or replacing your  veil with a headpiece for the reception, you can opt for a larger, more showy piece like a fascinator or extra large feather and flower combination.  If you're wearing your veil all night, opt for something a bit more structured that will sit under the veil nicely.

2.  Where is your wedding?  If you're having an outdoor ceremony on cliff that is really windy, you might want to avoid pieces with lots of flyaway feathers and tulle.  Where as a tuft of feathers on a small comb would be perfect for small, vineyard wedding.  Keep your location, and the weather, in mind when you're considering what style to choose.

3.  How are you wearing your hair?  While sets of scattered hairpins are gorgeous in a swept back bun, they don't really work if you're wearing your hair down.  If you have your heart set on a specific piece, make sure you take it to your hair trial with an open mind, so your stylist can make it work.

4.  Think about the other jewelry you're wearing.  When putting accessories for an outfit together, it's all about the whole look.  Make sure you have one focal piece and fit the rest around it.  If you want to wear a very large crystal headpiece choose that first and then find earrings, necklace, and a bracelet to compliment.  If you already found drop dead gorgeous earrings, opt for a more subtle headpiece that will compliment and not over shadow.

5.  Know what makes you comfortable.  You want to feel like a beautiful version of yourself on your wedding day.  So if you're not comfortable in a headband in "real life," don't force yourself to wear one with your wedding dress.  Stay true to your style and vision as a bride by selecting a piece that you love.

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Sister Cities International Festival

We love French and French inspired jewelry!  What better reason to find tons of gorgeous baubles and bijoux than Chicago's annual Sister Cities International Festival!  Located this year in Millennium Park, come sample music, tasty treats, and amazing shopping from around the world.  We'll be there all week with beautiful jewelry, candles, and stationary from French designers and French loving designers including  La Vie Parisienne, La Reine de Jour, Seda France, Cavellini, and more!  August 23-27, 10:30am-5pm.

Learn More from the Chicago Sister Cities website:

This year marks the 50^th Anniversary of the Chicago Sister Cities International Program and in celebration, the 5th Annual Chicago Sister Cities International Festival will be held on Millennium Park’s Chase Promenade South on August 23 – 27, 2010 from 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. With all 28 of Chicago’s international sister cities represented, this festival truly represents the diversity and international spirit that exists in the city.  Visitors to the festival will be able to sample international cuisine such as Ukrainian crepes or Colombian empanadas, shop for African art or fair trade goods, all while watching traditional Korean dancers visiting from Busan, Korea or Chinese acrobats from “Cirque Shanghai: Cloud 9”.

We'll have multiple sizes of our favorite candle line from France, Seda France, including the beloved travel tins (above, $8.50).  We'll be debuting the "new to us" scent, Parisian Orchid.

Here's a sneak peak of the brightly colored gems we'll be showing.  Lots of sparkling crystals set in French Silver with an antique finish.  Jewelry starts at $29.

Just had to share my absolute favorite piece!  This cute little necklace envelope designed by La Vie Parisienne opens to reveal a miniature love letter!  $54.

Make sure to stop by our booth and say hello!  Monday, August 23rd through Friday, August 27th.  10:30am - 5pm in Millennium Park.

Wedding Veil & Jewelry Sale - Bride's Head Revisited

We've been featured on TheKnot.com!  The Knot's trend alert featured Bride's Head Revisited's most popular piece this season, the Elena Veil (above, $240).  French tulle veils and fascinators are all the rage for bride's this year, so to celebrate this fabulous trend, we're offering all Bride's Head Revisited pieces (veils, jewelry, hair combs, pins...see more here) at 20% off this weekend only!  Stop by the shop or call us to place your custom veil order through Sunday August 22, 2010.


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Unique Ways to Wear a Brooch

We all love the sparkling allure of a brooch.  With a rich history and fun feeling to wear, it's no wonder brides and guests alike want to incorporate brooches in to their wedding day.  Here are our seven favorite ways to wear those brooches!

 1. On Your Shoes - Create a custom pair of wedding shoes by having two petite brooches converted into shoe clips.

2.  In Your Hair - Choose a brooch you love and have in converted into a hair piece, or simply have your stylist pin it into your hairdo.

3.  On Your Bouquet - Gift each of your girls, and yourself, with a beautiful brooch to pin on their wedding bouquet.  Or opt for chic initialed bouquet picks.

4.  On Your Waist - Adorn a simple wedding dress or sash with a bit of sparkle.  Set it in the center for a classic look, or pin it asymmetrically to the side for a more modern feel.

5.  With Your Handbag - Dress up your clutch with some chic sparkle.  Invest in a classic, simple clutch that you can use long after the wedding and dress it up or down with your collection of brooches.

6.  On Your Bridesmaids - Pick a unique brooch for each one of your bridesmaids' matching dresses, or select matching brooches and let them adorn their look anyway they want.

7.  With Your Wrap - A great gift for your mother or mother in law, find a brooch that matches their dress color and pin it to a bright pashmina for a custom look that is fun and functional.

Decided you can't live without a brooch for your wedding dress or bridesmaids? Check out a selection available at our shop. There's some online and even more in the store!

Shop the Photo...(Brooches from top left)
Custom Pearl Ribbon Twist ($88), Bouquet ($68),  Petite Brooch ($46)
Vanity ($48). Braisser ($88), Petite Colette ($56)
Susan ($209), Pretty Ribbon Bow ($29)

See a brooch you love?  Contact us and we'll help you get one.

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Wedding Ceremony Essentials

Once you've found all your perfect wedding accessories and shoes, it's time to shop for all the little details that will make your day complete.  Here are some of our favorite wedding ceremony essentials.

Guest Book
You'll want to remember who was there to watch you tie the knot.  Whether you opt for the traditional lined guest book or something more modern, you'll need a place to put all those well wishes.  We love the Wedding Wishes Envelope Guest Book (above, $82).  Petite note cards allow guests to write congratulation messages and warm memories and tuck them into miniature envelopes.  Made of timeless linen and accented with grosgrain ribbon, this guest book comes complete with 132 petite envelopes and 150 matching note cards.  Slide a photo in the front and accent it with the included personalized engraved silver plate.  We special order it just for you so allow up to four weeks.

Unity Candle
Celebrating the creation of your new family with a unity candle ceremony?  Then make sure to find a beautiful and personal candle set of your very own.  We love the Personally Yours Unity Candle. A small engravable charm adds a new twist to an age old tradition.  Available in white or ivory, engrave your first names on the small charm and thread it through the soft matching satin.  $36.  Matching taper candles are available for $2 each.  Don't forget to see if the church or ceremony site has a stand.  If not, we love a classic gold or silver stand, available for $29.

Ring Pillow & Flower Basket
Make your ring bearer and flower girls feel like the most important person of the bridal party with their very own accessories.  One of our favorites?  The Starlight Collection features sparkly crystals and pearls set on your choice of ring pillows ($36 each), Guest Books ($52), and flower girl baskets ($26), unity candles ($36),  and more.

Memorial Candle
A memory candle is the perfect way to honor your loved ones who have passed.  Choose our Classic Memorial Candle that scrolls the words "In loving memory" and "who is present in our hearts."  Candles may be engraved with up to three custom lines and comes with a small stand, $48.  For a more contemporary look, we offer a Floating Memorial Candle.  An elegant glass bud vase is engraved with the words "Forever in our hearts...forever in our lives" or chose your own custom text up to three lines, $48.

Garter Set
Don't forget your something blue!  Blue Crush Garter set features a crystal heart and comes with a garter to toss and a garter to keep.  $26.  Other unique garter options include the Vine Monogram garter with your choice of a script monogram in colored thread, $36, the Very Special Date garter embroidered with your wedding date in your choice of nine colors, $36, or our most popular "I Do" garter.  A sweet white or ivory garter is embroidered with "I Do" in baby blue thread, $36.

Can you think of anything we forgot?  Any wedding essentials that you're including in your special day?

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Meet Jewel - NEW Wedding Shoe by Grace

The long awaited sister shoe to the glamorous Grazia Valentine is here!  Meet Jewel, by Grace Wedding Shoes.  This gorgeous silk wedding shoe is identical to the Valentine, but features a small pearl accent a top the peep toe.  A stunning 4" heel boasts, genuine leather, interiors and exteriors as well as a  built in platform for comfort.  Jewel is available in white and ivory, and will look gorgeous dyed black after the wedding.  Stop by the shop to take your pair home!  Jewel, $140.

We also love the new romantic lining Grace is using.

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Hairpieces for Half Up, Half Down Wedding Hair

Wearing your hair half up and half down?  Only pulling back a few strands in the front?  Don't worry, you can still wear some bridal bling.  Small and proportionate is the key.  Find a simple, gorgeous piece that will look pretty, but don't expect it to hold up all your hair.  Your stylist will create your hairstyle and hold it in place with bobby pins.  Here are some of our favorite pieces wearing your hair down.  Above, Star Flower Barette, $64.  Simple and sweet, a nice accent for the back center of your hairdo.

Crystal Cluster Comb, $78.  Match the arc to the curve of your head in the back.  Wear one asymmetrically or two surrounding a pile of curls.

This art deco Arienne, $46 is perfect for those with thin air or as a small accent on the top of your head to clip your bangs back.

Flexible wire makes this swag shaped Emma Comb, $98 work in almost any position.

Where to Buy

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Dyeing Bridal Shoes After the Wedding

Valentine Shoe by Grazia, $195

We love the look of matching your wedding shoes to your dress.  A classic white or ivory shoes will look timeless in your photographs.  But what do you do with those shoes after the wedding?  Dye them black and wear them again!  Any good cobbler can dye an all silk or satin shoe to a deep, saturated color like black or navy blue.  So go ahead and spend a little more on gorgeous bridal shoes, dye them, and keep wearing them long after you've gone down the aisle.

In Chicago, we recommend the following cobblers...

Brooks Shoe Service
29 East Madison Street #610
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 704-6805

Clybourn Cobbler
1720 North Clybourn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614-5520
(312) 397-9707

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Colored Bridal Accessories Photoshoot

Photography by Dawn E Roscoe

We sent some of our gorgeous bridal and everyday pieces into the park for a gorgeous summer photo shoot.  Why not take a playful feel with your bridal accessories?  This lovely bride wore ebony and ivory colored pearl and crystal jewels, a something blue cocktail ring, and a stunning black cocktail hat with French netting.  There's no reason to be scared of color on your wedding day.  The results can be stunning!  Take a peek at the photo shoot shot by photographer Dawn Roscoe, then stop by the shop to try on these pieces for yourself!

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Flower Girl Gifts

 

Make the littlest members of your wedding party feel special with gifts selected just for them.  Your flower girl will love feeling like the "big kids" when you gift her with any of these fun and sweet gifts.  Above, A personalized embroidered pint sized tote bag, $22.

 Start out her jewelry collection in style with pretty pearls and a silver pendant.  From left to right, Simplicity Pearl Bracelet with circle engraved charm ($29), Friendship Bracelet with your choice of crystal colors and an engraved heart shaped charm ($29), Simple Pearl Bracelet ($24 each).

 Pink pearls are elegant and age appropriate (Single strand, $42) while a simple sliding pearl necklace is fun and casual (Pearl Float Necklace, $29).

A small, heart shaped keepsake box engraved with her name is a perfect place for her to keep all those little treasures (Monogrammed or Name engraved, $26)

Accessories for Bridal Events and Parties

Everyone always thinks about shopping for jewelry for the wedding day.  But don't forget about all your other bridal events.  All you lovely brides will have a full social schedule with parties and showers to celebrate you and your fabulous fiance.  So make sure you arrive in style with jewelry for all your outfits.  Here are some of our ideas for the perfect look for all your perfect days.

The Engagement Party - Classic and sophisticated pearls make sure everyone knows who they should be toasting!

Flower Crystal Stud Earrings ($54), Jamie Bracelet by Meg ($84), Elisa Necklace by Meg ($249) wear it long or short.

The Bridal Shower - Go for a look that's light and fun.  Bright colors help you celebrate in style while small clustered bracelets lend a modern feel.

Purple Three Strand Necklace ($46), Peacock & Pink Crystal Earrings ($29), Crystal Glam Bracelets ($42 each).

The Bachelorette Party - Let out your inner vixen with sultry, dark colors to match your smokey eyes perfectly. 

Hematite Crystal Necklace & Earring Set ($48), Deco Glam Cuff in Smoke ($98), Mini Gunmetal Coin Purse by Sondra Roberts ($36)

The Morning After Brunch - A perfect blend of sass and sophistication goes from morning after to the honeymoon.

Freshwater Pearl Illusion Necklace in Champagne ($56), Freshwater Pear Drop Earrings in Champagne ($26), Cotillion Fleurette Hair Flower by Camela Nitschke ($79).

Where to Buy

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Find Your Bridal Style Event!

See our pretty jewelry and meet some other wedding pros that can help make your wedding gorgeous at this fun Chicago Social Brides Event.  Stop by the shop for a reminder postcard for this sure to be fabulous event taking place at the Susan Fredman At Home in the City showroom.

Bridal Headpieces - Defined!

Shopping for hair jewelry can be overwhelming, so many styles, terms, and names.  We're here to make it easier.  When shopping for hair pieces, here are the five most common styles you'll find.

1. Tiara - Sits on the top of the head, princess style.  A showcase piece, usually with lots of sparkle.  It is similar to a crown, but doesn't circle around your whole head.  A half crown sits like a tiara but without the height.  One of our most popular tiaras is the Les Beaux tiara (above, $229).

2. Headband - Sits flat across the head and extends down to the ears.  Some headbands stop above the ears while others extend behind them.  The ends of the headband are usually hidden with hair.  Above, Callie Headband by Avant Bride NYC, $220

3.  Haircomb - A small jeweled piece usually one to four inches in length, attached to a comb.  Haircombs are very versatile and can be worn in front, back, or on the side of just about any hairstyle. Above, Emma Comb, $98

4.  Hairpins - Tiny gems attached to an open hairpin.  Usually sold in sets or three, five, or six.  Hairpins are worn by sliding them unto a bun or updo.  Learn how to wear hairpins here.  Above, Hollywood Glam Pins, $149 for a set of three.

5. Fascinator - A delicate headpiece made of fabric, feathers, or flowers.  Usually sits on top of the head and is worn in place of a traditional veil.  Learn more about fascinators here.  Tessa above, $150 by Avant Bride NYC.

Where to Buy


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Still confused?  Need Help?  Try our our Wedding Accessory Styling Service