Four Pretty Things: Pastel Purses

Beginning today, I will be featuring four pretty things from different wedding shops at Etsy each week. I hope that this particular segment on this blog would help future brides who are looking for a particular accessory or wedding item, by narrowing down their choices. Apart from curating pretty wedding things, I take a moment to read about the shop, making sure that the sellers on spotlight are passionate about their craft.  

For my first post on  this segment, I looked for handmade bridal or bridesmaid purses in pastel hues of yellow, blue, pink and mint.  

pastel yellow silk clutch with bow :  Blackbird's Pearl

baby blue pouch with Rossette & lace : lolos

peach with lace wedding purse : Atelier Edyta Loukia

mint green box bridesmaid clutch set : Vincent V Designs

Cute Find: Wooden Wedding Band

This is a cute find:

 

Instead of the usual wedding bands made out metal, how about wood? 

This one is made out of Walnut with Oak inlay and Turquise. 

Found this from a shop called Wood Flex Design at Etsy.

Would you wear this on your wedding?

Wedding Accessories: Blusher Veils

The blusher veil is a traditional bridal headpiece. It is a short veil that covers the bride's face as she walks down the aisle. This bridal accessory is also called the birdcage veil, with varying lengths: the veil can fall just below the eyes, below the chin.  Floor length veils are also known as ballerina veil.

The person who gives the bride away raises the veil to kiss the bride on the cheek or forehead and puts the veil back down. After the exchange of the wedding vows, it is time for the official "Just Married" kiss and the veil is raised by the groom.  The veil then stays lifted all throughout the ceremony.

Apart from varying lengths, the veil may also come in different designs.  Some veils have two or more layers; some are attached to a hat or  fascinator. Blusher veils can be made out of tulle, or old lace.

Some modern brides choose not to wear this style of veil because they want everyone to have a clear view of their face as they enter the ceremony.  However, a blusher veil can also add that perfect accent to the bridal gown.  Take a look at these beautiful blusher veils from various Etsy sellers:

double layer of tulle by Twigs & Honey

 

silk organza & Habotai silk  with blossoms and rhinestone by Erica Elizabeth Design 

 

blusher veil with peach fascinator by There Was Once a Girl 

blusher veil with ivory fascinator and bridal hat by Butterflies Wing 

bird cage veil with nickel plated comb by Alisa Benay 

double layer teardrop blusher veil by Twigs & Honey

Would you like to wear a blusher veil or a bird cage veil on your wedding?  

Which of these veils caught your fancy?

Wedding Accessories: Alternative Bridal Bouquet

These bouquets are not your typical bridal bouquets! They are made out of recycled paper, vintage fabric, old buttons, or trinkets.  These alternative bridal bouquets are perfect for a bohemian-themed wedding or a handmade wedding.  These are eco-friendly, budget-friendly, and beautiful!  So when fresh flowers are not available or are too expensive, why not use alternatives? Here some inspirations from Etsy sellers.

vintage rhinestone and fabric bouquet by florabond

paper hydrangea florets and denim roses in deep blue by The Crimson Poppy
beach wedding bouquet with teal accents by Seashell Design Co
rosettes and hydrangeas made out of vintage wedding dress by Autumnand Grace Bridal
 

bouquet made of seashells, dried flowers, and grasses by Crocus Creative

bouquet made of faux pearls, crystals, brooches, pins, buttons, rings, earrings and other trinkets by Lillybuds Bouquets

paper bouquet made out of recycled books by A Bespoke Touch

bouquet made of vintage flower brooches and earrings by hairbows wonderworld

Camille felt flowers by Muncle Fred Art

bouquets made from recycled pages of old books  by redzebradesigns

Wedding Accessories: Juliet Cap Inspired Bridal Veils

The headpiece is one of the most important accessories of the bride. There are many kinds of headpieces to choose from such as the traditional veil, bridal combs, tiara, bridal headbands, and more.  I think the Juliet Cap inspired headpiece is such a beautiful adornment, especially for a vintage-themed wedding or a bohemian-themed wedding.  I looked up for gorgeous designs online and found these great finds from Etsy.

Veil made of ivory velvet leaves with Swarovski rhinestones, beaded lace, & French netting by Sibo Designs

sculpted veil cap made by Chantilly lace by Which Goose

vintage style cap made of French Chantilly Lace, Habotai & Organza Silk & silk satin woven ribbon beading by Erica Elizabeth Design

veil made from the finest 100% silk tulle,drapes over one shoulder and features genuine vintage velvet flower by Agnes Hart

 Art Deco inspired veil made of soft ivory Bridal Illusion tulle by Gilded Shadows

Themed-Wedding Inspiration: Art Noveau

What is Art Noveau?
"Art nouveau" which is French for "new art" first appeared in the Belgian journal L'Art Moderne in the 1880s. The term was used to describe the artworks of twenty painters and sculptors who were members of Les Vingt- an artistic community.

Particulary associated with the French style, the art form is inspired by elements of nature or the natural world such. The Art Noveau movement was short-lived, yet it has influenced modern art and is still regarded as a historical and treasured artistic style. *

Is your wedding inspired by the Art Noveau era?  

Here are my top picks from Etsy sellers:

Flapper inspired bridal headband by Twigs & Honey;

Art Nouveau Style 14K Gold Antique wedding band by jewelry1910studio  

antiqued brass filigrees by marygracejewellery

Crystal and Marcasite Brooch Bouquet by The Ritzy Rose

14k yellow and rose gold woodland necklace by Pretty Things Galore

Rhinestone 1920s cloche by Erica Elizabeth Design

references:
*http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/artn/hd_artn.htm

Wedding Accessories: Vintage Bridal Hair Combs

A vintage bridal hair comb is the perfect accessory for a bride wearing a simple, vintage or vintage-inspired wedding gown.  This kind of accessory can be used to add that touch of glamor for any hairstyle- whether the bride chooses to wear an up-do, braided, half-tail, or to wear her hair down.

Hair combs are not only beautiful, they are functional accessories too.  A bridal hair comb helps to keep that veil in place. Do you own an antique brooch or old pieces of jewelry?  You can easily make a bridal hair comb just by attaching the jewelry on a plastic comb or you may choose to buy a ready-made one online.

Here are some of my best picks from various Etsy sellers.  Some of these hair combs have been re-created or upcycled out of heirloom jewelry pieces.  Which one is your favorite?

1940's blue & clear rhinestones hair comb 

by bridalwear

a vintage jewelry repurposed into a bridal hair comb 

by Gener8tions Cre8tions

1920s rhinestones and pearls heirloom brooch repurposed into a comb 

by Amore Treasure

1980s hairpiece 

by Second Hand Emporium

1940 rhinestones and pearl hair comb

by Karen Rutledge

Featured Bridal Shop: Little Dreamers

I’m starting a new segment on this blog which will feature interviews with bridal shop owners. If you are a shop owner who offers supplies or items for weddings and would like to be featured on this blog, please send an email at theshopbug@yahoo.com.Here's my interview with Whitney Crimefighter, designer/seller of Little Dreamers Inc.

Whitney is a wife and a mother of two little girls, Cosette and Gemma. Her shop is based in Portland Oregon but they do cater to international customers through Etsy.  She personally creates tutu dresses and accessories for little girls and babies.

How long have you been in the business?

Going on 4 years.

Why did you decide to open a shop that specializes in gowns and accessories for little girls?
When I had my first little girl, I started making things for her and it just exploded from there!

Where do you find inspirations for your creations? 

My two girls, Cosette and Gemma, inspire everything I do :)

What are some of your favorite pieces from your shop? 

"The Grey Dress" is my absolute favorite.

Do you personally create the items in your shop? 

I make everything from scratch, start to finish.

How long does it take for you to finish the most intricate items?

 4 hours

What are your favorite materials to work with? 

ribbon, fabric, glitter

What do you enjoy most about what you do? 

My favorite thing about what I do is creating custom pieces for weddings and birthdays and special occasions. They are some of the most important events in their lives, and I get to be a little part of it. It makes me happy.

Is there anything you dislike about it? 

 If yes, what is it? I can seriously say that I love my job.

What was the toughest challenge you faced so far and how did you get over it? 

I don't know about the toughest, but wholesale orders are kind of hard for me because when you have to make so many of the same item, it seems more like an assembly line, and I feel a little less creative.

What do you do when you’re not busy creating?  

Read and go on adventures with my husband and two girls. We like to make treasure maps for each other. And I think we've buried a dozen time capsules. :)

What advice can you give for bride-to-be's particularly when it comes to choosing fashion for a wedding? 

Go with what you love, even if it is random and weird. You're own personal style will bring it all together in the end.

What are your favorite bridal shops? 

 Green Wedding Shoes

Aside from Etsy, where else can we find you online? 

www.facebook.com/littledreamersinc

What is your message to your customers and the people who support you?
A thousand thanks and a hundred more!!! xoxox

~*~*~*~

Thanks & Best Wishes:

Little Dreamers

To Have and To Hold: Lovely Bridal Gloves and Cufflets

A pair of bridal gloves adds elegance and drama to the overall look of the wedding gown. Fingerless gloves are a favorite among brides because there's no need to take it off during the ceremony so the groom can slip on the ring.  Cufflets is also a noticeable trend. 

Bridal gloves can be made out of satin, silk or lace. They can be plain or embellished with beads. Here are a few lovely, fingerless bridal gloves or cufflets handmade by sellers from Etsy. 

Italian lace fingerless gloves : deLoop

cream lace cuffs bridal gloves : My Secret Face

ivory lace gloves embellished with beads : Tugce

Victorian inspired paisley motif lace cufflets : Le Coquette Couture 


Which one would you like to wear?

Vintage Bow Ties On Sale

These bow ties are from the Vintage Collection of Beau Ties Ltd. They are on-sale, exclusively online for $29 each.  The floral designs would make a perfect match for a spring or summer wedding.  These are the last pieces of their limited-stock fabrics.

Beau Ties Ltd

A Black and White Wedding

If you are planning a black & white wedding, searching for black & white items can bring out a very long list of results and sometimes taking a look at selected picks can be easier.  This page is filled with B&W inspirations I've chosen while browsing around Etsy. 

I am very much liking the black & white theme with just a hint of hue (probably the bride's favorite color?) here and there. I'm sharing with you items that really caught my eyes!  Which one is your favorite?  Please, if you see an item that you love, your comment is very much appreciated.  Thanks:)

Joyful Joyful
Photo by: E Leigh Photography

sibodesigns * theposhevent

pertyfultings * showcase bridal

 

Kumquat Designs  *  prairie garden

L Richards Design * iszle

trendy tikes * olivia kate couture

new fashioned whispers  *  nature season

the posh event  *   davie and chiyo

shine invitations * the love shop

west willow * white thistle bridal

your fairy tale wedding

Photography: Made U Look

print your party

the joy of color * red light studio

 our hobby to your home * canton box company 

invites by jen * sue bee hb 

 anna panik
 

tux and tulle
Photography: Jeri HouseWorth

Crush: Accessories in Ivory

 ivory clutch: bellafiore
hair clip: blackcatmima
shoe clips: lindenlovebirds