Monday, April 30, 2012

Winter Wedding: Bridal jewelry & small details

It's been a while since I've done a post on my wedding -- but after doing a guest post on the entire wedding for fellow Charleston blogger Keller Creative, I didn't know what else to write about.

I recently received an email from someone who found my blog via Pinterest and asked if I could do a blog post on my jewelry, so I thought I'd do a quick post on my bridal accessories and some of the small details.

I already did a long post about my shoes that you can read.

As for my jewelry, I knew from the start that I would be wearing a string of real pearls given to me by my grandparents when I was younger. My mom had kept these pearls in a safe for me since I was so afraid of being responsible for them until my wedding day.


I also knew I wanted to wear my grandmother's emerald and diamond ring on my right hand since my engagment ring is diamonds and emeralds. This of course meant I couldn't wear my Clemson ring (which is a major Clemson tradition), but I felt as though my grandmother's ring was much more important.


However, because I took off my Clemson ring to wear my grandmother's ring, I completely forgot to take it with me so I could get Clemson ring pictures with my husband - something I am bummed about. So if you're a Clemson alum, make a note with your photographer that you want Clemson ring/wedding ring photos!

Bradley (well, really me and then I told him) decided that his gift to me on our wedding day would be my earrings and bracelet. I scoured online for hours and hours to find the perfect jewelry... I did so many Amazon.com and Google.com searches for 'pearls and emeralds', 'diamonds and emeralds', 'emerald jewelry', etc., etc., etc.

Here's the problem - emeralds are ridiculously expensive. We looked at a pair of small, teeny tiny emerald studs that cost more than my wedding band. I knew I wanted earrings that were somewhat dangly since my hair was up (which reminds me I still need to do a post on my hair!), so I resigned to the fact that I probably would not have real emeralds on my earrings on my wedding day...so my searches turned more towards 'cz emerald and pearl jewelry'.

I finally stumpled upon a bracelet and matching earrings that I liked on Amazon. I sent the links to Bradley and he gifted them to me on our rehearsal dinner night. They turned out to be so much prettier in person and were the perfect compliments to my rings and the greens used all throughout our wedding. I couldn't have asked for better jewelry...


I also found some bracelets that were similar in design to mine to gift to my bridesmaids...


My something blue wasn't really my shoes, but a tradition my mother started with my older sister...a blue sash with my full new name and wedding date embroidered on it. My mom pinned it inside the skirt of my dress.


I also wore a garter - a Clemson one of course! My best friend gifted me two of them at my lingerie shower - so I had one to wear and keep and one for Bradley to throw at the reception.


And of course, I never go anywhere without a purse of somekind - I can't live without my comb, powder, chapstick, etc. So I needed a fun clutch for the reception... I found this gorgeous, navy sequin clutch on Nordstrom for like $20! I love it and it was the right amount of bling to keep by my side at the reception. And I love the shot my photographer got of my engagement ring on top of it...


Finally, I kept warm wrapped up in my grandmother's mink stole - it still has her initials embroidered on the inside lining. She was very much with me on my wedding day.


 Read the rest of my blog posts about my Winter Wedding in Birmingham, AL on 12.10.11.

9 comments:

Glitterista said...

Such gorgeous and personal accessories! Love your blue sash. :)

KatiePerk said...

Stunning!

Melissa W. said...

you were a beautiful bride! I too had to wear (hubby, Chris is a Clemson Grad) a Clemson garter.

Elizabeth | The Blush Magnolia said...

There are so many things I love about this post!

1. I love your jewelry. The emeralds are so beautiful and unique.
2. I love that your bridesmaids' jewelry was similar. Such a fun keepsake for them.
3. I love the Clemson garter. I didn't go to Clemson but so many of my family members did and my fiance as well so it is still special to me!
Love seeing your wedding pics. They are stunning! xo

Andrea said...

Beautiful pictures! All your personal touches were wonderful!

Rebecca said...

love it! great post =] ADORABLE garter

Lisa - respect the shoes said...

I adore these details you've put together for your wedding. The touches of green are gorgeous - and even better since they have heartfelt meaning beghind them. The mink stole is glamourouse chic - thanks for sharing!

Lisa - respect the shoes said...

Oops, I meant "glamourous." Oh spelling ...

Ali said...

Yay!! Thank you so much for posting about your jewelry. I've been waiting patiently! :-) I have a sapphire engagement ring, will be wearing my fiance's late mother's pearls, but need to figure out bracelet and earrings. I wanted to blend all of the colors/stones together. You have provided great inspiration! Thank you again! -Ali Beirlein