| "Couture" vs. "Costume" for your Wedding Jewelry | | | | search-term relevance, and best of all, it has little |
| Designer, handmade jewelry is such a wonderful | | | | thumbnail photos of each piece so you can see if you |
| choice for your wedding day. Why not wear a work | | | | like the item before you click through to the specific |
| of art that will express your personal style? | | | | website. |
| Handmade, quality jewelry doesn't have to be | | | | Once you have a few good design candidates, make |
| expensive...you just need to be a smart shopper. It is | | | | an appointment to speak with each jeweler on your list |
| quite possible to find a jeweler who creates gorgeous, | | | | in person, by phone or via email. Bring in or email |
| unique jewelry with exotic gemstones and pearls set in | | | | photos of your dress (preferably with you in it), have a |
| silver or gold. "Real" jewelry can be surprisingly | | | | clear budget and time frame, and be sure to |
| affordable, yet still carries lasting value. This can be the | | | | communicate any other important details that will give |
| one item from your wedding (besides the ring) that you | | | | the designer a good idea of your desires and |
| will wear over and over through the years. Handmade, | | | | expectations. |
| designer jewelry made especially to compliment your | | | | Buyer Beware |
| wedding day will continue to be enjoyed into the future, | | | | Steer clear of any jeweler who pushes you towards |
| and may even become a sentimental heirloom for | | | | a design that is not your taste or is too expensive. It is |
| your children or family members. | | | | one thing for a designer to educate you about the |
| Swarovski crystals and faux pearl bridal jewelry are | | | | jewelry they create, but don't let someone sweet-talk |
| (sadly) everywhere, and often cost just as much as | | | | you into a design that you don't really love or can't |
| their far more fabulous and "real" counterparts. So | | | | afford. This is a big red flag, and the best course of |
| why not choose "couture" over "costume" and | | | | action is to go somewhere else. Also, don't let your |
| celebrate your unique sense of style and beauty? I | | | | sister's best friend guilt you into wearing a necklace |
| hope you will take a moment to read these tips, and | | | | she "designed" just because she can string beads in a |
| find the ideal jewelry artist to create your perfect | | | | row. This is your day, and you should have it your |
| handmade wedding jewelry! | | | | way! You deserve to work with a professional who |
| Where to Start | | | | takes their craft, reputation, and customer service |
| Start researching at least four months before your | | | | seriously. With a little effort you can find a talented |
| wedding date, so you won't be rushed. As soon as | | | | designer who creates jewelry you love, listens to your |
| you have found your wedding dress you are ready to | | | | needs, caters to your budget, and treats you with the |
| find your jewelry. When choosing a jewelry designer, | | | | respect and honesty you deserve. |
| make sure you are familiar with their style and price | | | | Budget Minded |
| range. Start with a little research on jewelers in your | | | | Once you have found your jeweler of choice, you can |
| area, ask your friends for recommendations, and clip | | | | trim your expenses by purchasing a design that is |
| photos in magazines of attractive styles. I particularly | | | | currently available for sale in their line, or by asking the |
| like Lucky and InStyle magazines for their variety and | | | | designer to repeat or make small changes to a style |
| price range. If you want something very specific, it is | | | | they have created previously. This will help save |
| always best to find a jeweler nearby that you can | | | | money since the artist will not have to create |
| meet with face to face. Otherwise, email makes it | | | | something from scratch especially for you, and the |
| pretty easy to refine your search and communicate | | | | price should be more reasonable. If you do want |
| with your designer of choice. | | | | something made specifically for you, expect to pay |
| Websites are a great resource. Spend some time | | | | more, and in some cases the increased expense can |
| online where you can browse and educate yourself at | | | | be significant. This is because the designer will have to |
| your leisure. The more specific your search keywords, | | | | take much more time and care to create a look that is |
| the more refined your results will be. Use keywords | | | | exactly what you want, and may have to create and |
| like "bridal jewelry" or "wedding jewelry" along with | | | | re-create the piece several times to get it just right. |
| "freshwater pearl", "semi-precious gemstones", | | | | Always get an estimate first before any work has |
| "affordable handmade jewelry", "handmade designer | | | | started to avoid any nasty surprises! Its best to be |
| jewelry", "sterling silver", and "gold." It is helpful to | | | | upfront with your budget, most jewelry designers will |
| narrow the field of choices by searching for specific | | | | appreciate your candor and be able to guide you to |
| gemstones or materials you like (like moonstone, topaz, | | | | your ideal look and price range. |
| amethyst, or pink freshwater pearls) or styles that | | | | I hope you have enjoyed these tips! Best wishes on |
| attract you (like "Victorian", "Edwardian" or "Antique"). | | | | finding the perfect jewelry designer to suit your |
| One useful website is It is basically a shopping search | | | | specific style, budget, and desires for your special day. |
| engine that organizes your results by price or | | | | |