When you are deciding on your wedding jewellery and after you’ve found yourself the most perfect tiara for your ‘up do’ and deliciously vintage necklace to work with your gown’s neckline, what do you do with your ears?  It’s easy to just leave them bling-free if you struggle to know what’s best for where your hairstyle ends and your dress begins.

So I’ve picked just some of the earrings we offer at Queens and Bowl for you to fall in love with, some small but perfectly formed, some extravagant and attention-grabbing but all beautiful and a simple way to add a bit of glamour.

Classic Pearl Earrings £30

Manhattan Earrings £35

Imperial Earrings £40

Nora Earrings £70

Belgravia Earrings £35

Starlet Earrings £150

Westwood Earrings £180

Bow Peep Earrings £70

Enjoy! Kate xx

If you’re looking for real bride inspiration when planning your wedding accessories, then meet Eleanor and Phil Sotheran.

Ellie and Phil Sotheran

The gorgeous couple got married on July 2nd 2011 at Highcliffe castle in Dorset.  Eleanor chose the Manhattan necklace (from Ivory & Co) after looking through hundreds and hundreds online. “Originally I wanted something bigger and more extravagant but when I saw this necklace which looked so elegant and classy, I decided that it was the perfect one for me.” said Eleanor ” Then it just seemed right to have the matching earrings!”

Ellie wears Manhattan necklace & earrings - Ivory & Co

Manhattan Necklace £125

Manhattan Earrings £35

I couldn’t agree more!  Kate x

Style and movie icons like Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor are the perfect inspiration for a 1950s wedding.

A ’50s wedding will always be elegant and stylish. Wedding dresses need to be full-skirted and for a true ’50s twist opt for a shorter length with a sash or buckle detail at the waist. It’s also the perfect excuse to show off amazing wedding shoes like Rachel Simpson’s aptly-named Marilyn heels, also available in ‘knock ‘em dead’ red!

Marilyn Ivory pair £160

Marilyn Mink pair £160

Marilyn Red Pair £160

Sparkles are definitely a girl’s best friend when it comes to choosing your bridal jewellery: either continue the Marilyn theme with sparkly jewels or go all Grace Kelly with something like a birdcage veil from Ivory & Co.

Pearl Birdcage Veil £70

Alternatively, you could even channel a bit of Liz Taylor with a Cleopatra-esque tiara like this ‘Emperor’ from Halo & Co!

Emperor Wedding Tiara £155

Here are a couple more ideas to carry on the ’50s theme…

Kelly Bracelet £199

Streisand Feather Bridal Stole £95

Kate x

There were a few raised eyebrows and mutterings about ‘the done thing’ when Samantha Cameron attended the Royal Wedding last year, choosing to wear a vintage hair comb rather than the customary hat.

Image via Pinterest, courtesy of Zimbio.com

I’m not wishing to start a new debate on the “do’s and don’ts” of millinery at Royal occasions, but Mrs Cameron does give me the perfect excuse to showcase some of our beautiful hair combs available to those dare-to-be-different brides looking for a headpiece that is slightly less traditional than a veil.

Rendez-Vous Comb £170

Peacock Mantilla £260

Grace Comb £180

Carmen Miss Comb £299

Rhea Comb £130

Treasure Comb £130

Lotus Comb £90

Catalina Pearl Comb £95

Rosemary Comb £280

Kate x

I hope you liked our first Designer Showcase last month on the fabulous Natalie Gladman, a la Madeline Isaac James, if you missed it you can read it here.

Next up is a very clever lady, Rachel Simpson, designer of truly beautiful, vintage inspired bridal and occasion shoes.

Rachel Simpson Shoes

Rachel graduated from De Montfort University in 2001 and created new collections whilst working for a number of high street brands as a successful freelance designer. It was the art of shoe making which became her passion, and it was for this reason Rachel bought a couple of old footwear machines and built a workshop at the bottom of the garden!

After making shoes here for friends as well as commissioned work, Rachel saw a gap in the market for fashion led yet timeless, well made bridal shoes. Seeing her sister walk down the aisle in a pair of shoes she had created was a feeling worth building on!

Rachel Simpson Shoes

Today Rachel creates shoes which are as comfortable as they are beautiful. Every shoe is designed in the UK and beautifully handmade in Spain by skilled craftsmen- and women! Emphasis is on quality, with full leather linings and beautiful leather, satin and suede uppers. As well as her love of vintage, inspiration comes from all over, including current trends and of course listening to customers!

Here’s a few of my current favourites, I’m just waiting to see what the new collections will bring!

Tilly Ivory pair £145 (also available in Silver)

Hettie Ivory pair £160

Olivia Ivory brogue pair £150

Betty Ivory pair £115

Anya Ivory pair £155

Rosalyn Ivory Lace pair £165

To match or not to match…that is the question.

When choosing your bridal jewellery, you might want the smooth consistency and unity that comes with matching your earrings, necklace and bracelet or you may have inherited a piece of vintage jewellery that you want to use as the main focus of your ensemble but with just a hint of sparkle elsewhere.

If you’re stuck for inspiration, I love these gorgeous, delicate collections of wedding jewellery from Ivory and Co.

If you’re looking to have an opulent, vintage wedding, then the Belgravia Collection by Ivory & Co is ideal for creating some impact. Combining sparkling Austrian crystals with high-quality man-made ivory and white natural lustre pearls, this collection is the perfect mixture of vintage elegance and old-school glamour.

Belgravia Necklace £100

Belgravia Bracelet £55

Belgravia Earrings £35

Imperial Necklace £135

Imperial Bracelet £60

Imperial Earrings £40

The Waterlilly Pearl collection is a lovely vintage-inspired creation. These are really feminine pieces and great for bridesmaids and prom-goers as well as brides looking for a relaxed, bohemian feel. Crafted using a non-tarnishing metal base, Austrian crystals and high quality natural luster man-made pearls, truly classical.

Waterlilly Pearl Necklace £60

Waterlilly Pearl Bracelet £60

Waterlilly Pearl Earrings £30

I wanted to showcase another beautiful bride to you on the blog today, who chose her wedding jewellery from our treasure trove of vintage inspired delights.

Elizabeth and Gregory were married on the 6th August 2011 at a chapel in Oundle.  Dressed in a simple yet stunning bridal gown, Elizabeth chose the Kennedy tiara to add a little classic sparkle to her ensemble.  Halo & Co make each headpiece by hand, which also appealed to Elizabeth and I think it’s the perfect finishing touch, don’t you?

Libby wears the Kennedy headpiece from Halo & Co

Libby pictured right

Elizabeth and Greg

From headpieces and combs to necklaces and brooches, there’s a beautiful piece of vintage-inspired wedding jewellery for everyone.

For something floral but that will last you long after you have thrown your bouquet over your shoulder, I’ve pulled together just a few pieces of bridal jewellery to bring out the nature in you!  Say it with flowers!

Rosemary Comb £280 - Halo & Co

Lotus Comb £90 - Ivory & Co

Daisy Bridal Tiara £135 - Madeline Isaac James

Audrey Side Tiara £195 - Jo Barnes

Shannon Cuff £130 - Justine M Couture

Pearl Flower Wave Brooch £20 - Ivory & Co

Waterlilly Necklace £85 - Ivory & Co

Gardenia Ivory Wedding Shoes £374.99 - Harriet Wilde

There are some beautiful trends coming through for brides-to-be planning their wedding in 2012.

One that caught my eye recently is the gorgeous ballerina hemline that is making an appearance in wedding dresses this season. Bridal gown designer and owner of Madeline Isaac James, Natalie Gladman has kindly given permission for me to showcase some of her brand new season designs, these beauties are also available in full length.

Kat by Madeline Isaac James

‘Kat’ – silk satin gown with silk organza sleeves, and covered silk satin buttons all the way down back from the top of the bodice to the hem.

Jasmine by Madeline Isaac James

‘Jasmine’ – silk organza gown with detachable beaded halter-neck straps, featuring silk organza roses on bodice and at hem (each individual rose has Swarovski crystals in centre)

Chantal by Madeline Isaac James

‘Chantal’ – tulle strapless gown with sweetheart neckline.  Vertical lines made up of thousands of Swarovski crystals on the gown, and available with a matching tulle jacket with ¾ length sleeves and Swarovski crystal detail.

To rock the ballerina hemline, shoes most definitely need to be sky-high. They finish the look perfectly and accentuate a fabulous pair of legs.  I’ve put together just a few of the most divine wedding shoes from Rachel Simpson and Harriet Wilde for you to get all giddy about.

Marina Peep Toe Lace £199.99 - Harriet Wilde

Marilyn Red £160 - Rachel Simpson

Gardenia Wedding Shoes £374.99 - Harriet Wilde

Talullah Ivory £170 - Rachel Simpson

I love nothing more than to hear back from a Queens and Bowl bride after her wedding day.  To see a photograph of your chosen piece of bridal jewellery or vintage inspired accessories, fills me with pride and joy!

Anna and Kevin

The beautiful Anna and her handsome new hubbie Kevin, were kind enough to send me these images captured on their day. Anna tied the knot  back in March in London’s Chelsea registry office followed by a glitzy party at the Ritz Hotel!

Anna chose the Minnelli shrug to complete her vintage bridal look and was absolutely thrilled with her purchase.

Here are some more photographs from the happy couple for you to enjoy…

Anna wears Minnelli Feather Shrug

Anna and Kevin

Anna wears the Minnelli Feather Shrug

Anna and Kevin