Choosing bridal jewellery always starts with the rings (obviously) but where do earrings come in your list of priorities?

Once you’ve decided on how you want your hair and whether to have a veil, a headpiece, flowers or a more traditional tiara, then you can pay more close attention to your ears.

Drop earrings are a stunningly simple yet very effective way of adding a bit of glitz and sparkle to your ensemble, especially if you choose to wear your hair up.

Here’s just some of my favourites from the new collections, I’d love to know which are yours and whether you would choose drops or something smaller…

Art Deco Earrings £90

St Tropez Headpiece, Art Deco Earrings

Nora Earrings £70

Charleston Band, Nora Earrings, Charleston Bracelet

Viva £160

Viva Worn

There’s been so much going on behind the scenes of Queens and Bowl lately including some pretty gorgeous new photography of the spring/summer collection of vintage inspired wedding jewellery and accessories, which you can check out on the website and buy now!

The images come courtesy of the fabulously talented Kirstie McNulty who has truly captured the essence of Art Deco 1920s glamour,  the sophisticated chic of the 1950s and the delicate fragility of a bohemian lifestyle.

Paris Headpiece £450

Ambrosia

Cara

Art Deco

Beatrice

Cauldfield Band

Windsor

Would love to know what you think. Which is your favourite?

Kate x

Audrey Hepburn, as the glamorous Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, is inspiration to so many vintage brides and there’s a real trend for 60s inspired weddings lately, including this one featured recently on Love My Dress, held in a theatre with the groom looking very dashing in his 60s suit.  One that truly brings together all the elements of the era is this stunning 60s inspired engagement shoot too, simply beautiful!

To get the look, choose a bold wedding dress – sleeveless designs with high necklines or the knee-length strapless look works well too.

For wedding jewellery, go for a statement necklace in crystal or pearls and small stud earrings.

Venice Earrings £115 - Justine M Couture

Crystal Choker £175 - Halo and Co

Finish an up-do with a simple, striking bridal comb and add a feather cape.

Catalina Pearl Comb £95 - Ivory and co

Streisand Feather Bridal Stole £95 - Sasso

For wedding shoes, choose classic 1950s / early 60s peep-toes with a little bold detail to show off under your dress!

Ella Shoes £199.99 - Harriet Wilde

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

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

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

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

There are just two more sleeps until Father Christmas arrives and we all take a well-earned festive break with friends and family.

Things are going to be even more joyous than usual in the Queens and Bowl household with the arrival of our new baby daughter, who joined our happy family this month, so with that in mind we raise a glass to you and wish you a Very Very Merry Christmas, a Successful and Happy New Year and All the Very Best of Luck if you are getting married over the Christmas holiday.

Join me back on the blog after Christmas for more vintage-inspired treats.

Kate x

When deciding on your wedding day ‘look’, don’t make the mistake often made by brides-to-be – becoming someone you’re not!

What I’m trying to say is…don’t opt for a strapless gown if you know your body type suits something with sleeves; don’t spend a year growing your hair and then have it scraped back off your face in a serious beehive; don’t go overboard on your make-up if you are a natural beauty.

The same applies for wedding shoes. It might seem obvious but I’ve met plenty of brides who crave a pair of killer heels for their big day, only to make it as far as the trip back down the aisle and then dump them for bare feet.  There’s nothing wrong with wearing a pair of five inch platform divas if that’s what you normally do, but if you are usually a low heel girl, then stick with what you do best and enjoy your whole day complete with beautiful wedding shoes.

Want some vintage-inspired, low-heel wedding shoe inspiration?

Marcie Shoes £179.99

Anya Ivory pair £155

Queenie Shoes £95

Isabella pair £160