It’s July, which means we are officially at the height of wedding season! This usually means thousands of beautiful brides tying the knot in glorious sunshine but the British summer has pulled its old trick of not showing up on cue, which has meant lots and lots of rain!

As any married woman will tell you, a bit of a rain is never enough to dampen the spirits on the big day, but it is enough to make a bride chilly! With the horrible weather in mind, I’ve taken the opportunity to look at one of my favourite designers, Sasso, and their stunning range of bridal jackets, shrugs, stoles and shawls. They’re all guaranteed to make you look gorgeous whilst also protecting you from the elements. I’ve also given some of my own tips on how to style them too!

Valencia Maribou Stole

The Valencia Marabou Stole is a stunning piece made from ivory marabou tails and is heavily inspired by the glamour of the 1940s – think Rita Hayworth and Katharine Hepburn. It’s not only gorgeous either – this versatile stole can either be worn as a cape around the shoulders for braving the elements or more traditionally through the arms during the ceremony and the reception.

Keep up the ‘40s theme by teaming this stole with a piece of statement jewellery, such as this crystal necklace from Ivory and Co. These Polly wedding shoes by Harriet Wilde are more traditionally ‘50s in their style but the slingback detail and exposed toe can also apply to the ‘40s, and a bit of accessorising with these Sparkle Shoe Clips by Rachel Simpson can add an extra edge of ‘40s glamour.

Paris Ostrich Feather Vest

Made from gorgeous ivory ostrich feathers, this versatile piece is perfect for evoking the timeless glamour of the ‘20s and ‘30s. Inspired by the classic ‘Flapper girl’ look, this vest can either be worn as a shrug or a wrap, offering not just one but two beautiful styles. It’s a head-turner and guaranteed to make any bride look amazing. I’m sure you’ll agree it looks quite cosy too!

For an effortlessly stylish ‘20s look, complement this piece with stacks of jewellery and finish with a statement headpiece. Pearls are perfect for channelling flapper girl style, and one designer who really does ‘20s jewellery well is Stephanie Browne – her 1920s-inspired Kelly pearl necklace and bracelet are to die for! Top off the look with this amazing St. Tropez headpiece, also from Stephanie Browne, and the divine Hettie wedding shoes from Rachel Simpson.

Alaska Feather Bridal Jacket

Another piece inspired by the ‘20s, this jaw-dropping Alaska ostrich feather jacket is definitely the boldest piece in this post! This long-sleeved number is a real statement piece and perfect for the bride who wants to wants to stun her guests from the moment she steps down the aisle. The jacket can be worn either open or closed – either way, it looks out of this world.

This jacket looks fantastic with a slinky ‘20s-style dress and, despite its bold look, will complement rather than overwhelm. As the jacket is quite a statement piece, you might want to avoid anything too outlandish with your shoes and jewellery whilst still evoking that ‘20s glamour – these Tilly shoes by Rachel Simpson and the Eliza side tiara by Ivory and Co should do the trick.

Minnelli Marabou Shrug

The luxurious Minnelli shrug is classic and versatile – not only does it look wonderful, but it can add an edge of vintage glamour to just about any dress imaginable. Whether your wedding is heavily themed or you simply want a vintage piece to style a traditional bridal outfit with, the Minnelli is perfect for just about any bride looking for a shrug. The light texture of the Marabou feathers mean that it can be worn in either summer or winter, and it’s not just for brides either – bridesmaids can look equally stunning without upstaging the bride! It also comes in three colours – ivory, cream and champagne.

As the Minnelli is such a versatile piece, I’m going to point you to this post from last year for inspiration. The beautiful Anna chose the Minnelli for her wedding day – doesn’t she look wonderful?

These are just a couple of my favourite pieces from Sasso; why not take a look at the range for yourself and see what takes your fancy? I’d love to hear your styling tips too!

Kate x

How exciting – the brand new range of Rachel Simpson wedding shoes are now available to buy! Rachel Simpson wedding shoes are one of my best-selling ranges at Queens & Bowl and the latest collection is certainly set to keep them that way.

The 2012 range of bridal shoes complements Rachel’s current Ivory Collection and Pearl Collection, which both take their vintage inspiration from the elegant 1920s and 1930s eras and offer brides understated, timeless and detailed designs.

The new 2012 collection has at its heart the ultra-feminine and glamorous feel of the 1940s. And even more exciting for brides looking for low heel wedding shoes, there’s a real choice of options! From the totally flat, ballerina style bridal pump that is Betty, to ballroom T-bars like Tilly and pretty courts like Maisie, there’s a host of possibilities for brides who want comfortable bridal shoes! I think that these new, lower styles are also a great choice for bridesmaids too.

Low heel wedding shoes are a key feature of Rachel Simpson's 2012 collection.

Rachel has also included some popular concealed platform styles like Rosalyn and Tallulah, which add height yet make for a much more comfortable wear – especially on your wedding day, where you’ll spend so much time on your feet!

Concealed platforms add height but take the strain off your feet!

As with all of Rachel’s vintage wedding shoes, there’s a real emphasis on luxurious fabric combinations and careful attention to detail. She’s added beautiful touches with the incorporation of satin, lace, kid suede and pearlised leather, plus the floral insole that will become the signature of the new collection.

And if your colour tastes are on the wilder side of ivory wedding shoes, there’s plenty for you too, but more on that to follow later…

So yet again Rachel has managed to mix that perfect combination of timeless vintage with contemporary styling to make one of the most exciting but easy-to-wear wedding shoe collections of the year!

Kate. x

Hello! Although I have been quiet on the blog lately, I have been busy pulling together other delights for you – in the form of new Inspiration pages for the Queens & Bowl website! I had some lovely feedback about my original Inspiration pages, which covered how to pull together a 1920s, 1930s, 1940s or 1950s vintage wedding – so I thought it was about time to add some more!

So here’s the first one that came to mind – of course – the vintage princess look! Yes, totally inspired by the Royal Wedding of William and Catherine and, in turn, the influence of Grace Kelly.

Catherine mixed classic Grace Kelly style with her own sleek look.

Kate’s intricate A-line, long-sleeved lace wedding dress drew heavy influence from Princess Grace’s own dress when she married Prince Ranier of Monaco in 1956. Kate also took influence from Princess Grace’s signature sleek, simple styling with her wedding accessories too.

To get the look, complement lace details in your wedding dress with an heirloom-style tiara like the Alexandra tiara by Ivory & Co.

Wedding jewellery really needs to be simple little accents that won’t fight with the intricate detail of the dress. If you’ve gone for a short sleeved dress, then a thin crystal bracelet, like the square crystal bracelet by Filippa Scott, is a great accessory. If the sleeves of your wedding dress are long like Kate’s, then choose simple drop earrings like the Madison earrings by Stephanie Browne that won’t upset the balance between your dress and accessories.

Mid-heeled wedding shoes are perfect for this kind of classic look – choose a simple style in a sleek fabric like duchess satin with some slight detail, like the beautiful Marcie Wedding shoes by Harriet Wilde.

If you’ve gone for short sleeves or a strapless wedding dress, then a little marabou feather shrug like the Minnelli shrug by Sasso is perfect for finishing off the look.

Kate. xx

Let’s face it: most weddings aren’t cheap. Even with a lot of effort, it’s had to keep costs down. So at Queens & Bowl we try to make sure that our range has something for every wedding budget, without compromising on style.

British brand Ivory & Co is a great choice for the cost-conscious brides. Based in the heart of Worcestershire in the Malvern Hills, their wedding jewellery ranges offer brides-to-be some great pieces whatever vintage wedding look you’re going for.

If you’re going for a 1940s vintage wedding feel, then a great option for Rita Hayworth or Ava Gardner look is the Manhattan range. Crafted from pear-shaped Austrian crystals, it’s a great option for bling on a budget! The necklace is great value at £125 and the earrings are just £35.

The glamorous Manhattan wedding jewellery range, great for a 1940s wedding.

Another great range in Ivory & Co’s wedding jewellery collection is the Waterlilly Pearl range. The necklace, earrings and bracelet are a fantastic choice for a country vintage wedding. The design is a gorgeous combination of high quality, lustrous manmade pearls and twinkling Austrian crystals. Again, they’re great value – the necklace and bracelet are £60 and the earrings are just £25!

The Waterlilly Pearl Wedding Jewellery range is great for a country vintage feel.

The Waterlilly Pearl range is also perfect if you’re looking for co-ordinating wedding jewellery, wedding shoes, and even hair accessories. Ivory & Co have a matching tiara, but they also match brilliantly with the pearl and crystal trims on the Hettie wedding shoes and hair pins by Rachel Simpson!

There are great co-ordinating items for the Waterlilly Pearl wedding jewellery range.

Take a look at the rest of the Ivory & Co wedding jewellery range and you’ll find there’s something for every bride on any budget!

Kate. xx

Good morning! I’ve been thinking of doing a Wallis Simpson style blog post for some time now, and with Colin Firth winning a much-deserved Golden Globe last night for his role as King George VI (who became king after his brother, Edward VIII abdicated to marry the divorcee Wallis) in The King’s Speech, I thought it was very appropriate.

Wallis Simpson on her wedding day in 1937. Image: Rex Features

The infamous Wallis Simpson, known for her chic and glamorous style during the 1930s and 1940s is inspiring a huge amount of brides at the moment. In fact, the uber-stylish and trend-setting David Fielden even named one of his glamorous satin wedding dresses after her (see image below) – and you can see why, as it definitely mimmicks her slim-fitted, nipped-waist dress with draped bust section.

Get Wallis' style for your wedding day with a statement brooch and pearls. Image: David Fielden

If you’re after a Wallis Simpson vintage wedding day look then focus on her signature accessories: in terms of wedding jewellery, Wallis was hardly ever seen without an eyecatching statement brooch, so a sparkly Swarovski or quartz crystal wedding brooch is vital. She was also a fan of stud or cluster earrings rather than dangle earrings, so go for pearls or a pearl / crystal combination. For wedding shoes choose an elegant peep-toe with a nod to 1930s Deco design.

Wallsi Simpson also loved to flaunt wealth with her stylish pearl necklaces, so choose a slick multi-row piece for maximum opulence and finish off the glamour with a 1930s Art Deco bridal comb set amongst your finger wave curls!

I recommend:

Venetia wedding shoes by Rachel Simpson

Waterlilly Pearl bridal earrings by Ivory & Co

St Tropez wedding brooch by Stephanie Browne

Rhea bridal comb by Jo Barnes

Tabitha wedding brooch by Stephanie Browne

Astor Swarovski Pearl Necklace by Stephanie Browne

A slick of red lipstick and you’re good to go!

Kate. xx

In amongst all the pre-Christmas rush, you may not have noticed that quite a few new wedding accessories designers have come on board at Queens & Bowl Wedding Accessories. One of these such brands was no-less than the amazingly talented Jo Barnes, with her Jo Barnes Vintage headdress collection.

I’m really excited to have Jo’s work as part of my collection after being a fan for quite some time after seeing her very own wedding on Love My Dress. Married at the Fairmont in Banff, Canada, Jo started on her accessory designing career by creating her very own vintage bridal bouquet from her grandmother’s antique jewellery, plus pearls and cufflinks from other relatives. Already a huge fan of the 1930s era, she started designing and creating bouquets and headpieces for other brides-to-be using genuine vintage pieces.

The gorgeous Audrey headpiece by Jo Barnes

As well as genuine one-off items, Jo has now branched out into designing vintage-inspired items, based on classic 1920s, 1930s, 1940s and 1950s designs. And the good news is that Jo’s bridal headpieces, side tiaras and wedding hair combs they are now available at Queens & Bowl. All of Jo’s are created with the following features:

• The finest materials, including Swarovski crystals and Swarovski crystal pearls
• Light, flexible bands for a comfortable fit and easy re-shaping around your chosen hairstyle
• Silver or gold-plated bases for extra twinkle!
• Some headbands are also covered with satin ribbon in either ivory (for blondes) or brown (for readheads / brunettes) to help the band become invisible against your hair, making the adornment even more of a statement.
• Finally, Jo’s designs come in GORGEOUS packaging

The seriously glam Etta and Mirta bridal headpieces.

I’m so glad to have Jo on board – please check out her range now for some gorgeous and inspiring pieces!

Kate. xx

When it comes to making your wedding photographs look dated, apart from the dress, the hair ‘do’ is generally the chief culprit. How many of us have looked at wedding photos from the 1970s, 80s and 90s and thought ‘O.M.G! – The hair!’ – and not in a good way. The odds are, in 10 years time we’ll be looking back on today’s hairstyles – and that’s something to make you stop and think…

The thing that I love about vintage style is that, ironically, it never EVER dates. Key styles from the 1930s, 40s and 50s in particular are totally timeless and guaranteed to help you avoid the ‘OMG-Factor’ in years to come. Here are my top 3 wedding hairstyles to last the test of time – and vintage wedding accessory suggestions from Queens & Bowl to finish each look perfectly:

1. The Side Wave

The Side Wave - sexy & glam. L-R: Veronica Lake, Kate Bosworth, Boucheron Earrings, Hayworth Double Drop Earrings

A 1930s / 1940s hair classic – sleek, sexy and alluring.

• Made famous by: Veronica Lake
• Seen recently on: Kate Bosworth, Sienna Miller, Sandra Bullock
• Hair requirements: Must be smooth and sleek – frizz is a big no-no!
• Dress pick: Asymetric
• Perfect hair accessory: Statement earrings like the Boucheron by Stephanie Browne or Hayworth Double Drop Earrings by Stephanie Browne
  

2. The Roll

The Roll - elegant but fun. L-R: Betty Grable, Dita Von Teese, BonBon Comb, Anouska Comb. Credits: Martha Stewart Wedding, Cosmopolitan.co.uk

This is a classic from the 1940s and is unmistakably vintage. Manages to mix elegance and fun!

• Made famous by: Betty Grable
• Seen recently on: Dita Von Teese, Tyra Banks
• Hair requrements: Needs length in the fringe and works better with thicker hair
• Dress pick: Spaghetti strap
  
• Perfect hair accessory: A big sparkly comb like the BonBon by Stephanie Browne or Anouska by Halo & Halo
  

3. The Slick-Back Coif

The slick-back coif - feminine and bold. L-R: Grace Kelly, Kate Winslet, Hettie Hairpins

This 1950s look is instantly familiar as Grace Kelly’s signature style. Sophisticated and feminine, but a little bold too.

• Made famous by: Grace Kelly
• Seen recently on: Kate Winslet, January Jones
• Hair requrements: Looks best on blondes and redheads
• Dress pick: V-neck
  
• Perfect hair accessory: Hettie hair pins by Rachel Simpson

So what do you think? Tell me your suggestions or upload them to the Queens & Bowl Facebook page!

Kate. x

So, your budget doesn’t stretch to diamonds, but you want to inject some vintage-style sparkle into your wedding jewellery – the options are pretty straightforward, right? Well, with different boutiques and retailers using a whole myriad of terms including diamante, rhinestone, crystal, paste, crystal quartz, Swarovski crystal, Austrian crystal, it seems not!

My post about the different types of pearls used in wedding jewellery a few weeks ago was so popular; I thought I’d have a go at lifting the lid on the different types of ‘crystal’ bridal jewellery.

Here goes…

Before the advent of modern-day imitation jewels, the rock crystals around the banks of the river Rhine were used to imitate precious stones – hence the original term ‘rhinestone’. Since then (and up to the modern day), jewellers and scientists tried to make more affordable and abundant alternatives by creating manmade stones. So despite its original and specific meaning, the term ‘rhinestone’ has become a fairly generic term.

Here’s a rough guide to what’s what:

Rhinestone / Diamante

Basically, these have come to be a catch-all terms for ‘imitation’ precious stones. All kinds of materials are described as rhinestone or diamante, including rock crystal, lead crystal, glass and even acrylic (plastic). For the record: no Queens & Bowl designers use acrylic rhinestones.

Paste

Paste was invented in the 17th century and was popular until the early 20th century, so it’s often found on original vintage wedding jewellery. Paste was a glass compound with a foil backing to achieve a twinkle effect. It was often used to create pave-style settings (made up of hundreds of stones) for a reasonable price. Magpie Vintage antique components often feature paste detail, like the gorgeous Art Deco Disc necklace.

Magpie Vintage Art Deco Necklace with paste stones

Rock Crystal / Crystal Quartz

Rock Crystal (part of the Quartz family) is often confused with lead crystal (see below), but unlike lead crystal, it is not manmade- it’s mined from the earth. Tiny imperfections, found naturally within the crystals, bounce light around within the stone and mean that there is no need for a foil backing as with paste.

Stephanie Browne is one designer who uses rock crystal quartz in her wedding jewellery designs, such as the 1950s-style Tabitha Brooch.

The Tabitha Quartz Brooch by Stephanie Browne

Lead Crystal

Lead crystal is not actually crystal at all – it’s glass, with lead oxide added at the molten stage. The lead oxide makes the glass refract the light much, much more than glass, giving it that diamond-like sparkle. The main production sites for lead crystal are the Czech Republic and Austria. They’re perfect for ultra glamorous, Marilyn Monroe style wedding jewellery.

Austrian Crystal / Swarovski Crystal

Austrian Crystal (otherwise known as Swarovski Crystal) is lead crystal and it’s the most famous brand of lead crystal in the world. Swarovski is acknowledged as being the ultimate quality, owing to the unique ratio of lead to glass (32% lead), giving the best refraction rates and amazing sparkle. Swarovski crystal stones also have more facets than other stones and are always cut glass rather than moulded or machine-pressed.

Stephanie Browne, Ivory & Co, Filippa Scott Jewels and Halo & Co designs are created using Swarovski stones, including the Nectar Headpiece.

The Nectar Headpiece by Ivory & Co in Swarovski Crystal

AB Crystals

AB crystals are simply lead crystals with a very thin metallic coating, producing an iridescent rainbow effect. AB stands for Aurora Borealis (otherwise known as the Northern Lights), after which the effect was named.

AB crystals help to give a vintage or antique feel and work particularly well with pearls. Halo & Co have some fantastic pieces in AB crystal this season, including the Anouska Pin.

The Anouska Pin by Halo & Co in AB Crystal



Hopefully this little post has made things crystal clear! If not and you have a specific question regarding your wedding jewellery, please get in touch and I’ll do my best to help you find the perfect jewellery for your wedding day.

Kate. xx

Looking for some inspiration for a movie-siren bridal look? Follow Sandra Bullock’s example at the Academy Awards last Sunday you won’t go far wrong….

Gracing the red carpet , she was already channeling the 1940s / early 1950s vibe in a glorious Marchesa gown with lace detail – very Grace Kelly. But it was the sophisticated styling that really pulled off this look – the sleek side-parted wavy hair reminicent of Veronica Lake, the signature red lips…. and a pair of HUGE diamond drop earrings!

So stunning and yet so simple – we don’t think she’ll be looking back at these photos in years to come and cringing over a styling faux-pas. Brides-to-be take note! 

We can’t wait to open our’virtual doors’ in April so you can create the same effortlessly glam effect…

QB x

We may be biased, but we just LOVE a good vintage wedding. Here’s why we think they’re the best:

#1 Town or Country – it’s Up to You

Where vintage wedding venues are concerned, the sky’s the limit. Jazz it up at The Ritz or get down on t’farm, Pop Larkin-style, in the country. If you’ve gone for an Agatha Christie-style 1920s venue, why not have a Murder Mystery Night for close family and friends the night before the wedding to really bring the venue to life! Vintage works either way, just be careful not to ruin those heels, Country Girl…

Didsbury House Victorian Villa, Manchester

# 2. Venue Styling to Die For

Having a vintage wedding is the perfect excuse to re-use your venue styling in your own home after the big day. If you’re having a small wedding, maybe use old (and cheap!) vintage crockery that you can use after the event. Alternatively, buy small vintage-style photo frames to hold your table numbers – groups of them clustered around your home will look great after the event, especially if they contain informal wedding snaps.

Check out www.iwantvintage.co.uk for crockery and more

# 3 The Dress. Oh Yes

The beauty of a ‘vintage’ wedding is that there are so many eras to choose from, all of which have a signature style with which to base your theme around. From the intricate lace of the Victorian era, to the flappers of the 1920s or the Dior shapes of the 1950s, there’s something for every shape and persuasion. Many of today’s designers are taking inspiration from the past, so if ‘pre loved’ isn’t your thing, you can be the first to wear a brand new ‘vintage’ creation.

L - R: Clare Pettibone, The Vintage Wedding Dress Company, damngoodvintage.com

# 4 Creative Hair & Make-Up

Hands up, who’s bored of traditional wedding hair and make-up? Throw youself into your chosen era with signature hair or make-up – or both. Your hairdresser will welcome the break in the monotony of production-line brides and your make-up bag will certainly welcome those retro products from the likes of Benefit and classics from Chanel.

Marilyn-style red lips - ooh la la!

# 5 Details, Details, Details

Yep, you guessed it, our final benefit (for now) is all the fun you can have with vintage-style accessories. If you don’t have the budget to stretch to a show-stopping dress, never fear – with the right jewellery, veil or headdress, you can still create the most amazing, head-turning wedding outfit without blowing that budget. The best thing about choosing to make your mark with accessories is that (with the exception of the more extravagant headdresses), you can wear them again and again after the event. I’ve worn my amazing crystal pear-drop earrings to black-tie events and weddings and it’s amazing how many people remember they were my wedding earrings! It’s nice to think that they made such an impact. So whether you choose classic Audrey-style pearls or glam Liz Taylor-esque sparkle, their effect will last far past your Big Day.

Make a statement!

QB x

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