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

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

“Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, how I wonder what you are.”

If you’re looking for the perfect gift this Christmas and need some twinkly inspiration, then look no further than the simply beautiful vintage inspired jewellery from our friends Ivory & Co.

Ivory & Co pieces feature the finest Austrian crystals, freshwater and cultured pearls on rhodium or silver covered bases to produce a range of designs from understated chic to dramatic glamour and I’ve gathered together just a few sparkling stocking fillers for you to choose from, but there are many more tiaras, necklaces, bracelets, brooches and earrings on the website.

Imperial Bracelet £60

Imperial Earrings £40

Lotus Comb £90

Crystal Brooch £20

Waterlilly Pearl Necklace £60

Enjoy!

Kate x

Remember Summer? Feels like forever ago doesn’t it? Well here to help remind you are some beautiful images of a Queens & Bowl real bride who was blessed with sun, sand and sea on her wedding day!

Korinna on her wedding day with sun, sea and sand! Image by Kirstin Prisk.

Korinna first contacted me back in March during her hunt for the perfect wedding accessories. Top of her list was a knock-out crystal bridal tiara or headpiece and a pair of complementing earrings. After Korinna described her beautiful Grecian style wedding dress with leaf detailing, we decided that the perfect partner would be the Etta side tiara by Jo Barnes Vintage.

Korinna chose the beautiful Etta Side Tiara to complement her Grecian dress. Image by Kirstin Prisk.

The large Marquise-shaped Swarovski crystals in the tiara were a great match for the detailing on Korinna’s wedding dress. We had a couple of options for earrings that would complement the headpiece, including the super versatile Manhattan earrings by Ivory & Co, but in the end Korinna decided on the Waterlilly earrings, also by Ivory & Co.

Korinna's earrings were the perfect understated choice to complement the tiara. Image by Kirstin Prisk.

The little 3-pointed star shape reflected the Marquise shapes in the headpiece and were large enough to be noticed, whilst understated enough not to fight for attention – the ideal scenario when you have a statement headpiece!

The Etta headpiece and Waterlilly Earrings work perfectly together.

Congratulations to Korinna and Andy! Image by Kirstin Prisk.

I think Korinna looks absolutely amazing in these photos and I can’t wait to upload one to my new Gallery page.

All images courtesy of Cornwall wedding photographer Kirstin Prisk.

Kate. xx

Hi.  If you’re still looking for those last minute stunning wedding accessories to compliment your dream wedding dress, why not check out our new exciting wedding jewellery range by Justine M Couture.

They make some of the most amazing bridal accessories, from earrings and cuffs, to combs and fascinators, all at affordable prices. They’re perfect for the bride on a budget without having to sacrifice style and glamour! We love the beautiful attention to detail on each piece including pearl accents, beading, feathers and intricately placed crystals.

Born in England, Justine Murray started her career in 2000 after moving to the U.S. and established the Justine M Couture collection in San Diego in 2002.  The beautiful collection offers an alternative to traditional styling, using a range of materials and components to produce stylish, contemporary yet feminine pieces.

“Each piece is its own unique work of art that hails back to a time when elegance in fashion was more important than a passing trend” says Justine. She describes the line as “reflecting her English heritage – both vintage contemporary, with a timeless classic underlying element that is the key to its success.”

We love the great selection of bridal jewellery including these amazing  'Dancer' earrings adorned with sparkling Swarovski rhinestones - great for a 1950s vintage look on your Big Day.

Shannon Wedding Cuff by Justine M Couture

Another favourite is the Shannon bridal cuff, great for a glamorous boho look. The fabric bracelet is encrusted with Swarovski prong set rhinestones and crystal, with sterling silver extension chain. A beautiful value for money piece which can be worn again after your big day.

At just £50 these beautiful Raffles crystal pearl and cubic zirconia earrings are a stylish yet economical choice and will compliment most hair styles.  A classic vintage inspired look.

Each Justine M. Couture design is meticulously created by her team of artisans in San Diego, ensuring an excellent product and a flawless finish.

I hope you love them as much as we do, please let us know!

Kate. x

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

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

A little while ago, Louise at Bow Occasions wedding planners did a fantastic ‘Vintage Week’ on her blog. Being a HUGE lover of vintage AND weddings, I jumped at the chance to talk about my 2 favourite vintage eras and give some suggestions for how a vintage bride may pull off the look with shoes, jewellery and headpieces. Here’s the article in full:

Hi, I’m Kate Bowl and I run Queens & Bowl wedding accessories – an online boutique offering gorgeous wedding shoes, jewellery and headpieces. I love vintage style and all of my products are either inspired by vintage fashions and trends or are created from genuine vintage pieces. I stock amazing, award-winning designer names including Rachel Simpson, Halo & Co and Magpie Vintage.

One thing I’m really keen to do on my site is to provide inspiration for brides planning or thinking about having a vintage wedding. I’ve had a lot of positive feedback from brides on my ‘Inspiration Pages’ so I thought I’d share a couple of my favourite eras here as part of Bow Occasions’ vintage week!

First up is the 1920s….

I love 1920s for the dramatic change in women’s fashion that took place during this period. Women were asserting the independence and liberty they’d tasted during WW1 and there was a real sense of rebellion in the air! It was also the decade that first brought us the Art Deco movement and screen legends like Greta Garbo and Clara Bow who are still mysterious, enigmatic figures even today.

Ideas for a 1920s wedding. Image credits: Rex, Rosa Clara, Photorazzi, Ritz Hotel London

The most iconic 1920s fashion was of course the Flapper style which became popular in the mid 1920s. This look is probably the most recreated ‘20s look for modern brides and needs these key touches to pull it off:

• A loose knee-length shift dress that shows off bare arms. They were often heavily beaded with a scalloped hemline. The alternative if your figure doesn’t suit this style is to choose a drop-waist dress of longer length. Drop-waists were popular throughout most of the 1920s.
• Mary-Janes with a single strap or T-Bar shoes like the Hettie or Mimi styles by Rachel Simpson
• Pearls – and lots of them. Long length pearl necklaces, made famous by a certain Coco Chanel, are ideal. Our Luxe Pearl Necklace by Stephanie Browne is made of Swarovski crystal pearls and features 2 Swarovski crystal Deco brooch pieces that are detachable.
• A close-fitting headpiece worn low down, towards the forehead. The Tiffany pearl and diamante headpiece by Ivory & Co is perfect.
• Feathers. Headpieces with feathers (try our Vienna headpiece by Ivory & Co) or a shrug like the Paris by Sasso add an authentic 20s vibe.

Finish the look with finger-wave hair and dark red lips, re-applied at regular intervals!

Next up, the 1950s….

….another period of fun mixed in with elegance and I love the pure glamour of the decade. Speaking of glamour, how much more glam can you get than Hollywood screen siren Grace Kelly marrying into royalty in the South of France!

Ideas for a 1950s wedding. Image credits: Rex, Shutterstock, Photorazzi, candyanthony.com

So many enduring icons came to fame in the 50s – Liz Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and of course, Marilyn Monroe. The timeless fashion of the 1950s also became iconic and is very much growing in popularity amongst brides. Here’s what to focus on for a ‘50s wedding theme:

• A knee-length dress with plenty of under-netting to give the A-line shape. If you have a bigger bust, a strapless style top is ideal, if not, go for a higher neckline like a boat-neck or slash-neck. Lace or taffeta were the signature fabrics.
• Pearls – but keep it simple. Go for either small pearl stud earrings or a short, single strand pearl necklace. We have some beautiful freshwater pearl necklaces by Magpie Vintage featuring original vintage ornaments.
• Sparkle. As Marilyn Monroe could testify, the ladies loved their diamonds, so look for vintage-style jewellery featuring large crystals or diamante, such as our glamorous Boucheron earrings or detailed Astor bracelet.
• Bows and lace details. Both were popular in the ‘50s and contributed to the femininity of the look. The appropriately named Marilyn bridal shoes by Rachel Simpson fit the bill perfectly.

Whichever vintage era you choose, you’re sure to have a truly timeless and elegant wedding. For more vintage inspiration, visit the Queens & Bowl blog and feel free to leave your comments!

Kate. xx

Recently I had the real pleasure of writing a guest blog post for the lovely Kelly Hood at Boho Weddings & Events. We thought it would be a good idea to talk about all the different themes that weddings can take these days and how improtant it is to make sure your wedding shoes, jewellery and headpiece complements that theme.

Here’s the post in full in case you didn’t catch it:

For most brides, the first job on your ‘To Do’ list is to book your venue.  With so many places now licensed to hold wedding ceremonies, the huge choice has led to a fantastic variety of wedding themes and styles, letting you tailor your Big Day around your own style and personality.

So you’ve booked your wedding venue, what now? The dress generally comes next, but if you want your look to really tie in with your venue choice and bring everything together, it’s the accessories that will make or break it. So here are some ideas from Queens & Bowl wedding accessories for how to pull together the perfect look, whatever your theme:

Be a Boho Bride

Boho Bride

I had to start with a Boho theme, of course! If you’re a free spirit at heart and have booked an outdoors-y venue (or maybe you’re planning your own mini wedding festival!) then the key to getting it right is to mix nature and glamour together in equal doses. If you’ve gone for a relaxed, floaty dress from the likes of Jenny Packham and casual bouquet of wild flowers, add some glitz with feathers and crystals. This gorgeous Vienna Headpiece by Ivory & Co looks great with hair either down and tousled or loosely pinned up. Continue the feather theme with a little ostrich feather pizzazz, like this shrug. Finally, no boho bride would be complete without a great statement cuff like this Hayworth Madame Bracelet and chandelier earrings by Filippa Scott Jewels. Bare feet optional!

Image credits: Alberta Ferretti, The Vintage Flower House, Chandelier Earrings, Hayworth Madame Cuff, Ostrich Feather Vest, Feather Headpiece all from Queens & Bowl

If you're going country, choose lace and subtle tones

Country Bride

If you’ve gone for a vintage English country wedding venue and theme, then natural, feminine colours are a stylish way to go, especially with some eye-catching accessories. If you’ve gone for a lace design with your dress, then bring out the vintage feel even more with English garden flowers in pastel shades, such as roses, peonies and hydrangeas. Add a pair of lace detail shoes like this super stylish Lilly pair and continue the floral feel with classic pearls – this beautiful Rosemary Comb by Halo & Co can either be worn to the side or wrapped around a loose side-bun. Finally, a little marabou feather shrug in a neutral colour will complement the lace and looks great with a mother-of-pearl flower brooch as a finishing touch.

Image credits: Charlotte Balbier, The Vintage Flower House, Pearl Comb, Pearl and Crystal earrings, Lace Shoes, Feather Shrug and Mother-of-pearl Brooch, all from Queens & Bowl

Go super chic for a city wedding

City Chic Bride

Whether you’ve gone for a boutique hotel, a SATC-style City Hall or something else, a ‘City Chic’ wedding calls for something a little bit daring – and what could be better than a 1950s prom-style dress? Channel your inner Audrey Hepburn / Carrie Bradshaw with a knee-length number and a classic-yet-contemporary posy of unusual roses. This look calls from some super-chic heels like these bow-detail satin numbers and a bold necklace or headpiece like this pearl necklace with detachable flower brooch. Finish off the polished effect with little pearl and diamante drop earrings and a marabou feather cape for a chilly evening and you’re all set.

Image credits: Bridesmagazine.co.uk, The Vintage Flower House, Marabou Cape, Crystal Brooch, Pearl Earrings, Pearl Necklace and Bow Shoes, all from Queens & Bowl

Exotic accessories for an overseas wedding

Destination Bride

If you’re lucky enough to be jetting off somewhere warm and sunny for your wedding like Denise Van Outen, keep it relaxed but polished. You’ll probably have chosen a slinky, floaty or goddess style dress, so go for a hand-tied or cascading bouquet of exotic flowers to continue the sunshine theme. To complement a minimal detail dress, we’d recommend a statement headpiece like this crystal flower one from Halo & Co and some sparkly shoes with a mid-height heel (careful not to go too high as your feet will swell in the heat). Whether your hair is up or down, a large headpiece means small, subtle earrings like these little crystal Madison earrings from Stephanie Browne. Finally, layer a couple of sparkly bracelets for a laid-back luxe approach.

Image credits: Bridesmagazine.co.uk, The Vintage Flower House, Flower Headpiece, Earrings, Pearl Bracelet, Crystal Bracelet, Diamante Shoes all from Queens & Bowl

Hope this has given you some food for thought!

Kate. x