Hello, just little post today and again it’s one of my gorgous brides! This time it’s Katie, who wore the beautiful Minnelli marabou feather shrug by Sasso.

Katie chose the shrug as the final ‘missing piece’ of her wedding day look. I absolutely love Katie’s 1920s style wedding and think her beaded champagne satin shift dress and feather headpiece were unusual and therefore absolutely perfect for this classy, elegant and unique wedding celebration.

Katie in the fluffy Minnelli feather shrug by Sasso

Katie continued the nostalgic feel on her table settings too...

As these images by Annamarie Stepney show, with a little imagination and some great wedding accessories, you can really achieve a unique vintage look AND have the benefit of being able to wear the items again – especially when you incorporate totally flattering and wearable colours such as champagne!

The champagne colour of the shrug complemented Katie's beaded shift perfectly.

Shrugs are also perfect for keeping the chills off during outside photos and drinks receptions....

If you’re thinking of going for a similar look, why not take a leaf out of Katie’s book and add a pair of killer heels and a feather headpiece? Our beautiful wedding shoe range by Harriet Wilde is perfect as all of the shoes can be dyed to match any outfit and our little Tiffany feather headpiece is perfect for recreating a 1920s Art Deco feel.

Harriet Wilde wedding shoes can be dyed to match your outfit and feathers add a 1920s feel.

So if you dream of expressing your individuality on your wedding day and fancy wearing your wedding accessories again and again after the big day, consider alternatives to ivory and choose a pair of wedding shoes that can be dyed before or after your wedding. These photos are testament that you won’t regret it!

Express your individuality on your Big Day!

Thanks again to Annamarie Stepney for these amazingly beautiful images.

Kate. x

Are you counting down to a winter wedding this year? Or maybe the early snow this year has inspired you to plan a wedding for next winter? Whatever the case, if you stick to a few simple rules, you’ll be guaranteed to look like a  snow queen rather than be mistaken for a Christmas tree…

1. If you’re going for a twinkly dress with lots of embellishment, resist the urge to turn yourself into a human snowflake with sparkles elsewhere. A couple of hair pins or a dainty bracelet will be just right and prevent your guests from needing sunglasses or mistaking you for a glitter ball.We have some great hair pins by Rachel Simpson and some beautiful Swarovski crystal wedding bracelets by Stephanie Browne.

2. On the otherhand, if you want to make a real style statement with a knock-out headpiece, make sure your dress complements (rather than fights with) your accessories. Raw silk and plain taffeta are perfect as they ooze luxury and quality. This leaves you free to run wild with a big, head-turning number. We have some amazing frosty-inspired headpieces from Jo Barnes Vintage and Madeline Isaac-James.

L-R from top: Valenica stole, Astor brooch, Sparkle shoe clips, Astor earrings, Balboa side tiara, Prague cape, Monique shoe boots, Fleur shoes, Westwood bracelet, Star Dust side tiara

3. Wrap up warm against the biting cold with cosy but chic feather shrug, cape or stole. These are also ideal for bridesmaids who often have to spend an hour or so out in the cold, shivering, having photos without the benefit of the adrenalin rush that tends to keep brides warm! Our range by Sasso offers a great choice of styles and are available in many colours – just ask if you have something in particular in mind.

4. The unpredictability of the british weather means that come your wedding day, we could be basking in winter sunshine, avoiding the puddles or crunching along the snow…so closed-toe shoes are the order of the day. We have some beautifully feminine court shoes by Rachel Simpson, or if you really want to stand out, how about some of her oh-so-stylish Monique bridal shoe boots?

5. Finally, try not to go totally crystal-crazy. If you love the twinkle of Swarovski, then why not go with the pearl option for your bridesmaids, or vice-verca? The pearls really do help to add some warmth to the sharp coolness of crystals. There are some beautiful, wintry white and ivory pearl pieces in our range that really complement the snow queen look. The Balboa side tiara by Madeline Isaac-James is the perfect example.

If you are having a winter wedding I wish you a perfect dusting of pure white snow – no more, no less!

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

We’re loving these great shoe clips from Rachel Simpson, made especially to go with her new Pearl range of wedding shoes.

Feathers, pearls and crystals add to the vintage feel

Already supremely vintage in design, the new range of wedding shoes can be made even more decadent with these great clips. They attach securely with a quick ‘snap’ but can easily be changed for a new design or to wear the shoe alone. Best of all, with a great choice of designs and materials, you can ‘create’ your own unique wedding shoes for an individual look. The clips can even be attached to your own or your bridesmaids’ dress straps, sashes or bags if you fancy a coordinated look.

Simple but stunning or feathered and fabulous! The new Pearl range can be worn with our without shoe clips.

Rachel’s wedding shoes and clips will be available at Queens & Bowl from launch.

QB x

Rachel Simpson at last launched her eagerly anticipated new Pearl range last week and we can’t wait to get them on our website!

Again, Rachel has taken inspiration from yesteryear – this time it’s the smooth lines and silouhettes of the early twenties. These beautiful styles have been crafted from the finest duchess satin, kid leathers and lace. Thoughtful details have been added in the form of metallic piping, padded insoles and quality matte leather soles, making them the ultimate bridal indulgence; worth every penny.

Rachel has also added a co-ordinating range of exclusive handmade vintage-style accessories by British designers Laurel Lime. Crafted from feathers, glass beads and pearls, they can be worn as shoe-clips, corsages or hairpieces. They also come in beautiful gift boxes, which make the perfect present for members of your bridal party.

Queens and Bowl will be stocking the most lusted-after pairs, along with a selection of the wedding shoe accessories come their launch in April, so only a few most weeks to wait, girls. It will be worth it!

QB x

Planning on hitching up your Flapper-style dress and dancing The Charleston at your wedding? If you’re planning a 1920s-style wedding, we’ve got some great ‘dancing shoes’ news for all Flapper brides! Winging their way to Queens & Bowl as I type are some amazing Art-Deco-inspired  wedding shoes from British designer, Rachel Simpson…

Perfect your 'Roaring 20s' look!

With all the gorgeous drop-waisted dresses on the SS10 catwalks, covered in 20′s-style beading and fringing, then these little treats are perfect for topping off your look. Cute details like ribbon bows and pearls make them fabulously feminine and mid-height heels mean you’ll still be on the dancefloor until the lights eventually come on. On the practical side, T-bar and strap fastenings will ensure that you can kick up your heels with the girls without fear of losing them amongst your guests!!

For some finishing touches, we’d recommend sticking with the 20s feel and adding some delectable pearls or feathers from our jewellery ranges…

Feathers and Pearls add finishing Art Deco touches

QB x

Another day, another fab vintage-inspired brand signs up to Queens & Bowl, this time it’s Sasso Bridal, makers of the most exquisite vintage-style feather cover-up creations!

No other brand offers the same fantastic range of styles, materials and colours to the same exceptionally high quality standard as Sasso, making them perfect for adding a vintage touch to any style of wedding dress. Styles include capes, shrugs, vests, stoles muffs and jackets, fashioned out of the finest ostrich, marabou and coque.

Again, these pieces hark back to the decadent yet elegant 1920s and 1930s and can be styled up with wedding shoes and jewellery to get a complete vintage look. Alternatively they’re perfect for a winter wonderland wedding, or simply to add a bit of Old Hollywood sparkle, these pieces will last the test of time and ensure your look has the WOW factor it deserves!

QB x