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 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 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

Excuse the slightly obvious headline, I got a bit carried away, but I’m totally in love with the big trend for side tiaras, side-detail headbands and side headpieces at the moment. Seen on bridal catwalks both in Europe and across the States, it’s a bold, modern take on the more traditional ‘tiara’ and complements the asymmetric shoulder gown designs. Our first batch of Spring 2011 lines have just arrived and the side tiara makes a big feature.

Leading the pack are intricately detailed pieces, featuring lots of lace and mesh, encrusted with crystals and semi-precious stones, as seen at the Jenny Packham Spring 2011 shows.

Side tiaras, as seen on the 2011 Jenny Packham runways. Image: Jenny Packham

As well as being a contemporary move on from what we’ve been used to over the last few years, side tiaras and headpieces are also super-versatile. By being mounted on bands and combs, it makes them great for all hair lengths and styles – even super-short crops. The combs in particular are extra adaptable, as they can be positioned around the head – so they’re great if you decide to change your style at the last minute or fancy a style change between the main reception and the evening reception. They can also be teamed with a veil for a more traditional look at the ceremony.

On-trend actress, Diane Kruger sporting a side headpiece. Image: Coolspotter.com

And the good news is that ‘contemporary’ doesn’t have to mean super-modern. There are lots of aged and antique options to add a little twist to a vintage theme.

Here’s my pick of the perfect side tiaras and headpieces from or new range….

Cameo Side Tiara by Halo & Co

The Cameo by Halo & Co is a lovely piece and works for any hair colour or style and any member of the bridal party. The clear, white Swarovski crystals set off dark or red hair brilliantly, whilst the little smoky flower details complement blondes too. It’s not too bold to overpower a veil, so teaming the two together would be a great look. It can also be mounted onto a comb for extra versatility.

Saskia Side Tiara by Halo & Co

The Saskia by Halo & Co is absolutely stunning and harmonises perfectly with this season’s (and the coming season’s) trend for lace wedding dresses. Crafted from a large base layer of intricate lace, it is then heavily adorned with sparkling white and twinkling smoky grey Swarovski crystals. This is a perfect bridal side headband and thanks to the lace detail itwill never go out of style.

Paloma Side Tiara by Halo & Co

Oh my – Paloma, Paloma, Paloma!!I LOVE this headpiece. A piece designed only ever with the bride in mind, this is an amazing side tiara perfect for the bride who wants to turn heads (even more than the average bride!) Featuring swirls and twirls of Swarovski crystals in a flower and foliage design, this is perfect to complement a slinky satin number or slim-fitting lace creation. Don’t let your dress fight with this piece – it probably won’t win!

These are my current favourites, but we’ve got loads more side tiaras where these came from, simply visit the main shop at QueensandBowl.com and browse our tiaras and headpieces range….

Kate xx