7 Headpieces for the City Hall Bride

Getting married in a hurry? That’s wonderful! Check out these easy-wear headpieces and add fun wedding-day charm to your look.

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Which one is best for you?

Vintage Gal

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Go back in time with style 6607. This cute little rhinestone bow jazzes up your hairstyle with the perfect dash of vintage sparkle.

Last-Minute Luxury

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Graceful clip 6646 combines classic pearls and twinkling rhinestones in a gorgeous floral design. Wear it on the side or in the back for a traditional bridal look.

Head-Over-Heels In Love

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Style a cluster of gold or silver flowers into a romantic hairstyle with comb 6636. Shimmering crystals add special radiance to an elegant wedding day look.

Destination: Dazzling

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Going away to say “I do?” You’ll love wired opal crystal hair pins 1717. Tuck them into your updo for a last-minute bit of pretty that will look good everywhere you go.

Tastefully Trendy

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Create a fabulous look just for your special day. Style 6617 blings up your hair with rhinestones and opal crystals. Wear it with a bun or half-up hairstyle, your choice.

Boho Babe

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Adorn your beachy waves with style 6647. Soft flowers on a flexible hair vine offer a boho bridal look that is all you.

Glamorous Gal

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Infuse your hair with a brilliant bit of sparkle! Style 6620 will make you feel like a princess, even if it’s just for a few hours.

Tell us, which one is your favorite?

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Seize the moment—why not wear a veil? Check out our classic veils page for some fun, flirty styles you can throw on for your vows and toss away with the garter!

5 Ways to Style a Romantic Bridal Outfit

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Trying to dream up the perfect outfit for your big day? Coordinate these 5 items to style a beautifully romantic bridal look!

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A Dramatic Veil

If you were considering skipping this bridal tradition, think again. Incredible photo opportunities aside, the moment when your groom or father flips the blusher can be extremely emotional.

In the world of bridal fashion, a veil customizes your whole look. You get multiple tiers or just one; wear it trailing down your back or lightly angled over your face. A cathedral veil is the most romantic style you can get!

A lace or embroidered veil enhances your look with regal elegance. Alternately, select a cut edge veil with lots of length and volume if you want something airy and graceful.

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A Floral Headpiece

Your accessories play a large role in styling a romantic, feminine bridal look. It’s ideal to choose a comfortable headpiece that you can keep on for the reception (especially if you’re removing your veil after the ceremony).

Delicate floral pins, a soft flower comb, or a full-on floral wreath offer plenty of nature-inspired options. For a bit of fairy-tale sparkle, try a shimmering metallic flower headband!

Tip: If you’re down to a couple styles and just can’t decide, style your hair the way it will look on your wedding day—or buy both. One for the ceremony, one for the reception. (Hey, it’s still cheaper than a gown change.)

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The Right Gown

Go with a silhouette, color, and style that will flatter your body and make you feel beautiful. Try out floral patterns or romantic hues such as soft champagne and blush.

Common romantic gown types include a princess-inspired tulle ball gown; a flowing A-line or sheath; or a fit and flare lace dress with exquisite back detail.

Need ideas? Check out our Pinterest boards for incredible designer gowns.

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Understated Sparkle

The main difference between a romantic and glamorous bridal look is the amount of bling. You’ll want to look extra-pretty but not overdone, so keep your jewelry subtle.

Dying to wear chandelier earrings? Maybe skip a necklace. Don’t want jewelry at all? Add a floral or beaded belt.

Tip: Give your look personal charm by choosing jewelry you’d like to wear again, whether it’s every day or on your anniversary!

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A Gorgeous Bouquet

You know a romantic bouquet when you see one.

We used monochromatic red roses to convey a passionate, elegant, and totally classic look. This budget-friendly choice is perfect for a Valentine’s Day wedding, Christmas wedding, black-and-white wedding, or black-tie affair.

Alternate floral ideas include trailing flowers, soft pastels, or lush peonies. Check out our Pinterest boards for bouquets to perfectly match your color scheme, theme, and season.

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Want more romantic wedding ideas? Check out our My Bridal Style Romantic for accessories options, and head over to our Lace Veils and Cathedral Veils pages to start building your look.

Photography: KT Merry

Stylist: Joy Proctor / Kelly Oshiro

Hair / Makeup: Team Hair & Makeup

Location: Sunstone Winery

Accessories: Bel Aire Bridal

5 Must-Have Southern Wedding Traditions

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It’s party time and we’re pulling out our green, gold, and purple! Take a look at these beautiful and fun Southern traditions—you might just want to use these ideas for your wedding and/or reception, whether it’s Mardi Gras or not!

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Pretty Parasols

Southern weddings often incorporate parasols, since outdoor weddings are so popular. They’re practical (keeping you out of the sun) and utterly charming. Decorate yours with beads, feathers, glitter, decals, or lace. Bonus: your guy gets a black one, too! They’re perfect for a Second Line (this looks SO fun) or a money dance.

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Flashy Feathers

Feathers make everything more fabulous! While you don’t have to deck your bridal gown with feathers (though some designers do just that), you can incorporate a few fun touches with a dramatic boa, Mardi Gras mask, or shimmering comb! Stick with bridal white or use colors to jazz up your reception look, and enjoy dancing the night away.

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Ribbon Pull

This tradition is so cute, we can hardly stand it! Attach charms to long ribbons and stick them in a cake. The bridesmaids pull and everyone checks her fate for the coming year! Common charms include a ring (the next to be married), a star (her dreams will come true), a heart (new love is on the way), a wishbone (success), a clover (good luck), a fleur-de-lis (prosperity), and a wreath (for a happy home).

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Southern Snacks

Comfort foods like baked mac n cheese, barbeque, and black-eyed peas will keep guests full and happy—or enjoy Creole-style cuisine with oysters, crawfish, jambalaya, and King’s Cake! These days, signature drinks are a MUST, no matter where you are celebrating. Remember to bury your bourbon a month before the wedding to ward off rain!

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Stunning Photography

Amazing photos are something that every bride cherishes after the big day has come and gone. Bridal portraits are a time-honored Southern tradition—and after all, why not have one incredible photo of how you looked for your wedding? Your husband will love this keepsake, too! Take some photos outside to capture the beauty of your venue.

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Which traditions are you including in your wedding? Let us know!

Create Your Signature Wedding Style

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At every party, there’s room for showmanship. The biggest thing that separates modern weddings from ceremonies even a couple generations ago are the personalized details! Weddings can be fun—and creative—with a splash of YOU mixed in.

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Jessica Cooper Photography spices things up with a styled shoot featuring signature cocktails, homemade favors, calligraphy signs, and seasonal snacks that have our mouths watering. Incorporate DIY details and special touches that feel right to you!

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This bride and groom enjoyed their favorite drinks and set tables with lots of local greenery for a fresh, rustic feeling. The couple’s classic dress code and vintage-inspired rings have us falling in love with this totally down-to-earth, charming wedding.

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Add a dreamy element of personal style with a unique headpiece like 6482. Incorporate golden details with a nature-inspired leafy comb such as 6619 or a pretty floral halo like 6608. This is your day to shine!

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Check out our My Bridal Style pages to discover a wedding look that is perfect for you. Follow us on Instagram for more up-to-the-minute style updates!

Sweet Caroline Styles

Jessica Cooper Photography

Gorgeous in Gold: Spotlight on Style 6482

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Dreaming of a golden wedding? If you’re celebrating with warm colors and elegant details when you say “I do,” look no further than style 6482. Jessica Cooper Photography and Sweet Caroline Styles bring us this rustic styled shoot that shows just how much fun a wedding can be!

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Let yourself shine and enjoy your day to the fullest. Worn with loose curls, 6482 adds irresistible sparkle to a romantic hairstyle. Luxurious gold leaves and glamorous rhinestone accents beautifully complement any wedding theme—whether you’re getting married indoors in a dance hall or outside in a meadow.

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You can wear this design with a pretty lace gown, an ethereal fairy-tale dress, or a vintage-inspired outfit—the choice is yours! Gold hair bling looks lovely with a traditional gown, but is also stunning with non-white dresses in trendy hues such as blush, light blue, or champagne.

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Every wedding is unique. Create a bridal wardrobe that is perfect for you!

Sweet Caroline Styles

Jessica Cooper Photography

A Pairing of Opposites: Rose Quartz & Serenity

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Are you ready for the New Year?

Designers, photographers, and bloggers celebrate the Pantone Color of 2016 with trendy products and inspirational stylings.

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This year’s tones are Rose Quartz and Serenity—for the first time, juxtaposing two beautiful shades! According to Pantone, these colors “psychologically fulfill our yearnings for reassurance and security… reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.”

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Rose Quartz is a beautiful blush pink that has long been a bridal favorite. The namesake of this lovely shade is a crystal commonly known as the “love stone” or “heart stone.” It symbolizes unconditional love and is supposed to increase compassion, open your heart to relationships, ease stress, strengthen connections, and boost self-esteem.

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Feminine and graceful, blush pink is often featured in dramatic wedding gowns and beautiful floral headpieces. This shade is especially popular in the spring (though it looks great in any season) and pairs best with warm gold jewelry for a romantic ensemble.

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Serenity is a soft blue that inspires security and confidence. Tranquil and spiritual, blue is generally a color of trust, honesty, and loyalty. In the world of weddings, “something blue” symbolizes everlasting fidelity. Light blue is a popular shade for winter celebrations and brings balance to spring pastels.

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Pair an ethereal blue tulle skirt with a lace top for a cute reception outfit, or choose a smaller color accent like a garter or sash for your something blue. Trendy opal headpieces, silver beaded belts, and soft veils beautifully complement this peaceful hue.

Check out our Pantone—Serenity & Rose Quartz Pinterest board for more gorgeous color inspiration!

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Photography: KT Merry

Stylist: Joy Proctor / Kelly Oshiro

Gowns: Samuelle Couture / Alexandra Grecco

Hair / Makeup: Team Hair & Makeup

Location: Sunstone Winery

Accessories: Bel Aire Bridal

Checklist—What You Need in Your Bridal Trousseau

Back in the day, women saved belongings for their weddings in a bridal trousseau, often stored in a trunk or box for safekeeping. A bride’s preparation took a long time because only the most precious items would be included for her wedding day and new home.

Do you have everything you’ll need?

Check out this fabulous shoot by Jon Cu Photo for Trousseau & Co for some fresh, modern-day ideas of how to pack for your big day!

Style: Classic

Glittering bridal accessories, hand-made invitations, and monogrammed heirlooms create a theme of genuine elegance.

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Credits:
Crème trousseau case (Trousseau & Co)
Cotton paper and gold foil invitations (Written Word Calligraphy)
Rhinestone earrings, bracelet & ring (Anna Bellagio)
Beaded and rhinestone-embellished bridal belt (BT006 by Bel Aire Bridal)
Ivory garter (heirloom)
Perfume (Chanel)
Sparkling heels (Enzo Angiolini)

Style: Romantic

Feminine bridal accessories, floral invitations, and lace details bring out a purely romantic style.

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Credits:
Blush trousseau case (Trousseau & Co)
Floral invitations (Tara Jones Calligraphy)
Sparkling rhinestone and pearl earrings (Anna Bellagio)
Floral headband with satin ties (6588 by Bel Aire Bridal)
Lace handkerchief, antique mirror and brush (heirlooms)
Perfume (Panhaligons Artemisa)
Blush lace-up heels (Badgley Mischka)

Style: Vintage

Vintage-inspired bridal accessories, black-and-white invitations, and classic details enhance a look of timeless beauty.

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Credits:
Crème trousseau case (Trousseau & Co)
Black and white Invitations (Minted)
Sparkling chandelier earrings (EA213 by Bel Aire Bridal)
Vintage rhinestone headpiece (6515 by Bel Aire Bridal)
Pink lipstick (Dolce & Gabanna)
Perfume (Chanel)
Black boot heels (Louise et Cie)

Your bridal trousseau should generally include the following items:

Accessories (veil, headpiece, hair pins, garter, gloves, wedding shoes, and flats for dancing)
Gown/attire (wedding dress, reception gown, shawl, shapewear, slip, and lingerie)
Heirloom items (handkerchief, watch, and something blue)
Jewelry (bracelet, necklace, earrings, and naturally your engagement ring and wedding band)
Makeup (foundation, blush, lipstick, mascara, brushes, eyeshadow, eyeliner, and concealer)
Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, perfume, hair brush, lotion, nail polish, feminine products, and personal medications)

Check out our Classic, Romantic, and Vintage headpiece and veil collections for more accessory options as you build your bridal trousseau. Follow us on Instagram for daily style updates and inspiration!

5 Fabulous Reasons to Have a NYE Wedding

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The new year symbolizes beginnings. It’s the perfect time to say “I do” to changing your life—and if you happen to be hosting an epic party as the clock strikes midnight, even better! We’ve got five fantastic reasons why you should get married on December 31.

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If you search for New Year’s Eve Weddings on Pinterest, you know that this theme is all about sparkle. Sequin tablecloths, metallic confetti, gilded chairs, sizzling sparklers, and bubbling champagne make your celebration unforgettably chic. If you want a glamorous wedding, this is your date!

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New Chapter, New Life

Starting your married life is one resolution you can absolutely keep! All the legal paperwork, such as updating your last name, bank accounts, and passport, will fall into the next tax year. The New Year is the perfect time to begin your new future together.

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Unlike holidays such as Valentine’s Day or Christmas, New Year’s Eve is a time when family and friends likely will not have plans. What more memorable way to ring in the New Year than by celebrating your wedding? Help guests arrange babysitters or late night transportation ahead of time to be sure that everyone can relax and have a great time!

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Partying ‘Till The End  

If you want dancing, revelry, and a celebration that knocks your socks off, New Year’s Eve is a great time to get everyone on board! Often, wedding guests will rush off early to avoid traffic, feed their pets, or prep for an early morning. Make it clear on your invitation that this is a no-stop, PARTY-ALL-NIGHT, fabulous adult affair, and you’ll have much more fun!  Front-and-Palmer-Wedding_Jessica-Cooper-Photography-143

Sparkly Accessories

Ok, so we’re a little biased, but it’s your wedding AND it’s New Year’s Eve—this is your night to shine! Wear an eye-catching veil for the ceremony, and switch to a dazzling headpiece for the countdown. Rhinestone headbands, opal fascinators, gold and silver combs, crystal vines—our designs offer you dozens of choices when it comes to fabulous sparkle! Pick statement earrings and stackable bracelets to complete your look.

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Tell us, would you say yes to a New Year’s Eve wedding?

Sweet Caroline Styles

Jessica Cooper Photography

5 Reasons to Have a Christmas Wedding

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‘Tis the season to get married! Tie the knot during this festive time of year for amazing photos and wonderful memories. Here are our five favorite reasons to say I Do to a Christmas wedding!

Cute Proposal Photos & Save the Dates

From ornaments etched with your wedding date to heart-shaped candy canes, the tried and true ways to announce your wedding and personalize the photos are totally heartwarming! Kissing under the mistletoe, wrapping up in blankets, playing outside in the snow, and posing in front of your church are just a few of the romantic and sweet ways to create that extra-special holiday ambiance.

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Bright Centerpieces & Florals

The ways to incorporate wintery touches and seasonal cheer are practically endless. You can use mini Christmas trees, sprigs of holly, or candles to create rustic centerpieces. Strung lights and a glowing fire are totally in place. Evergreen garlands with beautiful red and white poinsettias add a lovely touch of romance. For your bouquet, a green, white, brown, and red color scheme gives you the freedom to select anything from pinecones and succulents to pure red roses or mistletoe.

Holiday-Themed Gifts

There are so many cute ways to commemorate your wedding that beautifully express the joy and spirit of the Christmas season! Give your guests photo ornaments, gloves, snow globes, or holiday mugs to take away from the celebration—they can use them at home! You can also keep friends occupied with activities like decorating cards or making ornaments while you’re taking your family portraits.

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Seasonal Goodies

Even though most winter wedding ceremonies and receptions are held indoors, this is the perfect opportunity to indulge in warm comfort foods. Hot drinks, seasonal favorites, peppermint goodies, and rich desserts will keep your guests feeling cozy. Add some fun to your reception with a hot cocoa bar, or let guests customize their cookies! For healthy but hearty options, consider vegan casseroles, mixed nuts, or berry pies.

Snazzy Bridal Accessories

    The holiday season creates the perfect atmosphere for a bit of upscale sparkle and a pop of color. Warm metallics and shimmering sequins are trending this year—Christmas is the perfect time to incorporate a dash of gold, silver, red, or green into your look.

Elegant jewelry, an eye-catching bridal belt, a shimmering headpiece, and a beautiful veil will help you create a totally glamorous ensemble. Gold headpieces and intricately beaded belts have been especially popular—check out our Spring 2016 Collection for a few options!

Want a more rustic look? A pretty plaid shawl and brightly-colored shoes will add a touch of holiday cheer. If you’re headed out to a wintery wonderland, consider a cape or faux fur wrap! Check out our Pinterest boards for more fabulous holiday style inspiration.

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These are just our five favorite reasons to host a Christmas wedding—what are yours?

Holiday Inspiration: Dark Marsala

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Want to look stunning at this year’s holiday party? Planning a winter wedding with deep red accents? Check out this gorgeous styled shoot featuring tones of marsala, gold, and black for inspiration.

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Shot by Jessica Cooper Photography, this set incorporates an amazing gold and black Sweet Caroline gown and a dark, feathered shrug. Pomegranates, dried lotus pods, and deep burgundy florals with golden candles create a gothic ambiance.

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The groom sports a red velvet suit, while the bride flaunts her stunning black wedding dress.

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Tell us, how will you add romantic holiday sparkle to your look?

Check out some of our newest gold accessories like 6606, 6619, 6629, 6634, and 6637. Follow us on Instagram for holiday style updates!

Photography Credit: Jessica Cooper Photography 

Gown Vendor: Sweet Caroline Styles