8 Essentials for the Destination Bride

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Happy first day of summer! If you’re going away to elope or hosting a fantastic wedding weekend party, preparation is everything. Make sure you do these eight things to make your dreams come true!

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Make a List

Ever go on a trip and realize you forgot something important? It’s usually something small, like a hair brush or tampons or your bathing suit—but these things can greatly impact your comfort level.

Create a list of everything you’ll need to pack for the wedding, and double-check. This is not the time to underpack or think “it’ll be fine.” This is your special day! Everything won’t be perfect, but being prepared will get it pretty close.

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Protect Your Gear

Keep your wedding gown in a garment bag at all times, and hang it away from pets or small children. Safely store your wedding day jewelry, headpiece, garter, undergarments, shoes, and veil. It’s helpful to keep these in a pocket of the garment bag—or in a separate travel box that will keep everything accounted for. Do not iron your veil. To get out wrinkles, you can lightly steam it or hang it for a few days and they will fall out.

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Have Backups

Accidents happen. If you’ve seen any wedding movie ever, you’ve seen the bride tear her veil, spill wine all over her dress, lose her shoes to the dog, or drop her ring in the shower. Hopefully none of these perils befall you! But if anything does go wrong, it helps to have a backup LWD, hair clip, and pair of flats. You can wear these items on your honeymoon, and you’ll feel better knowing you won’t be walking down the aisle in jeans.

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Use a Host

Your wedding day will be a whirlwind of events. It’s difficult to live in the moment and enjoy yourself if guests are constantly asking questions, or if you have to stop and pay the photographer before they leave, or if you have to find out who is double parked. Designate someone else—be it your MOH or wedding planner—to act as the gracious host. Let them solve problems so you can relax and just enjoy being the bride!

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Emergency Medical Info

Emergencies happen, even at weddings. Whether your fiancé steps on a rattlesnake or your relative falls on the dance floor, you should know who to call. Even if nothing goes wrong on the wedding day, you might require medical help on the honeymoon. Keep your information with you, bring extra medication, and let your insurance companies know that you are traveling. Make sure you are covered abroad.

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Vendors Who Can Be There

Many popular destination wedding spots will suggest (or require) vendors they work with on a regular basis. Make sure you are comfortable with these businesses and plan the details with them ahead of time. Get their contact information. If someone isn’t reliable or doesn’t understand your vision, consider working with someone else. Especially when you’re far from home, it helps to have vendors you can trust to be there.

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Do Paperwork in Advance

Do you both have updated passports? Have you changed your name(s)? Have you purchased a license and hired someone who can perform your wedding? A lot of rules apply to marriage ceremonies, so make sure the two of you can travel and get married in your chosen destination. There may be residency requirements or additional fees. Be prepared so you don’t have to sign at the court house later.

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Pick a Style

Destination weddings are fun because they can be so much more intimate and carefree than a traditional wedding ceremony. Smaller weddings are easier to style, too! Transform your bridal look with a destination style—whether it’s glamorous, trendy, romantic, vintage-inspired, or beachy. Choosing a theme will help make your wedding feel just a bit more special and make it stand out from the rest of the celebratory weekend.

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Are you hosting a destination wedding? Check out our My Bridal Style: Destination for bridal styling ideas, and follow us on Instagram for the latest industry trends.

5 Ways to Style a Black & White Wedding

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Photo Credit: Jessica Cooper Photography for Sweet Caroline Styles

The beautiful thing about black and white weddings is that they can be classic, elegant, and utterly chic—or totally untraditional, modern, and creative. One thing all black and white weddings do have in common? Unforgettable style.

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Photo Credit: Jessica Cooper Photography for Sweet Caroline Styles

You can’t go wrong with this classy color scheme. Black is flattering on all body types and adds an air of special elegance to your celebration. Check out these five easy ways to style an absolutely jaw-dropping black and white wedding.

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Black & White Anemones
Anemones bring effortless drama to your whole look. Arresting and elegant, these lovely flowers are a striking choice for bouquets or centerpieces. Style a traditional bridal bouquet by adding white roses or go for a sprawling, wild look by mixing in greenery.

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Photo Credit: Jessica Cooper Photography for Sweet Caroline Styles

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Black Tie Attire
Obviously a black and white wedding should be a black tie affair. Your groom and his friends will look sharp in tuxedos (white or black). Add an elegant black sash to your gown to accentuate the theme. If you’re really thinking outside the box, throw in a pair of swanky black shoes or vintage lace gloves!

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Photo Credit: Jessica Cooper Photography for Sweet Caroline Styles

Dazzling Dresses
A white or ivory bridal gown isn’t your only option. Slimming, sensual black gowns make a bold impression—whether you dress up your bridesmaids, don a LBD for the reception, or gracefully glide down the aisle in a tulle ball gown. Shimmering sequins in gold or silver also complement a glamorous black and white color scheme.

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Photo Credit: Jessica Cooper Photography for Sweet Caroline Styles

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Photo Credit: Jessica Cooper Photography for Sweet Caroline Styles

Sparkling Jewelry
Stunning bling is a must-have for any formal wedding. Fine tune your look with an elegant rhinestone jewelry set, vintage-inspired black drop earrings, or a warm gold accent like a bracelet or belt. If you’ve chosen a strapless gown, consider shoulder jewelry! Ideally, pick something you’d love to wear again for a special occasion.

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Photo Credit: Jessica Cooper Photography for Sweet Caroline Styles

Cathedral Veil
There’s nothing more romantic and beautiful than a cathedral veil. When you stand before your wedding guests, that pretty bit of tulle becomes the focal point of your wardrobe. Choosing a gorgeous cathedral veil adds unforgettable elegance to your look. When you take it off for the reception, show off a sparkly headpiece. You are only a bride for a day!

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How are you styling your black and white wedding? Let us know!

5 Must-Have Items for Every Spring Bride

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It’s finally spring! The sun is peeking through, tiny birds are chirping, and trees are starting to bud. Today, we’re spotlighting lovely spring weddings and sharing our tips for how to stay warm, look stylish, and absolutely glow on your big day!

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PRETTY VEIL

There’s nothing like a whimsical veil to add glorious beauty to your bridal look. Even if you’re not a head-over-heels romantic bride, this lovely accessory is a must-have when it comes to your ceremony and bridal portraits. This is also a great opportunity to express your personal style.

Choose a soft floral lace for a touch of romance; lace appliqués or more structured Alen­çon lace for a traditional look; rhinestones or beads for fairy-tale sparkle; and a clear cut edge or light rolled edge veil for sheer elegance. Short or long, you can find a design that is totally you.

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STYLISH COVER-UP

Spring weather can be pretty unpredictable. Sure, your groom will give up his suit jacket so you don’t freeze, but do you really want to cover up your gorgeous gown—and leave him shivering?

Plan ahead by choosing a light shawl, bridal jacket or bolero, or a cute wrap. Even if it doesn’t rain, you can use it for your getaway or even honeymoon! More bridal salons are offering these accessories in a range of styles—from 3D flowers on organza to intricately beaded cover ups to silky scarves, so pick one that will keep you looking beautifully bridal.

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Photo Credit: Jessica Cooper Photography for Sweet Caroline Styles

CHANGE OF SHOES

Whether you’re getting married inside or outdoors, you’ll want at least two pairs: one for your walk down the aisle and one for the reception. Typically, it’s best to choose a wide heel for outdoor ceremonies and formal heels for weddings inside. Reception shoes can be anything that you are comfortable dancing in for at least a couple hours—choose something attractive yet cushiony (like a flat) that you can rely on.

If it rains, it’s not a bad idea to bring an extra pair of sneakers—some brides even wear boots! Lots of great photo opps revolve around shoes, so play around and have fun. Florals, bling, and bold colors offer you a range of options.

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Photo Credit: Jessica Cooper Photography for Sweet Caroline Styles

EMERGENCY BEAUTY KIT

Every bride should have an emergency kit for touch-ups. After all, people will be taking photos of you literally the entire day—and probably into the night, depending on how long your reception lasts.

A concealer, powder, blush, mascara, lip gloss, and lip stick are pretty standard. Make sure to include oil blotting pads or wipes, makeup remover, a comb, and spare pins. Between the ceremony and reception is a good time to sneak away to touch up.

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Photo Credit: Jessica Cooper Photography for Sweet Caroline Styles

FLOWER HEADPIECE

Spring is the perfect season to grace your hair with gorgeous flowers! You can incorporate the beauty of nature with any number of headpiece options.

If you’re wearing lace, try a soft fabric flower comb or headband with delicate floral details. To jazz up a simple dress, enhance your ensemble with a sparkly hair vine or vintage-inspired comb. If you’re featuring gold in your look, choose painted gold leaves or metallic flowers. Going boho-chic? Try on a dazzling rhinestone halo. Keep looking until you find that perfect treasure for your big day.

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Are you getting married in the spring? Check out our Instagram feed for seasonal bridal inspiration!

Chicago Bridal Market Recap—Most Popular Styles in 2016

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We were so thrilled to see many of our fabulous retail partners at the Chicago Bridal Market! We unveiled our new line for Fall 2016 and got to check out the new trends for this season. If you missed us, we’ll also be in Dallas and New York—so be sure to stop by and add our newest bits of pretty to your store inventory!

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Our most popular carryovers included champagne and blush flowers, gorgeous cathedral veils, and glittering halos. Most coveted headpiece styles included 6500, 6202, 6284, 6551 (shown above), 6571, and 6435—be sure you show them off in your store! Many of these best-selling items are available to ship in as little as 1–3 weeks.

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Top-selling carryover veils included our lovely Alençon lace veil V7034, silver beaded edge veil V7056, silver rolled edge and crystal edge veil V7054, and lace appliqué veil V7159 (shown above). Be sure you have these seasonal favorites in stock to show your summer brides!

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The styles our stores loved the most from our new Fall 2016 line were sparkling combs, pretty little pins, champagne/gold belts, and gorgeous cathedral veils. Our jewelry was especially popular this season! Be sure you select a variety of styles, so that all your brides can discover a Bel Aire Bridal treasure to love.

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Stay tuned on our Instagram feed for sneak peeks at our new styles! If you didn’t come see us in Chicago, be sure to contact your sales representative or visit us at the Dallas or New York bridal markets.

Not one of our retailers, but interested in our products? Brides, please visit our Store Locator to find an authorized salon near you! New stores, please contact us and learn how to Become a Retailer.

XO,

Bel Aire Bridal

2016 Wedding Trends: Opal Crystal Accessories & Serenity Blue

 

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Snazz up your wedding dress with accessories worthy of the occasion.

Soft shades of blue, glittering accessories, and opal crystal hair jewelry are making a splash in the world of weddings. Are you ready to take the plunge?

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Whether you’re getting married in the spring or later this year, our Spring 2016 Collection is overflowing with stunning accent pieces that will take your bridal ensemble to a whole new level. Keep scrolling for some seriously gorgeous inspiration!

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Pantone’s two favorite colors this year are Serenity and Rose Quartz. In honor of these dreamy tones, we styled an elegant photoshoot featuring a bride in light blue!

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Sparkling jewelry, fresh flowers, romantic veils, and opulent crystal accessories create a modern bridal look. From glittering belts to ravishing headpieces, our newest designs incorporate pretty opal crystals and sparkly rhinestone accents.

Tell us, which design is your favorite?

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Love these looks? Browse our newest collection gallery and get a closer look at these irresistibly glamorous accessories!  Check out our My Bridal Style pages to discover your personal wedding style

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

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

Ethereal Florals—Inspiration Shoot at Sunstone Winery

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Our Spring 2016 photo shoot was shot in Santa Barbara’s rustic Sunstone Winery to showcase our stunning new collection. From pretty, soft floral headbands to graceful cathedral veils, these styles are perfect for the romantic bride.

KT Merry Photography and Joy Proctor Styling captured the essence of feminine, ethereal beauty with our trio of gorgeous brides. Scroll down to view more!

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Gold metallic flower designs like 6588 and 6590 gracefully complete a vintage or romantic bridal style with a warm, luxurious luster.

Soft floral headpieces such as 6551, 6320, and 6571 create a heartfelt aesthetic of budding romance perfect for any wedding. These lovely designs beautifully complement lace gowns.

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A touch of sparkle infuses any wardrobe with special charm and elegance. Designs 6465 and 6578 add a light dose of dazzling beauty to your bridal hairstyle.

For ultimate romance, a cathedral veil is the only way to go. Style V7262C combines the ethereal grace of a cut edge veil with the feminine beauty of lace appliqués for a look that is totally stunning.

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Want to see more? Visit our Spring 2016 Collection for a full gallery of our newest styles.

Geometric Wedding Inspiration

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Looking for out-of-the-box wedding ideas? Check out this gorgeous styled shoot by Jessica Cooper Photography with the loveliest Sweet Caroline wedding dress! Staged in a lush, outdoor environment with both vintage and modern headpieces, this creative shoot reminds us of the beauty in expressing your individual taste.

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This black and white, classy wedding beautifully contrasts a vibrant, green venue. Complementing the rustic-chic theme are geometric flower arrangements and our very own floral headpiece 6542. The whole look is sleek, up-to-date, and streamlined—right down to a cake featuring hexagons and a matching wedding topper!

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The groom’s classic black tux vibes perfectly with the bride’s charming windowpane dress, creating a unique yet elegant coupling. We love how she switched to pearl headband 6539 with vintage curls for a new look.

Notice how the bride’s passionate red lip adds a bold touch of romance? A dramatic bouquet incorporates white and black anemones with lush greenery—how perfect for the holidays!

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Tell us, how are you styling your wedding?

Photography Credit: Jessica Cooper Photography 

Gown Vendor: Sweet Caroline Styles

Engagement Ring Cuts—Which Is Yours?

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With the holidays just around the corner, we’re coming up on engagement season! Whether you’re dreaming of a sparkly present or already window shopping, take a peek at the different cuts. Find out which one is yours and what it says about your bridal style!

 Round Brilliant

Round

You are traditional, romantic, and devoted. You want a pretty, sparkly solitaire that will still look incredible in twenty years. The round cut is the most popular for good reason—you get brilliance, fire, and scintillation all in one package.

Your Bridal Style: Romantic. You’re more interested in having a beautiful marriage than an over-the-top wedding, and you prefer your details to be thoughtful and timeless. You’ll be looking at family traditions for inspiration.

Our Top Picks: Styles with pearls and lace. Consider our top headpieces like 6435, 6161, 6202, and 6534. Check out our Lace Veils and Cathedral Veils to best complement your gown.

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Princess Cut

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You are grounded, modern, and artistic. You like traditional sparkle coupled with an edgy shape. While you’re not very interested in celebrity trends or over-the-top romance, you still want a ring that looks stylish with just a touch of feminine charm.

Your Bridal Style: Trendy. Your wedding will be personalized, skipping outdated traditions and frivolous details. Your look blends modern elegance and rustic beauty.

Our Top Picks: Metallic florals. Consider creative designs like 6505, 6522, 6452, and 6644. Check out our Embroidered Veils and Classic Veils to best complement your gown.

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Oval 

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You are trendy, classy, and feminine. Though you want the sparkle and fire of a round cut, you adore the just-a-bit-different charm of an oval ring. You are modern and want a band or halo adorned with plenty of small diamonds.

Your Bridal Style: Trendy. Though you enjoy a few classic elements, you want your celebration to be modern and fresh, with just a hint of glamour. You’ll be looking on Pinterest and at celebrity weddings for inspiration.

Our Top Picks: Anything with opal crystals and rhinestones. Consider our newest styles like 6600, 6615, 6617, and 6628. Check out our Classic Veils and Cathedral Veils to best complement your gown.

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Emerald & Asscher 

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You are elegant, classy, and empowered. You want a distinctive, brilliant ring that flashes rather than sparkles. Not given to sentiment, you want a high-quality statement stone that reflects your individuality and good taste.

Your Bridal Style: Classic. Modern but not trendy, you want a sophisticated black tie wedding marked by flawless simplicity and streamlined elegance. You’ll be choosing top-of-the-line vendors.

Our Top Picks: Elegant rhinestone designs. Consider styles like 6284, 6557, 6533, and 6513. Check out our Classic Veils and French Net Veils to best complement your gown.

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Marquise

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You are outgoing, creative, and vintage-obsessed. You love any trend that calls back the fashions of previous ages. The courtly marquise looks amazing on your hand, and you love showing it off.

Your Bridal Style: Vintage. You are all about opulence and over-the-top sparkle. Your look is glamorous, daring, and totally retro.

Our Top Picks: Vintage-inspired bling. Consider styles like 6310, 6351, 6354, and 6400. Check out our Beaded Veils and French Net Veils to complement your gown.

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Stacked Rings

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You are sentimental, modern, and free-spirited. You have a penchant for feminine sparkle, but shy away from the traditional solitaire. One ring won’t cut it—you love the dramatic beauty and symbolism behind adding a ring for every major life experience, starting with your engagement.

Your Bridal Style: Glamorous. You want your wedding to be personalized, with extra-special glamour and romance. You’ll look to Pinterest and ask friends for wedding inspiration.

Our Top Picks: Anything fabulous. Consider sparkly styles like 6644, 6642, 6620, and 6610. Check out our Embroidered Veils and Cathedral Veils to best complement your gown.

Cushion & Radiant

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You are dramatic, outgoing, and trendy. You want a ring that will blow your socks off and look amazing, no matter how many times you see it in photos. You want a solitaire with a halo, and maybe even a rose gold band.

Your Bridal Style: Glamorous. You want your wedding to be epic. A bit of sparkle never hurt anyone.

Our Top Picks: Bling and more bling. Consider our most sparkly styles, like 6603, 6611, 6627, and 6500. Check out our Beaded Veils and Cathedral Veils to best complement your gown.

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What type of engagement ring do you have? Tell us about your bridal style!