Category: Industry Inspiration

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!

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.

Gold & Gorgeous

Hot Holiday Makeup Trends for 2015

Whether you’re walking down the aisle or anticipating an engagement, be sure to look your best with these holiday makeup ideas. Pick your favorite, and find accessories to complement the look!

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Au Naturel

Sometimes less is more. Every bride exudes a naturally gorgeous, happy glow. You’ll look your best with light mascara, ChapStick, a moisturizer, and oil-free pads. Stay warm, and your everyday winter essentials will keep you feeling great on your special day. Pair a simple veil or hair accessory and you’re good to go!

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Photo Credit: Sweet Caroline Styles x Jessica Cooper Photography

Gold & Bronze

Metallics are in right now. That means adding a bit of shimmering color to your eyeshadow or bronzer. Tie in gold accessories like statement bracelets and dazzling earrings— add a chic little shawl or cute belt to finish off your look. Warm tones of gold and bronze work beautifully with traditional holiday colors such as marsala, berry, aspen, coal, and cream.

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Photo Credit: Sweet Caroline Styles x Jessica Cooper Photography

Red & Marsala

A red lip is a must for your winter wedding or engagement party. (Seriously, the photos are stunning.) Whether you choose holly red or a deep marsala, you can play off this rich tone with your bouquet, bridesmaids’ attire, or a bit of statement jewelry. Wearing red is the perfect way to evoke a theme of pure romance whilst tying in the cheer and warmth of the season.

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Photo Credit: Sweet Caroline Styles x Jessica Cooper Photography

Grey & Blue

Grey and blue are trending big this year. The holidays are the perfect time to express wintery elegance with sparkling grey, blue, or white accents. Reflect this cool aesthetic by adding a bit of shimmer to your eyeshadow and nail polish. Choose glamorous earrings or a rhinestone-studded veil to complete the look. Shine on, girls!

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Photo Credit: Sweet Caroline Styles x Jessica Cooper Photography

Tell us, which look best fits YOU? Find more style inspiration on our Instagram page, and check out our Pinterest boards for ways to make your holidays more sparkly.

Fall Color Crush: Copper

Amidst the poignant beauty and vibrant hues of autumn, this season’s most popular wedding colors stand out with stunning allure: earthy reds such as marsala and auburn; fresh greens including sage, fern, and mint; and autumnal favorites like cocoa and pumpkin!

Does this sound delicious, or what?

This week, we’re crushing on warm and cheerful hues such as gold, bronze, copper, and champagne! Check out these five ways to add a splash of sensational color to your wedding. 

Glorious Headpieces

If you’re decking your bridesmaids in a seasonal color such as champagne, chocolate, amethyst, or maroon, a sparkling gold accent perfectly complements these rich hues. Wear a gold bridal headpiece and give your maids matching hair pins, or vice-versa!

Confident Jewelry

Be bold in gold! Try wearing a statement bracelet or earrings in a warm metallic tone; you can match a headpiece or belt and show off red-carpet worthy style in your bridal photos.

Statement Shoes

Dare to dream with sparkling shoes or a gold clutch. A dramatic pop of color adds some pizazz to your ensemble while still looking fashion-forward and utterly fabulous. These details create fun photo opportunities, too!

Beautiful Bridesmaids

Metallics are all the rage this season. There’s nothing more gorgeous and eye-catching than decking your maids in stunning gold sequins or Art Deco beading! Never underestimate the power of sparkle.

Autumn Bouquet

Incorporate the warm hues of fall into your bouquet by choosing brightly-colored flowers and leaves, or wrap the end in a metallic ribbon to add an extra bit of shimmer. You can tie in your accent color with a jewel-tone brooch, too!

Photography Credit: Jessica Cooper Photography 

Gown: Sweet Caroline Styles

5 Signs You’re Ready to Get Married

You are financially independent.

It’s a fact that couples with solid finances are happier. People who are ready to take the next step and start a household should be ready to finance a wedding; save for a house; and plan for retirement (not to mention the cost of future kids). You can handle regular bills, manage debt, and save money. You keep your economic stress down and maintain a reasonably steady budget.

You plan for the future

As in, you have a five-year plan and maybe a 10 year plan. Definitely career goals—at least some sort of direction in your life. Because if you don’t know where you’re going, how can you take someone else with you? You have developed your personal desires and have a clear sense of identity. You and your partner have discussed what you both want from life and are prepared to move forward.

You know what love is

Infatuation and intimacy are different. You’ve interacted with people enough to know when a relationship is special and will last, and when it won’t. The two of you share common interests and enjoy talking—even about touchy issues like religion or politics. You’ve confessed your secrets and ambitions. Genuine love is powerfully good. The One connects with you on a deep level and is worthy of your trust.

You keep promises

You are familiar with sticking to your commitments: showing up to work on time, volunteering regularly, and staying true to your word. Marriage calls for dedication. If you’re ready to tie the knot, you already desire to serve your partner with love, patience, and kindness—even when it’s tough. Unselfishness is essential to a healthy marriage and must be strong on both sides.

“You” includes your partner

When making plans, you include your partner in just about everything—because the two of you are a package deal. You enjoy personal time and like to hang out with friends/family, but also realize that marriage is being together. Sitting together, traveling together, cooking dinners together, sleeping together. That’s the whole point, isn’t it?

Any couple who is ready to go the distance (and make it) is part of something greater than just themselves. Both of you already think in terms of “us” and “we” instead of “I” and “me.”

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Obviously, there are many more ways to know if you’re ready. How did you know he or she was the One? Share your story!

Fabulous Fall Florals

Think amazing bouquets are just for spring and summer weddings? Check out our ideas for amazing fall florals! Get ideas for ways to personalize your bouquet, and be sure to visit our Pinterest bouquet boards for unforgettable arrangements.

Personal & Pretty

Sprays of eclectic flowers that symbolize your feelings are a fun way to incorporate your personality into your bridal bouquet. As an added bonus, selecting wildflowers, locally grown plants, and seasonal touches like autumn leaves or wheat will lower your costs. Get creative with your florist and come up with a design you’ll love!

You Might Like My Bridal Style: Trendy

Upscale Sparkle

Why stop the sparkle? Add fancy bits of bling to your bouquet for a luxurious touch of glamour in your photos. Bouquet letters, pearl or rhinestone pins, or a bejeweled wrap for the bottom will make your walk down the aisle truly shine.

You Might Like My Bridal Style: Glamorous

Timeless Beauty

If you’re seeking a look of true elegance, nothing beats a classic bouquet of roses or peonies. These lush blooms have long been favored for weddings due to their sheer beauty and romance. Looking to cut costs? Use baby’s breath for a sweet touch of simplicity. Wrap the bottom of your bouquet in ribbon to match your gown, or try adding a bit of something blue!

You Might Like My Bridal Style: Classic

Vintage Vibe

Incorporate period-inspired details into your bouquet to carry through a vintage theme! You can hang a family heirloom or locket from the base, or wrap the bottom in antique lace. If you’re feeling daring and want your bouquet to last forever, you can even skip the flowers and create your entire bouquet from antique brooches!

You Might Like My Bridal Style: Vintage

Sweet Romance

A trailing array of leafy florals or a lush heart of peonies looks truly amazing. Pink, cream, and white are all lovely hues for an understated theme of sweet romance—no matter what season you’re getting married. If you want to convey pure passion, a bunch of red roses is a beautiful choice, too, and looks great with other autumnal colors!

You Might Like My Bridal Style: Romantic

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Tell us, which style is your favorite?

Lovely Love Quotes

4 Fabulous Lace Veils to Try at Your Fitting

Are you in love with lace? We sure are!

Lace is a timeless fabric that evokes feminine grace, charm, and beauty. Gorgeous floral designs are still expressed in the intricate laces we use for bridal accessories today—from delicate Chantilly to formal Venise to elaborate Alençon patterns. Whether softly ethereal or regally elegant, lace infuses an air of sweet romance into your wedding ensemble.

Today, we’re highlighting lace veils from our newest collections. If you’ve chosen a lace gown or wish to enhance your bridal look with pure amour, keep scrolling and discover the perfect style for you!

Romantic Rose Lace

There’s something so casually pretty about style V7280. Intricately stitched with a bold pattern of roses in full bloom, this unique design blends traditional bridal motifs with modern, innovative style. A simple rolled edge leaves room for other accessories. If you’re wearing a minimalistic gown or carrying roses, this style harmonizes beautifully with your theme.

Graceful Metallic Florals

Gracefully cascading down your shoulders, style V7281 features a delicate metallic rolled edge and pretty lace appliqués. Beautifully designed with gold or silver accents, this dreamy veil is made for the romantic bride seeking just a touch of metallic shimmer. Pair this piece with a bridal halo, hair jewelry, or shoulder jewelry to make your appearance even more stunning.

Formal Venise Flowers

Formally bridal and regally beautiful, a narrow trim of Venise lace completes your look with true elegance. Light beading adds subtle sparkle, giving style V7273 just a hint of glamour. If you’re wearing lace accessories or a fit and flare lace gown, this lovely design is made for you.

Luxurious Metallic Lace

Metallic tones are a great choice for autumn weddings. If you want to shine in silver or gold, style V7270 combines beautiful lace with metallic embroidery. Intricately gorgeous and elegantly romantic, this pretty design pairs perfectly with your gold or silver accessories. Create a dreamy ensemble that is entirely you.

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Want to see more lovely lace styles? Check out our lace veils and cathedral veils to find the perfect design for your wedding. Try them on in a store near you, and let us know which one is The One!