Stylish Details: One-Of-A-Kind Wedding Jewelry

Jewelry is my obsession- and when I find a piece that I love, I can't seem to get it out of my mind.... until I finally succumb and have to buy it!  From the first visit to Richelle Leigh's shop in Harrisburg, I knew I was in trouble!  There are cases full of beautiful, gotta-have jewelry, from elegant earrings to chunky bracelets, and I absolutely fell in love with a gorgeous chunky turquoise necklace... that I had to have!  Although it's a statement piece, it's actually very versatile.  I receive so many compliments on this necklace and the thing I love about Richelle Leigh's pieces is that they are hand-crafted, extremely well-made and so unique that people have to take notice!  

Since she hand-crafts the jewelry on-site, if you don't see exactly what you're looking for, she can also customize a piece just for you.  This is perfect for wedding jewelry, especially rings, because you'll know its personalized for you-- no one else will have that style- which makes it extra special.


Richelle Leigh describes her wedding jewelry design process:

"I personally handcraft all of the bridal jewelry in my shop-- Each piece is my own original design. This gives brides the option of having a custom or one-of-a-kind ring made. Jewelry can also be customized for the bridal party as well. I use 14Kt. Yellow or White Gold and Sterling Silver. I work with the bride in each step of the design process, from sketch to three-dimensional wax model to polished metal. Every step is approved before completion. The design possibilities are almost limitless with custom design. I really try to capture what my customer has in mind. I'm so happy to know that my customers will be wearing my jewelry for a lifetime."

Laurie & Jared Wed in Sleek, Chic Sophistication

I personally love black & white-themed weddings.  They have an effortlessly chic feel and I love to see how couples incorporate their personal style to spice up the classic color palate.  Laurie & Jared wed in sleek, chic sophistication, opting for the B+W theme, adding hints of organic greens, in the form of lush hydrangea details.  Carisa Kozicki of CK Photography captured the simplistic beauty of the day, starting at the bride's parents house, followed by the ceremony at a Paxton Presbyterian Church, and the reception at the West Shore Country Club.  

Scroll down to read Bride Laurie's account of the day-- the details, the vendors who made it possible, and advice for future brides:

 

 

Photographer:  CK Photography
Dress: Paloma Blanca from La Bella Moda

Cake: About Weddings

Reception/Catering: West Shore Country Club

Ceremony:  Paxton Presbyterian Church

Shoes: Coloriffics

Invitations:  Wedding Paper Divas

Rehearsal Dinner: Fire House Restaurant

Florist: Garden Path for Arrangement of bouquets and centerpieces, Actual flowers used were Silk Flowers from Flower & Craft Warehouse in Blue Ball, PA

Entertainment: Patrice & the Show  Band (formally known as CTO Soho)

Jewelry: Lia Sophia earrings, necklace from La Bella Moda

Rings: Safian and Rudolph  Philadelphia, PA

Transportation:  Premiere #1 Limousine

Bridesmaid Dresses: Belsoie from La Bella Moda

Mens Formalwear:  Men's Wearhouse

Makeup: Application by Sarah Kirk, Jane Iredale Brand

Hair:  Carol at Global Salon

Honeymoon:  Sandals Grande in St. Lucia

Linens:  Balloons and More

Wedding Coordinator:  Steve from West Shore Country Club

Videographer:  Images Unlimited Video, Jeffrey Dye

How would you describe your “wedding style” or feel of the day

Fun and relaxed.  We tried to just enjoy every moment with friends and family. 

Describe any special touches that helped make Your Wedding Memorable
I had a old pin of my grandmother (dad's mom) and my other grandmother's wedding band (mom's mom) pinned onto my bouquet.  

Best Thing about the day: 
Having so many people come to celebrate with us.  The band was absolutely fantastic and the dance floor was always full.  My husband even sang and danced with the band which was awesome and a hit of the night.  Most fun I have had in a while.

Tips for Brides-to-Be:
Try to relax and enjoy the day even if something goes wrong.  No one will notice.

PB TRENDS | First Look…………Seeing Each Other Before the Wedding Ceremony | Guest Blogger Thomas Beaman

According to Thomas Beaman (CA & PA-based photographer, recently voted The Knot's Best of Weddings Pick 2011!!) many couples are opting to see each other before the wedding ceremony.  In fact, for 2011, over half of his clients are seeing each other before!  So, how do you know if this is for you?  Thomas lists some of the benefits to seeing each other before the ceremony below....

Photo courtesy of Thomas Beaman

What are the benefits to this?

• It is the only time during the day that you will have alone. No guests…….no family……..just the two of you taking it all in. Really enjoying the moment.
• Being much more relaxed when you walk down the aisle.
• You get to take your photos before the ceremony so you can spend more time with your family and friends after the ceremony (you can attend your own cocktail hour and really enjoy it). Your family and bridal party get more time to mingle too!
• The photos of the first look are always real and always amazing. You get more time to really look at each other and talk (As much time as you want).
• When you see each other for the first at the ceremony, it's over so fast. There is no time to tell each other how amazing you both look..............how much you love each other..................you actually get a chance to get all of the butterflies out and at the same time, you get to have it photographed in the best light.
• Couples are really starting to make their wedding their own and breaking away from tradition. It's not for everyone but the couples who do it, absolutely love it.

Thomas Beaman specializes in wedding-day story telling & capturing special moments through gorgeous photography, which is apparent in the above photos-- two real couples from 2010 who opted to see each other before their ceremonies.
Click here to see more of Thomas' photos!

PB TIP OF THE WEEK | Top 10 Videography Tips

A lot of brides, after-the-fact, have said they wished they would've had a videographer because the day goes by so fast!  You put so much time into planning- it makes sense to have a video keepsake to remember all of the stylish details, heartfelt moments, & sweet dance moves!  Have fun & get creative w. your videos-- below you'll find some interesting ideas & tips:

What's your style?  Do you want a documentary & play-by-play video of your big day or do you envision a romantic or charmed? Ask to see videographer’s demo tapes & think about a combination of the two.

Comic relief.  Ask your videographer to add some humor by incorporating a “Blooper” section at the end of the video.

That's entertainment!  Entertain your guests with a brief, after-dinner creative flick that’s more than just snapshots of you and your honey in diapers. Arrange to have your videographer do tongue-in-cheek interviews with close friends & family.

Get a recommendation.  Videography can make your big day last forever. Don’t ask Uncle Joe to take home videos, but instead, ask for expert recommendations from local photography shops and studios. 

Get everyone in on the action!  Capture your wedding day from different perspectives.  Hire a professional videographer, but arrange to have four or five different people shoot brief scenes throughout the day with other non-professional video equipment.  You’ll be able to see everything you might have missed!

A work of art.  By digitally enhancing your wedding photos, your videographer can create enchanting movies.  Think about incorporating other unique scenes & make your wedding video a work of art. 


Click here to continue reading & to check out our preferred local videographers!

Upcoming Event | Mountz Diamond Dash April 16th | WIN A $12,000 DIAMOND RING!

A $12,000 Hearts on Fire diamond ring is hidden in Harrisburg...

And you know what they say, FINDERS KEEPERS!  On Apr 16, Premier Bride will be sponsoring the Mountz Diamond Dash-- a fun, real-life scavenger hunt that will send couples running around downtown Harrisburg to test their treasure hunting skills!    By solving riddles & answering challenges, you and your future-hub get to channel your inner-pirates and compete to find the ultimate treasure-- a $12,000 Diamond Ring from Mountz Jewelers!  How cool is that!  I mean, c'mon, look at that gorgeous ring!!

The number of accepted couples is limited, and the cut-off to submit your entry to qualify for the event is coming up quickly, so sign up asap at http://www.mountzdiamonddash.com/!  You can check out Mountz Jeweler's facebook page up until the day of the event for more info, along with additional details below:

What's the game plan for the day?

The Mountz Diamond Dash will take place on April 16th at Metro Bank Park starting at 10:00am. Following the event, the after party will be taking place at Spice Restaurant starting at 1:00pm.

How much does it cost?

It's FREE! Your fun is on us for one day.

What happens next?

You'll receive an e-mail confirming your application. Then, if selected, another e-mail to confirm your spot. Once confirmed, we'll send a reminder the week of the event

Can we use bikes?

No. Everyone must play on foot (or by medically-necessary wheelchair).

Are smartphones an advantage?

Only because of digital maps. All questions are to be answered based on the location.

How do I know my phone will work?

Text TEST to 728-647. You'll receive a confirmation message that says "Great news!" Didn't receive this? Check your spelling, the number and delete all signatures. Still nothing? Call your carrier's Customer Care. Ask to enable third-party text messages. Still trouble? E-mail us!

Featured Engagement | Cassandra & Robert Go Vintage Hollywood

"For future brides, make your photos unique and personal"

Photography by Stardust Photography Studios 
Location: Strasburg Railroad Museum in Lancaster County, PA.
Wedding Date: July 1st, 2011
Video created by: Cassandra Younkin (bride)

Inspiration from the Bride-to-Be:

My fiance and I are WW2 re-enactors and the hobby has become a big part of our life. Well, when we started to plan the wedding we decided to have a Vintage Hollywood wedding. I had the idea to take the theme all the way through from the engagement photos to the wedding and so far it has been a major hit with all of our friends and family.  I took the engagement photos and made a video out of them to send to all our friends and family for our save the dates, it was so unique that we have been getting phone calls about the video and everyone is super excited to come.

We love the fact that they all are looking forward to sharing in our day with us! So just remember people may tell you that people may not care about all the little details, but guess what they do and the only thing to really remember is that you need to have fun or you wont enjoy it!

REAL WEDDING - Pretty as a Peacock | Ashlee & Jon | 06.01.10

 

I fell in love with this wedding at first glance-- for the stunning peacock feather details, the bride's stylish accessories, and there was just a natural elegance about the day that shown through in the beautiful photos!  Ashlee, the creative bride behind this peacock feather-inspired wedding, gave me insight into the her detailed theme & special touches, her favorite parts about the day and gives advice for future brides-to-be below!   

This wedding was made possible by the following vendors:

Photography:  Elaine Gates Photography
Rentals/Decor:   Balloons and More (they did all of the swagging of fabric on beams in room)
Dress:   Tara's Bridal
Rehearsal Dinner:   JoJo's Pizza, Mechanicsburg
Mens Formalwear:   Top Line Tuxedos
Transportation:  Premiere #1 Limousine
Honeymoon Arrangements:   Ultra Tech Travel 
Cake:  The Pennsylvania Bakery
Reception:  Allenberry Playhouse
Photo Site:  Boiling Springs Lake
Ceremony:   Boiling Springs Bible Fellowship
Invitations:  Handmade by cousin Jolene George - stock paper from cardsandpockets.com
Florist:   Backwoods Florist
Entertainment/DJ: Chris Garrett with Shining Star Entertainment
Hair Accessory: Etsy -- Rachel Larraine
Necklace:   (Borrowed from mother) Joseph James Jeweler
Earrings:   NY&Co
Rings:  Littman Jewelers
Bridesmaid Dresses:   J Crew
Makeup:  Donna Gates (mother)
Hair:   Ryan Fest, Salon 20/20
Day-of Coordinator:  Tia Welsh, a dear friend of the bride
Caterer:  Allenberry Playhouse
Table Favors:  Sherry's Berries
Bridesmaid's Jewelry: Etsy - GinkoOrganicDesigns
Bride's Shoes:  Lela Rosa
Ring Bearers Pottery Bowls: Etsy - Palomas Nest

Describe any special touches that helped make your wedding memorable:

All of my vendors were amazing!  I was so lucky to have been able to work with such amazing people planning our special day.  Every single person, even the ones behind the scenes, deserve so much credit!  Chris Garrett was the best DJ a bride could ever ask for... He kept the reception moving at just the right pace and had enough fun energy to get even my family out on the dance floor!  He even surprised us with a short video of our reception after!  My aunt at PA Bakery, who did our wedding cake went above & beyond- our cake was breathtaking and tasted even better!  All of the staff at Allenberry did an amazing job with the room set up and worked with me and my family on every detail.  Elaine, with Elaine Gates Photography, was a gem to work with!  She is so easy-going and was able to put all my nerves to rest and still take the most incredible photos that we will be able to cherish forever!  I also have my cousin and aunt that I have to thank for helping with so many of the beautiful details- the table numbers, seating card board and seating cards, invites, and so many other details were brought to life by them!

Tips for Future Brides-to-Be: 

Hire a videographer along with the amazing Elaine Gates Photography!  As much as I cherish and love my still photos from the wedding, I wish that I also had a video to re-live the day!  It all went so fast, I feel like I missed so much and would love to be able to re-live it in video whenever we wanted.

Describe your Wedding Style:

We had a peacock feather theme--all of the colors were pulled from the beautiful colors in the feathers.  They were scattered all about in little things on our wedding day-- from the colors used to the ones that were used in the hair pieces, flowers and on the tables.  I kept using the words simple elegance to describe what I wanted the feel to be.

Best Thing About the Day:

Being surrounded by all of my/our amazing family & friends on the day I got to marry my best friend!  Everything came together just as I had dreamed and I couldn't have been more blessed!  My utter appreciation to all who helped my our day unforgettable!

TREND ALERT - INVITATIONS: Pushing the Style Envelope with Made to Keep

Save-the-Dates & Invitations are considered the "first impressions" of your wedding & with the help of Made to Keep, brides-to-be are sending the message loud and clear that their weddings are going to be rocking!  Throw boring out the window (or into the recycle bin for us earth-friendly brides) and make way for little hand-held works of art, bursting with personal style!

Our buddy Melissa Miller, owner of Made to Keep, recently popped in to share the latest trends in wedding stationery, save-the-dates, & invitations. Made to Keep, located in Harrisburg, specializes in hand-made, 100% customizable stationery to fit your wedding theme, patterns, colors, & personality, so you can go as quirky, modern, or as traditional as you want!  The thing we love about Made to Keep is they personally meet with each couple and have an innate knack for translating personalities on to paper.  The design and creation process is extremely hands on-- and a whole lot of love goes into each item, which really shows in the quality of the finished product!   They also carry Carlson Crafts, Crane & Company, & Mcpherson's as well as unique personalized gifts. Check out the below trends that have been catching on fire in 2011, straight from the Pros at Made to Keep:

Make a bold statement with a bright colored card stock & white type.  Damask patterns are very popular,
paired with a contrasting color like red or pink!

 

TIP: Substitute a traditional engraved floral print on white stock with a 3D fabric or paper flower.
You can even use YOUR flower.



Instead of using just one motif, use a whole pattern, which can be based on your gown… a ring of rosettes,
a square of lace appliqué, or a beaded vine.

Small rhinestones, tiny pearl-toned beads, or mini Swarovski crystals makes a low-key invitation style fashionable. 
Also, try using unique materials for your invitations, like a pattern stitched into fabric or burned onto wood.  
Even vellum or acrylic. (photos courtesy of Thomas Beaman)

Neatly tucked away all of the cards and pieces all together, so your guest can take your invite with them to the ceremony. Great way to use all of your colors: one color for the card stock, another for the type &ribbon, & a third for the envelopes. 

3 out of 5 of Melissa's latest brides-to-be have actually opted to nix the RSVP card and have their guests respond online, which has become a popular trend in 2011.  Another trend is tear-and-mail RSVP cards, which is a more budget-friendly option but with these great designs- no one will ever know!

Pinstripes are a hot look now, whether they're vertical, horizontal, multicolored, or in shades of your signature hue.

Introduce your wedding motif on your invitation envelopes; use your names or pattern on the outside to give them a sneak peak before opening.

 

Metallic paper = instant class.