Modern brides and grooms want something different, and if simple diamond studs aren’t your cup of tea, you’ll find you still have a variety of options that aren’t for those with cookie-cutter tastes. Modern, exciting, and elegant jewelry, perfectly suited for the Bride, Groom, and wedding party, can be found in the very talented Claudia Endler Designs. These original designs set themselves apart from all other wedding jewelry. Wedding bands that make a statement, bridesmaid jewelry that is simple and elegant, and an engagement line that strikes the balance between simplicity, and beauty.

Wedding bands are all too often the least exciting piece of wedding jewelry, which is a pity considering they are the focal point of the ceremony on your big day. Modern designs offer an alternative to the traditional band, giving you a chance to embrace your own personal flare with your wedding bands. Design doesn’t have to mean elaborate, and over the top jewelry; those with simple tastes will appreciate the focus on metals, lines, stones and other design aspects that Modern jewelry offers. Claudia Endler’s Men’s Line Band, with stackable, contrasting metals in varying finishes is my personal favorite; a subtle and original take without straying too far from tradition. Stackable rings are also great way to build your own design and look, and find the balance you want in a set. Stackable diamond engagement rings are also available, along with the perfect wedding band to match it’s shape and style, they fit flawlessly together.

Chic and modern Brides on a budget can also enjoy these designs, with the Modeux series, featuring stunning pieces for $200 and under. Onyx and pearls take all new shapes in these modern designs. Necklaces and earrings are the iconic bridesmaid gift, so why not give a unique piece of jewelry unlike anything they have? Your wedding day will be a memorable occasion, make sure your jewelry lives up to the same expectations.

Credits: (Clockwise From Top Left) Tree Bark, Tiny Hearts, Fingerprints, Art Nouveau.

All photos courtesy of Cyberoptix.

Today’s Theme: Yellow

Feature Flowers: Daffodils, Sunflowers, Chamomile.

Yellow is a color that can go many different ways in your palette. It can be the focal point, or it can be a complimentary color. It can be apart of a bold, cool palette, or blend into a warm subtle palette. Here are some color combination ideas for yellow.

Bouquets are the most iconic floral element in a wedding, both the Bridal bouquet and the Bridesmaids’ bouquets. There are plenty of yellow flowers that are much more original and unique than the traditional peonies. They are also much cheaper and budget friendly. I think they make much more of a statement, after all, Sunflowers and Daffodils are just related with the world happiness!

And for the reception, how about a unique take on some classic flowers. Lemons along with yellow lilies and roses work wonderfully together, as seen by these beautiful centerpieces by Yvonne Design! With the branches and the birds, it’s so unique.

Pomanders are a popular trend at the moment, whether they are held by the flower girl, or hung on a post as a decoration lining a path, or on the edge of the chairs at the ceremony. They are often made of a variety of fresh flowers, but you can also make them from tissue paper for longer lasting decor.

DIY Detail: Create your own tissue paper pomanders! Much more practical, and totally budget friendly. Check out this amazing post over on the Ruffled Blog.

Credits: Centerpieces, Sunflowers, Chamomile Bouquet, Daffodil Bouquet (with white & green), Daffodil Boutonniere, Daffodil Bouquet (with pink, green & white), Yellow Pomanders, Bouquet (preview).

Credits: (Top to Bottom, Left to Right) Tiffany’s, Pacman, Tuxedo, OK, Coat of Arms, Father of the Groom, Numerals, Maps, Firefighter.

Cuff links are a great gift idea, and I love that they can be really personal like including maps of where you live or grew up. Engraving is also a great idea that adds a personal touch. You can show your pride if you’re a Fireman or Policeman and I think the coat of arms in particular is fantastic. You can incorporate a little tradition or begin your own. And the Tiffany cuff links are just stunning. Maybe the bride is lucky enough to get something Tiffany’s, and now so can the groom ;)

The featured post image comes from a creative Etsy shop called The Broken Plate which is a creative, unique, personalized concept that offers a second chance for accidentally damaged goods. If you broke a piece of your grandmother’s china, you can give it a second life as a meaningful piece of jewelry! Check out her shop for a custom order with your own items, or original pre made items.

When it comes to diamonds, you may think that buying “conflict free” is an eco-friendly and humane alternative, where it is definitely the latter (read up and understand why buying “conflict free” is so important), it isn’t clean of leaving a carbon footprint. Both gold and diamond mines produce waste that include toxins such cyanide and mercury, which seriously affect the water and environment alike. Vintage and antique rings are a 100% clean alternative. Yes, they are used, but they come in more styles and at a much cheaper price than whats in retail stores. The other great thing is that they are unique, you are the only one with that exact ring. That’s more meaningful than a mass produced ring. As for wedding bands, go for recycled metals, or re-used diamonds, often salvaged from old estate jewelry.

As for the dress, you might not want to comprise on, but maybe you’re unaware of just how many options you have. There is a variety of resources for choosing the perfect dress with a conscience. You can buy vintage, gently used, or recycled.

Vintage: Unique, one of a kind, well preserved vintage dresses are a great choice to have some retro flair in your wedding. There is every style, every cut, every color you could wish for, as most of the fashion of today’s dresses are just based on retro styles anyway. Check out Vintageous.com.

Gently Used: Lets be honest, a used wedding dress is probably the most pure form of the word “used” as you know it was only worn on one occasion. You can trust it is in good condition, check out BravoBride.com or RecycledBride.com.

Recycled: If you’re particularly crafty, you can make a unique dress by using second hand or thrift dresses and making your own with the fabrics.

Same goes for shoes and bridesmaid dresses. A great way to recycle is to sell your dress and other items post wedding just as the brides did whom you bought from!

Useful Articles:
@ Stress Away Bridal
@ Environment Canada

First, don’t take on any unnecessary stress when it comes to your wedding. Writing your own vows should be an opportunity to put into words the feelings you have for your spouse. This doesn’t mean, however, writing them on your own. Some couples choose to write them together, or reveal them before the wedding so there isn’t any added stress.

To get started, ask yourself some questions that should help you get your thoughts into organized words on paper. Such as: How did you feel the first time you met, or the first time you laid eyes on your future spouse? When did you realize that you were in love? How has knowing your partner changed you for the better? How does he/she inspire you? What can you promise in your future together, or what are your hopes and dreams for your future? Why have you decided to take the big step of getting married? What were the events that led to your first meeting? Short anecdotes are a great edition to vows, especially if they are humorous, as those are the most memorable ones.

Better if you don’t:
- Don’t use cliches like “you complete me” even if you feel it. They are so overused, they have lost all their meaning.
- Don’t make it last longer than a minute or two, your guests will thank you.
- Don’t spend too much time talking about yourself, speak more of who you are in relation to your spouse, like the things you promise to be for him/her or how they have changed you.

Don’t be afraid to:
+ Borrow from quotes that help you sum up what you are trying to say.
+ Work in some of the traditional vows with your original ones, especially if you feel the resonate with your emotions.
+ Make it short and sweet.
+ Ask your spouse for his/her opinion.

Sample sentences are a great start to help you get your point across, simply filling in the blanks to these often result in organizing your thoughts conveying your emotion to your spouse.

- When we met, I knew [blank].
- Before I met you [blank]. Now I [blank].
- I can’t wait to/look forward to [blank].
- Together we will [blank].
- You are [blank] to me. You are my [blank].
- I promise I will [blank]. I vow to [blank].
- Our love is like a [blank].
- You have always been [blank].
- Even when/if [blank], you/we [blank].
- You have made me want to [blank].

Inspiration: TheKnot.com