My Bridal Earring Tradition
June 26th - our wedding anniversary! I so enjoy the season of celebrating love, union and marriage. I love finding sweet and clever ways to recognize a momentous day and honor it with a sentimental token. For myself (and my bridal clients have followed suit!), I made it an anniversary tradition that I would design my wedding jewelry so it would be wearable every year on our special day. My bridal jewelry designs are the most “Rach B” any eventful sparkle could be. Nothing too costume, but rather a unique and modern take on special occasion jewelry inspired from Rach B’s aesthetic and previous collections.
To decide on accessories, a super important detail to initially consider is THEE dress (neckline, the shade of white, crystals, pearls, so many things!). Weddings gowns are beauuuutifulll, right? Although, I simply had absolutely no inclination of what kind, silhouette, style or embellishments I wanted. I knew that I would “just know” when I saw it. Never having dreamt about my wedding dress, I certainly dreamt what bridal jewelry and accessories I would create!
On wedding dress shopping day, I tried on this Carolina Herrera wedding gown, gasped, and was like “OKAY. Wow. Yes. Big earrings. Big bracelet. Done!”. The gown was a sample (from Glamour Closet Chicago - I highly recommend!). Therefore, I was able to take it home that day (hooray for not having to anticipatingly wait for my dress to be ordered or altered). I was able to get started on my jewelry the very next day! Priorities, right?
To customize my bridal jewelry and accessories, I thoughtfully re-designed antique pieces to utilize the vintage components. I sifted through the glorious trays of my sought-after vintage goodies (that I use for vintage recreations) and curated a collection of components I could potentially design with.
Taking my emerald cut engagement ring as inspiration for design elements to create my bridal earrings and bracelet, I repurposed emerald cut clip-on earrings and brooch I had been saving for the right occasion (I think this moment suffices!). I reworked them to adorn my hammered marquise hoops (a silhouette that looks stunning on any face shape) and the brooch nestled in the midst of textured chains to grace my wrist.
The juxtaposition was everything. With the balance, honoring proportions, and modernizing the vintage components, these oldies were made new again. And casually luxe at its best. Queue the “something old” of the “something old, new, borrowed, and blue” bridal tradition - check!
Every year on our anniversary, when I wear my wedding jewelry, it brings me back to that very day. We relive the stories, flip through the tangible photographs (grateful our wedding photographer, Eric Kelly, sent these along to us for an extra dose of nostalgia), and watch our wedding video (Jorelle Gates Videography) from our wedding day (now with our kids). Into our 6th year, we reflect where we are and where we are going. Happy Anniversary to us! xx