Robin Fisher’s Editor’s Picks

Check out these beautiful Baggu bags and all of Robin’s Picks in the Spring Issue of Eco-Beautiful Weddings Magazine!

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5 Ways to Use Heirloom Baubles in Your Bridal Accessories

I’m not going to lie, I am absolutely smitten with vintage brooches. They are a staple in my jewelry line and I’ve used them to craft other custom accessories for my brides as well. I adore the character and intricacy they add to any outfit or accessory and love the fact that I’m reducing consumption when I use them. Plus, it’s simply intriguing to think of the unknown history that comes with them…you just never know the untold story that lives in the spirit of an antique bauble, such as this.

Now that vintage-inspired weddings are all the rage, vintage brooches have become the ideal accent piece to glam up your bridal attire. If you are the proud owner of a special brooch handed down to you by mom or grandma, I’ve got a few ideas up my sleeve to help get your creative juices flowing on how to integrate it into your wedding day look. Or, if you’re not the crafty type…or afraid of what might happen if we put a glue gun in your hands…feel free to contact a designer you trust to take on the job for you. Once you have the idea, the rest is just logistics.

1. Feathered Hairpieces: Small, lightweight brooches and intricate crystal buttons can become the perfect focal point in a feathered bridal hairpiece, if done right. It’s a little tricky…especially if you’re not the best with patterns, planning, messy feathers and glue guns…so you might want to leave this to the experts. Still, if you can work with a designer, the end result is amazing! I just recently created a gorgeous custom feathered hair piece for one of my brides and polished it off with a stunning rhinestone brooch given to her by her late grandmother. It was by far one of the most beautiful hair pieces I’ve ever seen and, in my opinion, it was the brooch that made it all come together!

2. Clutches: If you’re looking for an easy way to glam up your clutch for the night, then shiny, sparkly buttons and brooches may be just the answer. If you’re using a soft, flexible clutch that is fabric-based, you can easily pin or sew onto your purse your favorite antique bauble and add an extra touch of personality to your handbag. Again, if you’re not the diy type, there are plenty of talented designers who would love to take on a custom project like this one!

3. Bridal Jewelry: Design your bridal jewelry around your vintage brooch. Whether it’s a bracelet or necklace, antique brooches make the most fabulous pendants and will give you that instant WOW look in your accessories. Trust me, with the right brooch, your bridal jewelry will not be overlooked. Here are a few limited edition designs in our current vintage collection to give you some ideas for how you can incorporate your brooch into the design.

4. Need a ring pillow? Select a collection of antique buttons which are somewhat similar in style and reflect the design of your wedding. Design a custom mini-pillow using reclaimed fabrics (which can also be an heirloom) and create a pin cushion pattern using your special buttons. Each indent throughout your pattern will feature a different sentimental button of your choosing and be a symbol of your personal history as well as your future.

5. Shoe Clips: Have a small pair of matching rhinestone clip-on earrings? If you’re sitting on a gorgeous set of brooch-like pave vintage clip-ons and aren’t sure what to do with them, just think below the ankle! Convert them into your own custom stiletto jewels by clipping them onto the front of your heels. This simple trick will turn a plain set of pumps from drab to glam in no time.

Guest Blogger, Katherine DalPra of Green Diva  vintage wedding jewelry

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Daisy Inspiration for the Eco Bride

One of the most favored flowers in the plant kingdom for its simplistic beauty, since ancient times is the daisy.  The daisy is believed to be the ultimate symbol for dependable love and innocence.  Which makes it the perfect anchor for your green wedding.  Get inspired by all the eco-friendly ways to incorporate daisies into your special day:

from left to right, top to bottom:

Invitesite’s “Sol” wedding invitations

Elegance & Simplicity, Inc. floral design

Dream Green Wedding’s Honeypot Luminaries

OnceWed’s Caroline Herrera Polka Dot Daisy Dress

Green Diva’s Vintage Daisy Chain Necklace

Recycled Bride’s Damask Ring Pillow

Guest writer, Katherine DalPra of Green Diva eco bridal jewelry

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Affordable Eco Luxury Wedding Gowns for the Distinguished Bride

One of the things I LOVE about writing for Eco-Beautiful Weddings is that so much of what we share is about how to experience true luxury and elegance in your wedding, while still following your own personal ethics and minimizing your impact on the planet.  Back in the days where “green” was just the name of a color and nature-lovers wore Birkenstocks and dreads, many of us never thought that Environmentalism could play in the same sandbox as Luxury.  But today, the story is far different.  In the past three years, the evolution of all things eco has finally intersected with the indulgence that is luxury…without being in conflict.  And, lucky for us, it’s slowly working its way into the Wedding arena too!  One of the most exciting new luxury eco boutiques to launch this year is Lineage Bridal and I am thrilled to share with you the unique approach that they take to helping you align your environmental goals with the luxury you desire on your wedding day.

About the Boutique

Lineage Bridal offers brides a central place to buy and sell pre-loved, luxury designer wedding gowns.  This is not your average “Ebay-style” wedding marketplace.  It is an exclusive, privacy-protecting safehouse for exchanging the most luxurious, couture wedding gowns available.  For brides looking for true designer bridal gowns at an affordable price that meet the strictest of standards, this is the place to find them.  You will not have to search through thousands of average-looking wedding dresses to find the couture gown of your dreams…every gown is of the finest quality and detail.  And Linage Bridal carries both one-of-a-kind vintage gowns and new designer dresses alike.

How It Works

All gowns, unless verified vintage couture, are less than 3 years old and must retail over $2500.  The highest of standards apply to all listings.  No contact information for the seller or buyer is listed and, thus, your privacy is protected.  The gowns are exchanged via secure escrow.  When a bride selects her gown, she pays the escrow the full amount of the dress and the funds are held until satisfactory exchange.  The excellent-condition, dry-cleaned gown is then shipped to the purchaser.  Once the buyer fully confirms her satisfaction with the gown, only then are the funds released to the seller.  This model perfectly protects both buyer and seller and maintains their privacy at the same time.

Eco Takeaway

Luxury doesn’t mean more.  Luxury means better…finer…of a higher quality.  Something that shows better, wears better, works better and lasts longer.  And eco luxury is no different.  It is all of these things…plus it’s better for people and planet.

Guest blogger, Kathy DalPra of Green Diva luxury eco bridal jewelry

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Trend Watch: Off-The-Shoulder Wedding Dresses

There’s a subtle buzz floating around the wedding fashion world that strapless gowns are overplayed.  Brides looking for some old world glamour, a little sexy and a lot of romance are turning to delicate sleeves, boat necks and, most notably, off-the-shoulder (portrait) dresses.  Done right, it’s a style that screams individuality and is sure to be remembered as truly unique amongst a sea of other strapless numbers.

How can you make it green?  Luckily, this is an effect that doesn’t necessarily have to be built into the original design of the gown.  Which means, that with a talented seamstress, you can have this feature added to the pre-loved wedding dress of your choice from any of the many resale sites online, such as Recycled Bride.  For brides on a budget, its a fantastic way to get a custom look at an affordable price while still doing right by the planet. TIP: Speak with your seamstress first before purchasing the gown to make sure you buy the right style.  Typically, strapless gowns can be converted to portraits fairly easily.

Guest Blogger, Katherine DalPra of Green Diva eco jewelry for brides

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