Q: Hello, firstly I want to let you know how much I enjoy reading your blog. The ideas you give are not only practical but extremely beautiful. And your inspiration boards are pure eye candy, LOVE THEM! LOVE THEM! LOVE THEM!

Anyway, my question is how can I incorporate vintage heirloom jewelry into my very modern, clean lined and simple wedding. A few years ago I inherited some very ornate necklaces, earrings and brooches from my grandmother’s estate. I really would love to be able to wear at least one of the pieces but they are just too large and fussy and seem to overpower my simple clean lined dress.

Do you have any ideas on how I can incorporate one or two pieces into my wedding day without actually wearing them?

 A: Hi Gaylene,

This is a great question. We hear from many brides facing the same dilemma — They want to incorporate a treasured heirloom into their contemporary wedding scheme but are worried the piece will look too forced and out of place.

You want to make sure the beloved piece, especially a piece that belonged to a loved one who has passed on, receives a special place and purpose on your special day.

Two great ways to repurpose vintage jewelry is by using them as decoration on a wedding cake or in a bouquet.

(First photo)This photo from Consumed by Cake’s (flickr.com) shows how you can integrate a somewhat ornate vintage brooch into a very simple contemporary wedding cake. I think the look is simply stunning and visually interesting. 

(Second Photo)I love the bouquet in this photo by Mary Dougherty Photography. It appears the bouquet was designed around the brooch taking its queues from the colors in the piece itself.

(Third Photo)This pretty little bouquet was handmade by Etsy artisan Hair Bow Wonderworld.

While blue may not be the first color that comes to mind when one thinks of fall, the right shade of blue such as these rich Peacock & Royal blues mixed with brown and cream makes a sophisticated and warm fall palette.

Blue & brown feathered chair covers and table linens available for rent nationwide through Mosaic. Invitations by Hello! Lucky, a specialty letterpress company. This romantic gown was designed by Gaia House. Gaia House only uses pure, organically grown, vegetarian silks known as “Peace silks” because the silk worm is not killed during the production process. Bouquet photo by Hy Studio. There’s nothing quite like a warm cup of hot chocolate on a crisp fall day. Treat your guests to a hot chocolate favor; follow these easy instructions on how to make a hot chocolate cone for two. Insert each cone shaped hot chocolate bag into a Peacock or Royal blue paper cone.

These gorgeous daisies are from 1950′s old store stock and still have their original tag attached. Each bloom has four layers of curled fabric petals and a butter yellow center. This generous bouquet of 12 flowers only costs $6.50.

http://www.blumchen.com

 Source: http://www.lobzik.pri.ee/modules/news/

Materials Required:

• Maple leaves or any other colorful large broad leaves
• Thread

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These lifelike flowers from Flowers of Wood are so rich in detail they are sure to become a much talked about show piece on your special day.

With a wide range of flower styles and a rainbow of colors to select from, the Flowers of Wood team can create the bouquet of your dreams.

Each handcrafted flower is made of birch wood shavings and is put together petal by petal to provide you with an exquisite work of art.

Flowers of Wood bouquets, corsages and boutonniere will last well beyond your wedding day and will provide a lifetime of pleasure and memories.

These stunning and sturdy flowers can easily be incorporated into your home decor after your special day. Best of all, no water required. It doesn’t get greener than that!

www.flowersofwood.com