Choosing the Right Bridal Accessories

Photos provided by the couple

Some brides prefer to wear traditional jewelry for their wedding. However, we sometimes encounter brides-to-be who prefer customized costume jewelry instead. Jem and Teng tied the knot last December, kindly Melai Creations, their wedding coordinator asked us to be their supplier for the bride's accessories. 

Initially we were only supposed to make Jem's hairpiece, but eventually she decided to have her earrings and bracelet customized as well, when she couldn't find designs that she fancied at retail stores. To tailor costume jewelry to be more appropriate for a formal wedding, we diversified the materials by including Swarovski Crystals and rhinestones.  

In designing her accessories, we made sure that it fit her style, preferences, and most importantly, for them to be in sync with her gown design and hairstyle. 

Here are some tips in choosing your bridal accessories: 
1. Make sure that the design is consistent with your bridal gown design and hairstyle.
2. Choose comfort. In Jem's case, knowing that it will be an all day event, she wanted her earrings and bracelets to be light and not cumbersome. 
3. Base the design on your preferences. There are so many bridal accessories offered in the market, but the key is to choose a style that reflects who you are and what makes you feel beautiful on your special day. 

We have a new blog focused solely on weddings and debuts.  

Visit http://www.weddingsanddebutsbypjv.blogspot.com 

Wedding and Embellishments

Weddings by PJV

 In the Philippines, i's rare to see brides wearing costume jewelry for their wedding way. They often use traditional fine jewelry. There's a bit of bead embroidery done on the gowns and through their basic accessory- the bridal bag. 

But for those who are brave enough to think outside the box; they include costume jewelry, especially embellishments. Bead embroidered accessories are amazing pieces that give spice to your wedding gown and your entourage's outfit too. 

Weddings by PJV

We make it a point to promote practicality. You can hit two birds with one stone by investing in embellished pieces which can be worn when the wedding's done. Quel and Suzy decided to have embellished necklaces made for their entourage. A practical choice for today, it is common practice to include the cost of everyone's gowns as part the wedding preparations. Adding beads to clothes will incur more cost, particularly when you include the "Thank You" gifts for your entourage. This couple incorporated accessories to the entourage's wardrobe; embellished necklaces which can be worn after the wedding. 

Weddings by PJV

Wedding Piece: Pureza by Novie Katimpo

Novie has been one of our first in- house artisans and has been with Palamuti for two years. She was sent from Ilocos Norte to help support her family by working as hired help, but we were able to recruit and train her to be an artisan instead. In the time that she has spent with us, she has developed into a highly skilled bead embroiderer, while becoming one of our product models for her quintessential Filipina looks. Her Pureza Wedding Necklace was inspired by a painting from a client’s art collection. She dreams of getting additional schooling in fashion and design, and to one day design a whole collection of her own.

We have also been promoting to brides to have embellished pieces made as an option for the wedding. Instead of spending thousands for the gown, which will only be used once, we suggest costume jewelry, specifically embellished pieces. People percieve bead embroidered pieces as being part of the dress! Adding a special piece to your daily accessories after the big event, is a unique way of looking back on your special day. 

We have a new blog focused solely on weddings and debuts. Visit http://www.weddingsanddebutsbypjv.blogspot.com  

    

Filipiniana Wedding

We were inspired by the Philippines' National Flower, the Sampaguita, in making these accessories for the Tan-Asinas wedding. Their theme was a celebration of their roots: Filipiniana; with a motif of silver, brown, and sapphire.

We first met the soon to weds during a Bridal Exposition two years ago. A brief chat with the bride, Marx, revealed that she booked us as their primary supplier for their wedding. This truly warmed our hearts. She ordered a complete set of accessories for her entourage, including her own bridal hairpiece. Each hair piece came with its very own customized pouch, customized specifically in detail, to match their wedding theme.

Bridal hairpiece; final sketch

We used rhinestones and Swarovski crystals as features of our wiring technique. 

Hairpieces for Flower Girls, using craft beads and acrylic crystals.

Hairpieces for the female entourage

Two different designs for the mothers of the bride and groom.

All accessories were based on the Sampaguita hairpiece, for the sake of consistency.

Fabric Flower Wedding Hair Accessories

We touched on making fabric flowers in one of our previous posts. Fabric flowers make great accents for any accessory project, and on this occasion, we used them on hairpieces customized for a wedding's female entourage hair pieces.

The wedding motif was purple and gray and the female entourage's gowns were predominantly made with chiffon fabric. The technique we used to make fabric flowers was simple stitching over long fabric. We pulled the fabrics tightly together to complete the 'petal illusion'. The beading accents used were; rhinestones, fresh water pearls, and faux pearls. These materials give the flowers a sophisticated look apt for a formal event. Since the bridesmaids' and secondary sponsors' hairpieces had alligator clip settings, we decided to make the flower girls' hairpieces into headbands.

Accessories for the flower girls

Headband base wrapped with purple tulle

We combined faux pearls and rhinestones for this fabric hairpiece.

Joan used this fabric flower during the reception.

We incorporated purple crystals to set this piece apart from the other flower fabric clip ons.

Hair accessories for the female entourage.

Hair accessories for the female entourage.

P.S. Depending on the wedding package you avail from us, you get freebies! 

Wire art hairpiece for the bride's and groom's mothers.

One for each mom!

The bride's hairpiece.

Beach Wedding Inspired Hairpieces

Aura is the goddess of summer while Aurai are nymphs of summer breezes

Summer symbolizes harmony, perfection, contentment, and a great time of year to begin your journey  as a married couple. In a few months we will be delighting in summer breezes. 

We gathered our favorite hairpieces using mother of pearl hairpieces apt for this season, to make you feel like the goddess Aura accompanied by your entourage of nymphs. 

 

1. Bridal hairpiece in Mother of Pearl and Acrylic Crystals 

Weddings and Debuts by PJV

Weddings and Debuts by PJV

Weddings and Debuts by PJV

 2. Bridal Hairpiece/ Corsage/Neckpiece in one 

Weddings and Debuts by PJV

3. Entourage Hairpieces/ Corsage 

Customized Entourage Hairpieces

Weddings and Debuts by PJV

Combine mother of pearl shells and laces in accordance to your motif

Weddings and Debuts by PJV

We have a new blog focused solely on weddings and debuts. Visit http://www.weddingsanddebutsbypjv.blogspot.com 

The Practical Bride

It has become customary for soon-to-wed couples to shoulder the entourage's outfits and tokens. Of course you’d also want your bridal entourage to be beautiful, as they march before your grand entrance.  Weddings can be expensive, but it should not prevent you from being practical. There are ways to achieve the wedding you have always dreamed of without breaking the bank.

Practical tip #1 : Hit two birds with one stone. Skip the heavy beaded gowns and instead add a necklace to complement their ensemble. In addition, they can use the necklaces even after your wedding. 

Practical tip #2: Give your female godparents a necklace and bracelet set which they can opt to wear during your wedding. Choose a set that matches your motif.

Practical tip #3: If you want more embellishment, you can give embellished necklaces to your entourage and godparents. You can even choose to give them different designs but maintain the feel of your theme and motif for each piece. 

Costume jewelry has its own perks. There are three reasons why they grow in popularity: price, variety and versatility. They are more affordable than “real” jewelry, but can be as elegant and priceless nonetheless. The great thing about costume jewelry is that you can choose a design which will go with your theme and motif. Depending on the material and design intricacy, you can get a great deal for your money. Plus, trinkets are a woman’s best friend; your female entourage and godparents will truly appreciate it. It’s something you will see them use even after your wedding. 

Sources: www.polyvore.com 

Accessories: www.pjvalenciano.com 

In the Neck of It

If you’re reading this blog right now, chances are, you’re also aware of the changing trends in weddings the past few years.  Weddings, regardless of whether they are big spectacles or intimate affairs, have really become much more stylized.  From themes, to outfits, to prenuptial photos and the wedding video itself—it’s as if girls are orchestrating their own fairytales come true!!!  Heck, even the wedding bands aren’t placed in the traditional satin pillow anymore!

What girl doesn’t love a good wedding?  And who among us doesn’t feel a thrill when getting dressed up for them.  You ever felt like it’s your chance to participate in some sort of romantic comedy film, even just an unknown extra?  But this time, that isn’t gonna happen.  Because it’s your big day, and today, you are the most beautiful woman on the earth.

Back to styling though, there really are a multitude of options available.  Some girls go all out with the ball skirt and the fully beaded bodice.  Others prefer a simple yet elegant column, while some hover in between.  That’s okay! It’s your day, you ought to have fun! If you want, you can up the ante with the perfect accessories to match your look.  Today, we’ll talk necklaces.

Depending on the style of your gown, you want to use a neckpiece (or any accessory, for that matter) that complements it instead of distracting or overpowering.  Most especially, all the pieces need to come together to allow your inner princess to shine.  Here’s a tip: USE YOUR NECKLINE AS A POINT OF REFERENCE.  If you’re showing off a large portion of your neck and shoulder, you can wear a statement necklace.  This can also go with the opposite, which is a round neckline close to the base of your neck.  If it’s in between the two, you might consider a simpler or slightly less ornate neckpiece, or even skip it altogether and substitute with earrings or a belt instead (more on that in another article).  

Also, KEEP YOUR THEME and VENUE IN MIND.  Make sure the style of the necklaces, especially if it's a statement piece, is in line with the theme of your wedding.  It could take from the color scheme to a more literal translation even.  Vintage theme? Try an ornate cameo neckpiece.  Fun and playful wedding?  Now might be a good time to use a kooky neckpiece.  Traditional wedding?  You can't go wrong if you're dripping in pearls or diamonds.  Take note of the venue of the wedding too.  Beach wedding?  Something with pearls or shells would be nice. 

And of course, ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR PERSONALITY! Comfort is key.  If you're the type of person who finds necklaces itchy, don't overdo the necklace--your grimace might be caught on cam!  Just go with whatever makes you happy.  Yes, in spite of the rules! Because in the end, if it feels right to you, then that's the best choice! It’s your day and you can do whatever you want ;)

the loveliest bride of all

Magpakatotoo tayo. What girl hasn’t fantasized about her wedding day?  Most of us grew up watching Disney classics such as Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella, and we have all spent an almost exorbitant amount of our girlhood daydreaming time on the moment when our very own Prince Charming will sweep us off our feet.  Some of us may have focused our energies on visualizing the man of our dreams himself (mine has thankfully progressed from Nick Carter to Johnny Depp or Ryan Gosling).  Others have scoured the pages of travel magazines to determine where they would like to get married (white sand beach or a century-old church?).  But I think my guess is right on the money when I say that most of us have scrutinized every magazine and website to perfect one image of our wedding day—that of ourselves.

Maybe celebrities are used to prancing around in fancy ball gowns and 5-inch jeweled stilettos, but most of us regular people don’t have the occasion or pockets deep enough to do that.  If we’re blessed enough, we get our one chance to do that. Oh and yes, we get to marry the Prince too!  Of course, we have to wake up from Lala land and return to the reality of the situation, at some point.

Knight in shining armor? Check. 

Bride-to-be with a million and one things on her mind? Check. 

400-strong family and friends? Check. 

Bank vaults unhinging due to a scandalous amount of wealth hidden behind the doors? Uhmmmm…

Well the good news is that you don’t have to sell your farm and 6 carabaos, or all the items in your closet and library, just to pay for your dream wedding.  There are so many options out there from wedding invitations to party favors to flowers and all that jazz—and your outfit is most definitely not an exemption!

Of course, we usually envisage ourselves in our versions of our dream wedding gowns.  There are various styles to suit each and every unique personality.  But oftentimes, brides have neglected a key item that would have otherwise helped elevate their special look—bridal accessories.  As in daily life, accessories can make or break your outfit, which is why it will be good to take special note of this as you get ready to walk down the aisle.  Over the next few days, I’ll be giving you some tips and ideas on how to channel your inner princess for the big day with the help of some magical bling.  Fairy Godmother and pumpkin optional.

 

Songs to Satine

" AS THE DAY OF HER WEDDING DRAWS NEAR, SHE BATHES IN SILENCE."




Model: Valerie Tan
Photography: Benjie Jongaya
Makeup: Donna Valenciano
Hair: Vanessa Quiroz

Mink Lash by Glambox Airbrush Cosmetics
http://glamboxcosmetics.multiply.com/

Saying "I Do"

A new chapter.

"I dreamed of a wedding of elaborate elegance, a church filled with family and friends.I asked him what kind of a wedding he wished for, he said one that would make me his wife."
~Author Unknown
Congratulations Shiela and thank you for letting Palamuti be a part of your wonderful wedding! :)