Beautiful wedding accessories handmade from Swarovski crystals and crystal pearls for the perfect finishing touch

Archive for the ‘Advice’ Category

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Help with putting your Bridal Accessories together

Monday, February 15th, 2010

Here at Radiance Boutique we pride ourselves on customer service. Not just post sale but prior to that too, in the form of assistance and advice. Be it by email, over the phone, or with our online advice guides on where to start -we can help you style your big day look.

We tend to start with the style of your day and the look of your dress, but from your queries what we often find is that first and foremost, you have fallen in love with a Radiance Boutique piece after spotting it in a bridal mag. And it’s going from there, deciding what other pieces to add and how to tie your look together that can start to feel, well, tricky!

You can find suggested pieces to wear together on each item page in our online boutique. Even so, we thought we’d take a look at some of our bestselling pieces and suggest ideas for teaming them with other Radiance Boutique items to help inspire you in bringing your ideal look to life. Let’s start off with a modern take on classic pearls.

Take our best selling Swarovski crystal pearl charm style bracelet

Pearl Bracelet

Pearl Bracelet

Wear with our timeless pearl studs for a modern twist on classic

Pearl Stud Earrings

Pearl Stud Earrings

Add our beautiful pearl hair pins to an updo

Pearl Hair Pins

Pearl Hair Pins

Our statement hair comb for more impact in in a half updo

Pearl Hair Comb

Pearl Hair Comb

Or our pearl hair grips to the front of loose waves for that extra touch

Pearl Hair Grips

Pearl Hair Grips

Swap studs for gorgeous drops if you’re feeling glam

Pearl Earrings

Pearl Earrings

Or the matching pendant necklace if your neck feels bare

Pearl Pendant Necklace

Pearl Pendant Necklace

Tie in your Bridesmaids’ look with classic studs or modern pendants

Modern Pearl Pendant Necklace

Modern Pearl Pendant Necklace

And you’re big day ready! Find more inspiration and shop the look online at http://www.radianceboutique.co.uk

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Bridal Hair Style Inspiration

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

Happy New Year! Let’s get straight into what’s new at Radiance Boutique for 2010! With the help of our Wedding Hair and Bridal Makeup Artist friends at Beauty Call, Radiance Boutique brings you a fresh new wedding hair style gallery full of ideas for your wedding day look. Get ideas for the kind of style you might opt for and see how Radiance Boutique’s hair accessories could work for you -all in one place. If you are looking for a bridal hair stylist and love the ideas in our gallery be sure to check out Beauty Call’s website -as you can see, those ladies are experts!

With statement jewellery still popular what’s a girl who thinks ‘less is more’ to do? We have tackled this for you with our new pearl headband. It adds that something extra for those of you not looking for the full height of a traditional tiara and the Swarovski pearls are a gorgeous addition to any bridal hair style. This new style also has a couple of Swarovski crystals at either side of the band that lift it just enough and bring the touch of twinkle that every bride should have.

Speaking of pearls, we’re delighted with our latest addition to the wedding jewellery collection – our gorgeous new pearl studs. Classic, timeless, beautiful -the perfect finishing touch. They’re an excellent choice for the bride and also make great gifts for your bridesmaids or mother of the bride. You can be sure they will wear them again and again and be reminded of your big day when they do. Spread the love and snap them up now!

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Do I need a Wedding Planner? By Sparkle and Wow Events

Monday, December 14th, 2009

When you think of a Wedding Planner, does your mind conjure images of J-Lo in The Wedding Planner coordinating the day like a military operation or how about Franc from Father of the Bride the planner who finds it impossible to stick to the budget?

Well real life Professional Wedding Planners are fast becoming a brides must have accessory. The services of a Wedding Planner is no longer reserved only for the A-list. Think of it this way, we now have food delivered, cars washed by those helpful guys in the supermarket car park, and it’s not seen as lazy or extravagant. In the US Wedding Planners have been the norm for years, over 26% of brides in the UK now enlist the services of a wedding planner to inject creativity whilst taking away the stress of the big day resulting in priceless peace of mind.

If you need inspiration to put a personal stamp on your big day, then this is where the creative skills of a Planner can turn your wedding from ordinary to extraordinary – without blowing the budget. Ideas that wow and little touches make the difference. Planners are full of ways to create a day that truly represents you.

Don’t worry this will be done in close collaboration, we never loose sight of who’s wedding it is. It’s a collaborative approach that will produce stunning results.

So back to the initial question, Do I need a Planner? the answer is probably. To plan a wedding from the beginning to end can take over 300 hours, that’s nearly 2 months of a full time job! Who has that sort of time?

So what will it cost? Each wedding planner works in a different way and offers an individual product and service. Some wedding planners charge a flat fee, others an hourly rate with a minimum fee or a percentage of the overall budget. Shop around, and you will find a planner to suit your budget and needs whether it is an afternoon’s consultation, full planning service, venue search, budget planning or on the day coordination.

So if you want to explore the idea of hiring a Professional Planner, I suggest you follow these tips:

1. Personal recommendation is the ideal way to find the right planner for you
2. Have a look a planners websites and see if you like their style
3. At the consultation it is important you feel comfortable, so ensure you get on as you will be communicating a great deal. Do they listen to your ideas?
4. Ask for references and testimonials
5. Have they received any awards, press coverage
6. Not essential, but ask if they have undertaken any professional training
7. Speed of response to your initial enquiry
8. If you are happy and want to proceed, sign a contract that details the service specifics including number of meetings

Article by Sonia from Sparkle and Wow Events.

Sonia from Sparkle & Wow Events, is a Professional Qualified Wedding Planner and runs an award-winning wedding design consultancy in London. She offers all prospective brides and grooms a complimentary consultation over a cup of tea or wine if you prefer and will happily listen to your wedding plans. To book your complimentary consultation (which is without obligation) call her on 0845 234 0528 or 07947 571 693.

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Wedding Table Plan Top Tips by toptableplanner.com

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

Have you completed your wedding table plan yet? Leaving it too close to the Big Day can cause untold stress at a time when enough is going on. Trying to be extra organised and completing it well in advance inevitably means that changes will be needed, and often making those changes can prove every bit as difficult as starting from scratch.

The trouble with creating a wedding table plan is deciding how all of your guests are going to react to it, and to each other, when they realise the company they’re going to have to keep through a three hour reception.

When it comes to creating your table plan the first thing you’ll need to think about are the tables themselves. The venue may offer either plenty of options, or limitations which in themselves stipulate how the tables will be set out. But where you have flexibility, it’s worth bearing this in mind. The traditional top table seating plan is not necessarily the best arrangement for everyone. With many families becoming increasingly complex a top table can sometimes end up so vast that there’s almost no one left to sit at the remaining tables.

In such cases it may be more practical to have a romantic table for two for the happy couple, with everyone else on standard tables. But have you considered how you’ll label those tables so that everyone knows where they are to sit?

There’s no doubt that having designated places for guests to sit saves a great deal of time and anxiety for all concerned, unless of course the occasion is quite small. But numbering tables presents its own challenges. Clearly table one must be the bride’s and groom’s immediate family, but what of table two? You know full well that those seated at table 23 will be feeling pretty neglected.

Why not abandon numbering your tables, giving them names instead? Perhaps your wedding has a theme, in which case you could have fun giving each table a theme related name. Or you could use flower names, or if you’re deeply in to travel – country names. Although avoid placing the Mother-in-Law in Afghanistan – it might not go down too well.

There are a few rules to consider whatever wedding table plan you choose, such as alternating men and women round tables and seating partners opposite each other. It’s terribly tempting at a time of such romantic bliss to create a table for the singles. Resist the urge to play Cupid and try not to set people up – you won’t be thanked.

Guests at your wedding will be seated for some time, and so it’s worth trying to strike a balance between seating people with those they see every day, and sticking people in the middle of a group of complete strangers. Above all, whatever type of wedding table plan you come up with, make sure it’s thoroughly flexible. Your wedding day is about tying the knot, not getting tied up in knots.

Article written by Adam Leyton, Director of Toptableplanner.com
Arrange your table plan the easy way with Top Table Planner’s online seating planning software -just drag and drop!

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New Wedding Jewellery and Bridal Hair Accessories from Radiance Boutique

Sunday, November 1st, 2009

This Autumn Radiance Boutique is proud to present a new collection of over 20 pieces, each designed with your big day in mind.

New bridal hair accessories include pearl hair grips for a vintage feel and beautiful bridal headbands. Our asymmetric headband, is bang on trend and gorgeous when worn with an updo. Both are great for short hair too.

Hair adornments are big news this season, making them the perfect way to flaunt your glamorous bridal style. 2010’s trend for bold statement pieces and romantic layers are well catered for with beautiful pearl necklaces and wedding earrings.

Find your perfect finishing touches in our online bridal boutique And remember, as the economic climate bites we are now offering FREE postage. Happy wedding shopping!

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Bridal Trends for 2010

Friday, October 16th, 2009

As any follower of fashion knows, jewellery and accessories are big news right now. Statement necklaces, hair accessories, fascinators, huge scarfs, snoods and hats are making a style statement on the catwalks and in high street stores. Think big and bold or layered and romantic for Autumn /Winter trends, for both every day style and for your wedding.

In this vein 2010 wedding trends continue in line with much of 2009’s offerings, but with extra emphasis on hair/head adornments. Now is the perfect time to go for something beautiful in your hair to really customise your bridal look. The economic outlook has an impact here too with those in the know predicting personalised details, rather than grandiose pomp, the order of the day.

Short dresses reflecting 50’s and 60’s styles are increasingly popular, and demand continues for asymmetric shoulder gowns. Layers are still going strong with frills and ruffles adding depth and texture. For 2010 it’s all in the details: alongside ruching, bows, back and strap details on dresses, oversized accessories with lashings of pearls, feathers and sparkle are key.

How to add the personal aspect? Wear something you love with confidence and your own sense of style will shine though. If your dress has many of the details mentioned above, hair accessories can help balance your look. A romantic scattering of flowers or a statement headband is all you need. An asymmetric shoulder looks great with a bold pearl bracelet on the opposite wrist.

Playful cocktail rings are also still on trend but with a big sparkler on your ring finger already, perhaps you’re covered?! As always the key to finding your bridal look is to take the time to think about the overall look you want to achieve and use your wedding dress to inform your bridal accessory decisions. Radiance Boutique aims to make selecting those perfect finishing touches simple, but please get in touch if you require any assistance.

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Which Wedding Hair Pins Are Suitable For Your Hair Style?

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

Radiance Boutique recently received a query from a customer trying to choose between a set of six crystal and pearl cluster hair pins and the single crystal and pearl glam hair pin, which is sold individually. She was not sure what the difference between them was, apart from those facts. How could she tell which ones would be most suitable? In case any of you are wondering the same thing I thought I would share my reply.

Any set of six hair pins provide a flexible and versatile way to add an extra touch to your bridal hair style. They will work in many styles and can be used in different arrangements to achieve the look you want. They will scatter across an up do, sit along a French pleat or around the top of a bun. You can cluster some or even all of them together to create a more dramatic look. You can wear three at either side of a half up do. Because they are quite small in size they will give just that extra touch of glamour to your look. They’re perfect for achieving an all round look if you have a tiara at the front as you can wear them at the back of your hair for added impact. If you have a veil for your ceremony that you are taking off in the evening, they can help you to feel you’ve still kept that bridal look throughout the rest of your day.

The individual hair pins also work well in variety of hair styles but they have taller beaded stems so just one will look striking and stand out more from the hair style. These single hair pins incorporate a number of different types and shapes of bead to beautiful effect and as such their purpose is to add one single flourish to a hairstyle. You can still wear more than one of this type of hair pin -two worn close together looks fantastic. Wearing a number of these across your style would not be as subtle as scattering the set of six pearl hair pins across your hair.

A very popular way to wear these hair accessories is to opt for both the set of six and the more dramatic single hair pin and create something truly unique and beautiful with your stylist. Scattering the set of six pearl hair pins across your up do and adding the romantic hair pin as a final touch creates a real wow factor. Radiance Boutique also offers sets of three flower hair pins in both pearl and crystal. A set of three flowers clustered at the top of a pleat with six pearls running up the side of the pleat is another great way to wear the two kinds of accessory together to beautiful effect.

You can see a number of styles created with Radiance Boutique’s hair accessories in the hair style gallery. Should you have any queries about choosing your bridal hair accessories, please get in touch.

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Bridal Hair Style Ideas and Accessories Advice

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

Radiance Boutique is often asked to advise about bridal style, wedding jewellery and hair accessories. One question that comes up frequently is the question of how to choose the right hair accessories? Of course, it really does depend on the hair style you’ve chosen and the overall look you are trying to achieve. All wedding accessories should reflect your bridal style and personality; softer, more delicate detailing for those opting for romantic looks say, or a statement piece for a bolder show stopping do.

It’s also fair to say that your hair type comes into it. Fine hair often requires the sturdiness of a hair grip rather than a pin. But if your style is an up do and includes some backcombing and hairdresser magic, such as use of a donut, pins could work for you. Some thicker hair has trouble holding a comb, but if you’re only adding it to a small section of hair, then it’s unlikely to be a problem.

As ever, the advice of your stylist is key, so be sure to have a detailed conversation about what you’re hoping to achieve. Looks you like can often be adapted to your hair type and you can find a way to incorporate the kind of accessories you’re keen to wear. Radiance Boutique’s tiara wire for example, is the perfect way to add a touch of elegance to your look without the need for a fuller tiara.

Radiance Boutique has also created some designs on hair pin wires with a loop at the bottom to enable your hairdresser to secure the piece with grips, giving you more hold than a hair pin. This is important if a design is large or top heavy as such pieces require a larger hair pin as a base, and those are often tricky for stylists to secure. If you’re following the trend for statement hair accessories this is worth considering.

You can find more inspiration and practical bridal hair style advice from Radiance Boutique in this month’s Perfect Wedding Magazine, (Issue 32, August 2009) where you’ll find the hints and tips you need to recreate the look that’s perfect for your own wedding day style. All of the styles featured were created by Jeni at Leamington Spa’s Hush Hush Salon. Call 01926 430880 for an appointment.

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Internet Savvy Wedding Couples

Friday, July 3rd, 2009

Dress… check, rings… check, honeymoon… check, wedding website…?

Here we are, peak wedding season again. All over the country brides and grooms-to-be are busying away, planning every microscopic detail of their big day. Thanks to the internet, the sky’s the limit when it comes to choice and advice.

Wedding planning and buying has, like all other commercial industries, moved online. Online gift lists, chat forums, editorial articles and supplier searches greatly increase choice and awareness. The next step on from this, taken up by 25000 brides in the past year, is the couple’s personal wedding website.

Out with the reams of paper inside the wedding invitation and in with the online electronic information pack informing guests about the day, complete with maps, route planners, streaming videos and photo albums to which their guests can upload photos.

Amanda Hinton, Editor-in-Chief at WeddingPath comments

“WeddingPath is the perfect platform for anyone planning a wedding, whatever the budget and wherever the location. Our free wedding websites are a complete bonus while the rest of the site buzzes with activity from daily wedding news updates and fabulous competitions to one of the UK’s busiest forums for wedding talk.”

With 2000 new brides logging on to build a free wedding website every month, there’s no doubt that a personal site is the new must have. WeddingPath is unique in offering a personal do-it-yourself design and build service for free along with up to the minute wedding news, real life wedding stories and useful tips. The only thing WeddingPath can’t do is guarantee the weather…

Check out this example of a wedding website for yourself and be inspired to create your own!

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New Wedding Hair Accessories from Radiance Boutique

Monday, May 11th, 2009

This May sees the addition of some gorgeous new wedding hair accessories to the Radiance Boutique collection, including bridal hair pins, flower hair pins, vintage style and red carpet inspired styles.

With pearls, statement jewellery and florals remaining key trends on the catwalk the new bridal hair accessories are not only beautiful but stylish too.

These new pearl and crystal cluster hair pins complement Radiance Boutique’s best selling pearl and crystal earrings perfectly and are sure to be just as popular!

Check out all the new hair accessories and remember you can save your favourites in your personal wishlist.

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