Jean M Blog

Parisian Week Trend: Black, White and Bedazzled!

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Black and white weddings have been popular for years, but leave it to Parisian designers to take the trend to a whole new level! Bling and brilliance accented everything from gowns to table settings in a look that could only be described as "bedazzling!"

1. The scene was set with strands of crystals dangling from the ceiling in shimmering curtains. Sparkling crystal chandeliers were the focal points for reception tables and other décor.

2,3. Black, white and bedazzled – evident in this table design featuring black hydrangeas, crystal chandeliers with black candles and handsful of crystals scattered among the settings. Even the menu cards and place cards had tiny rhinestone accents on them.

4. Bejeweled gowns were a hit at the fashion show, whether they were totally blinged out...

5. ...or set with a hint of sparkle that still caught the light.

6. In love? Spell it out in crystal beads on your dress for the world to see!

How do you add Parisian dazzle your weddings? Add sparkle, glitz and glamour to every element, from invitations to favors!

Go dramatic and glamorous with our Jasmin custom layered wedding invitations in black and white paper layers — notice the rhinestone accents!

Remind you of those curtains of dangling crystals in the photo above? We thought so, too! Monique Lhuillier's "Delicate Inspiration" invitation  translates the look onto gorgeous, heavy paper and sparkling silver foil.

Top off your dazzling wedding day look with a headband-style wedding tiara set with a multitude of rhinestones.

 

Want to add a little bling to everything? We don't blame you! Use our adhesive rhinestone add-ons for a sparkly finishing touch for your wedding invitations, wedding programs, menu cards, place cards, thank you notes, wedding favors and so much more! Also use our pearl add-ons for variety.

Make each place setting dazzling with place cards tucked into rhinestone-studded frames that guests can use to hold a special photo after the wedding.

 

It's all in the presentation! Set up your drinks station with crystal toasting glasses and black napkins printed with a toasting design in silver foil set on silver trays lined with blingey crystals. Eye-catching!

 

All eyes will be on your and your cake when you cut it with this attention-getting, rhinestone handled serving set.

 

Send guests home with a little brilliant bling of their own! Swarovski crystal accented wine bottle stoppers make a perfect gift that will recall your dazzling wedding for years.

 

I hope you have enjoyed our little trip to Paris this week and have gotten beaucoup ideas for adding high-fashion style to your own. Au revoir until next week!

P.S. Because we're thankful for YOU, we're offering you three ways to save, beginning TODAY! Offer expires November 29^th. Hurry — order and start saving now!

 

Keeping the littlest members of your wedding party happy

They may be all dressed up and looking more perfect than they ever have before, but remember: your ring bearer and flower girl are still energetic little kids inside all that finery. When you plan ahead and the needs of the little ones in your wedding party, they’ll be happily occupied during what can be a very exciting, very long day for them.

Photography by: Dietrich Gesk, Minneapolis, Minnesota

First, sit down with your ring bearer and flower girl and talk to them about what it will mean to be in a wedding. Walk them through their roles (and practice walking down an imaginary aisle!) so they’re comfortable with what they’ll be expected to do during your ceremony. Include them in as much planning as you can, and make them feel special by giving them gifts to mark the importance of their jobs, like a pretty bracelet for your flower girl that mimics the jewelry you give your bridesmaids or a favorite toy for your ring bearer that he’ll have fun with during the reception.

During the ceremony, provide fun tote bags filled with quiet activities that will keep the children busy, like our bug activity book and soft toys.

During the reception, make sure the kids get child-friendly meals (like chicken fingers and fries). If many children will be attending your wedding, set up a special kids’ area with little tables and chairs so they can eat and play with their friends. Provide games and activities to keep them occupied and entertained, and arrange for someone to supervise the kids so parents can enjoy themselves.

Enjoy!

What’s hot now? Outdoor ceremonies! Here’s how to make yours beautiful.

Getting married outside is so romantic — nature provides the décor, the atmosphere and the beauty for you! But you’ll still want to add your personal touches to your ceremony location, whether it’s in your backyard, a park, a field or a formal garden.

 

First of all, think of your guests’ comfort. If your wedding is in the morning or afternoon, make sure to place chairs or benches in the shade so guests don’t swelter in the sun or get sunburned. If no natural shade is available, provide parasols guests can use, or set up a pole or frame tent to create shade. Also provide guests with programs printed on fans  to keep them cool.

 

Define your ceremony space to create a sense of intimacy in the great outdoors. Make the most of the surrounding trees by hanging beautiful ribbons from their branches. The ribbons blowing in the breeze will look romantic, elegant and welcoming.

Mark your ceremony entrance, light up the surround area or edge your aisle with candles in pretty, wire lanterns. The open design of the lanterns will blend in with your natural surroundings beautifully. Also decorate with candles in glass vases filled with sand to protect the flames from blowing out.

     

Speaking of flames blowing out — have you ever tried to keep an unprotected candle lit outside? It’s almost impossible! That’s why I suggest having a unity sand ceremony instead of lighting a unity candle at an outdoor wedding. The symbolism of two lives joining is just as lovely and meaningful with blended sand as it is with a lit candle. Choose containers and colorful sand that match your wedding colors and theme.

Make a grand entrance — and protect your shoes and dress — with a unique, personalized aisle runner. Your processional will be so memorable!

Let everyone be a “flower girl” at your outdoor wedding! Hang pretty purses filled with petals on your chairs and invite guests to strew them over the aisle before your processional or to toss them over you after the ceremony. Everyone will have fun taking part in your ceremony in such a fun way.

Enjoy!

Presenting…your rings! Here are some great ideas for making your ring bearer’s job fun and stylish.

You’ve spoken your vows. The officiant asks for the rings. Guests are already waiting breathlessly and watching carefully for a glimpse of the sparkle.

 

This is your rings’ moment to shine. So why not go the extra mile and it even more spectacular by having your ring bearer present your rings uniquely?

 

Imagine your rings resting on a golden pillow. You’ll feel like royalty when you exchange them! You could also choose other colorful ring bearer pillow options to coordinate with your wedding colors, wedding theme and the style of your ceremony.

 

Heighten the drama and the romance of your ceremony by nestling your rings inside this unique, silver-plated ring box — which is in the shape of a long-stemmed rose! The rose box will be a gorgeous keepsake of your wedding, too.

 

  

Present your rings like the treasure they are! Choose our satin-covered, treasure chest shaped ring box or our silver-plated box to hold your rings during your ceremony. The boxes are safe and pretty places to store your rings after the wedding when you’re not wearing them, like when doing dishes or gardening.

  

The endless circular shape of your rings symbolizes an unbroken commitment and your never-ending love. Draw on this symbolism by tying your rings with satin ribbon to an engraved pewter ring that your ring bearer carries. After the wedding, display the ring in your home with your wedding photos for a special memento.

 

So you’ve kissed your last frog and you’re marrying your prince charming? Bring a smile to your guests’ faces and a light-hearted touch to your ceremony by presenting your rings on our handsome ring bearer frog. Your ring exchange will definitely be remembered!

 

An important tip: If your ring bearer is very young, he can still carry a pillow, ring box or other item down the aisle, but make sure you leave your rings in the safekeeping of the best man.

 

Enjoy!

New ways to honor the memories of loved ones.

Paying tribute to loved ones who are longer with you is a meaningful addition to your ceremony. Jean M has lovely new ways to honor loved ones’ memories — they’ll be touching accents to the ceremony and beautiful keepsakes, too.

 

                                 

 

Lighting a candle before or during your ceremony is a great way to honor a loved one. Light our petite memory cylinder, which holds a floating candle and is engraved with your loved one’s name.

 

 

                              

 

Or light our petite memory photo candle printed with your loved one’s photo and name.

It’s also a special touch to add a framed photo of a loved one to your bouquet, a floral arrangement or a vase.

 

Choose our ornate memory cross or our pewter memory frame to hold a photo.

 

~ Jean