More Real Brides!

I haven't done a real bride post in a while! Thanks to all our beautiful brides for sending us your photos. It's always so nice to see our jewelry in action on your big day.

Here are some photos sent to us over the last few months.

Thuc is wearing Paige Earrings with a custom necklace.

Holly is wearing Erin Necklace and Bracelet with Beth Earrings and her bridesmaids are wearing Tamara Earrings and Necklaces in Peridot.

Nancy is wearing Isabella Necklace and Earrings and her bridesmaid is wearing Mini Katie necklace and Earrings.

Lynette is wearing Courtney Necklace and Earrings.

Julia is wearing Blossom Necklace with Mini Blossom Earrings.

Kelly is wearing Marilyn Bracelet and Earrings.

Cherise is wearing a custom version of Abigale Necklace and Earrings.

Laura-Jane is wearing Laura Necklace with Paige Earring and her bridesmaids are wearing Karen Necklace and Earrings.

Cathy is wearing Abigale Necklace with Paige Earrings.

Cathy's bridesmaids are wearing custom Brooke necklaces (without the drop) with Brooke Earrings.

Jo-Ann is wearing Hannah Earrings with custom hair pins.

Jo-Ann's bridesmaids are wearing Rayne Necklaces and Earrings in Light Grey.

Denise is wearing Blossom Earrings.

Tania is wearing Abigale Necklace and Earrings and her bridesmaids are wearing Erin Necklaces with Beth Earrings.

Thanks again to all of our brides who have sent us photos! If you would like to be included in our wedding album please send your photos to info@northernstarbridal.com. We offer a gift certificate for a free pair of earrings to all of our brides who send us professional photos that showcase Northern Star Bridal Jewelry!

For more Real Bride photos check out our Wedding Album.

The Perfect Accent

More and more brides are choosing accent colors to coordinate with their wedding colors. Whether it's a colorful sash on your gown or the pale green orchids that highlight your mocha bridesmaids dresses, accent colors can really bring the whole look of a wedding together. From the invitations to the decor to the wedding parties attire, these accents can be carried through in little details everywhere.

Jewelry is a wonderful place to use your accent color! Rather than matching the color of your dress or choosing a neutral color try using a touch of your accent color to tie everything together.

Here are a few accent color ideas.

Sunshine and Spice

Alfred Angelo 6540

For this dress a great match would be Karen Necklace in Jonquil with Padparadcha. This combination uses both the main color and accent color together.

White and Blue

Alfred Angelo #1139

For this dress a great match would be Mikenna in Crystal Clear with Montana.

Kiwi and Fuchsia

Alfred Angelo 7004

For this dress a great match would be Josephine in Fuchsia, Rose and Light Rose.

Ivory and Cafe

Alfred Angelo #1719

For this dress a great match would be Courtney with Cream pearls and Golden Shadow crystals.

Butter and Rose

Alfred Angelo 6340S

For this dress, a great match would be Katie in Powder Rose.

Using your accent color in your jewelry is a great way to pull everything together! It's amazing how many people will notice these little details that help make your wedding special and uniquely you.

Finishing Touches

Choosing Your Jewelry

You've chosen the perfect dress and now it’s time to accessorize! The neckline of your dress plays a key role in choosing the best accessories. Here are some examples to help you choose the right style to compliment your gown.

If your gown is strapless:
This is an extremely versatile neckline and just about anything goes.

Alfred Angelo Style #1645

Try a princess or choker style such as these:

Kathryn and Abigale Necklaces

If your gown has a sweetheart neckline:
Also an extremely versatile neckline. Princess styles (like the ones above) look beautiful however a Y-style or drop style necklace looks particularly lovely with this neckline as it follows the sweetheart shape.

Alfred Angelo Style #1137

Drop or Y Style Necklaces:

Cheryl and Ariella Necklaces

If your gown is halter style:
A Y-style or Pendant necklace works beautifully with this style. If you’d like to highlight your shoulders another option is to skip the necklace and go with a beautiful pair of drop earrings.

Alfred Angelo Style #2021

Pendant Style Necklace or Dramatic Earrings:

Tricia Necklace and Marilyn Earrings

If your gown has a V-neck:
It looks beautiful if you follow the shape of the neckline with a Y-style or drop necklace. If your gown is also low in the back a style with backdrops will highlight this.

Alfred Angelo Style #767

Y Style or Drop Necklaces:

Hannah and Isabella Necklaces

If your gown is off the shoulder:

If you would like to wear a necklace, a choker or princess style necklace is best. However, this look can be stunning if you forgo the necklace and go for some dramatic earrings paired with a beautiful bracelet.

Alfred Angelo Style #2032

Dramatic Earrings with Beautiful Bracelet:

Mikki Earrings and Kimberly Bracelet

If your gown is backless:
Dramatic backdrops highlight a backless dress beautifully.

Alfred Angelo Style #755

Y-Style Necklace with Back Drop:

Chantelle Necklace Front and Back

Choosing the right accessories doesn't have to be difficult. By following these simple guidelines you're well on your way to finding the perfect look.

Please feel free to contact us if you need advice or suggestions.

Spring/Summer 2009

I am pleased to announce the launch of our Spring/Summer 2009 Collection! I've been working hard and have designed 18 new pieces including 4 new pieces for our Destination Wedding Collection. Here are a few of my favs.

Cheryl Necklace


Ariella Necklace

Chelsea Necklace

You may have also noticed some changes to the layout of the website. We've made it much easier to navigate with our menus now located on the left side of the screen with easy to find category selections. We're looking forward to a fantastic bridal season and would like to congratulate all of our 2009 brides! Best wishes for a wonderful wedding!

With Warm Regards,

Lisa G

New Look, New Products!

I am so pleased to announce the launch of our new revamped website! I love the new look! It's clean, fresh and easy on the eyes. The navigation is the same as before so it's easy to find what you're looking for.

Old Look

New Look!

We have also added 24 new products! Here are a few.

If you would like to see all of our new products type the word "new" into the search box at the top of our site.

RosellaMade with coin pearls, gorgeous chain and Swarvoski crystals.

Chantelle Cascade style necklace with 2 dramatic back drops!

Marietta Fabulous, fun bridesmaids necklace!

ZolaDramatic and daring with a stunning pendant and back drop.

Annabelle A cute and versatile hair pin/vine.

I think the new designs really round out our product line and offer something for everyone. And as usual, we sell directly do you, our brides, instead of wholesaling to stores so you get the best possible price! Enjoy!

What's New...

September is here and with fall fast approaching, the busy bridal season is winding down. This has been a great wedding season for us at Northern Star! With a new baby at home (Tyler is now 7 months!) I've had to make some adjustments to how I work. Before he was born I would sometimes spend 16 hours a day working on orders, designing new products, updating the website and trying to keep the studio in reasonable shape. Now my work time is pretty much limited to the hours when I have a babysitter and when little Ty is sleeping and that time is mostly spent filling orders. July was so busy for us that I found myself working until midnight most nights! Luckily I have a fantastic shipper (my sister) to pack and ship all of our orders!

Now that I have a little more time I've been designing new pieces like a mad woman! I've designed new hair pins, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, bridesmaids sets and more! Over the next few weeks I will be photographing these new pieces and adding them to the site. Just to give you a little sneak peak, here is one of my favorite new designs! This is a lovely Lariat style necklace with a dramatic back drop and super sparkly crystal and pearl pendant. I wanted to give this beauty a unique name and have decided to go with Zola.

Zola Necklace, Coming Soon!

Over the next couple of weeks you will also see some changes to our website. We have a fantastic web designer who is creating a beautiful new look for the site. I can't wait to show it to you!

Also, as of October 1st many of our designs will be available in gold! 14k gold-filled to be exact. I'm so excited to be able to offer this option! Gold has really made a comeback and I really enjoy working with the warm tones of this luxurious metal! 14k gold-filled is much less expensive than 14k gold but it is still made from real gold. Read more about gold-filled at Wikipedia!

These ideas have been filling the pages of my sketchbook now for months now and I'm thrilled to be able bring them to life!