From flowers to full-on bling, bridal style is all in the accents

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      Hippie Halo

      Flower crowns are no longer reserved for outdoor music festivals: feminine, slightly bohemian headpieces have been gaining momentum as wedding accessories. At Garden Party Flowers (415 Industrial Avenue), bridal parties can select which blossoms and materials will be used in an all-natural crown, with styles ranging from tropical (with bright orchids) to simple and rustic (delicate waxflowers). Fresh-flower crowns start at $50 for children and $75 for adults, and brides are advised to order at least two weeks in advance of the ceremony. For an option with greater longevity, Vancouver designer Blue Brocade (www.bluebrocade.etsy.com/) creates vintage-inspired faux floral crowns (starting at $45) that incorporate handmade flowers, pearls, white ribbon, bark-covered wire, and faux branches. Find Blue Brocade at the Indie I Do wedding show at Heritage Hall (3102 Main Street) on Saturday (January 25).

      > Michelle da Silva

      Stella McCartney’s dreamy silk-and-lace lingerie has arrived at Dianes Lingerie

      Stella Support

      Stella McCartney launched her eponymous lingerie line in 2008, and now the collection is available at Dianes Lingerie (2950 Granville Street). The range of bras, undies, body suits, slips, and camisoles will appeal to modern brides with a penchant for vintage romance: McCartney claims that antique French slips inspired her dreamy silk-and-lace pieces. The Stella Lace Balconnette Bra ($70) comes in a delicate blush colour and features a floral lace pattern throughout and lace trim around the edges. Light padding and underwire cups ensure a supportive fit, while hooked straps can be adjusted to racer-back style. For brides planning to wear a strapless wedding gown, the Stella Smooth Strapless Bra ($70) works well. The nude-toned minimalist bra features a lightweight matte-satin finish made with microfibre, which will look smooth under a dress. Whichever bra you choose, Dianes Lingerie’s experts offer professional bra fittings to ensure that you’re well-supported on the big day.

      > Michelle da Silva

      Vancouver’s OhKuol evokes Downton Abbey with these crystal danglers.

      Edwardian Elegance

      Tie the knot Downton Abbey–style with some of the Old World looks rocking Vancouver-designed OhKuol’s jewellery line this year. Think crystals and pearls, drop earrings and long necklaces in the true Edwardian feel of the TV series. Among our favourites: the Crystal Quartz in Pavé Diamonds With Natural Druzy Earrings, with their sparkling antique toppers suspending a perfect teardrop of subtly glittering, uneven white druzy stone (about $250 via www.ohkuol.com/). The look also comes in warmer champagne, perfect for a period-drama-styled ivory dress. Less elaborate looks include simple teardrops of crystal quartz or white druzy in earrings and pendants, and big, chandelierlike drops of crystal quartz paired with a pearl on long, dangling earrings. Now all that’s missing is that Yorkshire country estate for the ceremony…

      > Janet Smith

      Olivia's whimsical Anette headpiece ($138) is reminiscent of panda ears.

      Vintage Sparkle

      Planning Great Gatsby–themed nuptials? Vancouver accessories label Olivia will please a bride whose taste for art deco sparkle rivals that of Daisy Buchanan. Designed by Sandra Silveyra, pieces include elaborate crystal-and-pearl headbands, vintage-style combs and halos, birdcage bridal hats, and ornamented ribbons that can be worn as headbands or belts. For subtle embellishment, we’re smitten by the Germaine ($198), an eye-catching ribbon adorned with antique seed pearls and opaque silver sequins. Meanwhile, the Kate ($322) exudes Old Hollywood glamour with its dazzling crystal-beaded appliqué on a thick tulle headband. Brides who are unafraid to rock a quirky, playful look—especially at the wedding reception—will find humour in the Anette ($138), a headband adorned with crystal-beaded Chantilly lace “ears”. Olivia accessories are at Blush Bridal and Special Occasions (1403 Bellevue Avenue, West Vancouver) and online (www.oliviaheadpieces.com/).

      > Michelle da Silva

      The Indie I Do wedding show caters to off-beat couples.

      Show and Tell

      The date has been set, and now it’s time to plan. Luckily, several wedding fairs are scheduled across the Lower Mainland this spring for brides of every style and budget. First up, the Indie I Do show takes over Heritage Hall (3102 Main Street) on Saturday (January 25). The sixth annual gathering of local, independent vendors will appeal to offbeat couples who don’t mind a little DIY style. Among the 30-plus vendors, stop by LanaBetty Designs for dainty trinkets, Something Nice! for décor inspiration, and Young, Hip & Married to secure your wedding officiant. The Toes in the Sand show at the Waterfall Building (1540 West 2nd Avenue) on February 22 helps couples plan destination weddings and exotic honeymoons, while A Wedding Affair at the River Rock Casino Resort (8811 River Road, Richmond) on March 2 features over 40 local vendors offering up everything from cakes (Bell’s Bake Shop) to accessories (Stella & Dot) to floral arrangements (Nakade Designs). Rounding out the spring shows is the ninth annual Fraser Valley Wedding Festival at the Cascades Casino Resort (20393 Fraser Highway, Langley) on March 3. The show is a fun girls’ night out with vendors, entertainment, and prizes.

      > Michelle da Silva

      Cavalier creates bold, custom engagement rings.

      The Ring’s The Thing

      For proof that the engagement ring can take on spectacular new form and colour, check out some of the new custom styles at Cavalier (217–207 West Hastings), where a yellow or blue-oval sapphire is as likely to appear as a classic diamond. Styles range from the sleek and simple, like the diamond-cut yellow sapphire that sits in brushed white gold (about $8,400), to flashier looks flanked with small diamonds. Elsewhere, Stittgen Fine Jewelry’s traffic-stopping Fleur de Lys Ring pushes the traditional shape to further extremes, recently nabbing a design-excellence award in the Canadian-diamond category. A cool $27,000, the look showcases a 19-karat-white-gold ring with a 2.13-carat radiant-cut Canadian diamond centre stone, two .07-carat pink diamonds, and a pavé setting (at 1457 Bellevue Avenue).

      > Janet Smith

      Stittgen Fine Jewelry’s Fleur de Lys Ring ($27,000).

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