It’s easy to tell the difference between a look that’s trendy and a more classic style. Think of the bell bottoms and love beads from the ‘70s and big hair and “Dynasty”-style gowns of the ‘80s — looks that were “hot” at one time, but that years later elicit an eye-roll and a “what was I thinking” attitude from women who wore them.

Now consider the elegance, grace and demure femininity of icons like Grace Kelly, Ingrid Bergman and Audrey Hepburn. Their style was classic and timeless — and one that today’s smart bride mimics to ensure she’ll love the look of her wedding as much in 20 years as she does the day she walks down the aisle.

Today’s bride knows that choosing fabrics, silhouettes and accessories borrowed from the classic era — the 1940s through the 1960s — will give her wedding and gown timeless appeal. No dated looks from easy-to-identify fashion fads for her. The classic look also plays well with the growing trend to achieve less with more by accenting the basics with luxurious finishing touches.

Here’s how to achieve that classic look for your spring wedding:

The Dress

Avoid large, modern swags of fabrics in favor of silhouettes that emphasize an hourglass figure. Nipped-in waists, or waistlines defined with belts and sashes, often in a color that slightly contrasts with the dress, create an elegant, eternal style. You can draw your classic style from the ‘40s, ‘50s and even ‘60s.

Designers offer charming gowns that evoke the look of 1950s prom dresses with fitted bodices and full skirts in tulle, lace and appliqué. For a 1960s look, a shorter, sophisticated frock with a gathered waist and narrow skirt will be reminiscent of the classic ‘60s cocktail dress.

The Accessories

A veil is essential for classic bridal style, and birdcage veils with large netting that falls at cheekbone length epitomize the look. These simple veils frame the bride’s glowing face and highlight special jewelry. Ladylike wrist-length gloves are the perfect complement to vintage bridal looks.

The classic bridal look is a perfect match with a simple and elegant pair of pearl stud earrings and a lustrous 16-inch strand of cultured pearls around the bride’s neck. Pearls have long been associated with the essence of sophisticated womanhood in American pop culture.

“The Hindu Lord Krishna is said to have offered pearls to his daughter as a wedding gift, which is where pearls and weddings were first married,” says Jeremy Shepherd of PearlParadise.com, the world’s largest online pearl company. “Pearls are considered a symbol of purity, making them the perfect fit with a bride’s white dress.”

Shepherd recommends white akoya pearls, a saltwater pearl that grows primarily in the coastal areas of Japan and China. Considered to be the classic pearls for jewelry, akoya pearls are prized for their perfect round shape, mirror-like luster and soft, neutral colors.

Visit www.PearlParadise.com for more ideas and classic bridal pearls.

The Look

Tie a classic dress and accessories together with a polished hairstyle such as a bun or chignon and keep makeup understated. Dark brown or black eyeliner extended slightly past the end of the eyelid, a touch of black mascara and a shade of red lipstick perfectly matched to the bride’s complexion are all that’s necessary to complete the perfect, classic Hollywood face.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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In the United States and other parts of the western world, less is more is the new mantra when it comes to wedding jewelry but that is not the case in many other parts of the world.

India

In India and other South Asian countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, wedding jewelry is a big affair. Most of the time, in Hindu cultures the brides parents are required to fund all the wedding jewelry as dowry for their daughter and she is require to wear all or mostly all of it on the weeding day to let people know how much jewelry she brought in to the new family.

In Muslim traditions like in Pakistan, both the groom’s family and the bride’s family give wedding jewelry to the bride and she also wears most of it on the first few days of the wedding ceremonies as the celebrations last a week or so in these regions of the world.

In modern times some of these traditions do remain the same whereas others have become slightly modified. For instance, the bride in Asia still wears a lot of wedding jewelry as compared to her American counterparts but it is still less than what her mother or grandmother wore. Also, nowadays wedding jewelry is more coordinated with the color of clothes the bride is wearing. Unlike the traditional white dress in the West, South Asian brides traditionally wear red on the wedding day even though variations like pink and burgundy are also on the rise. On the days after the wedding, the reception ceremony for instance does not have a specific color for the brides dress so their wedding jewelry can match their blue, green or whatever color ensemble they have chosen to wear.

Arabia

Wedding jewelry is a big part of the bride’s attire in Arabian countries like Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and the like. More than stones and pearls, gold is the most important element in wedding jewelry in that part of the world. From long hanging chains to gold coins to head pieces and arm full of bangles, gold reigns supreme in the wedding festivities.

Although modern brides have educed the number of pieces they wear, they still wear much chunkier and bolder pieces than western brides who often just wear a stunning pair of earrings and bracelet and leave their neck bare with an off the shoulder gown.

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“This focus on the feminine calls for glamorous bridal jewelry fit for a queen,” says Shawn Diddy, Jewelry Television’s trend tracker. Here are some of the looks she’s expecting to be hot in 2008:

*Brides will make a “ready for your close-up” impact in an off-the-shoulder dress. The look from the runways calls for minimal accents — a single, “statement” piece of jewelry such as a pair of dangle earrings that sparkle or a thick, signature bracelet. Wear hair up to really show off your shoulders in that gorgeous dress.

*Pleats, ruffles and tulip tiers abound in light and frothy fabrics. Because of the unusual silhouettes of these trendy dresses, keep hair and jewelry simple. A loose chignon softens your face while a classic pair of diamond stud earrings adds elegance and light to the ensemble.

*A white dress and Grandma’s pearls is what everyone else is wearing, so why not go with this season’s hot pastels? Diaphanous dresses in shades of peach, blush and baby blue are fresh and stylish. Pull your hair back into a soft ponytail to show off sparkling crystal earrings or a necklace in a complementary color.

*Lace is always in, but this season’s unique lace details work especially well with long, flowing hair. Rich, jewel-toned, vintage-look jewelry adds texture to the ensemble.

*Whether the dress is short or long, designers have put the emphasis back on the waist. Nipped-in lines and wide belts or sashes showed all over New York’s runways. Because of the symmetry of the dress, wear your hair parted to the side and add drama with strong platinum jewelry pieces.

“Few brides can spend a fortune on a couture gown and estate diamonds so we recommend Jewelry Television’s Bella Luce Collection,” says Diddy. “Most pieces are platinum plated sterling silver for elegant, affordable, designer-inspired wearability.” For more information on the latest trends in bridal jewelry, visit www.jtv.com or check your local listings for Jewelry Television.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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While many wedding traditions seem superstitious, the symbolism they represent was developed for a reason. Some examples include:

* The groom used to kidnap his bride and hold her on his left arm, so that his sword arm was free to fight off any other suitors. Now when the bride walks down the aisle to meet the groom before the altar she stands to his left.

* Marriage was often used as a means to bring together two opposing tribes, so the families sat on opposite sides to avoid any fighting during the ceremony. Today, wedding guests will sit on the bride or groom “side” depending on who invited them.

*Wearing a wedding ring has several different historic meanings. The circular shape was a sign of never-ending love, without beginning or end. Some early engagement rings were symbolic of the “sale” of the bride from her father to the groom. And, the ring finger is believed to contain a vein that is directly connected to the heart.

*Brides wore a veil to be unrecognizable to evil spirits who may try to snatch her away.

*The white wedding dress was worn to symbolize purity of heart and innocence of childhood. Queen Victoria popularized the style upon her wedding to Prince Albert at which time white symbolized the bride’s virginity.

* Perhaps the most well-known of wedding traditions is the rhyme “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue.” What does it mean? Something old is for the durability of marriage and continuity of your old life into the new one; something new symbolizes the start of your new married life; something borrowed should come from a happily married woman whose virtues you most wish for yourself; and something blue symbolizes the promise of love, fidelity and purity of heart.

Whether you want to follow all the historical traditions or create your own is entirely your choice. There are lots of options for updating these traditions to fit the present day.

One alternative to the blue garter is to wear jewelry with blue gemstones. Among your choices, sapphire, lapis, turquoise and tanzanite, prized for its vibrant shades of sapphire blue, amethyst and blue violet, and frequently confused with sapphire.

“If you look closely, tanzanite is one of the few gems that feature three colors. Blue and purple are the primary colors, but many pieces also show a flash of red,” explains Scott Parker, graduate gemologist and Jewelry Television host. “This adds to the mystique and rarity of tanzanite. In the gem world, we call this a ‘trichroic’ gem.”

The lighter-colored blue gemstones are usually less expensive than the darker stones, and are perfect for the bride’s “something blue,” bridesmaid’s jewelry and even for mother-of-the-bride (or groom).

Regardless of which wedding traditions you choose, and which new ones you create, if your wishes are well, that is what will carry into your new lives together.

For more bridal jewelry ideas and to learn more about tanzanite, log on to Jewelry Television’s learning library at www.jtv.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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While some may believe that wedding traditions are superstitious, the symbolism they represent was developed out of reason and a purpose in their time. Some examples include:

*The groom used to kidnap his bride and hold her on his left arm, so that his sword arm was free to fight off any other suitors. Presently, when the bride walks down the aisle to meet the groom before the alter she stands to his left.

*Marriage was often used as a means to bring together two opposing tribes so the families sat on opposite sides to avoid any fighting during the ceremony. Today, wedding guests will sit on the bride or groom ’side’ depending on who they’re related to, or which member of the wedding party is their friend.

*Wearing a wedding ring has several different historic meanings. The circular shape was a sign of never-ending love, without beginning or end. Some early engagement rings were symbolic of the ’sale’ of the bride from her father to the groom. And, the ring finger is believed to contain a vein that is directly connected to the heart.

*Brides wore a veil to be unrecognizable to evil spirits who may try to snatch her away.

*The white wedding dress was worn to symbolize purity of heart and innocence of childhood. Queen Victoria popularized the style upon her wedding to Prince Albert at which time white symbolized the bride’s virginity.

Perhaps the most well-known of wedding traditions is the rhyme ‘Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue.’ What does it mean? Something old is for the durability of marriage and continuity of your old life into the new one; something new symbolizes the start of your new married life; something borrowed should come from a happily married woman whose virtues you most wish for yourself; and something blue symbolizes the promise of love, fidelity and purity of heart.

Whether you want to follow all the historical traditions or create your own is entirely your choice and there are options.

One alternative to the blue garter is to wear jewelry with blue gemstones. Among your choices, sapphire, lapis, turquoise and tanzanite, prized for its vibrant shades of sapphire blue, amethyst and blue violet, and frequently confused with sapphire.

“If you look closely, tanzanite is one of the few gems that feature three colors. Blue and purple are the primary colors, but many pieces also show a flash of red,” explains Scott Parker, graduate gemologist and Jewelry Television host. “This adds to the mystique and rarity of tanzanite. In the gem world, we call this a ‘trichroic’ gem.”

Discovered in 1967 and mined only in Northern Tanzania, Africa, tanzanite is 1000 times rarer than diamonds and because of its limited availability, rapidly growing in value.

Tanzanite costs approximately $600 per carat wholesale — and this price doubles or even triples depending on location. At this rate, the stones make a fine alternative to the diamond engagement ring. “I believe one of the safest buys in a gemstone is tanzanite,” continues Parker. “Not only is the stone beautiful, it is valuable. Tanzanite is truly a generational stone that will someday be one of the most prized gems to own.”

The lighter-colored blue gemstones are usually less expensive than the darker stones, and are perfect for the bride’s ’something blue,’ bridesmaid’s jewelry and even for mother-of-the-bride (or groom).

Legend has it that wearing a well-cut tanzanite imparts confidence, individuality and maturity. Regardless of which wedding traditions you fit in or whether you create your own, if your wishes are well, that is what will carry into your new lives together.

To learn more about tanzanite, log on to Jewelry Television’s learning library at www.jtv.com and visit the Bridal Store for bridal jewelry ideas.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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2. Traditions: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue
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But pearls are not only for the bride – they’re the perfect accessory for the bridesmaids as well. Today, you can find pearls in shades ranging from the traditional white all the way through the color spectrum, including pink, green and even black, so they will coordinate with the wedding party’s dresses.

If you’re confused by the different types of pearls on the market, you’re not alone. “Pearls are classified according to their origin and their shape,” explains Natalie Parman, vice president of merchandising at Jewelry TV. “Because of the wide variety of pearls available, you can choose a look and a price that is right for you.”

Pearls are formed when a foreign object enters the shell of a mollusk and triggers the release of nacre, which builds layer upon layer until a pearl is formed. Most of the pearls you see today are cultured pearls. They are less expensive than natural pearls, because they are mass-produced with the aid of technology. Instead of waiting for nature to take its course, pearl farmers insert an irritant and a nucleus (often a mother of pearl bead) into an oyster to speed up the process. Cultured pearls come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and many are dyed, which means you can find a wide range of colors.

Akoya cultured pearls are produced by the Akoya oyster found in the waters surrounding Japan and are almost perfectly round and are well known for their high luster and rich color, which can range from white to cream, pink, green, silver and gold. These pearls can vary in size from between 2 millimeters to 10 millimeters. “Cultured Akoya pearls are the quintessential ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ strand in a creamy white color,” says Parman. “Multiple strands or choker styles are hot wedding trends.” Because they are affordable, cultured Akoya pearls also make great bridesmaids gifts.

South Sea cultured pearls are larger in size than Akoyas, usually more than 10 millimeters. Produced in the warm waters of the South Seas, they come mainly from Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines. These pearls are usually white, yellow or gold. Due to their size and rarity, South Sea pearls are expensive. Golden South Sea pearls in particular have gained particular popularity in the United States in recent years. “If you’re choosing a special strand of pearls for your wedding, this can be a good jewelry investment,” says Parman.

Tahitian pearls are produced in Tahiti, the Cook Islands and Mexico. They range in color from black, to aubergine, pistachio and many other colors, often with overtones of blue, pink or green. These pearls range between 8 and 15 millimeters and are highly valued because of their rarity, since the culturing process dictates a smaller volume output. “Wear Tahitian pearls to your rehearsal dinner, or pack them as part of your honeymoon wardrobe,” says Parman.

When choosing pearls, look for nacre thickness and quality. Nacre quality determines how long the pearl will last as well as how light reflects through the pearls. Check for any cracks or peeling in the nacre. Also, look for how the pearls on a strand are matched. Pearl matching affects the value of the piece, as mismatched pearls are not as aesthetically pleasing. Finally, look for pearls that are individually knotted between each pearl instead of just strung one after the other — that’s a sign of quality.

Whatever your jewelry wish for your wedding day, visit www.jtv.com for a great selection of pearl necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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2. Bridal Style Alert – Classic is Back
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