We’ve gone over the colors for weddings and how to accessorize your bridesmaids, but what about the dress, location, theme and honeymoon? Thanks to TheKnot.com, here are ten wedding trends making a splash this year.

1. Dig down to your country roots and plan an extravagant ranch wedding. Deck out an old barn with large chandeliers, exposed wooden tables and ambient lighting. Fill your bouquets with roses, lilies of the valley, Queen Anne’s lace and gardenia. For an elegant finishing touch, wrap the stems with lace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. While strapless dresses will continue to reign over the bridal aisles, 2012 will bring more coverage with long sleeves and lace. Designers are adding a sexy twist with sheer backs and illusion sleeves. The lace detail is sure to pop up on the cake, invitations and other elements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Bridal bouquets will be taking cues from fantasy films this year with a more enchanting vibe. Brides will be going to soft, decadent bouquets filled with cabbage roses, peonies and dinner plate dahlias.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Finishing touches can seem small but can make a dramatic difference. This year, try to incorporate watercolor effects on table designs, invitations and dresses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Marilyn Monroe fans get ready. This icon is inspiring bombshell brides in 2012. Dresses that accentuate your features, are slinky, or have high slits will be creating this “wow” look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Don’t forget about the photos! The trend for 2012 is to take a more formal, classic approach instead of posed shots with odd angles. One of the most popular photos to get is a panoramic shot with all the wedding guests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Bridal bouquets are not the only elements inspired by 2012’s fantasy films. Light, airy gowns with a mysterious and sexy vibe are going to be hot this year following the release of Snow White and The Huntsman and Mirror, Mirror.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. We aren’t going to leave the guys out of this list. Bachelor parties this year are aimed at fulfilling the groom’s lifelong fantasy of race car driving, learning how to play poker like a pro and even herding cows and sheep!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. This year we’re bringing back the video tributes. Start filming your love story, so you can include snippets of it in e-vites, save the dates, and have the finale ready for the wedding.

10. And now for the honeymoon! All good things must end with a round-the-world getaway to far away locations.

 

 

The purple Amethyst of February is a great harbinger of Spring’s line of colors. The Pantone sibling for Amethyst this upcoming season is Bellflower. The Amethyst contains a more intense violet hue than Bellflower, which is what attracted monarchs to this quartz early on. This birthstone has been featured among the possessions of royalty for many years.

The Amethyst can be found embellishing crowns, scepters, jewelry and breastplates worn in battle as far back as the ninth century. It is also symbolic of spirituality and piety. Therefore, it decorates churches and crosses used in religious ceremony and is worn in rings and rosaries by bishops and priests. It was once considered more valuable than diamonds.

Today, a gift of this purple Amethyst is symbolic of protection and overcoming difficulty. It is also said to strengthen the bond of love, making it perfect for an anniversary or engagement stone.

Our love should be expressed each and every day, but once a year cupid comes around to give us an extra little nudge. It can be difficult to find the right gift to express how you feel about someone. There are the usual suspects; flowers, chocolates and cute little stuffed animals holding hearts… If you want to get away from the traditional gifts you’ve given year after year, read on.

We have all heard that “it’s the thought that counts”, so put some effort into your gift and add a personal touch with these DIY ideas. Tell that special someone all the ways you love them by transforming a traditional deck of cards into “52 Reasons I Love You” or “52 Ways You Make Me Smile”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a bunch of photos stuck in a box somewhere? Take some out and make memory “Love” blocks. Adhere photos to all but one side of the blocks and put the letter on the last side. Stack the blocks with the letters facing the same way and it spells love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you really want to surprise your Valentine, fill his/her room with a balloon for each year/month you have been together. That’s not all though; tie a memory from each year/month to the bottom of each balloon. Turn this into a proposal by walking in after she has read all the memories with a balloon that has “Will you marry me” tied to it. When the time is right, drop to one knee with a ring in hand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Complement these DIY ideas with a little extra bling from Harry Ritchie’s, like a diamond heart pendant gift box with handmade Italian chocolates or an Infinite Love pendant. If you are ready to make the leap, opt for the pure sparkle from a ring in our extensive bridal collection.

A lot of thought goes into the hunt for the perfect bridesmaid dress: finding dresses that complement your wedding gown, dresses that flatter the body shapes and sizes of your bridesmaids, and finding the perfect colors to suit your wedding palette.  Discovering the perfect outfits for your bridesmaids can seem like the most difficult part of outfitting your party… until it comes to finding bridesmaid accessories! Here are some tips for finding the right accessories to complement the trends of 2012.

One-shoulder dresses are trending strong this year but they are potentially the most difficult of all dress types to accessorize. If you choose this style of dress for your bridesmaids, complete the look with drop earrings and a simple bracelet while steering clear of ornate necklaces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For simple bridesmaids dresses, pair them with bold necklaces and bracelets.  A simple dress can act as the perfect canvas for dynamic jewelry pieces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you opt for a traditional slim and elongated dress, your bridesmaids will look their best with long stiletto earrings and a structured clutch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add a little flair to short dresses with simple yet elegant belts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more ideas on how to accessorize you and your bridal party, visit Harry Ritchie’s Jewelers on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HarryRitchiesJewelers.

Inspired by the 2012 Pantone Color Report are the Pantone wedding colors for 2012. Tangerine Tango, Bellflower and Driftwood are directly out of the Spring colors with Cloud Cream as romantic base. Pick two or three of these colors to incorporate, using Tangerine Tango or Bellflower as your anchor.

Let’s start by looking at Bellflower. This smoky purple definitely adds a touch of romance to the scenery. Combine it with Cloud Cream and/or Driftwood for a Parisian inspired delight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another trending color is Tangerine Tango. You can get bold with sticking to the true color intensity or you can tone it down to a subtle tangerine. Gray makes a nice complementary color for a subdued, elegant look. Want to make more of a statement?  Pair it with Bellflower for a striking effect that is sure to keep your guests in awe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Driftwood and Cloud Cream are usually considered to be accent colors, but now they can be used as the main color for your wedding, especially if you want a beach theme or understated elegance!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more ideas and trends, visit Harry Ritchie’s Jewelers on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HarryRitchiesJewelers

A new year has begun and even though we aren’t out of the cold yet, the world of fashion and design is now on to Spring! Runways have already had several Spring 2012 collections stroll the catwalk, and Pantone has unleashed its color picks for the year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These colors will be seen in clothing, jewelry, home décor and more. Here are tips on how to work them into your life.

Tangerine Tango has been announced as the Color of the Year, so it will be showing up everywhere. You can make it bold and trendy by pairing it with complementary bright colors like Cockatoo, Solar Power and Cabaret.  Use Tangerine Tango in a bold blouse, a geometric pattern on upholstery or chunky accessories for contrast!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you want a more subdued look, use foundation colors to tone it down like khaki, nude, navy and black.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colorblocking is another hot trend for bold colors this Spring. Accessorize with stones like fire opal with nudes, navy blue, red and purple.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The subtler colors of Spring work well together. Try putting Bellflower with Starfish and Driftwood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sodalite Blue can be used as a unique substitute for navy, and it makes for a stunning evening look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stay tuned, and we will show you how these colors work for a wedding.

Welcome to 2012! As we start a new year, we also start a new season of trends. The Spring 2012 fashion shows have already shown some of the great colors, styles and accessories that will be must-haves for this new year. Some of the 2011 trends will carry into 2012 and continue to impress. Looking forward, JCK online has offered up a list of the great up and coming jewelry trends.

January is considered the bridal industry’s “Black Friday”, so first up on the list is hair jewelry for the brides to be. Younger crowds on the bridal runways and red carpets are turning to barrettes, hair bands, tiaras and brooches for an elegant and whimsical effect.

 

                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A big inspiration for jewelry in 2012 is the remake of the classic The Great Gatsby and the HBO series Boardwalk Empire.  From these come flower motifs and Art-Deco pieces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another classic is sticking around as well, freshwater pearls. Elegance and affordability make these beauties a strong feature of many new collections.

 

 

 

Moveable and interchangeable jewels, such as ear charms and eternity-link drop earrings mix well with the voluminous fashions. These handy pieces can give added drama to those who crave it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The classic pendant necklace continues to be a staple as it can accessorize a wide range of styles from dressy to casual, and lends itself well to layering.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, if you want to get a little sporty, slap on a bright watch with your favorite hoodie!

 

 

 

 

 

Go geometric this year with square rings and bangles. These work wonderfully with long column dresses!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The color of 2012 is Tangerine Tango, so pair your fire opals and citrine stones with bright colors to create color blocking. This look is all over the spring runways.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This spring, the gold standard is being reinforced. Rich golds have been evident on the spring runways in clothing and stones such as beryl and rutilated quartz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visit your local Harry Ritchie’s Jewelers for more trends and have one of our stylists get you ready for 2012.

As deep and succulent as the seeds of a pomegranate comes the birthstone of January, garnet. This stone received its fitting name from the Latin word “granatus” meaning “grain” or “seed”. Though it deeply resembles the pomegranate seed, it isn’t something you want take a bite of. The garnet has a Moh’s hardness of 6.5 to 7.5, which will definitely damage teeth.

The garnet is most commonly known for its deep red hue, but it does have a variety of others such as, muted yellows, vibrant oranges, rosy pinks, lime greens, and violets. This bouquet of colors is due to the varying levels of elements within each gem.

This stone has no shortage of myths behind it. During Biblical times, it was said that Noah hung this gem on the Arc to light his way through the dark and stormy nights. In Greece, the garnet was linked to the story of Persephone, the sunshine goddess. Persephone was abducted by Hades, god of the underworld. Hades eventually released her but sent her on her way with seeds of a pomegranate, which guaranteed her return to him.

Archaeologists have found primitive style garnet jewelry among the graves of lake dwellers dating back to the Bronze age. Not all garnet is of gem quality and can be used as an abrasive for commercial grinding and polishing. Industrial sandpaper is often coated with garnet.

Today, the garnet continues to be the protective gem of journeyers. It is thought to symbolize love and the desire of a loved one’s safe travels and speedy homecoming.

 

In the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, more people get engaged than any other time of the year. With that time coming to a close, the bridal industry is preparing for their “Black Friday” month: January. So, for those of you starting the new year with a ring on your finger, here is what to expect in bridal trends.

If you are a fashionista who follows red carpet trends, you may want to show some leg. Slender dresses with high slits will be quite popular in 2012.

 

 

Layering has been a long time fashion “must”, and now it is appearing in bridal fashion! Gowns that have multiple layers and textures are big for this next year.

 

 

 

For those who can plan quickly for the summer, or if you are getting married in a warm climate, short and sweet may be just what you need.

 

 

 

After the royal wedding in 2011, blush colored, long-sleeve, lace gowns are trending strong for 2012. This regal inspiration is also bringing out illusion necklines, which are often sheer, embellished fabric that layers over the neckline like a veil.

 

 

 

To help complete the look, adding a stylish bolero or cape can keep bare shoulders warm during the fall or winter. Or if that is too much, just add an embellished belt to jazz up a simple gown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When looking to shoes, hair accessories and bouquets, don’t be afraid to add feathers. This soft and elegant touch is continuing on from 2011. Also, natural looking, freshly plucked bouquets are a favorite among brides. If you are looking for a more unique look, create your bouquet incorporating some of your favorite jewels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, when it comes to centerpieces and favors, personalization is the key. More and more people are looking for ways to include their furry family members in the wedding. Wedding planner Preston Bailey encourages flower sculptures of your pets as centerpieces or favors are the way to go. Others recommend personalizing favors by incorporating your hobbies, interests or tastes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Invitations are also getting a makeover. Add a graphic to create style and pizzazz.

 

 

 

 

In case you are still looking to add a ring to your finger, or your loved one’s, personalizing engagement or wedding rings using unusual diamond cuts, colors or shapes is the way to go for 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

Visit Harry Ritchie’s Jewelers for more inspiration.

 

 

Trends pulled from an article in the Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/wedding-trends-for-2012/2011/12/19/gIQAAsHjHP_gallery.html#photo=9.

Not all jewelry shown can be found at all Harry Ritchie’s locations.

The holidays are arriving quickly and many of you are still looking for that perfect gift… Why not get her something that will give her a stylish start to 2012? Not sure what that would be? That’s why we are here! Here are some of jewelry’s hottest trends for 2012.

Bold necklaces will still be hot for spring. If she is more of the romantic type, go with something colorful and flowery. If she is bold, go with chunky or long necklaces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If your special someone is more into bracelets, you can’t go wrong with bangles. Everyone loves a little bling around their wrist. Go for big, bold rhinestone  encrusted bangles or several skinny ones that she can stack. If you want a different look, flower bangles are rising in popularity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the last staple piece, go big and bold. Long chandelier earrings with vibrantly colored precious stones are all the rage for Spring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visit Harry Ritchie’s for even more incredible gift ideas this holiday season!

Items shown not available at all locations!