Trendy Hair Accessories & Mengagement Rings

Unveil the Bride

One of the hottest 2011 trends, and one of my personal favorites, is vintage-inspired hair pieces that can pop on and off, including diamond-studded headbands, large flower blossoms (of varying colors, sizes and materials), feathers, tiaras, hairpins and combs and cage veils. Embellished headbands are made with crystals, pearls, flower, rhinestones or other chic accents intricately sewn onto silk ribbon ties, so they can be worn traditionally or across the forehead—some brides even opt to wear them as a belt to enhance or accent waistlines. These hot new hair accessories complement any hair cut or style, and they’re a great way to personalize your bridal ensemble with a look of sophistication and elegance. Designers are meeting the demand by featuring fewer traditional veils and more out-of-the-box hair accessories in their collections. I love the uniqueness and personalization of a hair piece, and how it can add the perfect touch to any bride’s wedding attire. With so many varieties and options to fit any budget, there’s a style, size and color to go with any gown. Here are a few Central Florida locations with a variety of trendy hair accessories:  Haute Bride products (pictured here) available at Something Blue Bridal Salon at 5012 Dr Phillips Blvd, Orlando, somethingbluebridalsalon.com; Priscilla of Boston at 7940 Via Dellagio Way in Orlando, priscillaofboston.com; The Collection at 301 N. Park Avenue, Winter Park, thecollectionbridal.com; and David’s Bridal on 436 in Altamonte Springs or the Millenia Plaza in Orlando, davidsbridal.com.

Mengagement Rings

I was reading a New York Times article recently about “mengagement rings.” You guessed it: Engagement rings for the groom. The social trend is gaining U.S momentum after sparking in the United Kingdom, where several engaged men were buying rings in favor of sexual equality. Some were same-sex relationships, yes, but there were also many men who were on the receiving end of proposals by their girlfriends, a practice that also has become more socially acceptable. Recognizing this untapped market, a jeweler developed an exclusive line of mengagement rings and solidified the UK’s position as the trend starter. The proposition of a mengagement ring is that it allows men to share in the excitement right along with their brides, and they don’t have to wait until their wedding day to get their symbol of unity. The rings are very masculine, and the idea is not so far-fetched. While in most cultures, the man gives a woman an engagement ring as a gift and promise of betrothal, in other cultures, such as Brazil and Australia, both the bride and the groom wear “engagement rings.” In most cases, the mengagement ring serves a dual purpose and becomes the wedding ring after the ceremony. But grooms also wear a unique engagement ring and upgrade it with a wedding ring later, or they wear it along with a wedding ring just like the bride’s ring set. While I’m not sure all men will be interested in such a thing, I find it fascinating that grooms are taking enough interest in the relationship and its commitment to want to express it with a ring. Unless, of course, they just want a rock to show off, too. But it may be just the ticket for women who want to be the one to pop the question. I’ll be keeping a watchful eye for grooms partaking in mengagement rings, and I’ll keep you posted. If you or someone you know has received a mengagement ring, we’d love to hear about it: Email editor@orlwedding.com. You can check out some mengagement ring ideas at local jewelry stores like Zales, Gordon’s Jewelers, Jared, Tiffany’s and Cartier.