Memorial Frame Pendant for a Bride’s Bouquet

How do you honor the memory of a beloved parent at your wedding?

This is the question one J’Adorn bride brought to me earlier this year.

Memorial pendant for bridal bouquet, framed photo pendant, wedding memorial bouquet charm by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelerPhoto by Britney Clause Photography

Michelle wanted to honor the memory of her father, whom she’d recently lost while she was planning her wedding.

Memorial pendant for bridal bouquet, framed photo pendant, wedding memorial bouquet charm by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelerPhoto by Nichole Meredith Photography

 I had the idea to create a photo frame pendant for her bouquet to hold a picture of her dad during her walk down the aisle.

She loved the idea! So I presented her with a few different frame pendant design options to choose from. Michelle chose a frame pendant that had an antiqued silver color with black rhinestone accents. She loved the vintage look and it made the perfect accent to her bridal bouquet!

Next, Michelle sent me her favorite photo of her father electronically. I had the picture printed professionally on the best paper available, then cut the print by hand to fit the frame pendant.

Memorial pendant for bridal bouquet, framed photo pendant, wedding memorial bouquet charm by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelerPhoto by Britney Clause Photography

Because Michelle carries her father’s memory with her every day, I wanted to make sure this memorial frame pendant would be something she could wear after her wedding day.

So, I provided a necklace chain for the frame pendant so she could wear it with other outfits long after her walk down the aisle.

Memorial pendant for bridal bouquet, framed photo pendant, wedding memorial bouquet charm by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelerPhoto by Nichole Meredith Photography

Michelle told me that she loved the final design of her memorial piece!

She was thrilled to be able to have her father “walk her down the aisle” even though he couldn’t be physically present on her wedding day.

And she looks forward to wearing the frame pendant necklace in the future to carry her father’s memory closely at all times.

Memorial pendant for bridal bouquet, framed photo pendant, wedding memorial bouquet charm by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelerPhoto by Britney Clause Photography

Would you like to commission a similar piece of jewelry for your wedding day, or simply to honor the memory of a loved one in your daily life?

Send me a message to find out what options, including locket or frame pendant designs, are available through J’Adorn Designs!
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Ethereal Romantic Bridal Inspiration

Delicate, romantic bridal fashion inspiration featuring our couture accessories

The set of delicate vine-inspired bridal accessories featured in this romantic bridal fashion photo session is full of peach, pink, ivory, and blush pearl accents intricately woven together.

It was recently featured by Virginia Bride Magazine! So to celebrate, I’m sharing this gallery of my favorite images from the airy, intimately styled bridal portraits. Enjoy!

Delicate bridal choker by J'Adorn Designs custom jeweler, for ethereal romantic bridal style inspiration

Delicate pearl bridal hairpiece by J'Adorn Designs custom jeweler for ethereal romantic bridal style inspiration

Romantic bridal jewelry inspired by natural florals

I love the interplay of tiny white buds from the bridal bouquet with the freshwater pearls in the vine-like jewelry set!

Delicate bridal jewelry by J'Adorn Designs custom jeweler, for ethereal romantic bridal style inspiration

Crystal teardrop earrings by J'Adorn Designs custom jeweler, for ethereal romantic bridal style inspiration

Creating contrast & structure 

A pair of simple, geometric crystal earrings make the perfect accent for Libby’s loosely curled hair and intricately beaded bridal gown.

Delicate bridal choker by J'Adorn Designs custom jeweler, for ethereal romantic bridal style inspiration

Cake and champagne! Delicate bridal choker by J'Adorn Designs custom jeweler, for ethereal romantic bridal style inspiration

Champagne & Cake

These are perhaps my two favorite parts of a wedding – besides the romantic bridal jewelry, of course!

Delicate bridal choker by J'Adorn Designs custom jeweler, for ethereal romantic bridal style inspiration

What’s your favorite part of Libby’s ethereal, romantic bridal look? Tell me in the comments!

The Team:
Featured Romantic Jewelry Pieces:
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Michelle’s Custom Sapphire Wedding Jewelry

Custom Sapphire Oval Halo Earrings and Necklace Jewelry Set by Baltimore Custom Jeweler J'Adorn Designs

You may remember Michelle’s custom jewelry story and her sapphire jewelry from earlier this year…

After falling in love with an unattainable antique necklace that she saw in a magazine, Michelle reached out to have me make a custom set of wedding jewelry for her using that necklace as inspiration.

Scroll down to see how she styled her custom sapphire wedding jewelry set!

Baltimore bride's custom sapphire jewelry with diamond halo by Maryland custom jeweler J'Adorn Designs

Michelle’s personal style is one of classic elegance with sentimental touches. 

She combined timeless pieces like her solitaire diamond engagement ring with personal details like hairstyling from her long-time friend Erica Cote of Silver Immersion.

Her sapphire jewelry set represents both of these important elements as accessories and new heirlooms. The style is ageless; and Michelle will enjoy remembering the happiness of her wedding day whenever she wears these special jewels.

Custom sapphire halo earrings for Baltimore bride's classic wedding, by Maryland custom jewelry J'Adorn Designs

Something blue jewelry, custom sapphire bridal necklace, by Catonsville custom jeweler J'Adorn DesignsHere’s what Michelle had to say about her custom sapphire jewelry and her custom design experience:

“Everything Alison created was totally beautiful and far met my expectations. I so enjoyed working with Alison in the months leading up to my wedding. She was extremely responsive, always willing to share ideas, quick to research my visions, and helpful with referrals to other vendors for my wedding planning. Not only did Alison create stunning pieces for my wedding, which my guests were talking about all night, she also became my friend.”

Fine wedding jewelry for Baltimore bride's Something Blue, Classic wedding jewelry by Maryland custom jeweler J'Adorn Designs

Michelle’s sapphire and diamond halo earrings and matching necklace were bespoke designs. To inquire about similar custom bridal accessories for your wedding, send me a message! 

Credit for all photos: Britney Clause Photography

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Custom Rose Gold Jewelry for Bayside Elopement

Jami’s custom rose gold jewelry was featured on Burnett’s Boards, Borrowed & Blue, and The Annapolis Wedding Blog!

Custom Rose Gold Jewelry Baltimore Elopement by J'Adorn Designs Bridal Jewelry

I made this set of custom rose gold jewelry for #jadornbride Jami as part of a styled elopement giveaway last December. 

The giveaway was called the Enchanting Elopement giveaway and it was the idea of a Baltimore-area wedding planner, Enchanting Events and Design. We collaborated with 15+ Baltimore-area wedding pros to help one sweet couple tie the knot.

It was the perfect way to end the year on a loving, philanthropic note!

Custom Rose Gold Jewelry Baltimore Elopement by J'Adorn Designs Bridal Jewelry

In preparation for the big day, I invited Jami to my jeweler’s studio to try on pieces from my collection of modern bridal accessories and choose her favorite piece. I showed her a handful of earrings and she fell in love with my Double Crystal Teardrop Earrings in Rose Gold immediately. We both agreed that these sparkly rose gold earrings would be the perfect pair to stand out in her wedding pictures!

Custom Rose Gold Jewelry Baltimore Elopement by J'Adorn Designs Bridal Jewelry

Custom Rose Gold Jewelry Baltimore Elopement by J'Adorn Designs Bridal Jewelry

Jami also wanted a piece of jewelry that she could wear after her wedding in her day-to-day life.

Continuing on the rose gold theme and remembering a comment she made about a love for natural crystals, I made Jami a one-of-a-kind bracelet with a delicate chain and singular gold druzy stone. It was the perfect personal piece of custom jewelry to make her bridal look complete!

Custom Rose Gold Jewelry Baltimore Elopement by J'Adorn Designs Bridal Jewelry

 

Custom Rose Gold Jewelry Baltimore Elopement by J'Adorn Designs Bridal Jewelry Custom Rose Gold Jewelry Baltimore Elopement by J'Adorn Designs Bridal Jewelry

Jami and Brad are the quintessential Baltimore couple: their first date was at a Ravens game, both live & work downtown, and Jami works for Under Armour. They’re down to earth and have a deep pride for the city they call home. I was honored to make Jami’s custom rose gold jewelry and play a part in giving them the wedding of their dreams.

Cheers to the happy couple – toasted with a couple of Boh’s, of course! 

Custom Rose Gold Jewelry Baltimore Elopement by J'Adorn Designs Bridal Jewelry

Our awesome team of contributors was:

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Custom Sapphire Wedding Jewelry Set

What do you do when you fall in love with a necklace that’s way out of your budget? 

 This is the question that brought J’Adorn bride Michelle to my door!

custom sapphire wedding jewelry inspiration, custom bridal necklace by J'Adorn Designs

Like many newly engaged women do, Michelle was flipping through a bridal magazine for inspiration when a gorgeous sapphire necklace caught her eye (pictured above, left). She was a woman obsessed; she just had to have it!

But she was crestfallen when she learned that her dream necklace was both unavailable for purchase and valued at over $75,000.

Thankfully, she mentioned her jewelry dilemma to her hairstylist, Erica Cote of Silver Immersion. Erica is also one of my closest friends in the wedding industry. She referred Michelle to J’Adorn Designs, suggesting my custom jewelry services to help recreate the wedding day look of her dreams.

Custom sapphire halo jewelry set, fine wedding jewelry by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelry and modern bridal accessories

I met with Michelle to discuss the important design elements from the original necklace that she wanted to include:
  • Precious metals and stones (white gold, sapphires, and diamonds)
  • A center stone large enough to really catch the eye
  •  A vintage-inspired halo setting

These elements served as the starting point for my custom design process. We also decided to add a pair of matching earrings to the necklace design, so Michelle would have a coordinated set to cherish & wear for years to come.

Custom sapphire wedding jewelry set, fine halo wedding jewelry by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelry and modern bridal accessories

I chose lab-created sapphires for Michelle’s necklace and earrings set because they would allow me to create a perfectly matched set. Natural sapphires develop over long periods of time and typically are mined in small sizes. But lab-grown sapphires are grown in a “boule,” or large mass of stone, which is then cut into smaller counterparts.

The sapphires in Michelle’s jewelry set came from the same boule, so they are identical in color, quality, and chemical makeup.
Custom sapphire halo jewelry set, fine wedding jewelry by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelry and modern bridal accessoriesAfter choosing the settings, stones, and classic rope chain for Michelle’s custom sapphire wedding jewelry set, I cut notches in the setting prongs to make a “seat” for the stones.

This ensured the perfect fit, which I adjusted around the stones by hand.

Custom sapphire wedding jewelry set, fine halo wedding jewelry by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelry and modern bridal accessories

The final result was a gorgeous set of custom sapphire wedding jewelry even more radiant that I imagined. I can’t wait to see pictures of Michelle wearing her custom jewelry on her wedding day.

But the best part for me as a designer is knowing that I gave my client exactly what she wanted – a stunning set of jewelry that is 100% uniquely hers. 

All photos by Madison Short Photography, except first inspiration photo.

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