The count down is on… one of the biggest days of your life is at hand. Beads can play a big part in your wedding jewelry and wedding accessory plans. You have the vision: the Mod retro wedding – short sheath dress with a twiggy hairstyle. Or perhaps it’s a romantic Victoriana theme and you’ll don a long lace gown with tousled curls pinned to your head. Whatever style exemplifies you, you want it to be present on your big day. What better way to help create that statement or that look that you’re going for, that to customize your jewelry, favors, accessories using beads.

Beads have become more than just a sheer object of adornment. They are an art medium. The wide range and availability of different types of beads from a multitude of materials makes it easier than ever before to tailor your jewelry and accessories to exactly the aesthetic you are going for. Using color, texture and materials as well as technique you can customize your own couture elements. From your headpiece, to the glittering crystals thrown on your reception tables or cascading out of your centerpieces, make that statement entirely your own. Here are some ideas.

Customize the brides and the wedding parties’ jewelry to the exact colors and style of your wardrobe. Perhaps you are a non-traditional bride and you’re wearing a color other than white – Use some Vintage Rose Swarovski crystals for an old world statement along with some Cream or Tan colored Lucite and alternate them in a chic choker-style necklace. It may not be what you’d typically think of when you think of wedding jewelry? But why make your wedding ordinary when you’ve put all that thought into all of the other details of your day? Ordinary equals the rhinestone baubles on sale at most bridal shops. If the ladies in your wedding party are wearing a off-beat color of Hyacinth, perhaps you’ve been to all of the big department stores in Manhattan and all of the boutiques in Soho and you’re still coming up stumped. You have the power to create that custom color palette that you have had in your mind the entire time.

Why not add some sparkle to your table by using vintage Swarovski stones scattered around your candles or floral centerpieces? If you’re having an evening reception, the combination of crystals and candlelight will add sparkle and glow to your tables. Or you can use flower arranging wire or any thicker gauge craft wire and twist Swarovski Art 5000s in 6 or 8mm Crystal in a free-form ‘fern’. Just add a bead and twist, add another bead 2” down and twist. Stab these crystal ferns or sticks into your floral centerpieces to add an uptown element to any arrangement.

So you’ve glitzed up your tables and revolutionized your typical wedding jewelry. Now it’s time to thank all of the people who are there to support you throughout your special day. Create a custom mother’s bracelet for your Mom including vintage Swarovski crystal, freshwater pearls, or gemstone beads. And as a special accent, include the initials of her 3 kids, or the date of your special day using alphabet beads made into a subtle charm hanging down by the clasp. Perhaps your maid of honor flew in from far away and deserves an extra special thank you- make her some heirloom hoop earrings featuring vintage brass components with just a solitaire Swarovski 5040 in Lt Colorado Topaz hanging in front of it.

Strand a vintage Swarovski pendant onto an organza ribbon and wrap it around an ordinary pen to leave by your guest book. Tie off your favor bags with a vintage glass pendant – something old with something new. Adorn your typical satin run-of-the-mill bridal shoes with an iron-on Swarovski appliqué to bring them from mall off the rack to customized designer chic. Stitch tiny Swarovski Art 2mm 5000’s into your veil for that extra glow of glitter around your face.

My ingenious hairdresser hot-glued Swarovski crystals into my hair… what can I say? It was 10 years ago and that movie ‘Ever After’ with Drew Barrymore had just come out and I decided I wanted to look like a fairy princess. I might customize differently today of course… but whatever your style, and whatever statement you want to make about your day, beads can play a huge part in your bridal couture. Let your ideas and inspiration flow and take a look at your bead collection as an untapped batch of opportunities when fine tuning your wedding details.