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As you might have gathered from perusing the Belles & Crystals site....we are in New York, but our heart belongs to Louisiana and the romantic elegance of  " The South". It's only fitting we tie in the most revered Louisiana and Southern symbol into our work - the fleur de lis.

We have created the Belles & Crystals Fleur de Lis Collection to not only pay homage to our original home state and "southerness", but to share the beauty and elegance of the fleur de lis with all bride who might be using this timeless icon throughout their wedding theme. Each piece has been named after a street in New Orleans...evoking that Old World , playful appeal we sought to capture in this collection.

So let's GEAUX and here it is! Ring pillow and garter set coming soon...stay tuned and LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER! 

To browse the Collection click here SHOP BELLES & CRYSTALS FLEUR DE LIS COLLECTION

 

 

 So we have been busy bees working on new designs for the 2011 Collection! Our newest category is our Couture SHOE CLIPS!

Let's face it what gal doesn't like a fun, whimsical pair of shoes...especially on her BIG DAY! Our shoe clips are a fun way to add some pizzazz to a basic wedding shoe...giving you a couture , designer look without spending the big bucks! Clipped at your toes or at the ankle these beauties make a stunning statement that's all your own!

 

Your photographer can have tons of fun taking cute , close-up shots of your shoes peeking out from underneath that gorgeous gown too!

Here are our first designs...EMMA for that stylish, feminine vintage bride ( these shoe clips look fab with our SATINE and                SATINE " Something Blue" Garter Sets by the way)! We are also bringing in our EVANGELINE Shoe Clips to compliment our best selling EVANGELINE Duo Fascinator Set!!!

For even more shoe style...couple our shoe clips with our Swarovski Crystal " I Do" Applique!

 

 

 As you have probably gathered from browsing our site, in addition to our pre-designed pieces we offer a service called Belles & Crystals Custom Couture....custom just for you pieces that bring your wedding theme to life!

We are currently working on pieces for a Fall bride with a theme that will transport her guests to the exotic realm of Morocco! Think rich, luxurious  silks in wine, burnt orange, fuchsia, gold, aquamarine all accented with plumes of peacock and ostrich feathers! Gilded lanterns, crystal pendants and drops.... orchids galore....breezey, sophisticated glamour!!!  Oh La La!!!

 

 

We just finished up her one of a kind reclaimed vintage hair fascinator, ring pillow and garter set....we are dying over the way they came out and thought we'd share!

 

  

 

 

Ready for us to start creating the custom wedding accessories of your dreams???? Read more about Belles & Crystals Custom Couture here: BELLES & CRYSTALS CUSTOM COUTURE  or just email us at orders@bellesandcrystals.com!

Recently we had the honor of stylin' a fabulous southern bride with crazy style for her Big Day! From a black & white damask print to wild orchid purple to absinthe green this wedding theme packed major style with many gorgeous romantic touches along the way....thought we'd share:

 

 Playing off the black & white theme we created a custom ring pillow, guest book and guest pen stand in a black & white damask print....touches  purple satin brought in the same exact color as the bridesmaids' gowns and the chartreuse cymbidium orchids played off the florist's bridesmaid bouquet design....Belles & Crystals Swarovski Jet Crystal bouquet jewelry add modern shine and played off the texture of the black wisps of feathers worked in among green cymbidiums, hydrangea and white lisianthus ....the bridesmaids wore custom Belles & Crystals jet black flower feather fascinators in their hair....

 

The bride's garter set, headpieces all were created with her exact personality in mind - feminine, romantic...timeless...modern....a play of texture and bling creates a wonderful marriage between sophisticated and playful....

 

Custom silk dupioni garter set using vintage lace, rhinestone details, hand set Swarovski crystal and wisps of goose and ostrich feathers...

looked gorgeous with her custom DEVIENNE Clutch .....how many gals get a handbag with their namesake? =o)

but the "crowning" touch was her gorgeous EVANGELINE Headpiece....

Wedding Location : Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Photographer : ROBERT FAUST PHOTOGRAPHY

 

To purchase EVANGELINE  click here: EVANGELINE FASCINATOR

To Purchase the DEVIENNE clutch click here: DEVIENNE CLUTCH

For more information on Belles & Crystals Custom Couture click here: BELLES & CRYSTALS CUSTOM COUTURE

CONGRATULATIONS DEVIENNE AND CHRIS!  Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your Special Day! XOXO - Belles & Crystals *wink*

 Gorgeous Belles & Crystals Bride Holly sent us these stunning photos of her hairstyle from her Big Day and we just have to share them!!!

 

 

Holly used our AETHERIA Swarovski crystal and pearl handwired tiara/headband in such a fabulous way that we think it is just to-die-for! We're completely obsessed and love it when brides come up with fresh, new ideas to wear our work!

The texture the stylist created in Holly's hair updo ... the intertwining of small braids ...complemented by the twisting of the Aetheria piece into the hairstyle creates a modern yet timeless work of art! Bellissima!!!!

 

Ceremony was held in Cranbury, New Jersey. Stunning photography by Danielle Hopkins WWW.DANIELLEHOPKINS.COM

Congratulations Holly and best wishes!!!

 

To view and order our Aetheria headpiece click here: AETHERIA HEADBAND/TIARA

 

 

 Sooooo....

 

 We know this isn't entirely wedding related but we would like to give some love for Liv Chic, a fabulous design firm headed by Hilary White, NYC  super-fab interior designer. Her aesthetic TOTALLY fits ours and we want every single piece of furniture on her website!  

I mean really what newlywed bride does not need a white lacquer oversized  Rococo parlor chair upholstered in TUFTED WHITE VINYL in her new home...HELLO...?!?! AHHMAAAZINNNGGGGG!!!!!

 

 

Or how about one in Schiaparelli SHOCKING PINK?!?!?! * SWOON*

 

What else do we love about Liv Chic? We love that they will totally help you create that dream furniture piece that you have in your head but just can't find anywhere else!!!  This is not your parents' Ethan Allen kids....!!!!

   LIV-CHIC by Hilary White

Want more blog reading on some super fun ideas from a super blogger with glam style...covering everything from interiors to make-up and skin to making some super glamorous cookies? Check out : CIAO BELLA

This necklace, earring and bracelet set was recently created for a bride getting married this Spring….We love the way the pieces came out so much that we are going to add all three to our 2010 line!

She completed the look with our PAIGE Ring Pillow…three PAIGE Baskets for her flowergirls …our LAETICIA Hair Flower Fascinator and our SATINE Garter set! Bellissima!

A customization of our PENELOPE Ring Pillow in ivory and a gorgeous TigerLily orange done for a Spring 2010 bride….we love how the orange really “pops” in these photos…no doubt it will look AMAZING in her bridal photos!

Recently a bride contacted us because her sister purchased a one-of-a-kind pink rhinestone star fascinator from us for her wedding…she gave us the honor of customizing our LUCCIA fascinator for her since she wanted an amazing “shot” of color in her wedding ensemble! We used royal blue silk petals with accents of Sapphire and Tanzanite Purple ( the bride’s fave color) Swarovski crystal in the center….we love the way it came out…reminds us of Carrie’s blue Manolo’s in the “Sex and the City” movie!!!

Did you know that we do custom work to suit your wedding theme? We even can help you work through ideas, colors and just making everything “work” together. We can help make your dreams come true with Belles & Crystals Custom Couture Wedding Stylist Service!

It is possible to have a custom wedding look through various accessories and when placing a custom order with us we will serve as a wedding stylist to make sure that everything works together…just send us your theme, photos, budget and ideas to orders@bellesandcrystals.com.

Custom work from the design phase to the execution phase does take time…we have a window of 1-3 months of production time for custom work depending on the size of the order and the specific custom details in the order.Therefore, it is important to get started early!

We will be posting more photos of custom work in the next few days…but here are some pics of a custom wedding we just styled for a bride in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that is to be wed next month…we adore the way they came out and really just can’t stop staring at the photos!

Her reception linens are black & white damask….we worked with her florist on finding out the color direction he was going in and added Real Touch chartreuse cymbidium orchids along with wisps of black feathers and luxurious accents of orchid purple that was matched exactly to the bridesmaids gowns – all coordinated in a ring pillow, guest book and guest pen stand. A custom pomander ball loop in black and white damask with purple trim was also created. She loved the way everything came out and how it really brought all of her wedding theme ideas and colors together!

We just wanted to send a quick THANK YOU to all the fabulous brides who have allowed us to be a part of their Special Day! We know how anxiety provoking it can be to order such a special item over the internet and we are so flattered with your trust! We have been unable to update our blog as we would like due to the tremendous response to our work.

We have been busy, busy bees thanks to all of you! The response to our custom order service has been phenomenal!

If you are a bride considering ordering from us we ask that you please remember that we make 99% of all of our products to order – AND CREATION TAKES BETWEEN 7-14 DAYS ( sometimes sooner). We are a small design company with a love for weddings and making brides feel beautiful – when you contact us you get a real human response from someone who genuinely cares about giving you the best experience possible. Therefore, shipping is not always immediate if we have a large number of orders pending. We ask that you please allow us enough time to create your order and as always if you have any questions you can reach us directly at ORDERS@BELLESANDCRYSTALS.COM OR INFO@BELLESANDCRYSTALS.COM. A REAL human member of our design team will respond back and deliver our high standard of customer service to you. If you are in a rush we can do our best to accommodate you – just advise your wedding date to us!

As the Spring bridal season quickly approaches we ask that you PLEASE allow enough time when ordering for us to fulfill your order.

IMPORTANT- OUR ENTIRE TEAM WILL BE OUT OF OUR STUDIO THE WEEK OF MAY 23RD AND WE WILL NOT REOPEN UNTIL AFTER MEMORIAL DAY! PLEASE, PLEASE KEEP THIS IN MIND AS WELL AS WE WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY ORDERS TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO TO THAT DATE AND ORDERS PLACED DURING THAT TIME WILL SHIP OUT 7-14 DAYS FOLLOWING OUR RETURN!

Thank you so much !!!

The Belles & Crystals Team

Our Luccia hair fascinator, along with our Philomena Flower Girl Basket and Phoebe ring bearer pillow has been featured on Paper Mill Design’s Blog as well as on Emmaline Bride! We are very honored! Read about it and check out Paper Mill Designs GORGEOUS stationary and letter press work ( TO DIE FOR!!!)!

Browse Gorgeous Stationary Products from Paper Mill Designs here!

We love Paper Mill’s gorgeous modern and clean aesthetic…timeless with a twist!

Here are a few we are absolutely fawning over – including the fun “Eat, Drink & be MARRIED” coasters!:

You can also shop Paper Mill on Etsy: Paper Mill Designs on Etsy

We love our collection of couture ring bearer pillows and flower girl baskets…..don’t you?!?! =)

Made in our studio in New York, we strive to create elegant and creative designs that will stand the test of time – but keeping our whimsical look, of course!

Belles & Crystals ring pillows are an elegant and unique addition to your wedding, giving your photographer a stunning “canvas” in which to take beautiful wedding photos of your rings for your albums. We often get kind emails from brides after their Big Day letting us know that they have been able to incorporate their ring pillow into their new home decor as a subtle reminder of their Special Day – no need to let these gorgeous beauties sit in a shelf or box and collect dust!

Our newest addition to our ring beater pillow collection is the stunning PAIGE – a silk organza flower confection completed with a rhinestone center and wisps of ostrich feathers…we think she is JUST fabulous!

Read more about PAIGE here!

A matching flower girl basket for PAIGE is in the works…need her fast? Email us at orders@bellesandcrystals.com !

One of our most popular ring bearer and flowergirl baskets sets is PHOEBE….with her stunning couture flower design and Swarovski pearl center she is a showstopper!

Read more about PHOEBE here!

And for all of your destination and beach wedding brides…don’t miss out on our gorgeous PACIFICA ring bearer pillow and flower girl basket….Hand-tufted out of silk dupioni, our PACIFICA pillow has a huge Swarovski crystal shell accented with real sand dollars & seashells! Bellissima!

Read more about PACIFICA here!

www.bellesandcrystals.com Couture Bridal Hair Ornaments & Accessories

We had to share this amazing photo of one of our brides, Kelly, in the Belles & Crystals LUCCIA Fascinator! We love the look that the photographer gave to the photo – it compliments Kelly’s style completely! Congrats Kelly!

Check out our LUCCIA Fascinator here:

BELLES & CRYSTALS LUCCIA FASCINATOR

Meg tied the knot with her sweetheart, Brian, in Norfolk , Virginia on April 4,2009. Friends and family gathered for a gorgeous outdoor garden civil ceremony! Lots of dining and dancing followed!

Meg looked STUNNING in her Belles & Crystals one-of-a-kind Reclaimed Vintage Pomona Rhinestone Necklace and Persephone Hair Comb!

Photography by Veronica Dana : WWW.VERONICADANA.COM

photo credit: Mr. David Livingston/Getty

We are so honored to announce that Miss Drew Barrymore ( definitely one of our most FAVORITE actresses ) wore a Belles & Crystals one-of-a-kind guinea feather headband with a vintage Weiss tiger eyed rhinestone and peridot accent to a panel discussion of her latest film, ” Grey Gardens”, at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences this weekend! This piece went beautifully with a teal Elie Saab gown and fabulous Giuseppe Zanotti lace-up heels!!! Drew’s look was the epitome of true Modern Hollywood Glamour!!!!

Drew represents an actress with amazing style, grace and talent and we cannot express how ecstatic we are that she wore one of our pieces not only on the red carpet but also to the Coachella Music Festival!

If you have not seen Drew’s performance as Edie Beale in “Grey Gardens”, please do be sure to watch it on HBO! Drew, alongside Jessica Lange and Jeanne Tripplehorn, gives a completely spectacular performance! This film is not to be missed and is a triumph in Miss Barrymore’s career as one of Hollywood’s most truly talented actresses.

photo credit: Reuters

Perfect for your “Something Blue”!

Many brides are going with non-traditional ways of incorporating their ” something blue”! Be it blue shoes ( thank you Carrie Bradshaw ), blue headpieces or the Belles & Crystals ” I Do” Swarovski shoe applique!

Our shoe applique gives you the thrill of your Something Blue on your shoes ! It is easy to apply with a home iron and comes with instructions. Unlike other similar products, the Belles & Crystals applique uses ONLY Genuine Swarovski crystals in three different sizes and we can CUSTOMIZE it in the colors of your wedding if you prefer – brides have ordered this item in every color under the sun – orange, hot pink, purple you name it! We will happily send you a link to a Swarovski crystal color chart if you would like a custom order!

Think of the amazing pictures your photographer will be able to take with this Swarovski applique detail! It will look so fabulous in your Wedding Album!!!!

To purchase our Swarovski ” I do ” shoe applique click here :

Belles & Crystals I Do Applique

For custom colors please email us at :

orders@bellesandcrystals.com

Welcome to Belles & Crystals!

We thought that we would kick off our Belles & Crystals blog by telling you a bit about us! Belles & Crystals was started in 2008 by designer, Lea Allen. After working for many top designers in the New York Garment Center and planning her own wedding, Lea combined her love for all things wedding and sparkly to create Belles & Crystals – a couture bridal accessories line with a modern yet timeless flair!

” Creating a bridal line and working with brides is truly inspirational. Creating for a bride is special because they will be wearing something that you created out of so much love on the Most Important Day of the bride’s life. It’s just something you don’t get the opportunity to experience when designing every day clothes. I live, eat and breathe this…I want a bride to feel beautiful in my pieces because she’s a bride – she should feel like the most gorgeous woman on earth at that moment!” , Lea explains passionately.

” I wanted to create bridal accessories that were unique – not massed produced – that a bride will cherish for years after her Special Day”, Lea states. ” I love anything that sparkles – Swarovski , vintage rhinestone jewelry…if it ’ blings ’ I am instantly attracted to it and inspired by it.”

” I have a love for vintage costume jewelry – and collect vintage Weiss, Coro and Eisenberg rhinestone jewelry. There is just something about incorporating vintage jewelry into your wedding as you ‘something old’ that lends that extra panache. It has a story…it has a history and it’s beautiful that it’s story melds into your story of love and commitment”, says Lea. ” That is why we have an entire section of our line devoted to reclaimed vintage pieces – pieces that turn your ‘something old’ into something truly fabulous.”

Lea loves working with brides on custom pieces as well. ” We can create nearly anything a bride can imagine and custom pieces are truly unique to each bride. That is why we have created the Custom Order section where a bride can email us and we can work on ideas together to bring her a dream bridal accessory!” Check out our Custom Orders section of our web store for further information!

Much more is to come in the Belles & Crystals line – bridal clutches … flower girl baskets…stay tuned! And check back our blog regularly as we bring you tips, tricks and the newest Belles & Crystals pieces to make you a fabulous bride!

Our LUCCIA Couture Bridal Hair Flower Fascinator clip!