Rules Are Made to Be Broken

5 Traditional Rules O.K. to Break for the Modern Wedding

Change is one of the things that keeps things interesting and moving in life; the evolution of one thing as it progressively becomes better and more unique. Many different things can be applied to this analogy, so why not your wedding too?!

Here are a few traditional rules that many new married couples are doing away with. And we think that they're great alternatives! Nothing is wrong with the traditional wedding, but who doesn't like to break a few rules every now and then?

Rule #1 -  Wearing White 

Coco Chanel's short wedding dress

The history of the white wedding dress dates back to the 1800's, where wearing non-white wedding dresses was not out of the norm. A common color dress to wear was blue and  symbolized fidelity, loyalty and purity. The tradition of wearing "something blue" continues to this day. However, it was not until Queen Victoria wed her cousin Albert of Saxe-Coburg in 1840 wearing an all white dress that the white dress became the new accepted norm for brides wear on their wedding day.

Coco Chanel, an integral part of the evolution of women's fashion, also helped encourage this practice in the 1920's when she introduced the short wedding dress as an option for brides, further reinforcing white as the "proper" color for a wedding dress.


But alas, times have changed and now brides have the option of choosing what colors they want on their big day. Many still choose to go with the traditional white, which is still classic and beautiful, but don't be afraid to step a bit outside the box and pick a color YOU want. Colors can express personality, individuality and can serve as an integral part of the wedding's overall theme and design. You are the centerpiece; go ahead make them look.

Rule #2 - Choosing People in Your Wedding Party of Your Sex

With the influx of switching gender roles in the modern era, it's easy to see how a bride can choose her closest guy friend as her "Man of Honor" or how a groom can choose his best gal pal to be his "Best Woman". And it happens more commonly than you'd think!

There are lots of possibilities for mixed wedding parties

Keeping the same sexes in the bride and groom's respective wedding parties hails from customs dating back to the Middle Ages. Appropriately named the "marriage by capture" era, the groom would literally kidnap the bride from her family to be his betrothed. But he had help! Close friends of the groom, or his groomsmen, would help in the groom's endeavor by fighting off the bride's family as she was carried away by her suitor.

Bridesmaids, on the other hand, were used in weddings that were actually planned. They were the maids and servant girls of the bride. The senior maid, or matron of honor, tended to the bride-to-be in whatever she required and helped her get dressed on the day of the wedding. All the other maids, or bridesmaids, helped set up and decorate for the wedding feast.

Nowadays, the bride and groom usually pick their closest friends or family members to stand with them on the big day. But rather than trying to put your best opposite sex friend in your partner's party, it's very acceptable now to just have them in your own. Many times when there is a male in the bridal party, his tie and boutonniere will match the bridesmaids dresses. Likewise a female in the groom's party would have a dress to blend with the color of suits worn by the groomsmen. It's easy, and actually a lot of fun.

Rule #3 -  Having a Plain White Diamond Engagement Ring

Our SR43438, a sapphire-lover's dream

 Much like having a white dress, having an all-diamond engagement ring is another tradition passed down from the Middle Ages. In medieval times, the groom would often pay the bride's family for her hand in marriage. Most times the exchange would include precious stones as a symbol for his intent to marry the girl. When this exchange was no longer practiced, giving a diamond, the most precious stone of all, continued to symbolize the groom's intention to marry the recipient.

Black rhodium adds that unique flair

With so many stone options out there, though, there are a lot of possibilities for an engagement ring. Even with keeping the diamond as the center stone, you can still add some flashes of color using your favorite gemstones. This trend has actually become quite popular and more styles of engagement rings are being designed to incorporate stones other than just diamonds. 

R1295 - A ring fit for royalty

A great example of this would be our R1305PS, a very different look than the normal engagement ring. Coated in black rhodium with pink sapphires flanking the sides, it has a unique design yet still has the classic diamond center that engagement rings are known for. Even something as small as adding color plating or another colored stone can drastically change the look of any engagement ring.

Add a splash of color!

Emeralds and sapphires are also commonly used as compliments to a diamond ring, and sometimes replace the diamond center entirely! Our R1295 uses an oval sapphire surrounded by a crown of diamonds while the R1373E has four emerald baguettes that burst out from the sides of the center diamond. Other common stones that have been used in modern engagement rings are rubies, topaz and even pearls. When it comes to the ring symbolizing your love and commitment, why not make it exactly what you want?

Rule #4 - Hosting a Rehearsal Dinner

Rehearsal dinners can be a great way for everyone that's integral to the wedding to get acquainted, if they aren't already, but it isn't absolutely necessary to have one. This is especially true if you're trying to keep your wedding within a certain budget.

Back in the day, rehearsal dinners served as a way for the bride and groom's parents to first meet after the engagement. As was customary at the time, the parents of the betrothed couple would be the ones responsible for introducing people to each other at the wedding. So it obviously was a great help that they actually met before the actual wedding.

Other than if both your and your fiancé's parents aren't yet acquainted, the rehearsal dinner serves more for a pre-wedding dinner with those involved or a quick run through of the ceremony before the actual one. It is a great way to treat those that are coming in from out of town or a nice "thank you" for making the effort to come in the case of a destination wedding. However, it is not a requirement at all. If anyone in the wedding really wants to do one, be sure to tell them that they can plan and pay for it while they're at it!

 

Rule #5 -  Use the Traditional Vows

"For better or for worse, til death do us part..." Everyone knows how the traditional wedding vows go, or at least the gist of them. But how did they come to be so cemented in our wedding culture? Turns out they come from the Book of Common Prayer published in 1549. Approved by Henry VIII himself, the priest marrying the couple would lead them in speaking these vows just as still is widely practiced today. The wording of the original vows has changed some over the years. For example, in the original vows the bride had the line "I pledge to obey [my betrothed]". You can imagine how well that went over when the women's civil rights movement began to arise. So the church scrapped that line and added "to love and to cherish" instead. 

The thing about pre-written vows is that you are merely reciting verbatim pretty powerful words and promises and their meanings can sometimes get lost in all the excitement of your wedding day. Not to mention they are usually proclaimed in front of a group of those who you hold closest in life. So why not say words that you actually put together yourself? The bride and groom should keep in mind that just reciting the traditional vows may serve as one less thing you have to put time and effort into for the wedding, but the words you speak are a public declaration of your commitment and love for the other person. And no one can come up with those words better than the two of you. Wedding vows should be able to be spoken comfortably yet with the understanding that each word symbolizes the deep sentiment you have for your partner.

If you do decide to write your own vows, there are things you should keep in mind. Think about your feelings for your partner and your willingness to give to each other. Together, you can research and discuss different styles and options of wedding vows, both traditional and contemporary. If you have a religious leader, talk with him or her for guidance on Biblical references or find your favorite love quotes from literature and poetry if you need some help on the verbiage. Either way, the vows are the most sacred part of a wedding ceremony and writing your own can be add a level of intimacy that cannot compare to mere reciting of lines.  

 

Now go make it your own!

We are fortunate to live in a time when we can make our own rules and have the ability to choose between traditional, modern or a mixture of both! And this certainly holds true in regards to your wedding.Take advantage of this when planning your special day. It's a day to make a lasting loving memory, so go ahead and make it YOURS... make it Timeless.

Retailer Showcase

J. Schrecker Jewelry, a gem in the Kentucky Bend

 

Hey guys! Today we're taking some time to highlight one of our long-time vendors, J. Schrecker Jewelery! This notable jewelery company started their business 1989 and have faithfully served the surrounding areas of Northern Tennessee, Missouri and, of course, Kentucky since then. But their reach hasn't stopped there! They have also reached customers in Florida, Georgia, and even as far as California!

The J. Schrecker Staff: Kinley, Kiley, Oliver, Martha, & John

At the head of this sparkling ship is John Schrecker, the original founder. John had served in the jewelry business for a number of years before deciding to take a leap and try to make a name for himself. And that is exactly what he did. Oddly enough, he started his business on Friday, October 13th, 1989. Most would consider starting any endeavor on Friday the 13th a bad omen, but John and his wife Martha have been going strong for almost 25 years! John, Martha and their staff pride themselves on, not only high quality merchandise, but impeccable friendly service. As a result, they have a loyal customer base that stretches across the country.

Breathtaking

 Aside from the great company they are, they also boast an exceptionally beautiful showroom! High ceilings, immaculate displays and purposeful spot lighting create an atmosphere of both luxury and class. A single brick wall also adds to J. Schrecker's captivating interior and adds a flair of personality to the space. I would challenge anyone to walk in there and not almost instantly feel the store's inviting and chic aura. It's quite a beautiful sight to behold.

We here at Timeless Designs have been doing business with J. Schrecker Jewelry since 2009 and they proudly display our rings in their bridal collection. One style they have in their collection is our beautiful R1054, paired here with the matching wedding band. 

 

Another ring featured in their Timeless Designs collection is our stunning R960 7-diamond engagement ring, a classic vintage piece which reflects that timeless charm.

 In addition to their expansive selections, J. Schrecker also offers a variety of services to its customers such as repairs, engravings, appraisals and even custom jewelery design where they can bring to life the ring of your dreams. We encourage you to stop by if you live or are ever in the Kentucky Bend area and check them out! Tell them Timeless Designs sent you.

They are located at:
909 South Main Street,
Hopkinsville, Kentucky 42240
270-885-7464

You can also follow them on their Facebook page where they constantly update with all their newest treasures and finds. They even sometimes throw contests for followers!

To our friends at J. Schrecker Jewelry, thank you for doing business with us and keep up the awesome work!

The Spotlight: Allison

Hello everyone, hope you all have enjoyed your summer! :)

So here we go again, with another awesome edition of “The Spotlight”, shining light on one of Timeless Designs’ very own. This time, we would like to introduce our lovely Allison!

Allison started working with jewelry at the age of 17, working at a bead shop during the summer, where she taught beading. She then opened her own shop on Etsy.com, selling her own pieces!
 

Making sure it's flawless!

After moving to New York City to attend Pratt Institute, where she majored in Interior Design, she began working with independent jewelry designers. She became deeply involved in the jewelry industry, going to jewelry trade shows, and managing wholesale accounts.

Allison has worked at Timeless Designs for 2 years now. Starting as a washroom assistant, she quickly moved up to quality control manager, and is now managing production as well as our diamond inventory and selection.

Our gorgeous rings that were shown off in The Knot.

She even helped design one of our rings, the R1333, which has been featured in national publications, such as The Knot magazine. How cool is that?!

Besides being an amazing and talented asset to our team, in her spare time she does DIY projects and occasional freelance interior decorating gigs; but getting out of the city as often as she can and being outdoors still remain two of her favorite things! :) 

Allison and her husband Keith

Let’s give it up for Allison!!! Thanks for reading this edition of “Spotlight”!

Your Couture

Hi Everyone,

Have you ever wanted to design your own engagement ring? You've seen so
many different styles, but always wanted to add your own personal twist? Well here's your opportunity!

We have created 'Your Couture', which gives you the chance to custom design
and create a style of your very own! You can choose your favorite center
stone, side stones, and also your choice of setting. When finished, you can
look at your very own model on screen in high definition! 

You can change your designs as often as you'd like until you've made your perfect match! :) 

Here is what one of our customer's said -

"I absolutely loved designing my own ring with 'Your Couture', it was so much fun! I got to choose from a variety of stones, and seeing my creation at the end was so neat! I love that I can personalize my very own ring!" - Jana from New York City

 

Need assistance, or help with ring ideas? Call our design specialist for advice! We're more than happy to help :) 


Hope you enjoy our new addition to the website! 
Happy designing!

~ The Team at Timeless

800-657-9270

The Knot Spring 2012 Edition

Hello Everyone,

Have you seen the latest edition of The Knot out on the newsstands??

Well Guess what....
                  Timeless Designs by Jacob and Bryan is in it...TWICE!



Our beautiful new ad, seen below, is making its nationwide print debut in The Knot's 2012 Spring Edition!



We are so proud of this ad because it features our #1 Best Selling Ring - the R596S, seen in the top right picture with its matching wedding band.

There are also three pieces from our acclaimed Shyla Collection. Our Shyla ring, the R1305S, is also in the top right photo of the ad, along with its matching pendant/earring set in the congruent pictures.

The Shyla Collection is known for it's diverse color combinations, bold deco inspired styling; and has really become quite a media favorite!

Click on the ad to get more information on these and many other styles on our page at TheKnot.com.



We were ALSO chosen to be featured in  the "Rings Every Girl Wants" editorial seen below. The beautiful floral designed ring is our style number R1333, and is available also in rose gold. This ring would compliment any woman, with its graceful curves and just a hint of sparkle! How lovely :)

Well, thank you for joining in our excitement over this great news!
Keep a look out for our beautiful styles in The Knot.

Have a great day!
~The Team at Timeless

Shyla is #1 of December

Hello Everyone,
GUESS WHAT!

The Platinum Guild announced that our R1305S (A member of our Shyla Collection) was the #1 viewed ring in the Precious Platinum Collection for the Month of December!

We are super proud of this, and are so happy everyone loves our Shyla collection as much as we do. One of the many wonderful things about our Shyla collection, is the many options to choose from. We have color combination's that suit the adventurous, the feminine or the classic side of any woman!

R1305R, R1305D, R1305S, R1305C

As you can see, there is a ring for everyone in our Shyla collection ... follow the link to check them out and inquire for any details :)

Thanks for all the support, have an amazing day!

~The Team at Timeless

A Timeless Miracle

Good Afternoon Everyone!

 The Holiday's have flown by, and we are already running full speed ahead into the new year, but let's take a moment to relive the miraculous, and romantic feeling of the holiday's with this wonderful story....

December 2011 – New York, NY – Who says chivalry is dead? Jeremy Thompson doesn’t seem to think so. After endless phone calls, emails, expensive fees, and sleepless nights, Thompson finally got to propose to his girlfriend Kristin in Athens, Greece during a 3-day window of leave from the US Navy, where both he and his now-fiancé are on active duty service.

Thompson found the perfect bridal set on the Timeless Designs website, a beautiful twisted shank style and matching wedding band. He then called Michelson’s Jewelers in Paducah, Kentucky to order the ring. With much excitement and anticipation, he contacted the Timeless Designs office every day to make sure it was on time for delivery overseas. The NYC-based manufacturer assured him they were doing everything in their power to work with the shipping companies and customs to guarantee that this special ring would make it in time for his holiday surprise.

Much to everyone’s disappointment, the international shipping bill came to $600. With concern that this cost would be too expensive for a soldier’s salary, Timeless Designs called Louis Michelson of Michelson’s Jewelers. “When we heard the story, how could we not help out?” Mr. Michelson says, “We’re doing a mitzvah”. Timeless Designs and Michelson’s Jewelers decided together they would pay the shipping costs in full as their holiday gift to Thompson, the brave soldier fighting for our country.

 

  “When we finally got the word that Jeremy had received his ring in time for the big proposal, it made all of our hard work completely worth it!” says Jessi Johansson of Timeless Designs.“I’m in debt for everything they have done. They’re an amazing group of people to do business with,” says Thompson, “It’s a story I’m sure to be telling forever.”

 

 

We are so happy everything worked out for them, and wish Jeremy and Kristin the happiest of  futures!

Happy Thursday!

 

~The Team at Timeless