Wedding Blog
I mentioned earlier that I have been looking for my wedding day jewelry in antique stores. The search isn’t going so great, so for now I’ve turned to salivating over the world of wedding jewelry that I can only afford in my dreams. A girl has to get inspiration, right? I love this adorable necklace from Tiffany. *sigh*
So simple. So cute. So ridiculously out of my budget!
I did find this similar Vera Wang necklace on Bag, Borrow or Steal, but even borrowing this beauty may be out of the budget. (Thanks Miss Blush, Miss Hot Cocoa, and other bees for bringing this site to my attention!) Have any of you used this site for your wedding day jewelry?
The ridiculously cute matching earrings are making me seriously consider borrowing this set!
Although this necklace from Tiffany is the simplest in this post, I think it is my favorite. Too bad it’s still out of my price range!
The matching earrings are very lovely. Ah, simplicity.
image source
Do not fret, as there may be some silver lining when it comes to my jewelry search after all. Before my search consciously began, I purchased a really great rhinestone vintage bow necklace from The Getup, my favorite vintage store in Ann Arbor. The choker is definitely my style, but the pendant portion is a bit larger than what I am currently looking for and I am afraid it may overwhelm my dress. I wish I could shrink the overall size of the three bows!
I also think that the chain looks unrefined compared to my dress, but because it is so short, I may be able to have a jeweler replace it with a more delicate silver chain and actually stay in my budget. 
I am going to try my dress on soon and will take the choker with me to get some pictures. I would love your advice on how they look together, so stay tuned!
Were you able to find a way around a modest jewelry budget? Please share your tips!
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Share this post: Something Old, Something New… Something Unfortunately Out of My Price Range!
I’m wearing jewelry I already own. Cost? Free! Well, kinda - you know what I mean. I decided I’d rather wear something that’s “me” and so I can wear it again.
I am still looking for a dress (yes, I’m doing things backwards!) but I bring the necklace with me to the stores. That way, I KNOW it will look good! 
If you want to use that last necklace, maybe you can take one of the smaller bows on the side and make it somehow look like the Tiffany’s one at the top?
I found beautiful — and cheap! — freshwater pearls online. Bridal and rewearable!
My dress has a lot of beading near the top, so I chose to look for very simple earrings. No necklace (too much up top). No bracelet (it would snag on the toile).
JULE was having a seasonal liquidation sale last weekend, and I got my beautiful earrings for $4…can’t beat that! Just plain diamond studs, each with one small drop diamond of the same size.
Have you ever tired Oliver’s Trends in Birmingham? They have cute stuff that looks a lot more expensive than it costs (and way less than typical B-ham prices). A lot of the stuff is designer knockoff.
It would be extremely easy to change the chain on your necklace into something more delicate. It would also be easy to make a necklace/earrings similar to the Tiffany ones above. I started playing around with making jewelry a few years ago and it amazes me how much the markup on jewelry is. I am always seeing something I like and coming home and recreating it.
My friend just recently bought this http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/10k-Gold-1-10ct-Diamond-Ribbon-Twist-Necklace/2902087/product.html to wear at her wedding to honor a relative that had died of cancer (as it kind of looks like a pink ribbon shape). Thought I’d post it in case others were looking for a way to honor others.
I’m not sure of your total budget, but check out Fred Meyer Jewelers. I wore something very similar to the tiffany pearl earrings and necklace for my wedding and purchased my jewelery from them. You can get both pieces for less than $300. I’m not sure if they have locations near you, but they have a website, and I’ve always gotten good customer service from them.
Have you checked out yoyosilver.com? They sell Tiffany knock-offs (if this is something you are okay with) and have GREAT prices! My sister ordered a tiffany necklace and pendant from there and it’s really beautiful. Plus, if it’s something you’re only going to wear on your wedding day, does it really matter that it’s not authentic?
I love the simple Tiffany necklace. Does your mom or anyone in the family have something you can borrow?
this one is still a little pricey, but totally gorgeous!
I think the necklace you found was beautiful, but just in case I thought I’d pass these on too…
OR…you could very easily turn one of these brooches into a necklace:
http://www.morninggloryantiques.com/collectbows.html
This necklace looks almost identical to the one that you like from Tiffany’s and it is super inexpensive! Hope this helps. http://www.sammoon.com/web3/items.asp?sub=sub7&cat=sterling_silver&tempcat=silver_necklace2&tbl=silver_necklace2&img=2008-04-15img_0299&id=2713&se=494825924
Maybe a jeweler could take off the side bows and add a different chain. That could help with the look and add some length if the choker part isn’t working for you.
overstockjeweler.com is a great resource if you don’t mind cz:
I wore a pair of chanel inspired earrings and people thought they were for realzorz!
I purchased my wedding jewelry years ago, lucky for me I don’t have to worry about that part. But I’ll be checking Goodwill after the PROM season for handbags!!
I got my jewelry from A Finishing Touch on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5232808) they have some styles that are very similar to the simple ones you picked out. They were so much fun to work with!
try this necklace from etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=fp_feat_8&listing_id=21218838
the seller has a lot of ‘tied’ jewelry. I’m sure you could ask for something special.
I love your vintage find!! Soo much better than the Tiffany’s one.
I have one thought to make it smaller - can you get a new chain, like you said, but only use the middle bow and two connector pieces? I wouldn’t want to ruin the integrity of the necklace, so if it is something that can easily be put back together (?), it might work?
I love all those necklaces. The vintage one is pretty great and fits your style. I bet you could take it to replace the chain with something a little more delicate. (I bet you could do this at Lewis–I’ve used them a couple of times for replacement/fixing jewelery and it’s been affordable).
I haven’t made any decisions about jewelry yet, but if it works, I’ll probably wear the pearls my grandma wore for her wedding.
I totally splurged on my jewelery, as I am a Tiffany whore. I bought discounted gift cards on Craigslist (this works SO well) & bought my Tiffany necklace on Ebay. My original intention was to buy a cheaper gown. (You only wear that ONCE, but the jewelery, well I could wear that everyday!) Yeah, that didn’t work out, thank you very much Reem Acra. I have such champagne taste & such a beer budget. My e-ring was from the Tiffany Hearts collection (not a solitaire girl, but everyone thinks it’s some sort of promise ring-ha! :)) So I bought the earrings & necklace to match–very delicate & doesn’t detract from my gown. I would totally lend them to you if you lived in Chi-town, Taffy! Good luck (I LOVE the bow necklace!) I will keep my eyes peeled for you!
http://www.itiffanyjewelry.com/images/TFN208%20Tiffany%20Hearts%20Pendant%20Diamons,%20Platinum.jpg
http://www.tiffany.com/shopping/item.aspx?sku=17693573&cid=96699&mcat=148203&menu=0&page=17
wrong link for earrings! oops!
Amazon has a similar pearl necklace (though not as elegant) for a lot less.
I agree with Miss Quiche, can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Here’s a link to a very similar necklace
I can’t wait to see how that looks with your dress! It’s a great find, and replacing that chain should be a cinch.
I actually found earrings and a necklace from the early 1900s at an antique store for a STEAL (less than $30 for the set). I don’t mind at all that they’re faux stones, since they’re so cool and old fashioned looking.
if your bday is before your wedding you can drop hints about jewelry and maybe family and friends can pitch in towards that special piece to be worn on your wedding day
Blue nile has pearl earrings and necklace that are similiar and extremely reasonable in price!
I am actually making all of the jewelry for everyone in my bridal party and myself. Everyone expects me to make all of it, so I am… I will be starting on their bracelets soon and the matching earrings ( since I have 8 bridesmaids!). Making your own jewelry is always a great idea but, if its not your thing… Then http://www.evesaddiction.com is also a great place to get sterling silver jewelry.
I agree, overstockjeweler has great imitation jewelry but don’t call them - they have the rudest customer service reps EVER!
It would be extremely easy to replace the chain in that choker. Also, in terms of other places to look, I was always somewhat tempted by http://www.overstockjeweler.com If you don’t mind “designer inspired” pieces (i.e., good-quality fakes), you can find some pretty, pretty things. They have several necklaces and earrings “inspired” by the ones you show here.
i bought a similar necklace from Swarovski except the crystals are only covering the ‘ears’ part of the bow. It’s 70usd from the website and they have matching earrings and charms. I think the charm would look great attached to a bouquet.
http://www.swarovski.com/Web_US/en/973748/product/Festivity_Pendant.html
Why don’t you take it apart. You could use one of the smaller sized bows and then purchase two cheap Cultured fresh water pearls (ebay has loads of strands of cheap Cultured fresh water pearls) and change the chain to a thinner chain. So that in the end you would have a very delicate chain, and one pearl half way down the chain, and then the pendant bow in the middle.
I would give it ago, if you are afraid of doing it yourself ask your jeweller for help. But buy the pearls yourself, that way you would save loads of money
Thanks everyone for your comments, I have been really sick and unable to reply! I think I have the plague. Well, either a nasty sinus infection or the beginnings of bronchitis. *runs for more cold medicine*
Here is the same bow necklace for MUCH cheaper:
http://www.emitations.com/mializinsilt.html
Here’s a link to the same website (Emitations.com) but instead this’ll show you ALL of the bow jewelry. I LOVE this website!
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Mrs. Taffy, Ann Arbor
Age and Occupation: 28, Color and Materials Designer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Automotive Designer
Engagement Date: May 9, 2008
Wedding Date: May 2009
Blogging Since: September 14, 2008
Venue: University of Michigan Union
About Me: I’m a girl who is crazy about Mr. Taffy, sewing, dancing, almost all types of sweets, and our cute pet canaries. I dislike touching fuzzy fabric of any kind, eating somewhat squishy food, and Michigan winters. Mr. Taffy and I are having a blast planning our Ann Arbor wedding, and cannot wait to share our day with friends and family.
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