Though we’d let that truck park in our driveway any ol’ day. Just sayin’.

Today’s object of our affection: jewel-heeled shoes. Because they’re so darn pretty. Because they were made for celebrating. Because they’re exactly what the well-heeled bride needs to complete her perfect wedding-day ensemble.

Photos: (clockwise, left to right) Brian Atwood~Paris Hilton~Miu Miu~TheCrystalSlipper~Giuseppe Zanotti~EvaCouture~Grace

Photos: Green parasol bride, Bella Umbrella~Mr. & Mrs., Cycling4ACure~Ecru lace parasol, Dragonfly Design~Peacock, Clockwork Couture~Scallopped Peacock, Oriental Decor~Red lace, Amazon~Chinese, Pink Frosting~Bumble beed, Great Lookz~White and pink, Great Lookz~Black lace, Ladies Emporium~Pink lace, Amazon~Monogram, Exclusive Elements

Photos: (Box 1 clockwise) “Fanal” gown, La Sposa~Slingback, Christian Louboutin~Earrings, Libby Sweets~(Box 2 clockwise) Vintage Fred Leighton choker, Portero Luxury~Sunglasses, Vince Camuto~Sofa, Hancock & Moore~(Box 3 clockwise) Birdcage veil, Lady K Bridal~Bracelet, Luxe Deluxe~Vintage Bentley, Classic Limo~Chandelier, Garden Lights Plus~(Box 4 clockwise) Lingerie, Electric Wedding~Vintage Champagne glasses, Gilded Age Affaires~Bouquet, Aileen Tran

You’ve been asking about the cover of the latest Weddings in Houston (“Who’s she wearing?” “Where did that stunning headpiece come from?” “That necklace–OMG, I gotta make it mine,” and so on). So we’re answering. Here’s the who, what, where and how much on the items worn by our gorgeous model, styled by the ridiculously talented Summer Salah, and shot by the superb Larry Fagala.

Gown: Rivini, $5,900, at Ivory Bridal Atelier

Headband: $149, at Parvani Vida

Jewelry: Earrings, $49,650; ring, $59,665; necklace, $99,230; all at Zadok Jewelers

Set Design: Darryl & Co.

So there ya go, now ya know. We are so thrilled to work with such outstanding Houston wedding vendors and professionals, and delighted when you take notice, get excited and let us know. Please keep it up!

Somewhere between veil and headband (with a little bit of tiara tossed in for good measure) lies the wedding headpiece. If you can get over that word, which, to our thinking, makes it sound kind of Vegas showgirl-y, which these are so NOT, a headpiece can be the answer to one of your biggest bridal accessory dilemmas. If you’re not the traditional veil type, but, at the same time, can’t imagine a complete bridal ensemble without some kind of statement-making hair accessory, a wedding headpiece is a great way to go. We’re showing some of our favorite headpieces here, including gorgeous new feather-and-jewel creations (above) from the ever fashionable Jannie Baltzer. For a sense of how a headpiece can transform a bridal look, have a look at our “Glamorous Gowns” features, on pages 326–339 of the new print issue of Weddings in Houston.

Whew. It’s been an exhilarating (read: kind of crazy) couple of months, what with working on soon-to-be-launched redesigns of the Weddings in Houston website and this here blog, not to mention putting together the big, beautiful, bursting-with-inspiration January print issue of Weddings in Houston.

Of course, in the midst of this delightful madness, the New York bridal market just wrapped, and we are so excited to treat you to a preview of our favorite fall 2011 collections, straight from the market runways.

So let’s just start with a bang shall we? Bridal couture darling Rivini staged its show at the Alvin Ailey Theater, home of the legendary Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Which would have been cool enough. But then there were the gowns—oh, what gowns. Inspired by the French impressionist Claude Monet’s gardens at Giverny, designer Rita Vinieris created a magnificently textured collection featuring extraordinary pleating, layering, tufting and draping—in other words, lots of working of fabric that somehow never looked overworked.

We checked in with Emily Sutton of Mia Bridal Couture for her take on the Rivini fall 2011 collection, and here’s what she told us: “Seeing these gowns on the runway whisks you away to [Monet’s gardens]. Rita manipulated the structural details to provide strong silhouettes with effortless movement.” Sutton says she loves how the collection’s bold lines “were softened by floral motifs and organic draping.”

Plus, we LOVE Rivini’s use of black and blingy belts, and chunky jewelry, as edgy counterpoints to these romantic gowns.

Check out our favorite designs from the Rivini collection—and check baclk over the next few weeks (or better yet subscribe to WIH and let US come to YOU) for more fall 2011 previews!

We are crazy about these chunky wedding jewelry pieces—and we hope you are, too. No wallflowers here, thought fabric flowers aplenty (check out that peach-satin and black-glass bib from RiRiFisch—gorgeous!). Plus chunks of crystal, big fat faux pearls and lots of lush color.

How yummy are the two styles above (necklace on top, beautiful ribbon bracelet below) from MEG? “MEG is a brand that has the chunky style down,” says our friend Lindsey Brewer, bridal consultant extraordinaire at Brickhouse Bridal, who’s seen many a Houston bride fall hopelessly in love with the line’s lovely, statement-making pieces.

The “Ellen” necklace by Erin Gallagher is like a cascade of sparkle–imagine how stunning this would look draped against your decolletage at your candlelit reception.

The “Your Majesty” bridal necklace by Etsy’s Sol Bijou (above) combines Kyanite, Labradorite, Blue Mystic Topaz and Rock Quartz with polymer clay and organza flowers, faux pearl clusters and French satin ribbon, all in grays, blues and shades of white. And, like your wedding, it’s one of a kind. Wow.

With its matte peach satin blossoms accented with jet glass beads, RiRiFisch’s “Dianna” necklace is a vintage-inspired vision of loveliness. It comes with black ribbon ties (a hint of elegant edginess we LOVE for winter brides), but you can switch out for a different color if you so desire.

Vintage-jewelry genius Noaki combs antique shops, estate sales, flea markets and other sources to find unique and exquisite heirloom jewelry, than hand-selects pieces and hand-wraps them into unbelievably gorgeous bridal bouquets. She can also incorporate your own family heirlooms and wedding colors, or create a special arrangement to match the theme of your wedding.

Check out more of her stunning wedding work here and here. Wow!

Photos by Lindsey Joy and Claire D.

Here’s a suggestion: Crank up the A/C, pour yourself a frosty beverage—heck, plunk yourself down into an ice-water bath (not just refreshing, but GREAT for the pores). Whatever you do, just cool off before you check out these lovely winter wedding outerwear ideas. Brrr…. in a good way!

We love the Old-Hollywood glamour of this marabou wedding stole, which gets an added bit of pretty from a chiffon-scarf front tie.

This snug, sophisticated faux-fur shoulder wrap has a handy hook-and-eye closure for easy on and off. And it’s a steal at under 60 bucks!

A longer faux-mink style from another one of our Etsy faves, Vldana. Be sure to check out her other items—she makes lovely wedding capelets and wedding shawls, too!

There’s a dreamy, lavish, Dr. Zhivago-esque romance to this faux-fur-trimmed wedding cloak, don’t you think? Matching muff included!

For lighter coverage, we’re wild about this gorgeous ruffle-edged double silk taffeta stole. Wrap it up, we’ll take it!

Like its name, Myra Callan’s Oregon-based Twigs & Honey takes its inspiration from nature. Hair accessories come in categories like flora (silk blooms) and fauna (goose, pheasant, ostrich feathers), while belts and jewelry blend flowers and feathers with crystals, pearls and faux berries.

If you’re planning to wear a simple, sophisticated, unadorned bridal gown, or one of those currently coveted ethereal, diaphanous styles we all know and love, Twigs & Honey’s enchanting bridal accessories will add a little something extra special to your bridal look.

PS: Twigs & Honey just debuted its brand-new collection, available on its brand-new online store, so be sure to check it out!

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