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

We love a good wedding app, don’t you? And we especially love a good wedding app that makes us feel…good. Which is exactly what legendary jeweler Tiffany’s new “What Makes Love True” app does. Rather than matching happy couples to their perfect rings, like its earlier iPhone app does, the new, multimedia-heavy app—FREE, and compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad—takes users on an interactive romantic journey. After you watch a short film about proposal stories titled “Will You Marry Me?” from director Ed Burns (which left nary a dry eye among us, truth be told), you can peruse tons of classic and exclusive films and music “for the heart,” enjoy audio-slideshow “love stories,” or avail yourself of romance advice. There’s also an awesome feature that lets you tag your most romantic memories anywhere on the face of the Earth. Like, say, Houston.

So far, users have raves for this romantic, interactive app. We’d love to know what you think of What Makes Love True. Download, explore, and comment here! No i-device? No prob. What Make Love True is also online!

…especially for the adorable couple who won that truly spectacular $15,000 Art Carved diamond ring. As for the rest of us, the Amazing Ring Race was one heck of a good time (despite the winter chill…brrr!). Thanks so much to Thomas Markle Jewelers for making this awesome event happen last Saturday, and for bringing all those sweet, enthusiastic and VERY DETERMINED Houston brides and grooms out to The Woodlands for so much fun. We’re thrilled to have been a part of it.

Check out all the excitement, anticipation and race-day spirit, perfectly captured in this cute KPRC Local 2 clip!

If you can, you get to keep it. How cool is that?

Here’s the deal: A stunning $15,000 ArtCarved diamond ring from Thomas Markle Jewelers has been hidden somewhere in The Woodlands. And on March 5, one lucky couple will follow clues and challenges delivered by iPhone, Android or text, and find it. And keep it. Forever. Will it be you and your honey?

Participation in Thomas Markle Jewelers’ Amazing Ring Race is free, but you must win a spot to play. Register here and, as a member of Weddings in Houston community, enter the code “WEDDINGS15″ to be placed in an exclusive pool of candidates for participation. And make sure to tell your to-be-wed pals. After all, what’s better than a little friendly competition?

Looking for a stocking stuffer or special gift for your hip, fashion-forward fiance? Or maybe an incredibly cool little something for yourself? Don’t miss the Stephen Webster trunk show at Judith Ann Jewels tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 22. Check out pieces from the famed British jewelry designer’s collections, which feature thorns, daggers, skulls and otherworldly aquatic motifs, in silver and 18K gold, set with precious and semi-precious gems. Rock stars and celebs alike love Webster’s edgy elegance and exquisite craftsmanship. As for you, Houston bride, expect star treatment from the Stephen Webster rep who’ll be on hand to answer questions and help you pick the perfect gift.

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.

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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Here’s how it works:

Members of the Wedding Team—these are artisans who make wedding-related items, from jewelry to favors to décor, and more—have donated a selection of their wares to the event. Purchase a donated item and the proceeds (minus Etsy and PayPal fees) will go directly to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund. It’s that simple.

The items themselves, on the other hand, are intricate, elegant, fanciful, fun and unique. Check out, for instance, this delightful floral headband—perfect for your most fashionable flower girl.

Flower Headband

Or how about these filigree and glass-pearl earrings? We think they’re a very pretty pairing for an ivory bridal gown, and also great for a bridesmaid gift.

Filigree and glass-pearl earrings

And weren’t we delighted to find this clay-flower accent arrangement from DK Designs (remember when we blogged about Martha Stewart discovery Diane Phillips way back in November?). Those peach-hued English roses and creamy magnolia blossoms? Hard to believe they’re not real flowers!

Clay Flowers

You’ll also find cupcake pick tags (cute!), wedding signs (handy!), coffee cup corsets (darling!) and other wonderful wedding extras. So check it out and pass the word along. Haiti needs our help, and Etsy’s got a terrific opportunity to give it.

A couple of things to consider when choosing a bridal bracelet:

Matching is not required. Sure, you can select a coordinating set that includes necklace, earrings and bracelet. But it’s equally fine (and even a little more fashion-forward) to go with mismatched pieces, like chandelier earrings and a chunky, bejeweled bangle, or an Art Deco pendant and a filigree cuff.

Don’t get snagged. Make sure to take into consideration your gown material when choosing a bridal bracelet. If the skirt of your gown is tulle or lace, you may want to avoid gem-encrusted bracelets, and bracelets with sharp edges or catches, and instead stick with smooth bangle styles. If, on the other hand, your skirt is sleek satin or silk taffeta, you can get away with just about any bracelet construction.

Buy for the future. Choose a bracelet that you really love, and that you will want to wear over and over again. This may mean selecting something that complements your ring set, or an heirloom or vintage piece that makes an enduring statement, and that you can pass down to future generations. Your wedding-day jewelry is special, of course, but that doesn’t mean it has to be stuck in a safe or jewelry box once you’re wed.

OK, now for the fun part. Our best local jewelers offer a spectacular selection of bracelets from classic to ultra-contemporary, so drop in and try on a few styles.

Beyond Houston’s borders, here are a two more fabulous bracelet finds to tempt you:

Bride and press fave Tejani has a big, beautiful selection of bridal bracelets that are not just stunning, but surprisingly affordable, too. Among our most coveted styles is this 1½-inch-wide sterling silver, zircon and crystal bangle…but you can have your pick from bracelets grouped by categories including Daring, Dainty and Antique.

Tejani Bangle

On the edgier side, there’s Melinda Maria, whose statement pieces have won celebrity fans including Vanessa Hudgens, Anne Hathaway and Faith Hill. We’re crazy about the Infinity Pod Bangles, and slightly daintier Mini Pod Bangles. But with a drapey, stately goddess gown, nothing would be more beautiful than this lovely leaf bangle, don’t you agree?

Melinda Maria Leaf Bracelet