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Bel Canto Designs Blog bio picture

Welcome to the Bel Canto Designs Blog!

Working with sophisticated vintage jewelry to create new haircombs and bridal jewelry has become a passion of mine in the past year. It has also been such an inspiration to be able to share in the incredible creativity that is part of the present day wedding community. In this blog I share ideas and discoveries in the bridal community, stories of some of our clients, as well as some of my creations.

As you continue to follow you will find that my real love is for vintage designs. I collect rare antique pieces from the 1940's to 60's and use them in my work. Their flowing lines, sparkle and beautiful workmanship are just so appealing.

Please click the Collections link to view our shop.

My hope is that this blog will inspire you.

Elegant Wedding Gala

Such a wonderful evening it was! The setting was the
amazing Umstead Hotel so it truly was elegant.

We were busy…well swamped…most of the evening so we weren’t able to get out and about. Thankfully Sugarland (amazing wedding cakes as well as gelato) was our neighbor….and they were giving out samples. My husband said their pistachio gelato has ruined him ….he can’t eat any other now. Sad state of affairs, don’t you think?

My friend, Debbie Lipstone, was having a great time with the brides. After planning two weddings for her kids, she is a pro.

We were able to spend  time with the brides helping them coordinate their jewelry and hairpiece with their dress. It was so much fun because it opened unknown possibilities for many of the brides! The photos are the intense conversations with some of the now Bel Canto Brides-to-be.

The setting was great for our 1930’s to 1960’s vintage pieces. The brides were most appreciative to find real vintage/heirloom jewelry.

Wedding Gala Tickets Give Away

We are getting more excited each day as the Wedding Gala approaches! We have 4 winners in our ticket give away:

Amy, Lauren, Dotty and Kim

You will each receive 2 tickets. Please email me at belcantodesigns@gmail.com so we can make arrangements.

Look forward to meeting you!

Winners of The Junebug Wedding and Project Wedding Give-aways

And we have a winner …..Kenya Franklin won at Junebug Weddings and Kayla Erickson won at Project Wedding. I look forward to the photos of their weddings!

Keep checking in for more contests. Classic Bride will be coming up in March.

Elegant Weddings Gala

For our North Carolina readers:

Cary Magazine’s Elegant Weddings Gala will be at The Umstead Hotel and Spa on March 4th.  The setting is more intimate and boutique-like than a larger wedding show. We at  Bel Canto Designs are excited to be part of it this year.

Please stop by and introduce yourself. We will be in booth #25

We have a few tickets ( a $20 value) to give away. Please subscribe to our blog and then leave a comment to enter to win tickets. We will chose the winners on March 1st so please check back then!

Another Contest Celebrating Our Shop Opening!

Project Wedding is helping us celebrate by sponsoring a give away. You may enter up until February 22nd and while you are there check out wedding ideas!

BelCanto Designs Giveaway on What Junebug Loves!

To celebrate the opening of our new shop, we are doing a giveaway in conjunction with Junebug Weddings. Be sure to visit before February 10th at 6 pm to enter.

Bel Canto Designs.com has arrived!

We are so excited to announce that our new “baby”, belcantodesigns.com, has arrived!
In our new shop you will find more of the lovely “heirloom” jewelry and hair adornments that we love to make. We are also adding sashes of luxurious swiss satin with beaded vintage inspired accents.

Our photo shoot for the shop was fun! Here are a few of the photos you might like. Our lovely model is one of my voice students, Sinclaire, and she was so easy to work with.

To find our shop, just click “collections” at the top of the page.

~ January 2nd at Victorian Rose Bridal ~

We will welcome in a New Year of working with brides at Victorian Rose in downtown Raleigh on January 2nd. From 10-1:00 we will have haircombs, headbands and some of our jewelry creations for you to try on. Come by and visit!

More from WellWed spread

Thought I’d better share these beautiful shots from the Fall/Winter Vermont Vows and WellWed magazines before the new year! Note one of the lovely bracelets from the Bel Canto Designs collection.

Happy holidays and a Merry Christmas to you all!

Photography by: Barrie Fisher, Joe Elario

Bridesmaid Gifts for a New Years Eve Bride

DSCN9332 AcDSCN9324 AcWccI do enjoy working with brides. Hearing the ideas and making them reality is a wonderful process. Here is a new set of bridesmaids gifts for a New Year’s Eve bride. They are made with faceted lead crystals from a 1950’s necklace and vintage rhinestone pieces.DSCN9322