Springtime is synonymous with weddings. For women, planning these weddings has often been happening since childhood. Future brides begin planning as girls playing with their dolls, in make-believe weddings with their little friends, on Halloween dressing up as a bride or just daydreaming while reading a bride magazine. Weddings come in different shapes, sizes and themes. But a Western wedding is about more than just using a theme, it’s a reflection of a lifestyle.
What’s the difference? Themes represent a particular place in time or a certain interest, like a Renaissance wedding or a pirate wedding. A wedding that represents a lifestyle is going to have the heart and soul of the bride and groom. With traditional representations in dress, food, entertainment and environment, a lifestyle wedding can tell you who these people are, where they come from and even who they want to be. A Western wedding does all of these things—with attitude.
This month, our fashion feature is sharing a part of that lifestyle. A Western wedding has the basis of wedding traditions with the flare of Western style. From the invitations, to the bride and groom, to the wedding toast, the Western lifestyle can add attitude to any wedding. Having the things in your store available to the couple that wants some Western style on their special day can bring uniqueness to their event and a retail edge to your business. Manufacturers in the equine trade industry have not overlooked this important aspect of the Western lifestyle, and have plenty of wedding products available.
A Western wedding, like any wedding, has certain elements. But the building blocks are in the asking, (“Will you?”) and the answer, (“Yes!”) This brings about…the ring. We found jewelry in different price points, styles and materials. Kelly Herd from Kelly Herd Fine Jewelry is seeing a boom in sterling silver with diamonds and other gems. This is an affordable and luxurious combination that can be handed down to future generations. Loriece Boatright from Designs by Loriece says that red/rose gold and platinum are still popular for wedding jewelry. Crystals like Swavorski with sterling silver is another trend that’s coming into favor for wedding jewelry. Both of these fine jewelry companies have taken engagement and wedding pieces and infused them with an equine and Western essence. They produce jewelry that is truly unique to the Western lifestyle, while maintaining traditional elegance.
For a more casual or vintage look, silversmiths in the equine industry have created designs that epitomize the Western lifestyle. Montana Silversmiths took the classic look of pearls, put that together with the always-endearing heart, and came up with bridal jewelry that reflects their signature style. The company took traditional wedding items and put a Western twist on them to set brides and grooms apart from the crowd. Elk Creek and Vogt Silversmiths offer a more rustic look to some of their jewelry sets with unique, three-part, stackable rings and hand-carved bands of solid sterling silver.
“We design for heirloom quality,” said Casey Vogt of Vogt Silversmiths. His company offers a guarantee on its fine silver jewelry and other silver products. All of these companies offer pieces that can be given to the bridesmaids as gifts. For the men, the silversmiths offer unique gifts for the groomsmen and fathers, such as bolo ties, pocket knives, buckle sets, money clips, cufflinks or cigar cutters.
Another aspect of wedding jewelry is custom design. Designs by Loriece offers items for retail stores as well as a custom design service. Boatright works with her retail dealers and the customer to produce original and extremely personal jewelry.
What the bride and groom will wear has to be number one on the list of important decisions for this special day. Thoughts of the wedding dress have been going through the mind of the bride since she was a little girl. Western weddings offer a chance to take this traditional piece and make it personal and memorable. As a Western retailer, you have the unique opportunity of providing dresses that speak to her lifestyle. The equine industry has designers and manufacturers that offer dresses representing different facets of the Western lifestyle. One such company, Pat Dahnke Designs, makes dresses that are ageless and timeless. Designer Pat Dahnke’s flowing, bias-cut dresses are feminine and are designed to fit and flatter a women’s figure.
“Everyone likes to look tall, thin and rich, so we use rich fabrics that will flow and fit the shape of a woman’s body in a flattering way,” said Dahnke. Her company inspires the romantic, feminine side of the Western lifestyle and can add that same ambience to a Western wedding. Pat Dahnke Designs also offers hats, headdresses, barrettes, parasols, pillows, flower baskets and gifts to go with the overall style of a wedding. It carries fringed belts as well, that Dahnke suggests for the bridesmaids, in a mixture of leather and lace.
Cattle Kate and Western Collections offer a variety of dresses that have distinct Western style. Brides who are looking for variety in the classic, traditional fitted style will find plenty to choose from. Both companies design dresses with full or straight skirts, mixed with lace and some fringe. Long, short or tea length, they have nostalgic styles for brides of all shapes and sizes. Cattle Kate also has a split skirt for the wedding that features a horse carrying the bride, or just to put a different spin on the traditional wedding attire. The trend for men is the gambler look with a vest and skinny tie. To help coordinate the men’s and women’s outfits, Michelle Oster of Cattle Kate suggests scarves of complimenting colors. Her company offers accessories to go with the Western wedding, such as guest books, garters and ring bearer pillows, and also has a line of dresses for bridesmaids and groomsmen. Western Collection has several choices for bridesmaids’ dresses and flower girl dresses to coordinate with the bride.
The Western lifestyle wouldn’t be complete without a decent hat. A Western wedding is no exception. Bailey Hats offers the Renegade bride hat, a beautiful, white felt hat adorned with a veil and flowers. Other headwear options for brides include straw hats with a veil or a custom-made hat from Pat Dahnke Designs. The groom can pick from a multitude of hats to match his outfit or compliment his bride.
Last but not least are the boots. Oak Tree Farms has a line of boots with either the traditional Western style or a pioneer style. Offering the pioneer style in different colors, different materials and different heel choices gives the bride options for being original in her choice.
Even if the bride and groom choose to go the traditional route with their jewelry and attire, they may still want to express their love of the Western lifestyle. They can do that in many different ways and as a retailer, you can help. Showcasing wedding items in a specific area like the “collection cases” provided by Montana Silversmiths is a good way to display items for Western weddings. Decor can also be a direct reflection of the bride and groom’s lifestyle.
“Quality items that convey the Western style without looking hokey is what we provide for the Western lifestyle and wedding,” said Judy Wagner with Montana Silversmiths.
Invitations that have Western flair are available through Carlson Cards, an invitation-printing company. It provides packages that include invitations, RSVP cards, place cards and thank you notes. Montana Silversmiths, Cattle Kate and Pat Dahnke Designs offer items like cake toppers, certificate holders, ring bearer pillows, flower girl baskets and champagne flute sets.
A wedding is a special day for the bride, the groom and their families. A Western wedding makes this special occasion exceptionally personal to everyone. It’s not every day that a couple invites people to be an intimate part of their lives. Retailers in the equine industry already have a personal interest in the Western lifestyle. Helping a couple express this aspect of their personalities is the icing on the cake, so to speak, and leaves the wedding party, parents and other guests with a unique remembrance of the bridal couple for years to come.
Western Wedding Rings
Romantic western wedding rings are perfect for couples who love the idea of riding off into the sunset and living happily ever after. No matter what your particular association with western imagery, there are countless types and styles of rings available to suit your needs.
Where to Find Western Style Rings
- Cowboy Jewelers has hand crafted ranch brand wedding sets. They also have a saddle style ring guard. All of the jewelry is hand crafted and made in the United States.
- Danny's Jewelry specializes in unique wedding rings that combine turquoise, gold and diamonds. From horseshoe styled wedding bands to turquoise and magnesite bands these rings are made with materials commonly associated with western wear.
- A herd of horses runs around a carved band from Equestrian Jewelry. They also have a ring in which a heart is created by two horses touching noses. If you love horses this company has bands, carved and sculpted, in several styles that feature them.
- Using stones like turquoise, pink opal, lapis and jasper, Shelagh of Designs by Shelagh creates designs that reflect her faith and her love of western culture. A silver and turquoise horseshoe decorated band is rich with western themes and motifs.
- Prairie Rose Jewelry carries the more romantic style of western wedding rings. From Black Hills Gold to Dakota God and Silver, there are several beautiful wedding rings to appeal the western romantic.
For those with western roots, or who have a passion for the culture, there are many traits that can be found in a ring to represent the style.
Western Motifs
There are many types of western themed wedding rings, both modern and vintage. They will typically be designed with those motifs most often associated with western culture:
- Horses
- Horseshoes
- Brands
- Saddles
- Cowboy boots
- Lassos
Western style rings may also be made out of several different metals and use a number of semi precious gemstones and precious stones for embellishment, including:
- Silver
- Gold
- Rose gold
- Turquoise
- Mother of Pearl
- Onyx
- Jasper
What to Look For
The same rules for buying wedding rings apply. Always buy from a reputable source, preferably someone who has been recommended to you by friends or acquaintances.
Ask questions and understand the company's return policies, sizing and delivery times. Many rings created in themed images like horses cannot be resized. Have the measurements done carefully and do not rely on memory or guesswork.
Keep in mind that if you are choosing a ring with a stone, that some stones seen in western style rings, like Mother of Pearl and Turquoise, might not be of the same quality everywhere you go. Some of these materials are also softer and more fragile than diamonds and other precious stones, so make sure you ask questions pertaining to their care, cleaning and how well they will wear throughout your regular activities.
Express Your Love and Interests Together
When you choose western wedding rings you are expressing your love for each other as well as your love of the western lifestyle. Whether you choose to ride off into the sunset on a horse or in a car, your wedding rings will be reminders of your deep commitment to each other...read more
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