While we love a classic diamond set in platinum, it’s not a style that suits every bride’s taste. So if you’re expecting or planning a proposal this Valentine’s Day, consider one of these gorgeous rings that is anything but traditional.

We love these colorful stones, unexpected cuts, and alternative settings.

Photo by: Allyson Magda on Inspired By This via Lover.ly

Photo by: K and K Photography on Every Last Detail via Lover.ly

Photo by: Abbey Hepner Photography on Every Last Detail via Lover.ly

Photo by: Alice Hu on Inspired by This via Lover.ly

Photo by: Shang Chen Photography on Maharani Weddings via Lover.ly

Photo by: Camellia Collection on Equally Wed via Lover.ly

Photo by: Color and Dust on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly

Organic detailing is so pretty.

Radiant Cut White Sapphire Twig Ring in Recycled Gold From Etsy Shops via Lover.ly

Engagement ring with leaves and diamonds. From Etsy Shops via Lover.ly

Photo by: Alex Monroe Jewellery on Bridal Musings via Lover.ly

Bring on the rose and yellow gold!

Photo by: Spindle Photography on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly

Photo by: Quest Drape Orlando on Inspired By This via Lover.ly

Incandescence Ring From BHLDN Shop via Lover.ly

Cushion Cut Moissanite Ring and Diamond Fitted Band From Etsy Shops via Lover.ly

Despite what Marilyn Monroe says, not every bride wants a big stone.

From Etsy Shops via Lover.ly

Photo by: Raquel Lauren on Tracy Matthews Jewelry via Lover.ly

Photo by: Raquel Lauren on Tracy Matthews Jewelry via Lover.ly

Filaments Ring From BHLDN Shop via Lover.ly

Would you wear one of these non-traditional rings?

XO,

Rachel and the Lover.ly team

Want more wedding inspiration?

• Dozens of engagement photo ideas
• Our favorite eco-friendly weddings
• Walk down the aisle in these fabulous flats

Though pearls are classic, they are anything but boring. Here are our favorite modern ways to incorporate pearls into your wedding.

On your dress…

Photo by: Milk & Honey Photography on Bridal Musings via Lover.ly

Photo by: Heather Cook Elliot Photography on Landlocked Bride via Lover.ly

Photo and dress by: Claire Pettibone  via Lover.ly

On a bold necklace…

Photo by: Jessica Lorren Organic Photography on Every Last Detail via Lover.ly

Photo by: Elizabeth Messina on Kelly Oshiro via Lover.ly

Photo by: Elizabeth Messina on Kelly Oshiro via Lover.ly

Tender Buds Necklace From BHLDN Shop

Photo by: Megan Aldridge on Polka Dot Bride via Lover.ly

Photo by: Picotte Photography on Wedding Chicks via Lover.ly

As part of your bouquet…

Photo by: DLillian Photography on Society Bride via Lover.ly

Elegant Pearl Hydrangea HL02 From Blue Petyl Shop

“Something Blue” Magnolia Brooch Bouquet HL09 From Blue Petyl Shop

In your hair…

Photo by: Jerry Yoon on Huckleberry Karen via Lover.ly

Pussy Willow Hair Pins From BHLDN Shop

Photo by: Yuna Leonard on Erica Elizabeth via Lover.ly

On your accessories…

Photo by: Cory Ryan Photography on Every Last Detail via Lover.ly

Effervescence Clutch From BHLDN Shop

Photo by: Briana Moore on Heart Love Weddings via Lover.ly

Photo by: Beth Carter Photography on Polka Dot Bride via Lover.ly

While these pearls are traditional enough that grandma will still love them, we love them on these thoroughly modern brides!

XO,

Rachel and the Lover.ly team

Want more wedding inspiration?

• Classic black and white weddings
• Pretty purses for you and your bridesmaids
• See all of our favorite hair accessories

Today we’re celebrating one of our favorite personal wedding touches: gorgeous calligraphy! Here are some of our favorite picks from Lover.ly:

On invites…

Photo by: Jose Villa on Snippet and Ink via Lover.ly

Photo by: Primele via Engaged and Inspired via Lover.ly

To give guests directions…

Photo by: Jessica Wright on Snippet and Ink via Lover.ly

TABLE NUMBERS WEDDING – Calligraphy – Table Signs From Etsy Shops

Served up with food…

Photo by: Steve Steinhardt on Laura Hooper Calligraphy via Lover.ly

Photo by: Steve Steinhardt on Laura Hooper Calligraphy via Lover.ly

Photo by: Steve Steinhardt on Laura Hooper Calligraphy via Lover.ly

Photo by: Steve Steinhardt on Laura Hooper Calligraphy via Lover.ly

On a sweet keepsake…

Photo by: Nancy Ray on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly

Photo by: Wandersketch via Engaged and Inspired via Lover.ly

Doesn’t this make you want to get out your quill and ink?! Whether it’s modern or traditional, calligraphy adds a fancy and personal touch to your wedding.

XO,

Rachel and the Lover.ly team

Want more ways to bring handwriting into your wedding?

• Get inspiration for a gorgeous wedding menu
• Decorate the bride’s and groom’s chairs with one of these pretty signs
• The best guest books for your guests’ signatures

With the Super Bowl on Sunday, football is on everyone’s mind right now, but plenty of brides and grooms are superfans year-round. Paying homage to your favorite team is a great way to personalize your wedding. Here are some of Lover.ly‘s favorite ways to do football details.

Some couples head to their favorite stadium or spot on campus to show how much they love their team…

Photo by: KPL Photography on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly

Photo by: Photographs by Sabrina on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly

Photo by: Melissa Ragan on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly

…while others bring campus to them.

Photo by: Melissa Schollaert on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly

Photo by: Natosha Ledbetter on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly

Pennants are a chic way to do sports for a more formal wedding.

Photo by: Jen Huang on Grey Likes Weddings via Lover.ly

Photo by: Marissa Moss on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly

Photo by: Daniel Taylor Photography on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly

If your groom loves sports, these cufflinks would make for a great wedding-day gift.

Football Cufflinks From Groomstars via Lover.ly

Photo by: Cyn Kain on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly

 Or surprise him with a sporty garter.

Photo by: Maile Lani on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly

The cake is where most sports-loving couples get creative.

Photo by: By Shea Photography on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly

Photo by: Scott Hopkins Photography on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly

Photo by: Ivy Weddings on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly

Photo by: Stephen Devries on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly

If the couple loves the same team, awesome. If there is a rivalry between them? Even better! Then you can really let guests choose a side.

XO,

Rachel and the Lover.ly Team

Want more wedding inspiration?

• More fun ways to do pennants
• Dozens of cake ideas
• Our favorite baseball details

Winter brides have to find a chic way to stay warm, and fur is about as glamorous as it gets! And though fur looks luxe, faux fur and vintage fur is a great option; not only is it typically less expensive, it’s also a good choice for the socially-conscious bride or bridal party.

Here are our favorite ways brides can incorporate fur into their wedding looks.

White fur is both wintery and bridal…

Photo by: Alison Conklin on Perfect Bound via Lover.ly

Photo by: Wai Reyes Photography on Inspired By This via Lover.ly

Photo by: Honey Heart Photography on Bridal Musings via Lover.ly

Photo by: Kristin Byrum Photography on Every Last Detail via Lover.ly

Photo by: Red Bird Hills on Landlocked Bride via Lover.ly

Photo by: Sarah Janes Photography on Bridal Musings via Lover.ly

Brown or gray fur is perfect for adding a glam touch to rustic winter weddings…

Photo by: Aaron Delesie on Snippet and Ink via Lover.ly

Photo by: Deep Grey Photography on Polka Dot Bride via Lover.ly

Photo by: Hillary Maybery Photography on Inspired by This via Lover.ly

Photo on Southern Bride via Lover.ly

Photo by: Scarlet O’Neill on Wedding Chicks via Lover.ly

If you don’t want to go all-out, try incorporating fur touches through accessories…

Photo by: Viera Photographics on Bridal Musings via Lover.ly

Serenity Ear Muffs From BHLDN Shop

Photo by: Amy Lashelle on Munaluchi Bridal via Lover.ly

Lapin Cuffs From BHLDN Shop

Photo by:  Sloan Photographers on Inspired by This via Lover.ly

How will you stay warm at your winter wedding?

XO,

Rachel and the Lover.ly team

Want more wedding inspiration?

• You’ll wish for snow when you see these winter weddings
• Our favorite long-sleeve wedding gowns
• Gorgeous winter bouquets

Just because you’re thinking small doesn’t mean you can’t have a beautiful and meaningful wedding day. Worried a City Hall wedding might not feel special enough? Let these happy couples prove you wrong.

Photo by: Traci Griffin on Snippet and Ink via Lover.ly

Photo by: Angi Welsch via Bridal Musings on Lover.ly

Photo by: Melissa Barrick Photography on Bayside Bride via Lover.ly

Photo by: Flory Photo on Snippet and Ink via Lover.ly

Photo by: EmmyJeanne Photography on Snippet and Ink via Lover.ly

Photo by: Wrinkle in Time Photography on Snippet and Ink via Lover.ly

Photo by: Jimena Roquero on Snippet and Ink via Lover.ly

Photo by: Di Bezi on The Brides Cafe via Lover.ly

Photo by: Alfred & Emma Photography on The Brides Cafe via Lover.ly

Photo by: Amber Knowles on The Bride’s Cafe on Lover.ly

Photo by: Jessica Burke on Snippet and Ink via Lover.ly

Photo by: Kate Harrison on Snippet and Ink via Lover.ly

Photo by: Christa Elyce on Bridal Musings via Lover.ly

Photo by: Jessica Burke on Snippet and Ink via Lover.ly

Photo by: Hayley Anne Photography on Hayley Anne Photography via Lover.ly

Photo by: Jen Huang on Grey Likes Weddings via Lover.ly

Photo by: Bowerbird Photography on Bridal Musings via Lover.ly

The great thing about doing a City Hall wedding is that it works with any budget. You can keep things casual or go all-out with a traditional gown. And even though the wedding might be low-key, there’s no reason you can’t have a fabulous party afterward with dancing and champagne.

XO,

Rachel and the Lover.ly team

Want more wedding inspiration?

• Beautiful brides is short wedding dresses
• See more San Francisco City Hall weddings 
• Stay on budget with these DIY ideas

We can spend hours dreaming up the perfect palette for a vintage fete, but there’s one part of a wedding we love to dream about even more – the ceremony. The vows you recite to each other create the cause for celebration in the first place! While you’re bundling together your favorite yellow and grey inspiration, don’t forget about your altar and how you can make it define your relationship. Here are Lover.ly’s 10 favorite awe-inspiring altars…

This couple looks as relaxed in front of their vintage candlelit fireplace altar as they would be cozying up by a fire in their own home:

Photo by: Studio EMP Inc onWedding Chicks via Lover.ly

This aisle alone is stunning, but it’s the elegantly draped floral and fabric chuppah that makes it that much more beautiful:

Photo by: Jennifer Lust on Jennifer Stiebel via Lover.ly

Searching for a more modern, retro altar? Tell your story on a chalkboard:

Photo on The Landlocked Bride via Lover.ly

All of these flowers and fans are made out of paper:

Photo by Ashley Rose on Bow Ties & Bliss via Lover.ly

We fell in love fast with this rustic lifelike outdoor church altar, complete with outlines for stained glass windows:

Photo by Anahi Navarro on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly

For an extra special touch, write out favorite verses, quotes, or even your vows to serve as an altar backdrop and aisle runner:

 Photo by Tammy Horton Photography on Oh Lovely Day via Lover.ly

The ocean view is enough of a backdrop on it’s own, but the cascading florals put this chuppah over the top:

Photo by: R&V Photography on Sterling Social via Lover.ly

The large potted blooms are the perfect anchors to this architectural brick backdrop:

Photo by Krystle Akin on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly

The draping and rich colors of this traditional Indian mandap are unreal:

Photo by: Photographick Studios on Maharani Weddings via Lover.ly

Simplicity can be just as beautiful, and we adore this alter created by wrapping branches in string lights:

Photo by: Feather Love on Engaged & Inspired via Lover.ly

Sound off, what are you dreaming about designing for your altar?

XO,

Carly and the Lover.ly Team

~~~

Searching for more ceremony inspiration?

• Thinking about a first look?
• Creative ceremony programs
• Aisles to lead up to your altar

While we do find ourselves daydreaming about the time when we can fill vases with freshly picked summer garden blooms again, there is one particular bonus to winter: greenery. Lover.ly loves when brides opt to fully embrace the winter season and fill their arrangements with greens from obvious choices, like ferns, to more obtuse options, like succulents. Hints of deep red and ivory help to make these arrangements feel even more seasonal. Another plus? Because greens are in season, they’re budget friendly! Five of our winter greenery favorites…

We can already see a bride holding this bouquet of winter white blooms, pinecones, and greens in a snow filled fete:

Photo on Sparkle & Hay via Lover.ly

Three words: we love candlelight. Line your tables with greens and ivory candles for a classically romantic feel:

Photo on Sparkle & Hay via Lover.ly

Combine sprigs of ferns with roses for simple rustic boutonnières for your groomsmen:

Photo by: Erin Hearts Court on Snippet and Ink via Lover.ly

Drape chandeliers hanging from beams in a ballroom or tent in greenery and complete the look with cascading flowers:

Photo by: ZoomWorks Photography on Every Last Detail via Lover.ly

This is a green bouquet done just right. We love that it’s filled to the brim with succulents and accented with ferns:

Photo by: Jesse Hisco on Wedding Chicks via Lover.ly

Tell us, what type of bouquet are you carrying in your winter wedding?

XO,

Carly and the Lover.ly Team

~~~

Ready to plan the rest of your winter wedding?

• Be inspired by the season
• Winter bridal bouquets
• Escape the cold for a honeymoon at the beach

How you get your rings down the aisle is a small detail, but it’s also a really fun one! Is there anything cuter than a little guy in a tie bearing a ring? OK, maybe a dog in a tie bearing a ring. Good news — we’ve got ideas for both!

This is a great look for nautical nuptials:

Moored Devotion Ring Pillow From BHLDN Shop

No chance of your rings getting lost when they’re kept in a safe:

Photo by: Kim Le Photography via Bridal Guide via Lover.ly

If you want to take “til death do us part” literally…

Photo by: Morgan Hill Designs via Bridal Guide via Lover.ly

Send the ring bearer down the aisle with a hollowed-out book…

Photo by: Meg Smith amp Associates Kristen L on Snippet and Ink via Lover.ly

Photo by: Conduit Press via Bridal Musings via Lover.ly

Tie your ring to a pretty pumpkin for a fall wedding…

Rustic Fall Pumpkin Ring Bearer Pillow ‘Pumpkin Patch’ From Etsy Shops

We love this dish; it would make a beautiful addition to your nightstand after the wedding.

With This Ring Ring Bearer Bowl From Palomas Nest Shop

Let your best friend bear the ring…

Photo by: Everything Made Unique via Bridal Musings via Lover.ly

And don’t forget to thank your ring bearer! You could go with a punny T-shirt…

Custom Color Ring Bear Tee From WeddingChicks Shop

…or a cape! (Seriously, how cool is that?!)

Ring Bearer gift – Ring Bearer Cape – Wedding party gift for ring bearer or flower girl From Etsy Shops

How will you get your rings down the aisle on your big day?

XO,

Rachel and the Lover.ly team

Want more wedding inspiration?

• Adorable looks for your ring bearer
• Gorgeous engagement rings
• Find flower girl dresses