Gifts and Jewelry in Bermuda

Gifts and jewelry – they are central ceremonial pieces for the wedding participant or guest. Whether it is a groom looking for a small token of remembrance for their groomsmen, a mother and father of the bride giving a gift that their daughter will remember fondly for her lifetime, or simply the guest of the wedding, appreciative for the invitation to come and celebrate the couple’s special day, bearing gifts and good wishes.

Gifts become tokens to memorialize a special day, a special memory, or a special relationship with the bride and groom. Bermuda’s best gifts can be found in bridal boutiques, department stores, or even at banks. At Occasions, a small bridal boutique which specializes in bridal wear and accessories, there is a large selection of jewelry as well as novelty gifts for brides and others. The shop carries Bel Aire Bridal, AA Bridal and EnVogue Bridal Accessories brands, all of which specialize in headpieces, veils, tiaras, jewelry, brooches, hair accessories and birdcage veils. Occasions Owner Khaliah Nisbett says that the necklace and earrings set make a great purchase for brides. The sets vary in styles – freshwater pearl and Swarovski crystal sets at the high end and rhinestones and plain crystals on the more modest end. These sets are ideal for brides, and in some cases, for the bridal party. Although Occasions is primarily a bridal boutique, carrying dresses and accessories for brides, bridesmaids, flower girls and mother of the bride’s (they do carry little boy’s tuxedos as well), they do also have a smaller selection of gifts by Weddingish that are for grooms, and novelty gifts like tee shirts that say “groom,” “maid of honor,” and other wedding titles. Alongside the wide selection at the shop, the Occasions website, www.occasions.bm, offers a wider array of bridal gifts and accessories.

Bermuda’s banks can also make an ideal place to procure a gift. For example, Butterfield’s Head of Consumer Credit, Shawnette
Griffin, said “the Bank is an ideal place to look for financing for things as small as a weekend getaway for the couple, all the way to the wedding or engagement rings.” Indeed, one might consult the Bank on smart money management on what is often an expensive affair (wedding, reception, and honeymoon totals can grow to staggering numbers). Butterfield rarely receives visitors who are looking to finance a gift purchase, but Griffin says Butterfield Associates often meet with couples looking for financial consultation, “looking at the future, to purchase a home, if they’re looking to purchase a car, we’ll help them with savings plans and investment plans.” In today’s rocky economic climate, a gift might be as simple as making an appointment for the couple to meet with a financial advisor. Yet another gift that recognizes the challenges of starting a family in today’s economy is a savings account or investment plan as a gift. Although these sorts of gifts are less sentimental, they make up for what they lack in emotive power in serious practicality.

Bank of Bermuda is another financial institution that would be an ideal place to find financially oriented wedding resources. Although like with other banks gift resources are limited, Bank of Bermuda is ideal for gift givers thinking outside the box. One such gift might be a mother or father of the bride cosigning on a loan. Perhaps the couple might be interested in a mortgage – a closely related gift giver might use that as an opportunity to meet with one of Bank of Bermuda’s mortgage specialists to learn about the mortgage process and help to guide the new couple through the sometimes intimidating experience. Practically, Bank of Bermuda credit or debit cards are always useful whilst shopping for loved ones tying the knot.

Over at the At Last Bridal Boutique in Pembroke, Julianna Stovell prides herself on showcasing a remarkable number of designers, including Mon Cheri Bridals, Alyce Designs, James Clifford, Rina di Montella and Sophia Tolli. “Each gown depends on the individual taste of every single bride, obviously varying with each.” For the mother of the bride or groom, under the Mon Cheri umbrella, she also carries the exquisite Cameron Blake and Montage lines.

Julianna’s patience and time allows each bride to thoroughly research beautiful creative possibilities. “They aren’t so nervous, as simply overwhelmed, with wedding chores. The bride tends to stress out three or four months before, when the groom will stress out about a week before a week before!” Julianna “tries to offer a more personalized service” to assuage nerves, reminding the bride that gowns take 12-14 weeks to make. “Remember gowns are cut smaller, your size 6 is really an 8 or 10 in a wedding gown!”

“Key colors: ivory, champagne, nude or blush, and gowns definitely are floor length. The train length is also an individual preference, whether it be a brush train, or full length. The Mon Cheri bridal gowns offer detachable trains, removable at the reception, via a clever velcro attachment.”

“My first bridal shoppe visit was overwhelming… so much stock, so many looks…now I offer a more personalized service, getting to know the bride’s taste, through catalogues and chatting.” Her brides choose dyable white and ivory satin from the Benjamin Walker collection. Jewelry from Sassy South in Atlanta, emphasizes chandelier styles. Beaded gowns do not need much around the neck, otherwise necklaces, pearls and rhinestone earrings are popular.

All of the above shops and emporiums of beauty and fashion are delighted to create your special dream wedding look! For classic notes and invitations The Stationary Store is sure to inspire. Selections range from silver to gold borders or images of flowers and rings. These are blank so you can fill them with your own calligraphy or print them out yourself. Quantities can be purchased in packaging
of separate envelopes and stationary.

One of Bermuda’s premier department stores, Brown & Co., is a great shopping experience for tasteful and thoughtful wedding gifts including perfume.

They offer many options for that special wedding gift as well as a large selection of “Hallmark”cards.

The Bookmart, which is Bermuda’s largest bookstore is another section of Brown & Company. While you are shopping for that special gift
take a moment at the “Birdcage Cafe” and enjoy gourmet coffees, sandwiches and snacks.