This area has advice for buying a tiara – to view our tiaras, click here.

Many brides choose to have something sparkling in their hair for their big day, and the traditional option is to have a tiara. Richard Designs has a wide range of tiaras, all individually hand-made in our workrooms in Cambridgeshire. If you are looking for something a little different then see below for our advice on choosing mini-combs and hairpins, or look at our fascinators in the Bridal Millinery section. Because we make our tiara bands by hand, they are particularly comfortable, especially compared with the sprung steel bands that are the norm.

Here are our top tips for choosing and wearing a tiara:

1. A traditional tiara is so versatile that you can wear it with your hair long or short, up in an elaborate or simple style. Tiaras can look equally lovely with natural flowing hair.
2. Arrange with the shop to collect your tiara in time to have a trial run with your hairdresser before the big day, and then if you need to make any changes to your hairstyle this can be done in advance – avoiding wedding-day dramas!
3. If your dress is gold or champagne in colour, golden wire is often chosen for tiaras. For a more modern look however, try silver wire with rich cream or light gold pearls, and Swarovski Golden Shadow crystals.
4. When you start looking for tiaras make sure that you try them on. Tiaras and other accessories can look very different when sitting on a shelf than where they are designed to look most beautiful, in your hair.
5. Find a way of wearing hair jewellery that makes you feel confident and comfortable. Experiment with different positions and different hairstyles. Hairstyles can be worked around your favourite accessories, or vice versa. Hairpins and mini-combs are designed to be versatile, so there really is no wrong way to wear them. Here are some of our suggestions:
   1. If you are going to be wearing your hair in a chignon, then mini-combs or hairpins can be pushed in around the hair to add some subtle sparkle.
   2. The traditional formal French twist enables you to decorate one side of the twist with elaborate decoration to really stand out from the crowd.
   3. Half-up half-down hair is the most versatile of bridal hairstyles as it means your neck is covered, and yet decoration can still be worn on the head.
   4. Hair brooches are a very popular look for this season, often being worn with the chignon style, just above the ear. Matching earrings really set off this look.
   5. Twists and plaits create a sense of Grecian style that works well with small hairpins tucked in here and there

Why choose a Richard Designs Tiara?

Our tiaras (click here to view the ’shop window’) are the most comfortable available, meaning there is one less thing to worry about on your special day. We use quality Swarovski crystals, from pure clear crystal to delicate shading colours to match or complement your outfits. Our innovative and thoughtful designs mean that your look will be everything you want it to be.

Choosing a Richard Designs Tiara:

Tiaras are chosen by both wire colour and crystal or pearl colour. Wire can be either gold or silver, so choose this to match your jewellery and any detailing on your dress.

Crystals are available in all of our standard colours (see our Advice on Colours and Materials page for details), the most popular being AB. If you are having a colour theme for your wedding, for example pink, then pink crystals can be incorporated into the design to give a hint of colour. Continuing this theme, pink can then be used in jewellery, veils or matching bridesmaid accessories, giving your wedding a complete and coordinated look.

Standard pearl colours are either cream or ivory, usually chosen to match your dress and jewellery. We also use Swarovski crystal pearls, which are available in a wider selection of colours and give a rich, glossy, pearlised look. Colours available include Powdered Almond, Cocoa and Matt Gold.

Natural freshwater pearls are also available, giving that extra sheen and touch of luxury. Freshwater pearls are natural pearls formed from freshwater mussels and each one is a slightly different shape to the next. We use both ivory and black freshwater pearls in our wedding accessory collections.

The most popular colour ways to match this season’s dresses are comet argent crystals and silver set stones, with luxurious ivory or cream pearls.

Care of your tiara

Handling  -  Handle with care by the base, not the delicate wired stems

Wearing  -  Don’t let hairspray spoil the clarity of crystals. You can gently mould the band to fit snugly on your head; shape and carefully tease the wire stems

Storing  -  Store in a cool dry place in its original box or wrapped in acid-free tissue