Most brides have a lot of shopping to do in preparation for the big day. In addition to selecting a wedding gown, you’ll also want to select accessories that pull your look together. At the same time, shopping for wedding accessories can be a bit overwhelming. After all, how does the average bride know which veil will look best with her dress, or what style of necklace is best suited for her neckline? It’s certainly a lot to think about, but we have some tips to make things easier on you.
Tips for Choosing Wedding Accessories
With so many possibilities to choose from when it comes to wedding accessories, these tips will help you narrow down your options and select the right accessories to accentuate your best features!
Select Your Wedding Gown First
Typically, you should wait to buy your accessories until you’ve picked out your wedding gown. After all, there’s a lot that will likely depend on the dress you’re wearing. For example, by waiting until after you’ve chosen your gown to buy a necklace, you can choose the right necklace style and earrings that best complements your neckline. Furthermore, if you’ve decided to wear a veil on your wedding day, you’ll want to make sure that your veil colour is an exact match to your dress. The length of the veil you choose may also vary based on the neckline and style of your dress. Different types of metals also tend to look better with certain coloured wedding gowns (pure white vs. ivory, for example).
Choose the Right Headpieces
One of the biggest challenges brides face when it comes to choosing accessories is that of selecting headpieces. A headpiece can be anything from a veil or flower crown to a hair accessory. The most traditional headpiece to wear on your wedding day is a veil, but you should never feel obligated to wear one just because others are expecting you to.
If you do decide to wear a veil, know your options. For example, do you want a long, full-length veil that will touch the floor? If so, then you’ll want to shop for a cathedral veil. If you want something a little simpler, consider a fingertip veil or even a short birdcage veil for a retro look.
Flower crowns have also become an increasingly popular accessory option, especially among brides who want to achieve a rustic or Bohemian look.
Don’t Overdo It
When selecting your wedding accessories, remember to stay true to yourself. If you’re not the type of person who normally wears a lot of jewellery and accessories, why make yourself uncomfortable by doing so on your wedding day? When you look back at your wedding photos, you want to look like yourself—and you definitely want to feel like yourself on your big day. That being said, be careful not to "overdo" your accessories. A little bit goes a long way.
Consider Your Venue and Climate
Will you be getting married or doing photos outdoors? If so, be sure to consider the climate as you choose your wedding accessories. Specifically, if you’ll be spending time outdoors on your wedding day and temperatures are going to be on the cooler side, you may want to purchase a cover-up to keep you warm. You can have one custom made by a tailor/seamstress to go with your dress, or you can opt for something a little more versatile. Either way, your accessories should be practical for the weather—especially if you’re planning an outdoor wedding!
Treat Yourself to Two Pairs of Shoes
Speaking of practicality, don’t hesitate to treat yourself to two pairs of shoes for your big day. This is especially good advice if you plan on going for a high-heeled shoe for your ceremony and pictures. By the time your reception starts and dancing gets underway, you will have likely been in your shoes for several hours, and there’s a good chance your feet are going to be hurting. By having a "back-up" pair of more comfortable shoes to slip into, you’ll be a lot more comfortable on the dance floor. Don’t make yourself miserable on your special day!
Don’t Forget About the Bustle!
If your wedding gown has a train of any length, you’re going to want to have your dress bustled. Otherwise, there’s a good chance people will be stepping all over your gown, especially on the dance floor. A bustle allows you to pin your train up in the back of your dress so it stays out of the way; if done correctly, a bustle can also be a beautiful accessory! Take the time to speak with your seamstress about your bustle options. More than likely, she will be able to show you a few mock-ups of how different bustle options would look on your gown so you can choose the one you like best. Just be sure to have your seamstress show you or a loved one how to bustle the gown so you’re not left clueless on the big day!
Something Old, Something New…
Finally, if you want to stick to the tradition of accessorising with "something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue" for your wedding day, now is a good time to start thinking about that. For your "something borrowed," consider asking a close family member or other loved one for a piece of jewellery or other accessory to borrow. For many women, a good "something blue" is a blue garter that can be worn under the dress, or even blue accents on their nails. It’s never too early to start brainstorming. Of course, you should also remember that you’re under no obligation to partake in any wedding traditions you don’t want to.
Overall, shopping around for the right wedding accessories can be a little stressful. However, with a little bit of careful planning and consideration, you’ll be able to select accessories that you love and that let you look and feel your absolute best on your wedding day.
