Bringing The
Sparkle
With a multitude of decisions to make in the lead up to your wedding day, choosing stylish and timeless accessories that complement your gown can seem daunting. Here, Bethany Hayes offers tips and suggestions to simplify the accessorising process before the all-important trip down the aisle.
Image Credit: Bokeh Weddings
Second only to the dress, accessories are one
of the most important aspects to completing
your wedding day look. From choosing shoes, elegant hairpieces, practical undergarments and that special something borrowed, a bride’s accessories should both complement her dress, and be practical enough to see her dance the night away. Here, Melbourne Wedding & Bride explores a range of accessory styles and options to help you look and feel like your best self on your special day.
It’s All About The Dress
Your wedding look centres around the dress, so it’s imperative your accessories complement – and don’t disrupt – the style of your wedding dress. If you have a detailed and embellished neckline, we recommend choosing more simple accessories, such as statement earrings over a necklace that may disturb the dress’ detail. Alternatively, if your
dress is a more sleek or classic design, eye-catching accessories like a necklace or charm
bracelet can be used to add that extra bit of ‘wow’.
The aim of bridal accessories is to help create a cohesive ensemble, whilst complementing your features and natural beauty. Remember, the dress is what is going to steal focus at your wedding, so choosing accessories that emphasise your dress in all its glory is your best bet. Choosing a colour theme, such as silver or gold, that suits the tones of your dress is an excellent place to start.
Don’t Forget The Details
Hairpieces are a great way to add detail and
sparkle to your wedding look. Depending on the hairstyle you choose; a loose bun, beach waves or a tousled braid to name a few, a hair comb is a safe yet popular choice to add that extra sparkle. A classic up-do can pair well with a veil, while an elegant hair comb in silver or gold can complement brides with even the most minimalistic taste. For brides after a more bohemian flair, a flower crown is a beautiful option to secure hair away from the
face, while adding some extra flourishes to the completed look while complementing the styling of your venue and décor.
If opting for a princess-esque style, a sequined or pearled tiara is a chic option to secure your veil and is the perfect addition to a fairy-tale themed wedding or ballgown silhouetted dress. A wreath or crown would suit a slick ponytail or bun and be an eye-catching extra for brides choosing to let their hair run free. For something more dramatic, sporting a white fascinator will certainly draw eyes, while weaving crystals or florals through braids is always a beautiful addition. Remember to bring any accessories with you to your hair trial to ensure that you can test-run the perfect style to suit your vision.
Keep It Consistent
Whatever theme or style you choose to embody on your wedding day, the key is to keep it consistent and steady through deliberate accessory choices. This way you avoid any unnecessary colour clashes, messy lines or discontinuity both in person and photographs. Whether choosing traditional silver or gold, or experimenting with copper, rose gold or bronze jewellery, the safest bet is to carry that colour theme through your other stylistic choices.
When choosing jewellery, considering your face shape and hairstyle is key. Dangly or drop earrings can lengthen a rounder face, while smaller, delicate stud earrings can suit a halter-style dress with a more detailed neckline. Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose pieces that you feel good in. This is your wedding day and choosing accessories that make you feel confident and beautiful is the way to go.
Keep It Consistent
Whatever theme or style you choose to embody on your wedding day, the key is to keep it consistent and steady through deliberate accessory choices. This way you avoid any unnecessary colour clashes, messy lines or discontinuity both in person and photographs. Whether choosing traditional silver or gold, or experimenting with copper, rose gold or bronze jewellery, the safest bet is to carry that colour theme through your other stylistic choices.
When choosing jewellery, considering your face shape and hairstyle is key. Dangly or drop earrings can lengthen a rounder face, while smaller, delicate stud earrings can suit a halter-style dress with a more detailed neckline. Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose pieces that you feel good in. This is your wedding day and choosing accessories that make you feel confident and beautiful is the way to go.
Undergarments are the finishing touch that can help to perfect your bridal ensemble. Avoiding visible bra straps and uneven lines while remaining supportive is an essential. A backless dress can be worn with a tan body stocking, or a stick-on one piece to create that invisible look. With so many options nowadays, you can even get your bra sewn into your wedding dress, to give a seamless
look while remaining supported.
Meanwhile, choosing an elegant clutch can be a beautiful addition to any bridal look. The clutch should match your colour theme and be big enough to carry all those little bridal essentials; a powder compact to touch-up, concealer, extra pins, lipstick, and some double-sided fashion tape to fix any little mishaps.
Something Old, New, Borrowed And Blue
If you’re one for tradition, choosing an antique
accessory can be a lovely addition to your
completed bridal look. If you want to bring
something from a relative down the aisle with you, sewing an old ribbon or bead onto your wedding gown can be a sentimental and discreet touch to honour both the ‘something old and borrowed’. This is also a great way to incorporate items that reflect your culture and lifestyle. While blue may not be your colour theme, a subtle hair pin, the lining of your shoes or jewel in a ring can be an elegant
way to maintain tradition. While ‘something new’ is certainly an easy criterion to check, you don’t need to break the bank to do so. A bold new earring with impact can be bought on a budget and tie your whole wedding look together seamlessly.
Piecing together the perfect accessories, from
a beautiful necklace to an impressive hairpiece and every jewel between, can seem daunting. But, once you’ve decided on your ideal theme or aesthetic, crafting your dream bridal ensemble is easier than you’d think!