You've probably chosen the right wedding dress and decided on the theme. It's time to move deal with dazzling details—your accessories. Whether you go for subtle additions like pearls in your hair or bold pieces like embellished gloves, having the proper accents will take your bridal look from ordinary to extraordinary. With so many options, picking just the right pieces can seem overwhelming—but with these helpful tips, you can find the best accessory for your look.
After reading through this comprehensive guide to bridal accessories, you'll have plenty of ideas to create a beautiful ensemble that is uniquely yours.
The significance of bridal accessories
A bride-to-be's wedding day is a special occasion she will remember for the rest of her life. Every detail matters, and bridal accessories can make or break an overall look. From jewelry, shoes, veils, and headpieces, these accents add flair and personality to any bridal style.
Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they also carry deep symbolic meanings. For instance, something as simple as pearl earrings can represent purity, while diamond rings signify eternal love. Similarly, wearing a veil embodies modesty and grace in some traditions. These little nuances create memories that last beyond the wedding ceremony.
Whether you're looking for subtle sophistication or bold glamour on your big day, one thing is certain: there's no shortage of options for finding the right bridal accessories. Now let's explore all the various types of bridal accessories available today so you can pick out exactly what best suits your vision for your dream wedding.
Types of bridal accessories
There are several categories of bridal accessories. Here's a checklist:
- Veils – Veils come in different lengths, shapes, and materials. Brides can choose from a simple waist-length veil to a beaded cathedral-length one with lace appliques.
- Headpieces – Many brides adorn their heads with crowns, tiaras, headbands, and even bedazzled hairpins. Recent trends include delicate floral arrangements, oversized headbands, and dainty tiaras made of pearls and crystals. Your chosen headpiece can inspire a classic, vintage, or modern look, which is why it's so important to find hair accessories like these that are unique and tell your story.
- Bridal jewelry – Perhaps the most essential accessories for your big day, your earrings, necklaces, rings, and bracelets, can make or break your overall look. Some retailers offer affordable choices. View more gold options here.
- Bridal sunglasses – For the fun and quirky bride, oversized specs are in style.
- Belts and sashes – Often used to elegantly cinch the waistline, these are chosen to match your wedding dress.
- Coverups, gloves, and detachable trains – Shawls, capes, and gloves provide extra coverage to the bride's arms, perfect for chilly wedding nights or outdoor receptions. They are detachable and can be worn as needed. The same goes for detachable trains. Often designed together with the wedding gown, the train offers a two-in-one look for brides who want to switch it up.
With so many choices, today's brides have endless possibilities for accessorizing the perfect wedding look. We're discussing more of these accessories below to help you pick the right ones for your bridal look.
Veils and hair accessories
From classic veils to other intricate headpieces, the options for completing your look with the perfect pairing for your veil style can be overwhelming. But with so many styles of veils and add-ons available, it's not hard to find something that may suit you perfectly.
When choosing a veil, consider your desired length:
- Shoulder length (38 in.)
- Elbow length (45 in.)
- Waist length (54 in.)
- Hip length (66 in.)
- Fingertip length (72 in.)
- Waltz length (90 in.)
- Floor length (108 in.)
- Chapel length (126 in.)
- Cathedral length (144 in.)
Your wedding venue can help you decide on the right veil. Longer veils accentuate your look if you're getting married in a large venue with high ceilings and lots of space. On the other hand, going for a chapel or cathedral-length veil in a smaller, intimate venue may overwhelm your look and drown you in all that fabric.
If you opt for a longer style, remember that it might get in the way of dancing and must be straightened out as you walk down the aisle. Other popular choices include lace mantillas, full birdcage veils, and romantic blushers.
Aside from veils, modern brides also go for an embellished headpiece like a tiara, diadem, or floral crown. Whatever option you choose should complement your dress without competing too much with its styling features.
Remember to match your hairstyle accordingly, no matter what type of veil or accessory you pick out. That means ensuring that all clips and combs are securely in place while allowing enough volume at the back of your head to keep everything balanced.
With these considerations in mind, selecting the perfect bridal accessories will become far less stressful, paving the way for finding the right ensemble pieces that suit your wedding vision. To help you achieve this goal further, consider adding a few pieces, such as eye-catching coverups and trains.
Cover-ups, trains, and gloves
When completing a bridal look, few accessories are as impactful as shawls, capes, gloves, and trains. From the romance of a delicate sheer waist-length cape to the glamour of an intricately beaded train—these pieces often stand out as powerful symbols.
As add-ons to your bridal gown, the goal is to accentuate, not over-accessorize. Work with your designer or a bridal stylist to pick the right cuts, fabrics, and lengths if you decide to add a shawl or cape to your look. Generally, the more detailed and intricate your bridal gown is, the simpler your cape should be, and vice versa.
Here are some considerations for picking the right coverup:
- Neckline – Strapless gowns and lower necklines are easier to style with a cape than higher necklines.
- Dress shape – Detachable trains work best with slimmer silhouettes that hug the body since the train adds volume. Trains and capes might not work as well on ball gowns. Shorter dresses can be elegantly accessorized with a tea-length capelet or one with the same length as the dress.
- Color – Coverups are often sheer to reveal the wedding gown underneath. Pick the tulle or sheer fabric with a color close to your wedding dress. Trains, on the other hand, don't have to be sheer and are often made with the same fabric as the dress.
- Embellishments – To bedazzle or not to bedazzle? The key is balance. Get an intricate train for a simple, minimalist gown (although going all-minimalist is classic and timeless), and pick plain, straightforward pieces for showstopping gowns.
Let your personality shine with the coverup you choose, whether you're aiming for subtle elegance or something bolder.
Necklaces and other jewelry
Now that you have the perfect coverup to wear over your dress on your wedding day, it's time to accessorize further with necklaces and other bridal jewelry. First, look at the many types of necklaces that can be worn for a wedding. Chokers are also becoming increasingly popular among brides, as they bring attention to the face and décolleté area without overpowering an outfit.
Meanwhile, shorter pendant styles lend themselves well to strapless gowns or dresses with higher necks. Simple gold or silver chains also work wonders for those who prefer something more subtle but still eye-catching.
Of course, don't forget about earrings. These come in all sizes—from small studs to larger drops—so you'll easily find one that fits your style perfectly. Bracelets and rings can also provide some extra flair; choose dainty bands if you want something timeless yet understated, while stackable rings give you room to play around with designs and color combinations.
With just the right mix of jewelry pieces, any bride will feel confident walking down the aisle looking her best. Overall, accessories should enhance, not detract from, what you've chosen as your main look for the big day, so keep things minimal yet meaningful when selecting them.
Takeaway
As you pick your bridal accessories, embrace all you are and express yourself in ways you never thought possible. With so many options available, knowing where to start when selecting the right pieces for your look can be complicated.
That's why this guide was written—to provide some helpful tips and ideas for styling bridal accessories. From necklaces and jewelry to veils and hairpieces, these statement-making pieces will help you look like a dream come true. Your wedding day will indeed be filled with plenty of magical moments; let your accessories add even more sparkle and shine along the way.