I am back with more for my wedding planning series. I am less than 4 months away from my big day and it still doesn’t feel real. My mom and I have got so much planning done that now it is just the little things left. Something that I still haven’t completed is my entire bridal look. I have the dress and the reception shoes (shout out Kate Spade x Keds wedding collection), but still need all the other little pieces. Every bride wants to look perfect on their wedding day – that goes without saying. Once you’ve found the perfect dress, it’s time to figure out the rest of the look, something that can be more difficult than picking the dress itself.
From head to toe, there’s a lot to consider, and all of those little extras will make a difference to how you look and feel on the day, meaning they’re not to be taken lightly. Whether you’re going all out or choosing a simple style, it’s good to explore all of the possibilities to help you create your beautiful bridal look.
Take a look at this simple guide to wedding finishing touches to help you plan the rest of your wedding look.
Should you wear a veil?
This was a big question I had and ultimately decided I would get a cathedral style veil to drape behind me… although I still haven’t even purchased one yet.. oops. Anyway, veils are a traditional part of the wedding look, but as with many traditions these days, more and more people are opting not to have one. Should you get a veil? There’s a lot to consider, and ultimately it comes down to whether or not you want to wear one.
I love this veil and hair style featured on Junebug Weddings
Many brides select a veil alongside choosing a wedding dress, as this helps you to see what sort of styles match your dress. You’ll have to consider the length, the fabric (lace/tulle?) as well as how you want to attach it. You will also need to factor in your veil when choosing your wedding hair. During my wedding hair trail, the stylist and I were playing around with styles that would allow the veil to be easily slipped in at the back of my hair.
Take a look at wedding veil styles in more detail so that you can see what your options are.
Hair accessories
Whether or not you decide to go for a veil, there are also hair accessories to consider. Wedding hair accessories come in beautiful and ornate styles and can be the perfect finishing touch to your wedding hairstyle. From hair combs to vines and even hair flowers – there are a lot of options available to you.
When you go for your wedding hair trial, talk to your stylist about your options, they can recommend different types of accessories that will complement your look. Consider the rest of your wedding accessories when choosing your hair accessories – if you’re going to be wearing a lot of jewelry or there’s a lot of detail on your dress, then it’s better to keep your hair accessories simple. For simpler dress styles, however, you can afford to play around with more striking looks.
Earrings
Earrings can add an elegant touch to your wedding look. When choosing wedding earrings, you’ll want to consider your dress carefully to avoid picking a style that’s overly fussy or clashes with the dress. Dresses with a lot of detail are best kept paired with a simple earring (pearls are always a classic choice), while cleaner dress styles like satin or silk can benefit from a more ornate earring style.
If you want an extra special touch, you can choose personalized earrings. This will help you to incorporate features of your dress, your color scheme or some other personal touches that are special to you. Earrings are a popular choice to have as your something new or blue, and you can have some fun creating the perfect earring.
Necklaces
Necklaces are perhaps one of the trickiest wedding accessories to choose from, as the neckline of your dress changes things a lot. High neck wedding dresses, for example, don’t benefit from a necklace, while a choker could look severe with a delicate dress.
Strapless wedding dresses look great with most necklace styles, while a v-neck has the option of both a simple pendant or a more dramatic necklace. It’s a good idea to wear a top or dress with your wedding dress’ neckline and go to a jewelry store to see what works. Other alternatives and more modern styles include necklaces that drop down the back, which are perfect for backless styles.
Bracelets
Should you wear a bracelet as part of your wedding look? Bracelets can be a gorgeous accessory to wear on your wedding day, but you’ll want to think carefully about the type of bracelet you choose.
Bangles are a popular choice for your wedding day, and Kate Spade sells some great bridal bangles with cute inscriptions that are perfect for the bride-to-be. With most styles available in different metals, you can also gift them to your bridesmaids.
Avoid wearing a bracelet with too much detail if you’re wearing lace or tulle – the fabric can catch which could lead to snags or tears, which isn’t something you want to be worrying about on the big day!
It’s best to keep bracelets simple, so avoid wearing multiple bracelets at once – you don’t want to be jangling along as you walk down the aisle!
Rings
Many brides choose not to wear other rings on their wedding day, sticking instead to their engagement and wedding rings. If you do opt to wear a ring on your big day, keep it to your right hand and opt for a minimal style so as not to detract from the most important ring of the day!
If you’re wondering whether or not to wear your engagement ring on your wedding day, you should know that it’s common to switch it to your right hand, and then move it back over to the left after you’ve placed your wedding ring on. Make sure that you get your engagement ring polished and even recoated before your wedding day to make sure it looks its sparkling best.
Belt
A belt can add the perfect finishing touch to your wedding dress, accentuating your waist for a flattering look, as well as adding a touch of sparkle to simple dress styles. Some brides opt to wear a sash around the waist, which looks particularly beautiful with strapless gowns, while thinner belts look great with lace and A-line dresses. You can even choose a sash with a brooch detail to give you the best of both worlds.
You’ll want to make sure that someone can tie your belt or sash on the wedding day, so it’s a good idea to have a practice run with your mother or bridesmaids to ensure it looks perfect on the day.
Shoes
Shoes are possibly the second most important wedding item after the dress. While some might argue that your shoes won’t even be visible in a long dress, the truth is that you want your bridal look to be perfect from top to toe and the right shoes will make you feel extra special.
There’s a lot to consider when picking your wedding shoes. The heel height and toe shape are important and will determine your comfort on the day. Heavily glittered or studded styles can catch on a dress, so bear that in mind while shoe shopping. Choose your fabric carefully too – satin shoes might look beautiful, but if you’re having an outdoor wedding they could get dirty easily.
Many modern brides veer away from traditionally white wedding shoes in favor of something more colorful. A blue shoe could bring you good luck on your wedding day, while a shoe that matches your color scheme also makes for a great look. As the perfect finishing touch, why not personalize the soles of your wedding shoes with you and your partner’s initials or even a simple message?
Choosing your wedding accessories is one of the more exciting parts of planning your wedding. As you make your choices, you’ll see your wedding look come to life, which will get you excited for the big day. With so much to choose from, you won’t want to leave things until the last minute, so start thinking about it after you’ve chosen your dress to help you create your perfect bridal look.
xoxo
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