Your accessory options for your wedding day are virtually endless. But how do you know that you’ve accessorized enough, and how much is too much?
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Let’s discuss the different types of wedding day accessories and what combinations might look best for you.
Types of Accessories & How to Wear Them
Hair Accessories
There are plenty of options when it comes to hair accessories for brides. Sparkly clips, ornate combs, headbands, tiaras, and hair vines are all very popular choices. The thing to keep in mind is that sometimes less is more. If you’re going to wear a tiara then you probably don’t need a hair vine as well. If you’re going to wear an ornate comb, it’s best to skip the headband.
You’ll also want to consider your veil. Are you going to wear your hair accessories with your veil or instead of a veil? If you want to wear them with your veil, you’ll need to make sure they look like a cohesive set rather than a mishmash of pieces.
Necklaces
When brides think of jewellery, necklaces are probably the first thing they think of. But not every wedding ensemble needs a necklace. It all depends on the neckline of your gown and what sort of embellishments your neckline has.
Typically, your necklace should fall above your neckline so it doesn’t detract from your dress. You can match the shape of your necklace to the general shape of your neckline.
If your neck line comes down to a point like a sweetheart neckline, a v-neck, or a Queen Anne neckline, your necklace should come down to a point as well. If your neckline is softer like a u-neck or a straight, strapless neckline, a more rounded necklace might look better.
Earrings
Earrings are a great accessory for any bride no matter what she’s wearing. The question is what style of earring should you wear? Generally speaking, if your hair is up or very short, it’s best to wear dangly earrings. If your hair is down, studs are probably a better way to go.
Bracelets
Bracelets can be a cultural thing, particularly in parts of Asia. But for the average North American bride, bracelets don’t usually play a huge role in weddings.
Some brides may wear a bracelet that matches their necklace and earrings. Others might wear a simple tennis bracelet, or nothing on their wrists at all. If you do want to wear bracelet, be careful of any jewel settings or clasps that could catch on your dress and snag the fabric.
If your dress has long sleeves, you may want to avoid bracelets altogether.
Sashes
A sash is a great way to accentuate your waist and add a little bit more visual interest to your gown. Many sashes are embellished with sequins and stones to give a little bit of sparkle.
When choosing a sash, remember to balance out the other jewellery you’re wearing. If you want a glittery sash, stick with a simple necklace or go without a necklace. If you’re wearing a sash without any sparkle, go ahead and wear whatever necklace speaks to you.
If Your Dress Has Sparkle…
Lots of dresses come with sparkly gemstones and beading sewn into them, particularly at the neckline and at the waist. This changes the rules somewhat on what kind of accessories you should wear and how to wear them.
At the Waist
Depending on where your waistline sits and how much beading there is, you might be able to get away with a necklace. If the beading is down at your natural waist or lower and is relatively subtle, a simple necklace may still look fine.
But if you’re wearing an empire waist gown or you have larger beaded sections around your waist, its best to avoid the necklace and keep your ensemble from becoming too busy.
At the Neckline
Neckline beading is like a necklace that’s built into your wedding dress. If your dress has beading around the neckline, your best bet is to skip the necklace and just add earrings.
Sparkle as Much or as Little as You Like
If rule number 2 of bridal accessories is “less is more”, then rule number 1 is “wear what makes you happy.”
This is your day to look exactly how you want to look. Whether you plan to completely skip the accessories, or wear diamonds head to toe, there’s no wrong way to do it. Just wear what makes you feel beautiful and radiant.