Finding the perfect gown is only the first step in putting together your wedding day look. As of late I have received quite an education from Jeanette of Blacy’s Fine Jewelry, Saida & Chantal of Nouvelle Vogue, and Lauren of Lo Boheme. Here are a few things I have learned:
- You can completely ruin the look of your gown with the wrong piece(s) of jewelry. Don’t let your jewelry be an afterthought. A piece of jewelry that looks inexpensive or is obviously fake will take attention away from the beauty of your gown. When in doubt, speak with an experienced jeweler. Can’t afford the real thing? Do like the celebrities do, borrow or rent your jewelry for the day. Yes, you really can do this! Talk with your local jeweler and see if this is a service they offer. Or, if you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jeanette at Blacy’s in Saratoga.
- Adding a simple accessory can completely change the look of your gown. Consider adding a belt to your gown. It doesn’t even have to be white! I am completely in love with a look put together by Saida of Nouvelle Vogue. She took a beautiful Cymbeline gown and paired it with a thin black belt that had a simple crystal embellishment. She finished the look off with a pair of black peep-toe heels. The final effect was stunningly beautiful! A few days after she showed this to me, Vera Wang debuted her new wedding line at Wedding Fashion Week. She used black accessories on nearly all of her gowns!
- Hair accessories. If you are going for a vintage look, a hair accessory with some kind of feather in it may be perfect. Lauren of Lo Boheme introduced me to the fun of adding the right hair accessory to the right outfit. For your wedding, it doesn’t even need to be white or cream or ivory! What about wearing your “something blue” in your hair? Fun! You can also pair a hair accessory with a veil.
- Veils. Are you a traditional, modern, or vintage bride? Amazingly there are veils out there for each of you! For a more traditional look, longer veils are very popular. I’ve always found that veils fingertip or longer, look beautiful when they are finished either with a thin ribbon or for a more dramatic look, a wide swath of lace. For a more modern or vintage look, consider a “french” or “birdcage” veil that covers part of your face or comes tucks just under your chin.
No matter what accessories you choose, the most important thing is to put together a look uniquely yours!
A beautiful cathedral length veil edged with lace.