Finding the right gown or suit is often viewed as the holy grail for couples preparing to tie the knot.
While falling in love with an exquisite dress and finding a tux that fits just right may be the primary aim of putting a wedding day look together, the details can really make an outfit. Finishing touches allow you to add personality and customize your look. Accessories can also elevate pieces of clothing and make them sing. If you’re counting down the days until you walk down the aisle, and you need some inspiration, here are some tips to help you master the art of accessorizing.
Celebrate your style
We tend to have a vision of the looks we expect brides and grooms to emanate on their big day, but increasingly, couples are veering away from traditional blueprints. Using accessories is a fantastic way to celebrate your style and inject personality into your wedding outfit. Some people prefer understated, classic and timeless while others want to be creative, bold and fun. Choose details that reflect your personal style and don’t be afraid to be audacious and choose eye-catching pieces or details that are a little different if you love them. From hats and hair accessories to rings, necklaces and bags, you can select items that complement your character and your fashion sense.
Experiment before the wedding
Accessories can make an outfit but they can also draw attention away from other elements of an outfit. Whenever you’re using accessories, it’s beneficial to experiment and try different pieces or items before the event. If you’re considering wearing jewelry, or you’re toying with the idea of teaming your gown with a pair of statement-making shoes, for example, try everything on with your dress in advance. Put different items together, try styling your accessories in different ways and see how you feel. You may find that there’s a degree of trial and error involved, and you might be surprised at the looks you like best.
Coordinate with your partner
A wedding is all about bringing two people together. While dressing for the big day should celebrate and showcase both personalities, there should be an element of cohesion. You might want to wear the same colors or opt for pieces of jewelry that complement each other. Many couples buy wedding rings made from the same metal, for example. If you have been looking at men’s tungsten rings or silver, platinum or white gold bands, try rings together and see which styles you like best. It’s always beneficial to be open-minded and to take the time to try different sizes and designs. If you don’t want exactly the same bands, you can choose a ring that fits with your partner’s. You might want diamonds in your ring or a combination of metals.
Consider the overall look
Accessorizing should enhance the overall look. When you’re planning, make sure you consider the outfit and all the finishing touches as a whole. Try everything you want to wear together and spend time looking in the mirror and analyzing the look in detail. Add or take away pieces until you love what you see. Don’t make decisions based on trying a single item. A pair of earrings or shoes won’t look the same with an everyday outfit as with your gown or suit. You want every piece to work in tandem to create a cohesive, considered look.
Don’t worry if you want to bend the rules
We all know that less is more when it comes to accessories, but what if you’re an extrovert or you love to wear lots of different accessories in everyday life? Don’t take ‘less is more’ as gospel if it doesn’t suit your style or it doesn’t fit with the narrative you’re creating for your wedding. If you want to wear earrings, a statement necklace, bracelets, rings and an embellished belt and you love what you see in the mirror, go for it. If you don’t want to wear anything other than your wedding dress, this is your choice. Don’t feel that you have to abide by fashion rules or follow in the footsteps of others. You should have control over what you wear.
Think about what you want to achieve
When you are putting a wedding day look together, think about what you want to achieve. What is the aim of wearing accessories? Are you trying to put the finishing touches to a spectacular gown that already shines and sparkles and is guaranteed to turn heads? Are you keen to make a statement and ensure that your look is unique? Do you want to pay homage to a theme or a specific era? Are you looking to elevate a timeless, understated dress? Once you know the end goal, you can select details and accents to help you accomplish it. Opt for simple, classic earrings and a delicate bracelet to complete a show-stopping gown or get people talking with a pair of colored or glittery shoes, a huge bejeweled necklace or a headpiece. Lift a modest gown with headline-grabbing drop earrings or designer sandals.
Think practically
You want to look and feel incredible on your big day, but you also want to enjoy every moment without worrying about sore feet or the weather. Think practically when selecting accessories. If you’re getting married on the beach in the height of the summer, for example, wearing towering shoes and heavy jewelry might not be the best idea. If you’re desperate to go all-out for the ceremony, you could always swap to flats, platforms or wedges and simple jewelry for the reception.
Most of us automatically think about gowns and suits when we start talking about what we want to wear during the wedding planning process. It’s natural to want to experience that adrenalin rush and the warm and fuzzy feeling in your stomach when you find the right dress, but don’t forget the finishing touches. Accessories and details can make the wedding day look. Showcase your personality, try different accessories before you decide what to wear and don’t be afraid to break or bend the rules. Choose pieces and items you love, think practically and think about what you want to achieve by adding details to your ensemble.
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