Wedding Accessories

W
edding accessories are all the little details that complete the wedding ensemble. The wedding accessories chosen by a bride will vary from bride to bride, as she puts together a look that is her own unique and personalized style.
Crystal Flower Pin from Palm Beach Most brides will be searching for just the right bridal shoes to go with her wedding gown, and some brides may also be looking for accessories such as bridal gloves, brooches, hair accessories, or garters. While the wedding gown is the focus of the bride's look, it is the that add the finishing touches.

Bridal Shoes

A bride wants her shoes to look good and match the wedding gown, but it is also a good idea to choose shoes that are comfortable to wear. When trying on shoes, make sure they are a style that are comfortable for walking (down the aisle, on the dance floor) and for standing (during the wedding ceremony, greeting guests in the reception line). Bridal shoes can be heels, wedges, flats, bridal boots, or even bridal thongs and flip-flops, whatever suits the bride. The material on bridal shoes are often silk or satin, sometimes embellished with crystals, ribbons, or lace. Popular colors are white, ivory, silver, or gold. The same guidelines of look and comfort apply to bridesmaids shoes too. Many styles of shoes designed for bridesmaids are made from dyeable materials, so that they can be dyed to match the color of their dresses.

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Bridal Gloves

Wedding gloves are sometimes worn by the bride, bridesmaids, or flower girls in more formal weddings. Wedding gloves are available in elegant satin, silk, lace, or matte spandex. Glove lengths include wrist length, below the elbow, above the elbow, and opera length. Some gloves fit smooth and some gloves are shirred. There are also a variety of fingerless bridal glove styles to allow for the bride's wedding ring.

Bridal Brooches

Brooches are big in fashion, and they naturally show up in bridal ensembles as well. Brooches can be worn on the neckline, on a shoulder strap or as an accent on the sash, depending on the style of wedding dress and the feature that the bride wants to accentuate. There are many beautiful styles of brooches available that are suited for weddings using diamonds, cubic zirconia, Swarovski crystal, cultured pearls or freshwater pearls, or any natural or man-made colored gemstone for the brides that want a more colorful brooch.

Bridal Hair Accessories

In following the style of the brooch, hair pins (hair brooches) are another beautiful accent option. Hair pins may be big and beautiful or small and simple. Whether the bride wears her hair up, pulled back on the sides, or naturally down, it can be enhanced with beautiful crystal or pearl hair accessories. Bridal hair accessories are also a beautiful option for bridesmaids or mothers of the bride and groom. Flower girls will also enjoy wearing simple crystal adorned bobby-pins or hair barrettes.

Wedding Sash

The Obi (Sash), inspired by the Japanese Kimono, is a striking way to make a statement and show off a slender waistline. Obi are traditionally the top-most sash worn with many styles of Japanese clothing that are wrapped around the waist and tied at the back. Depending on the style of wedding gown, a wedding sash may be a flattering and unique look. When wearing a sash with a wedding gown, another option is to accent it with a dazzling brooch.

Bridal Garters

The bridal garter is a wedding tradition that continues to be a part of many modern weddings. The bride usually has two garters - the keepsake garter and the tossing garter. Most garters are a combination of lace and silk ribbon, some are embellished with Swarovski crystals or glass pearls. Some brides choose white or ivory to match her wedding gown, but other brides choose blue as a way to incorporate the “something blue” tradition into her wedding ensemble. Some brides attach a charm to her garter, perhaps a heart engraved with a special saying, that can be removed later and worn on a charm bracelet or necklace as a special keepsake.

Bridal Purses and Handbags

Bridal purses and handbags are coordinated with the dresses for the bride, bridesmaids, or flower girls, and worn as part of their wedding ensemble. The purses or handbags are usually small pouches with drawstrings, and are convenient for carrying essentials that might be needed during the ceremony or reception. They are often made from the same material as the dresses and can be decorated with Swarovski crystals, glass pearls, or lace for a special look.