The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Accessories for Brides

Wedding accessories may seem like a small detail, but in reality they help turn a beautiful bride into a truly unforgettable one. From hair accessories, to veils, to even jewelry and shoes, this article is going to go over every possible wedding accessory that you could ever want.

The right accessories can really go a long way and if you are unsure where to start on this very important road, then keep reading this guide. We will break down all you need to know, so keep reading to learn more about bridal accessories!

Bridal Hair Accessories

Hair accessories aren't for everyone, but for those who choose to add hair accessories to their bridal look, end up never regretting it. Hair accessories can elevate your look with a little bit of sparkle and make your entire look worth every penny.

Common bridal hair accessories include:

Veils (cathedral, chapel, fingertip, or birdcage)
Pearl or crystal hair pins
Bridal hair combs
Floral hair pieces
Hair vines
Bridal headbands
Tiaras or crowns
Satin or velvet bows

Tips for choosing hair accessories:

Choose your hairstyle first before purchasing accessories
Match embellishments to your dress details (pearls, lace, beading)
If your dress is very detailed, keep your hair accessories simple

One tip I have for choosing hair accessories for your bridal look is to go with the style and color of your hair. Your hair color and your haircut is way more important than you think. Matching your hair accessories to the style of your hair will help make your look seem put together and will help everything compliment your personal style. For example, if you have blond hair, make sure to choose something you can still see against your beautiful, light colored hair. Something not to light colored would be perfect with the color of your hair. If you have long hair, you could consider having beautiful hair pieces pinned in a long, majestic braid.

Whatever hair pieces you choose, we know you will look beautiful and elegant!

Bridal Jewelry

Jewelry should enhance your bridal look instead of compete with it. It should make the bride feel adorned with beauty and grace, and sparkles of course!

Popular bridal jewelry options include:

Stud earrings
Drop earrings
Statement earrings
Delicate pendant necklaces
Tennis bracelets
Pearl bracelets
Anklets (popular for beach weddings)

How to choose the right jewelry:

Strapless dresses pair well with statement necklaces
High necklines usually look best with bold earrings instead of necklaces
Match your metals (gold, silver, rose gold) with your engagement ring

Almost every bride will wear some type of jewelry and we suggest you wear even a small necklace or earrings. Jewelry is a great way to feel and look special as a bride without having to spend bucket loads of money.

As a past bride myself, one of the most loved wedding accessories that I chose for my wedding day is a beautiful pair of pearl earrings. What's special about these earrings is that I still wear them today and I enjoy remembering our wedding day whenever I wear them, especially on anniversaries. One reason to pick wedding jewelry is so that you can wear them and think of your spouse for years to come!

Every bride will look beautiful, especially with some sparkly jewelry to make her feel even more like a princess. Go out and get your wedding jewelry today!

Wedding Veils

The wedding veil is probably the most iconic bridal accessories. Veils are what gives everyone that final look as a bride, and it makes all brides look and feel like a bride too.

For my wedding, my wedding veil was just a long, simple wedding veil and it made me feel so beautiful and elegant even though it was a very simple veil. Your veil can really make or break your look, and we suggest you let it make your look!

Common veil lengths include:

Birdcage veil
Shoulder length veil
Fingertip veil
Chapel veil
Cathedral veil

Veil tips:

Longer veils create a dramatic and romantic look
Shorter veils feel modern and casual
Lace veils complement lace dresses beautifully

Bridal Shoes

Your wedding shoes are one of the most important bridal accessories. This is because your wedding shoes need to be comfortable while still being cute. Trying to balance cute and comfy is difficult, but definitely not impossible.

Popular bridal shoe choices include:

Classic white or ivory heels
Block heels
Bridal flats
Bridal sneakers
Sandals
Boots for rustic weddings
Colorful “something blue” shoes

Helpful tips:

Break in your shoes before the wedding day
Consider bringing a second pair for the reception
Think about your venue terrain (grass, sand, cobblestone)

Whatever wedding shoes you choose, make sure you put comfort above anything else, while still finding a way for them to be stylish. We'd hate for you to end up with blisters on your feet the night of the wedding! Be smart when choosing your shoes and use this guide to help you!

Bridal Belts and Sashes

Belts and sashes can add definition and sparkle to your wedding dress and many people still use belts and sashes today. They may be getting less popular but they are a wonderful way to add embellishment to a simple dress.

Popular styles include:

Beaded belts
Pearl belts
Satin sashes
Crystal belts
Floral appliqué belts

When to wear one:

If your dress has a simple silhouette
To define your waistline
To add sparkle to minimalist gowns

Bridal Cover-Ups

Bridal cover-ups are both practical and stylish if you pick the right one. If your wedding is outdoors or in the colder months, it's important to have a stylish cover-up so you can stay warm on your wedding day!

Options include:

Bridal shawls
Faux fur wraps
Lace jackets
Bridal capes
Cardigans
Denim jackets for casual receptions

Choosing the right bridal cover-up is all about the theme and style of your wedding. Pick something practical and cute and we know you will look stunning on your wedding day!

Bridal Clutches and Bags

A cute, small bridal bag can be the perfect little addition to your wedding look. Clutches are so cute and can make the bride look put together and fancier than ever.

Things brides often carry:

Lipstick or lip gloss
Blotting papers
Phone
Tissues
Small perfume
Mints

Common styles:

Pearl clutches
Beaded clutches
Satin bridal bags
Personalized mini bags

Sentimental Accessories

Many brides incorporate meaningful pieces into their look. Have you heard of the old tradition "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue?" Well many brides will use accessories that were passed down or given to them to fit into this cute tradition. It's a beautiful way to bring sentiment to your wedding look.

Ideas include:

Family heirloom jewelry
Lockets with photos
Embroidered handkerchiefs
A veil passed down from a family member
Custom embroidery inside shoes
Jewelry gifted from parents or grandparents

Ceremony Accessories

Some accessories are specifically used during the ceremony. Here are some of the examples that this could include:

Ring boxes
Bridal parasols
Gloves
Bridal cape or overskirt
Flower girl baskets
Personalized vow books

Reception Accessories

Some brides change accessories between the ceremony and reception and you can too!

Here are some of the popular reception swaps:

Statement earrings
Comfortable dancing shoes
Bridal sneakers
A second hairstyle or hair accessory
Party clutch or mini bag
A bridal jacket or after-party outfit

Tips for Choosing Wedding Accessories

Choosing your wedding accessories can seem like a big, important task, and it is, but it isn't something you should freak out about. Your wedding accessories may be a big task but it's a fun task as well! Just focus on what you want and what you like and go from there. We know your wedding look will slowly start to put itself together as you plan your perfect look!

Here are some tips:

Start with your wedding dress first.
Choose accessories that complement rather than compete with your gown.
Stick to one or two statement pieces.
Consider your venue and wedding style.
Try everything on together before the wedding day.

Conclusion:

This guide's purpose was to help you learn more about different types of wedding accessories and help you figure out how to choose which one's are best for you. When it comes down to it, you will look beautiful in anything you choose, but we hope this article helped to make it a little easier for you throughout your planning journey.

And throughout the wedding planning, we know how complicated and stressful it can be. If you are even a little bit stressed about planning or just want help knowing when to plan certain things, then you should read "The Ultimate Wedding Planning Timeline (Free Download Included)" It will help you know when you should be planning each wedding task and scheduling vendors. It even has a free downloadable wedding planning timeline that is so easy to use!

We hope you have the best time planning your wedding and choosing your wedding accessories! Good luck!