Nothing screams elegance and refinement quite like a pair of white gloves. Just the idea of them is enough to conjure up iconic images of Camelot or Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In fact, gloves used to be a must for all formal events. These days, however, they’re more of a fashion statement – and are completely optional. Unsure if you can pull off this once ubiquitous accessory? Read this guide to bridal gloves to find out.
Gone are the days of the tired blue garter. Temporary tattoos are an interesting alternative to “something blue” for the modern bride. As more and more members of the tattoo generation are tying the knot, a chic, temporary tattoo may just be the perfect wedding day accessory to showcase a trendy personality.
These blue temporary tattoos from I Do Tattoo (TM) come in eight wedding-themed designs ranging from hearts and doves to wedding rings and champagne flutes. Two tattoos of your chosen design (one for practice and one for your wedding day) will arrive in a keepsake blue folio that has also been screen printed with your tattoo in scratch-resistant silver ink, so you’ll always remember what you wore as your “something blue.”
Learn more about temporary tattoos for weddings at the Unveiled Wedding Blog
OK ladies, here's music to your ears (and neck, and wrist)... now that you've got your wedding dress, it's time to accessorize it! There's no doubt about it, the right baubles perfect your wedding ensemble. Here's what you need to know to accessorize like a pro.
Bridal Jewelry Style Tips
Keep it Simple
Before the fun begins, please heed this advice. When it comes to your bridal jewelry, less really is more. Simple jewelry makes a timeless fashion statement; overdo it and you risk a phone call from Diddy asking for his bling back.
Formality Rules
Along with all other accessories, the bride's jewelry, should reflect the formality of the wedding celebration. A small, informal wedding calls for simple jewelry, while a large, formal wedding calls for more elaborate pieces.
Complement the Gown
Wedding dress style also plays a major roll in jewelry selection. As a general rule - the more detailing on the gown, the simpler the jewelry, while a dress calls for added embellishment.
Let Your Neckline Lead the Way
Your dress neckline will guide you towards what pieces and styles you'll wear. Many gowns are strapless or have low necklines, which is a perfect style to showcase a great necklace. If your gown has a high neckline, you may want to forego the necklace and concentrate on finding the perfect earrings.
Make It You
Above all, wedding day duds should reflect your personal style. So stick to studs if you've never worn chandeliers, and if you've never left the house without your favorite strand of pearls - around your neck is where they should be when you say "I do."
Pick your Metals:
The shade of your wedding dress will guide you to which metals work best:
Pick Your Gems:
Pearls - A Classic Choice
The tradition of pearl bridal jewelry stems back to the ancient Greeks, who believed pearls promoted marital harmony. And of course, style icon Jackie O donned a strand the day she became Mrs. Kennedy, further cementing pearls as the refined gem of choice for brides everywhere.
Diamonds - The BFF of Jewelry
Diamonds didn't get their "girl's best friend" status for nothing. They're always good to add a touch of sparkle to your wedding dress. The good news for your wallet is that faux varieties work just as well.
Add Some Color
Of course, colored stones/gems present a great way to incorporate some color into your wedding day look, so don't shy away from blues, pinks, yellows - you name it.
Pick your Pieces
Necklaces:
Earrings:
Keep your earrings simple if your necklace is especially large or grand. You also may not want to wear earrings at all if you're wearing a tiara - as the two may compete. On the other hand - if you're going sans necklace, consider highlighting your look with elaborate earrings. Remember, the key to accessorizing is balance.
Deck your Wrist?
Although not as common as necklaces and earrings, brides can wear a bracelet with sleeveless, short-sleeve, and three-quarter sleeve gowns. However, a watch is best left at home on your wedding day unless it's a family heirloom or antique.
Get even more advice to help you plan your bridal jewelry at Elegala.com - Elegant Galas Made
Usually the anchor for your veil, your headpiece can hold it in place for the entire event or allow it to be detached through hooks or snaps. You can also wear your headpiece sans veil for purely aesthetic purposes. Here’s what to consider when choosing a headpiece.
Style
When trying on headpieces, try to bring as much of your wedding day ensemble as you can (dress photos, accessories, veil, etc.) to get the best sense of which style complements your look. You never know what will or won’t work until you put it all together.
Cost
Bridal headpieces typically cost $20 to $100. Of course, you may find one for less, and you can always pay more.
Headpiece Style Guide
This bridal headpieces guide has all the lingo you’ll need to know to get the right style.
Get even more advice to plan all of your wedding accessories, from your veil to your shoes, at Elegala.com
Nothing screams elegance and refinement quite like a pair of white gloves. Just the idea of them is enough to conjure up iconic images of Camelot or Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In fact, gloves used to be a must for all formal events. These days, however, they’re more of a fashion statement – and are completely optional. Unsure if you can pull off this once ubiquitous accessory? Read these wedding gloves style tips to help you decide.
Fabric
Gloves are available in a number of fabrics. Kid leather gloves are regarded as the most formal; however, romantic lace, classic satin, crushed velvet, and sexy sheer organza also provide an elegant look.
Glove Styles and Lengths
Fingerless:
Either long or short, fingerless gloves offer added convenience during the ring exchange, as your ring finger is already exposed.
Gauntlet:
Extending from the elbow to the wrist, a gauntlet glove looks like a sleeve, as it lacks any material covering the hand.
Wrist-Length:
These short gloves cover your hands to within two inches of your wrist, providing a simple yet sophisticated accent. This style is less formal than longer lengths, and looks great with long-sleeved gowns.
Elbow-Length:
These gloves extend to just before or just after your elbow. This style is flattering for brides with toned limbs, as it draws attention to the upper arms. This length works well with short sleeved dresses.
Opera-Length:
The longest and most formal style, these gloves extend almost to the shoulder, ending at the upper part of your bicep. Opera length gloves provide an alternative for those who want an open neckline, but prefer a bit more coverage. This glove style looks great with strapless and sleeveless gowns.
Get even more advice on wedding accessories, including veils, bridal shoes, and jewelry.
Shopping for wedding rings involves slightly more than picking out a strand of beads. So just how do you select the right ring style to complement not only your engagement ring, but your personality as well. (remember - this is the ring you'll don for every day for the rest of your life..) The complete wedding rings guide at Elegala.com offers these tips to help you choose your ring style. (visit the complete guide for even more advice on shopping - and paying for - your wedding rings.)
1) What's Your Function
Since this is a ring you’ll wear every day, it must match your lifestyle. Super active? Work with your hands? Opt for a simple metal ring with rounded edges, appropriately named a “comfort fit,” instead of a wide detailed band or one with stones. If you have skin allergies to metal alloys (found in gold bands), you’ll need to invest in platinum, a pure, hypoallergenic metal.
Mix it Up
Concerned that he likes white gold and you prefer platinum? Relax, your bands don’t necessarily have to match. What matters is that both of you have a ring you’ll enjoy wearing.
Test of Time
Wedding rings are not the accessory for paying homage to the fad gods. Make sure to select a classic style that won’t look dated decades down the road.
Wood may seem like the least romantic material for your wedding bands - that is until you actually take a look at the dazzling array of handcrafted wooden wedding rings from Simply Wood Rings that feature inlaid work and even stones. At a fraction of the cost of traditional wedding rings, wood rings are made from salvaged wood and recycled metals, which should set eco-conscious minds at ease. And if this still reeks a little too granola for your tastes, your tree-hugging groom may jump at the chance to have a tree hug him back.
Learn more about these unique wood wedding rings and the Unveiled Wedding Blog.
Looking for more wedding ring advice? This complete wedding rings guide will walk you through the entire process of choosing, shopping for, and purchasing your rings
The shoes you wear on your wedding day will affect not only your overall look – but your comfort level as well – so brides will want to choose wedding shoes with care.
This article details four easy steps to finding the right wedding shoes. Below are the steps the article walks you through for the perfect pair of kicks to finish off your wedding ensemble:
1) Choose Your Shoe Fabric - the article explains that while satin and silk are the most common, there isn't any rule that brides have to wear cloth shoes.
2) Choose your Color - White is the obvious choice, but some brides are opting to be a bit more original, donning metallics or even using their shoes as their "something blue."
3) Go For Comfort - the article offers some useful tips on ensuring comfortable shoes, including shoe pads, breaking them in, and even wearing more than one shoe.
4) Choose Your Style - some tips to go by: follow the season, complement your dress and the formality of the wedding, and consider the surface you will be walking on at your ceremony and reception.
This complete guide to wedding accessories has even more advice on bridal shoes, veils, gloves, and headpieces.
It may be your day to be a princess, but donning a rhinestone tiara is not required. Handcrafted headpieces from Jennifer Behr are glamorous alternatives featuring silk camellias, orchids, feathers, or diamonds that are more avant garde than cheesy. Since the headpieces have been spotted on the likes of Natalie Portman and featured in Gossip Girl, you can safely splurge on these wedding accessories knowing that you’ll likely sport the look again – which is more than you can say for the typical bridal crown.
Read more about Jennifer Behr Bridal Headpieces at the Unveiled Wedding Blog
OK ladies, here’s music to your ears (and neck, and wrist)… Once you’ve got your wedding dress, it's time to accessorize it! There’s no doubt about it, the right veil, headpiece and baubles perfect your wedding day look. This complete guide to wedding accessories offers all the advice you need to accessorize like a pro.
Shopping for wedding rings involves slightly more than picking out a strand of beads. This guide makes it easy by narrowing it down to five steps to choosing wedding rings you love. Here are the steps - you can read the full wedding rings guide here.
1) Choose Your Style - article offers some useful style tips
2) Pick Your Metals - the article lists the pros and cons of each option.
3) Examine Your Budget - the article breaks it down so you can understand exactly how much your ring will cost
4) Size it up - how to determine her ring size
5) Browse before you buy - shopping tips
Ah the veil… the ultimate accessory in the transformation from engaged girl to blushing bride. Though steeped in tradition as it is, unless required by your religion, a veil is strictly optional. Today wearing a veil is more of a style statement than a symbolic gesture. Thus, the ideal veil depends largely on the style of your wedding gown and the overall look you want to create.
This guide to wedding veils, has everything you need to know about selecting the ultimate finishing touch to your bridal ensemble.
No bride-to-be feels like she’s really getting married until that all important ring adorns her left finger. You know the one, swooned over at the office water cooler, eliciting looks of envy from all who witness its sparkle. The engagement ring may well be the only pre-wed accessory sweeter than an actual, adoring fiancé.
It’s best to face every big purchase equipped with a little savvy. There's a lot to know, so you'll need to do some research before walking into the jewelry store.
To get you started, visit this complete and easy-to-follow guide to engagement rings. With tips on how to choose the right metal, setting, and diamond, it will walk you through the process of selecting and buying a diamond engagement ring.
While you're there, you can get advice on wedding rings and other bridal jewelry in this complete wedding rings, jewelry and accessories guide.
When it comes buying an engagement ring, the two-months salary convention is a common starting point. But in reality, the ring's cost should be what the couple can afford without going into major debt.
Cost varies for a lot of reasons – especially when diamonds are involved. Carat size is just one factor. In fact, a one carat center stone can cost anywhere from $1000 to $20000. Choice of metal also affects the bottom line; there’s a significant cost difference between a setting of sterling silver and one of platinum – anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand.
If you're on a tight budget, these general numbers can be frightening. Thankfully, these useful tips can help you get costs down - so you can score a stylish ring on a budget:
1) Lose the Embellishments
Plain and simple always costs less. Any embellishments increase the price.
2) Forego Platinum
If you’re on a budget and want a silver hue, skip platinum and opt for white gold – it costs about 45% less.
3) Just Short of a Carat
For diamonds, always buy just short of the next carat level. So if you’ve got your eye on a two carat stone, swap it out with a 1.8 carat. You’ll save almost 20%, and the size difference is negligible.
4) Get a Set
Buy a matching or coordinating set (engagement and wedding ring) – and you can save as much as 50%. You’ll save even more if you buy a three piece set (engagement ring plus his and hers wedding rings)
You can find even more ways to save on an engagement ring by reading the original article on Elegala.com - Elegant Galas Made Simple.
Perfecting your wedding day ensemble doesn’t necessarily end once you’ve found your dream wedding gown. Adding the right accessories is the final step. Here are a few pearls of wisdom to help enhance your style without breaking the bank…
Your Baubles - Double Duty Diamonds
Celebrity newlyweds are setting yet another trend—opting for one brilliant wedding ring in lieu of a solitaire engagement ring with a plain matching wedding band. This two-in-one trend can save thousands on the traditional left-hand bling, and while the diamond-encrusted band given to Pink by Carey Hart may be out of your price range, there are plenty of options to suit every taste and budget. **hint – visit the Elegala.com Wedding Rings and Bridal Jewelry Search to find styles in every price range.
Your Wedding Veil - Something Old AND Borrowed
Add a sentimental touch to your wedding attire by donning your mother’s or grandmother’s veil. This easy way to save will also fulfill your “something old” and “something borrowed” requirements.
Your Bridal Shoes - Walk This Way
A willingness to shop around is a surefire way to score some deals – and the same holds true for your wedding day shoes. In fact, there is no written rule that you even have to wear bridal shoes on your big day (hint – anything labeled “wedding” or “bridal” tends to cost more). Instead, consult your favorite brands or stores for a good deal on a pair of neutral sandals or pumps.
Your Headpiece - Go Natural
If an elaborate head piece is out of your budget, consider decorating your ‘do with seasonal flowers. This is an inexpensive alternative and a simple yet elegant way to tie in an outdoor theme.
For more ideas and advice to help you accessorize your wedding day look, visit the complete Wedding Jewelry and Wedding Accessories Guide at Elegala.com - Weddings Elegant Galas Made Simple
So you've got that sparkling engagement ring on your finger - now you just need a gorgeous wedding band to match. No doubt about it, adding some additional bling to your left hand is one of the more enjoyable tasks on your wedding day to-do list.
Here is a simple (and slightly addictive) tool to help you do just that: Visit this interactive Wedding Ring search. There you can browse tons of styles by price, metal, stone and stone shape. While you're there, you can also search hundreds of pieces to find an Engagement Ring (in case he hasn't popped the question yet), Wedding Band or other Bridal Jewelry and accessories.
Best of all - each product image comes with a complete description AND a link to the retailer where you can purchase your new baubles. Happy shopping!
