Inspiration Nation: SMP Blogger Bride: Finding the Perfect Bridal Accessories

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

SMP Blogger Bride: Finding the Perfect Bridal Accessories

Hi Brides! It’s Jessye from City Tonic again here to chat all about bridal accessories. So far, my experience with bridal fashion has been such a departure from how I handle fashion day-to-day. I chose the second dress I tried on – which is shocking to anyone who knows me, since I’m almost clinically indecisive. After making the big decision, I realized it was time to consider my bridal accessories as well – and, admittedly, this wasn’t an area in which I’d spent much time thinking.

I was lucky enough to meet Shannon Faretra at BHLDN in Chestnut Hill, MA – and she got me super excited about the fun, unexpected ways I could add accessories to my wedding day look. Since my dress hasn’t arrived yet, we thought it would make things interesting if I tried on gowns in a few different styles (really, who can say no to that?!) and play around with sundry hair pieces, veils and jewelry. It’s no surprise that BHLDN scores big across a huge range of styles, tastes and budgets – so I would definitely recommend a visit (either online, or to a store nearby) when you begin your search. Once my dress is finished, I’m planning a return to BHLDN so I can finalize what I’ll be wearing when I walk down the aisle. Of course, it’s always a good idea to buy your accessories and jewelry when you can see the big picture (i.e. how everything works in tandem with your gown).

In the meantime, my visit to BHLDN left me feeling inspired, and the gorgeous images from Jenny Moloney (see all my looks this way!) made me feel like a real bride. So… if you’re on the hunt for accessories, I hope this will offer some inspiration, too – whether you’re a vintage-loving bride, an enthusiast of all things clean and modern, or if you simply want to feel extra glam on your wedding day.

My biggest tip for all of you SMP brides-to-be? Keep an open mind. Even if your Pinterest boards are filled exclusively with structured birdcage veils, it never hurts to try something completely different – like a cathedral veil in weightless tulle. Either you’ll be able to rule it out confidently, or you’ll find yourself pleasantly surprised. Case in point: I had never considered wearing a crystal halo, but I ended up falling in love with that delicate hint of sparkle in my hair. It adds just enough glamour and romance without distracting from the rest of your look (even if you’re wearing an embellished gown).

It also really helps to work with a knowledgeable bridal stylist. I’m pretty confident when it comes to my personal style, but bridal fashion is an entirely new realm for me – so I was more than happy to defer to an expert. If you’re wearing a lace gown with lots of texture and detail (like the Gigi gown I tried on), your impulse might be to shy away from any intricate jewelry or additional texture. But in this case, Shannon suggested a vintage-inspired trapeze necklace and lace-edged veil which helped tie the whole look together without feeling too contrived or matchy-matchy. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns, shapes and textures – sometimes the most unexpected combinations are the best.

Overall, your bridal accessories are an area where you can infuse some personality into your look. As cheesy as it sounds, you’ll most likely be glowing with happiness on the big day – so those extra special touches will only help enhance how pretty you feel. See every look I tried on right this way!

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