Jewelry
Your wedding day jewelry should be comfortable, timeless, and not overdone. It should complement your gown and of course the most important piece of jewelry you’ll be wearing this day – your wedding ring!

Before you shop for jewelry, talk with your mother, grandmother, sister, or close girlfriends to see if you could wear the jewelry worn on their wedding day. Jewelry is a great item to serve as your “something borrowed” and will have even more meaning when previously worn by a loved one.

You may also choose to make your own jewelry! Bead and craft stores carry many beautiful jewels that are elegant and stylish. Making jewelry may be a fun activity to do with your bridesmaids, perhaps as an afternoon activity on the day of your bachelorette party or wedding shower.

Shoes
Shoes are the accessory that can truly show your personality without distracting from your elegant white gown. First, there’s no rule that your shoes need to be white – your shoes can serve as your “something blue” or as a statement to your love for the color red! For the active or comfort-seeking bride, some even opt for tennis shoes (possibly dressed up with lace ribbon or bedazzled with jewels). Choose shoes that you love and can wear again – they just may become your favorite accessory to wear on your anniversary dates!

Veil & Headpiece
For many, the veil is the finishing touch – the piece of the bridal ensemble that makes the woman feel like a bride. Just as there are a number of choices for gowns, there are endless options of veils. Remember that there are many shades of white. When looking for a veil, choose one that is the same shade as your gown. Determine if you would like to remove the veil for the reception. Some opt to wear a headpiece and veil for the ceremony and just the headpiece for the reception.

In addition to a veil, you may choose a headpiece, such as a tiara, bunwrap, headband, or halo. Try on a variety of headpieces with the veil to determine the best look for you. Bring the veil and headpiece with you to your trial run hair appointment so that the stylist can determine how to incorporate it with your desired hairstyle.

1. Choose your dress first. Then, consider your height, the length of your dress and details of your dress. For example, an elaborate gown usually calls for a simple veil.

2. Choose where you will wear the veil on your head. The veil can be worn on top of the head covering the hair, or toward the back of the head just below an up-do. Where the veil is worn will affect the length of the veil.

3. Remember that there are many shades of white. When looking for a veil, choose one that is the same shade as your gown.

4. Determine if you would like to remove the veil for the reception. Some opt to wear a headpiece and veil for the ceremony and just the headpiece for the reception.

5. In addition to a veil, you may choose a headpiece, such as a tiara, bunwrap, headband or halo. Try on a variety of headpieces with the veil to determine the best look for you.

6. Consider your hairstyle and how the veil can complement it. Bring the veil and headpiece with you to your trial run hair appointment so that the stylist can determine how to incorporate it with your desired hairstyle.

7. Wear the veil and headpiece for an extended period of time before the wedding to ensure that it will be comfortable on the day.

TYPES OF VEILS

Blusher
Often covers the face and hits just above the shoulders

Elbow Length
Extends to the bride’s elbow

Fingertip Length
Extends to the bride’s fingertips

Chapel Length
Extends a foot beyond the back of the dress

Cathedral Length
Exceeds four feet beyond the gown or six inches past the train

Step One – Begin Shopping Early
Begin looking for bridesmaid gowns eight to 12 months before the wedding. If possible, make separate shopping trips for the bridal gown and the bridesmaid dresses. It is usually easier to find your bridal gown first, and then look for your maids’ attire. Shop at several bridal shops. Each shop should have similar styles yet will have a different selection of designers. Some designers will be exclusive to that store in that area.

Step Two – Choose a Color
The bridesmaid gowns will be a prominent display of your wedding theme color. Make sure that you choose a color that will be readily available in bridal fashion. If you can, wait to solidify the color theme until you’ve found the bridesmaid gowns. Choose a color that will be flattering on fair to dark skin tones. If you have already set your color theme and are having trouble finding a gown that you like within this theme, you may order black gowns with a colored belt or wrap.

Step Three – Choose Style
Have your bridesmaids try on a variety of fashion styles. Do not become too attached to a specific style before seeing a variety of styles on your bridesmaids’ different body types. For example, do not just try strapless gowns; try halter and sweetheart necklines, too.

The latest trend in bridesmaid fashion is coordinating, not matching – that is, to make your maids look like cousins, rather than identical twin sisters. Each maid may wear the same color gown of varying styles, or the same style gown of varying colors. You’ll fast become a favorite if you allow your bridesmaids to choose what gown looks best on them.

If each girl will be wearing the same style of gown, make sure that you choose a style that will be flattering on each. Have more than one person try on the gown to see what it will look like on different body types.

Step Four – Order the Gowns
When you have found the dress, place the order as soon as possible, at least six months prior to the wedding to allow time for delivery and alterations. Be sure to talk with your bridal boutique if you need the gowns sooner; rush delivery is usually available. Each maid will need to stop by the shop to get measured or will need to call the shop with their measurements.

Involve your bridesmaids in shopping for their dress. With this, you’ll have happy, great-looking maids.