Designer Jessica finding the perfect accessory!

As a jewelry designer and wedding day stylist, I have worked with brides at various points throughout their wedding planning experience. Sometimes brides purchase their veil and accessories the day they purchase their gown. Some brides will be well into the fittings for their gown before they realize they still need accessories to complete their wedding day look. And, there are even brides who walk into one of my trunk shows, looking for accessories and a veil, and are getting married in less than 3 weeks.

Is there a certain time you should be shopping for your veil and accessories? Well, no. But, there are times that you should consider as the perfect opportunities to make those decisions on your finishing touches for your wedding day look.

1. When you’re buying your gown – I know it’s hard to believe that you can find the perfect veil or accessory at the same time you found your perfect gown, but it happens more often than not! Brides come back to me, after looking at other options, and realize that the veil they tried on with their gown is the veil they have to have! Honestly, this happens 75% of the time. The problem is, when brides do not purchase the veil or accessory they happened to like when they tried on their gown, sometimes we cannot remember what the item was. Just like brides, bridal consultants get excited when THE wedding dress is found. In all the excitement, not everything is noted in the file, usually the accessories and veil. Allthough this isn’t common, there is a chance that you perfect headpiece doesn’t get noted on your card. I can be discontinued or sold out of salon stock. And now you’re stuck hunting down it’s location and whereabouts. If you find the perfect veil or accessory at the time you find your gown, do not hesitate to make that purchase. Chances are, it’s the piece that completes the look, the final touch that allows you to see yourself as the bride you envisioned. You can have a beautiful wedding dress, but your accessories complete your beautiful wedding style.

2. Once your dress comes in, this can be the perfect opportunity to finalize your finishing touches to your look. It’s been a while since you’ve seen your gown and this is the perfect time to fall in love with it all over again. And now, the gown is in your correct size! You can now focus on the entire look, from veil length and trimming. Which earrings and necklace pair best with your dress’ embroidery? Now you can select all the details that make your look complete!

3. Although it is getting down to the wire, the gown fitting is the final time to shop for accessories while you have your gown on. It can get a bit stressful; making final decisions on your alterations is a big task. During alterations you can truly make your wedding gown your own – those seamstresses can do wonders–! It can take a lot of time making important decisions like hemline length, making a crescent neckline sweetheart, lower the back, etc. If you book your appointments properly, you can allow time to try veil & accessories with your alteration progress. Despite it being crunch time, again, this is a great way to see how accessories style your look, and it will be fairly accurate as to how you will look on your wedding day.
-J