After saying “yes” to the proposal, saying “yes to the dress” is the next thing that many brides get excited about. After booking the wedding venue and date, shopping for a wedding dress is often next on a bride’s wedding planning to do list. And while finding your dream wedding dress is a monumental experience, it is just the beginning of curating your bridal style. Your wedding dress is the centerpiece of your bridal look, but there are several other details that bring your full bridal vision to life. And, that's what we're going to talk about today! We're sharing our top tips for what to do once you've found your dream wedding dress. Once you've committed to the one, there's a few more steps before walking down the aisle!
Many brides understandably get swept up in the excitement of finding the dress, but once that magical moment has happened, we encourage you to pause and consider the often-overlooked elements, including accessories, alternations and more, that help you look and feel your most confident and radiant on your wedding day.
Think Beyond the Gown
Your wedding day style is more than just your wedding dress. It’s the harmony of each accessory and finishing touch that creates a cohesive, timeless look. All of your bridal accessories, from your veil to your shoes, should feel intentional and reflective of your personal style.
Here are a few of the essential elements that often go unnoticed until the last minute, but make all the difference:
The Veil (or Not)
A wedding veil is a quintessential bridal accessory. While it’s ultimately a personal decision if you choose to wear a veil or not on your wedding day, we highly encourage you to at least try on a variety of veil styles when you are trying on wedding gowns. A bridal veil can dramatically impact the overall vibe of your look. Whether you dream of a dramatic cathedral-length veil or prefer a modern hair accessory, it’s important to explore your options and see how each complements your gown. In the end, you want to select a piece that enhances, rather than competes with, the silhouette and detailing of your dress.
Bridal stylist tip: Consider purchasing your wedding veil at the same time as purchasing your wedding dress. You'll be able to try on all of your accessories together wth your gown and see your look put together head to toe. This will ensure a cohesive look with the color and detailing of your wedding dress.
Bridal Jewelry
Less is often more when it comes to bridal jewelry. The goal is to accentuate your features and your gown, not overwhelm them. Remember that your wedding dress is the star of the show and your accessories should highlight the dress detailing and style. Pay attention to your neckline, fabric detailing, and even your hairstyle when deciding whether to wear statement earrings, a delicate necklace or bracelet, or perhaps a meaningful heirloom (We love a family jewelry as a bride's something old!)
Shoes
Comfort meets style when it comes to a bride's shoes. While your wedding shoes might not be visible all the time underneath your wedding dress, they play a key role in how you feel throughout the day. Whether you opt for a classic heel, a sparkly stiletto, or an embellished flat, choose something that feels authentic to you. And don’t forget to break them in ahead of time! We love a shoe change moment from more formal shoes for the ceremony into a fun pair of sneakers for dancing at the reception or after party.
Bridal stylist tip: Be sure to consider the surface of your wedding when deciding on shoes. You can't walk in heels on on the beach or the grass, so in this case, you'll want to consider a flat shoe.
Bag or Clutch
While not every bride chooses to carry a bag, having a small, elegant clutch can be helpful for holding essentials like touch-up lipstick, feminine care products, mints, or a handkerchief (for happy tears, of course!). Look for a design that blends seamlessly with your bridal aesthetic and complements your wedding gown. Also be sure to find someone to hold your purse and keep an eye on it throughout the day, you're hands will be full with your bridal bouquet and eating and giving lots of hugs and dancing!
Bridal stylist tip: We love a bridal purse or even a wedding dress with pockets for holding the little things, like tissues or lipstick, but we don't recommend putting your phone in your purse or your wedding dress pocket. Instead, give your phone to a bridesmaid, friend, or better yet, leave it behind and be fully present on your wedding day!
Undergarments and/or Shapewear
Often overlooked until alterations, your undergarments can make or break the fit of your wedding gown. Be sure to bring anything that you plan to wear on your wedding day (including accessories, shoes, undergarments and shapewear) to your fittings. Your seamstress will want to see all of your pieces together before making any changes to your dress.
When shopping, be sure to select undergarments and shapeware styles that enhance your shape while remaining invisible under your wedding dress. For more specifics on selecting bridal undergarments, be sure to read our ultimate guide to bridal undergarments and what to wear under your wedding dress.
Curating Your Entire Wedding Wardrobe
In addition to your wedding gown, consider how your entire bridal wardrobe tells a cohesive story. From your engagement party and bridal shower to your rehearsal dinner and post-wedding brunch, each look offers an opportunity to express your unique style and tie everything back to your overall vision.
Our team loves working with brides to help curate looks for every wedding-related event, beyond the wedding dress. Think of your wardrobe as a narrative. Each outfit should feel connected yet distinct, echoing your personal style and the ambiance of each celebration, making you feel like "the bride" all throughout your engagement.
For chic bridal shower and rehearsal dinner dresses, shop our collection of Little White Dresses.
The Final Touches
The journey to your perfect wedding day look doesn’t end once you say “yes to the dress.” Let our team at The White Dress by the Shore help you bring every element together, from accessories to event styling, so you walk into your wedding day not just looking beautiful, but feeling confident, comfortable, and completely you.
Ready to complete your bridal vision? Book a styling appointment with us today at our Clinton, CT shop and let us help you find the finishing touches that make your look truly unforgettable.
xoxo,
TWD Lovelies