Dresses & Accessories

Extra! Extra!

A quick guide to picking out your big day accessories

You've ordered the dress. Now you can just sit back and wait for it to arrive—or so you think. There are a few other items you'll need: the right undergarments, a headpiece, shoes, jewelry and maybe even a pair of gloves. Here's the lowdown on finding those other bridal essentials:

• Plan ahead. In many cases, accessories must be special ordered, and it may be weeks before you'll have them. Search for accessories as soon as you've chosen the dress. You'll need your shoes for the fitting and your headpiece for a trial run with your hairdresser. When possible, choose the headpiece when you buy your dress or go to the first fitting, so you can see how they work together.
• Bring the necessities. Take someone you trust, a photo or clipping of the dress and a swatch of the fabric. In a pinch, write down the exact color and shade, fabric and description of your dress.
• Don't mock it until you try it. Even if you think tiaras are totally not you, be open to the possibilities. "It can look entirely different on you," says Dawn Drewganis of Accessory to a Wedding, a bridal accessory and attire shop in Chicago. "You definitely should try things on that you might not consider."
• Make a perfect match. Or, as close as you can get. "Things aren't all going to match completely," Drewganis says. "You have different manufacturers creating products from different bolts of fabric." Don't worry if it's a fraction of a shade lighter or darker...no one will notice. If you're spending your wedding day indoors, you'll have even more leeway: indoor lighting—especially candlelight—can be very forgiving.
• Keep it simple. If your dress has a lot of ornamentation, beading, lace and the like, skip the fancy accessories, Drewganis says. Instead, stick with delicate jewelry, simple gloves and a plain-edged veil. But if you've chosen a simpler gown, you can make a bold statement with the details: buttons, bows or blossoms on the gloves, an intricate tiara and a lacy veil edge.
• Choose wisely. If you're ditching the veil before the reception, invest in a headpiece that looks good without the tulle: a headband, back piece, tiara or bun wrap. Some of your wedding-day accessories can have a second life: Fabric shoes and purses can be dyed to go with your favorite cocktail dress.