How to choose accessories to suit your dress

Modern princess – Wedding tiaras

Kate Middleton has re-popularised the wedding tiara, after stepping out with her quite traditional look at the Royal wedding in April 2011. If you’ve chosen a princess-style, A-line gown or one with sleeves like Kate, then a tiara is a great choice.

Brides who want to add a more modern twist might like to wear a side headband or vintage comb instead – with this look anything goes! Whether diamantes or pearls, most accessories work well with a princess-style dress, but particularly traditional styles. A veil is also a great way to accessorise this style, for all out princess glamour.

Vintage lace – Pretty pearls

The vintage look is so popular right now, with beautiful lace gowns being a firm favourite with our real brides. Pearl jewellery is an ideal match for a lace dress, and pearl hair accessories also work really well in blonde hair as they look much softer than sparkly pieces. Lace hair flowers worn to the side are bang-on trend and a pretty way to rock the vintage look, as modelled by this gorgeous real bride (left).

Of course, you don’t just have to wear pearls with a lace dress. Sparkly accessories can work well, too, but we’d recommend choosing something that is a bit more muted and antique looking. Hair combs are particularly fashionable and are great for styling a vintage-looking dress.

Birdcage veils are also one of our favourite accessories at the moment and add a glamorous, retro twist to any look.

Glamorous – Sparkly details

Glamorous, strapless gowns with a figure-hugging shape and sparkly details are a dream to accessorise. Anything involving diamantes or crystals will match and help to create a red-carpet look. It really depends just how much ‘bling’ you want to add – if your dress already has a lot going on you may not need to overdo it.

A pair of chandelier earrings and a sparkly cuff would look stunning and a wedding tiara, side headband or comb would also look fab. These sparkly hair pieces look especially great in dark hair because these will really stand out.

Necklaces also work really well with strapless styles, unless there is a lot of detailing around the bodice in which case it may not be needed.

Boho – Floral details

For a relaxed boho or beach feel, accessories can be kept minimal. A simple flower in the hair or charm bracelet would be perfect. We love the style of this real bride pictured to the left. Her pretty, summery look really sets the tone for their relaxed marquee wedding.

Of course, wedding tiaras and side headbands still work well with this type of look, but few other accessories will be needed alongside them. Wearing your hair in a loose, curled style or in a low chignon will help your style look more relaxed.