You’ve now checked off a seriously exciting box on your wedding planning checklist- you’ve found the one. Your dream wedding dress that is. But now what? As such a centerpiece to your wedding day, selecting your gown will allow you to start making some other decisions like choosing your accessories, deciding on your hair and makeup look, and even choosing the right color palette for your wedding party to compliment your look. So open up that bridal style Pinterest board and keep reading for all the inspiration and details you need to keep checking off those boxes. You’ve got this 😉

Bridal Accessories 

It probably doesn’t seem like your dream wedding dress could possibly get any better, but we promise that bringing your look together with the right accessories will make you love it even more. Your wedding day accessories are also a great way to show off your personality, exhibit your unique style and have some fun with your look! Let’s start with shoes. We love when a bride rocks a pair that feels authentic to their personal style- whether that means Converse high tops, colorful fun heels, or classic white stilettos. Just remember that you’ll be on your feet for a majority of your wedding day, so don’t pick something you can hardly walk in or will be dying to take off before your ceremony even starts.

Keep your venue in mind as well. If your ceremony is outside on grass or soft ground, you don’t want to lose your heel halfway down the aisle. It's also not a bad idea to have a few pairs you can change into. If you can’t wait to hit the dance floor after dinner, bring a cute pair of white sneakers so you can keep the party going all night long. Comfort is key! 

Other accessories to consider? Wedding day jewelry, which could include earrings, necklaces, bracelets, or rings. This is the perfect place to incorporate a family heirloom, a special wedding day gift from your partner or a piece that has sentimental value. If jewelry isn’t really your thing but you want to add something special, consider some hair accessories. Of course there’s the traditional bridal veil (discover all your veil options from our bridal lingo post here!) but you can also level up your look with a cool embellished headband or hair pins. We also love the trends of adorning your hair with pearls or adding a tulle bow to your locks. If you can’t choose just one, accessories are also a great place to switch up your look throughout your wedding day with minimal effort. 

Hair & Makeup 

Now onto your bridal hair and makeup look. Since you have your dream wedding dress, you can decide on a style that will compliment the details of your gown. Your first task is finding the right hair and makeup artist whose work you're obsessed with. If you’re not sure where to start, I always recommend asking for referrals! Whether it’s from your friend who recently got married or one of your other wedding vendors, getting insight on other bride’s experiences is super important. Obviously you want someone who has a gorgeous portfolio, but getting your hair and makeup done is the part of your wedding day where you get to relax and feel pampered before the beautiful chaos that is your wedding day begins, so it’s important to hire someone who will put you at ease and that you trust. 

Similarly with your wedding dress fitting, you'll want to come prepared to find the perfect hair and makeup artist with plenty of inspiration. While your artist can help you perfect your look, it’s a good idea to narrow in on what you want so you can find a professional that specializes in the style you’re going for. It’s also helpful to provide your stylist with photos of your dress and the details of your wedding aesthetic so they can help create a look that’s unique to you.

The possibilities are endless here, but we always recommend choosing a style that feels authentic to you. If you’re all about trying bold makeup looks and experimenting with your hairstyle or color, it would be so cool to create a style just for your wedding day! If you typically keep your look minimal and don’t feel as comfortable branching out when it comes to hair and makeup, your wedding day isn’t the time to try a new makeup trend or hair color. You can’t go wrong with a slightly enhanced version of your signature style to make you feel special but comfortable on your wedding day. 

Alterations & Additions

Most of us are not going to try on our dream wedding dress off the rack and have it fit like a glove. Thankfully, that’s where the right seamstress comes in. As soon as your dress comes in, you’ll want to get this process started as most of the time your tailor will have to make multiple alterations (with two to three appointments on average) to get that perfect fit. Don’t worry, we have some amazing seamstresses we partner with here at Love Era that we can recommend. No matter who you go with, make sure they specialize in wedding gowns.

Altering a wedding dress is a lot different than hemming a pair of pants or repairing buttons and clasps being that the designs and fabrics are typically very intricate. Depending on the level of alterations needed, you can expect your budget to range anywhere from $300 - $1,000 here, so keep that in mind when deciding what you want to spend on your gown. When you’re getting ready to head to your fittings, make sure you bring all accessories and undergarments you plan on wearing on your wedding day. If you’re not sure what to bring, consult our “What To Bring To Your Wedding Dress Fitting” post for the complete checklist. 

If you’ve found your dream wedding dress but there’s a special element you were looking for that’s missing, you can also consult your seamstress to see if it can be added. For example, they can add a row of sleek white buttons that extends down your train or take the extra lace from the bottom of the dress to add a matching trim to your veil. If having that extra detail is a deal breaker though, make sure you consult your tailor before completing your purchase to ensure they can make it happen. While seamstresses can work some serious magic, you don’t want to be disappointed if the gown you’ve chosen doesn’t allow for the updates you’re envisioning. 

Wedding Color Palette 

You know you’re going to look absolutely radiant in your gown, so now it’s time to make sure your entourage matches the look. While a lot of other factors might drive your decision here like venue, season and aesthetic, you want to make sure the color palette you decide on compliments you and your partner’s wedding day outfits.

This years top trends when it comes to bridal party attire lie on opposite sides of the spectrum. On one end, the classic black and white color palette is making a comeback and we love this chic and timeless option. Not to mention, it’s super easy for your loved ones to nail. We know everyone says that they’ll re-wear the dress you’ve chosen, but a simple and stylish black dress is a staple that everyone can actually rock again.

If you’re all about color and mismatched styles, the eclectic multicolored trend is for you. Don’t be afraid to mix colors, styles, textures, patterns, fabrics- you name it for the ultimate statement bridal party look. While you might be tempted to say “wear whatever you want”since the goal of this trend is to embrace variety, make sure you have an idea of how it will all come together before giving your group the green light. You want to make sure the styles they’ve chosen feel unified and won’t end up looking confusing instead of complimentary. 

Lean On Us 

It probably seems like your wedding to-do list continues to get longer with each item you check off, but we promise, it will all be worth it in the end. And one thing is for sure, you’re going to look absolutely stunning in your dream wedding dress when you marry the love of your life. What could be better than that?! While it’s going to feel overwhelming at times, we love to encourage our brides to embrace the chaos and have fun with the planning process. Putting your mark on every detail of your wedding day will result in an unforgettable event that truly reflects the love of you and your partner. And that’s the whole point, right! 

You don’t have to do it all alone and Love Era is here to help you check off that wedding dress to-do list. We can help provide recommendations for amazing seamstresses, hair and makeup artists, and more. Find the most gorgeous veil to compliment your dress right here in our showroom and let us know if you’re still searching for the right undergarments or accessories, we can help point you in the right direction. No worries, we’ve got you covered every step of the way 🥰

Looking for even more inspo? Be sure to follow along on Instagram to see our real brides rocking their Love Era dresses. We can’t wait to feature you in your dream gown next!