Wedding dress shopping can be a daunting experience. There’s the pressure to find “the dress,” to give everyone you love an emotional experience with you, plus the regular old frustration of trying on clothing and hoping something looks good. Then there’s the fact that if you’re browsing online and you look at the photos of wedding dresses in online catalogs, it’s really hard to figure out how a wedding dress on a model will translate to you, a person who has not been airbrushed.
Not to mention this scenario, which I’ve seen happen all too many times in wedding dress shopping: you go into a store. Start trying on dresses. Find some stuff you like. Next thing you know, you’re being accessorized with All The Things so you look “properly bridal” and you start breaking out into a rash like that one scene from Sex And The City because you barely recognize yourself anymore. So today I thought I’d share some tips and ideas for styling a wedding dress in a way that still feels like you. Because it’s hard when you’re looking at fancy dresses online or even on your body to understand how they might work at say, your barn or beach wedding.
The good news is, I’ve seen a lot of wedding dresses in real life and a lot of wedding dresses on models in catalogs, and a hundred percent of the time, a wedding dress looks better on a person getting married than it does on a person in an editorial shoot. Something about joy (and non-airbrushed bodies) does that.
Vibe: Bright Backyard
Tip: If your dress is on the simpler side, with fewer design elements (like beading or other accouterment), you can go bigger with your accessories without getting totally swallowed by your outfit. For balance, try to avoid too many things too close together. Big necklace? Go for small (or no) earrings. Also? A backyard wedding doesn’t mean you can’t still pile on the glitter if you want to. (See this wedding for all the permission you need on that front. It wasn’t in their backyard, exactly, but your mom doesn’t need to know that when you forward her the link.)
DRESS: Mina Gown by BHLDN ($700) | Flower Crown: Tutorial via APW | Shoes: Jessica Simpson via Zappos (Pro Tip: If you’re into heels, Jessica Simpson makes surprisingly comfortable shoes. Of all the platforms I’ve ever worn (and that number is high), hers have been the most wearable.)
Vibe: modern glam
Tip: You can make a dress with a lot of feminine details (think lace, ruffles) still feel edgy with modern hair and accessories, like hair jewelry instead of a veil.
DRESS: Strapless Crystal Beaded Tulle Fit and Flare Gown from David’s Bridal ($1500, available in sizes 00–26) | TRIPLE TWIST POMPADOUR: Tutorial via Black Girl Long Hair | Earrings: Bauble Bar
Vibe: Relaxed Beachy
Tip: Most beachy wedding dresses (according to dress stores) are super simple. But if you like beads and bling or lots of lace, don’t let that stop you. Wearing your hair down, and keeping your accessories minimal can make a super fancy dress feel more casual and relaxed.
Dress: WToo by Watters Style 16608 ($1550, available in sizes oo–32) | Beach Waves: Tutorial via Barefoot Blonde (For more beach wave tips, check out Refinery29. They’ve got more than I can count, including product tips, a curling iron method for naturally straight hair, and heat-free beach waves for hair that doesn’t like to hold a curl.) | Sandals: ASOS
