Posted on

Bridal Accessories: Your Complete Bridal Look

Bridal Accessories: Complete Your Bridal Look

You have your stunning bridal gown, now it’s time to jazz it up with some fabulous accessories! Bridal gowns are all so unique, but what makes your look different and custom to you is the way you accessorize. From your earrings to your veil to your handbag, there are an endless number of ways for a bride to make her look exclusive and catered to her style. Let’s break down all the accessories you should check out next time you’re at Castle Couture!

Add Some Sparkle!

Diamonds truly are a girl’s best friend, so adding some bling to your wedding day look is exactly what you need to enhance any bridal look. Every bridal gown, no matter the style, should have a pair of earrings. Whether this is a classic stud, glistening teardrop, or bold hoop, any earring will bring the eye up from your beautiful gown to your eyes. A big question we receive is typically in regard to when it is “too much” when it comes to accessorizing. We never believe it is ever “too much”; it is really up to the bride and her personality as to how much bling she wants to have. It is the bride’s big day and everything should be catered to her liking and preferences.

If you are one of those brides who happens to love lots of bling, we have you covered! Castle Couture offers an array of bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and much more when it comes to our jewelry selection. Whether you are looking for fine jewelry to treat yourself with or something simpler like Swarovski crystals, we have something for every bride.

Grab a Bridal Bag

An accessory that is commonly overlooked would be an evening bag or clutch for the bride. The special occasion purses we have available at Castle Couture are beyond beautiful. They range from ivory and silver to pops of color, all embellished with glamorous beads that will enhance any bridal look. Lots of brides worry about what handbag to bring because, like anyone, they have their necessities that need to be taken care of, such as their phone, lipstick, mints/gum, or anything else you may need to have right on hand that day. The evening bags we sell here are a perfect size: Most are about seven inches long, which is ideal for fitting in a cell phone and a couple of other must-haves.

The Perfect Veil

Veils are one of our favorite accessories! They are such a fun way to add to your look and really enhance your dress overall. There are a few different styles of veils. Some popular ones include elbow, fingertip, chapel, and cathedral! Let’s quickly break down the difference between each so you can ask to see some at your next bridal accessory appointment. Starting from the top would be the elbow. This length is just as it sounds: It ends at your elbow! Just how a fingertip veil literally ends at your fingertips. Both are extremely common styles, they are easy to work with, stay very well in most hairstyles, and can be left on all night (if you want!). The next length brings us to chapel: This one goes a little past your ankles and closely follows behind you on floor. This is a very traditional look and is beautiful with a simple sheath gown. The longest veil of these four is the cathedral length. This veil is at least 100 inches long and gives extreme princess vibes. To learn more about what veil is right for you and everything you need to know about what a blusher is and how to wear one, check out our previous blog, Veil 101. We sat down to chat with one of our accessory stylists, Alice Seepersaud, and asked what advice she would give to a bride who is beginning to shop for veils. “I always love to encourage my brides to go with a cathedral length veil. No matter how long or short your train is, a cathedral veil will complete your bridal look and add drama to your gown. Also, try and keep the detailing of the veil simple. Let your dress speak for itself!”

When to Shop?

We always encourage our brides to purchase their bridal accessories the same day they purchase their wedding gowns, but, of course, that is not always the case. If you are one of our beautiful brides who did not say yes to these accessories the day you found your dream dress, you can always search for accessories the day you come in for your Try on Gown appointment. (A Try on Gown appointment is when you come into the boutique to try on the gown that was ordered for you and to ensure everything is perfect.) At that time, you can meet with our accessory stylists so they can bring over different styles of veils, jewelry, and handbags, and even show you the selection of Badgley Mischka bridal shoes that we offer!

Stop in anytime during operating hours or book an appointment so we can help you find the perfect accessories.

Posted on

How to Stay Warm at a Winter Wedding

Winter weddings are one of the most beautiful opportunities to cozy up with your loved ones and celebrate one of the most exciting, monumental moments in your life. Winter weddings are beyond fabulous, but the most difficult encounter about these amazing days is how chilly it can get at these events. From frosty toes, rosy cheeks, and shivering guests, you want to make sure, whether you are the bride or a guest, you are as comfortable as one can be during this exciting day!

Dress for A Winter Wedding

As mentioned, winter weddings can be absolutely stunning, which means your outfit should match just that! When it comes to guests, any deep, jewel-toned gowns are great to wear. During the colder months, you are fairer than any other time of the year; that’s why wearing a rich color will be most flattering compared to rocking a pastel shade in February. Along with a beautiful, rich tone, a black faux fur shawl is a great addition to any winter look! Now that the guests will be looking fabulous, it’s time to focus on the bride.

When it comes to winter weddings, we always suggest brides wear whatever they’re most comfortable in! A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to wear what makes you feel most beautiful. We sat down with our bridal manager, Christina Dougherty, to get her opinion on what a bride should wear when she’s saying “I do” during these frigid months. “The season should never matter; only her feelings should matter. Whether she goes for glitter or a floral lace pattern, any gown works great with any season. You should only dress for you and what makes you happy. Your dress should have your personality in it, not a season.” So, a bride should wear whatever she desires: It is her big day and if that means a strapless mermaid is her dream dress, that is exactly what she should wear!

Shoes For a Winter Wedding

Shoes are one of the most fun and fabulous accessories to shop for (and one that you can even get carried away shopping for!). When it comes to your wedding day, get ready to pray to the shoe gods to find the most perfect heel! Winter weddings are tricky when it comes to shoe shopping considering weather can really play a major role. Your wedding dress is one thing – this is your chance to express yourself and feel like the princess you always imagined yourself being – but when it comes to shoes that’s a different story! You need to find something gorgeous, yet comfortable. We always suggest the brand Badgley Mischka to our brides as we believe they are the most beautiful wedding shoes you’ll ever find and are extremely comfortable. They’re meant for all-day wear; this way, your feet will be thanking you! Finding a beautiful, comfortable pair is important for any wedding, but for a wedding held any time from November through Februrary, we also suggest rocking a closed-toe look. Naturally, your toes and fingers are the first to lose blood flow in the cold and turn that not so flattering blueish color. Nobody wants that to happen to them, especially on a day where all eyes are on you! A beautiful closed-toe heel with a glamorous brooch is exactly what every bride needs to be warm, comfortable, and looking beautiful!

Additional Tips for Your Big Day!

Some additional fun, fabulous tips for hosting a winter wedding include what to pack in your purse, some additional ideas for décor, and how to stay nice and toasty!

Your Purse

When it comes to what to put in your purse for yourself and your bridal party, it should include tissues, hand warmers, and lip balm! These may sound silly or make you question why you would need such things, but these tissues aren’t just for the tears you may shed as you say your “I dos”, but for when you are outside in the cold taking your photos! Naturally, your nose will begin to run and there is no need to sniffle throughout all your wedding photos. The next must-have is hand warmers! Everyone will be looking at that stunning ring on your left hand and the last thing you want is for your hands to be as cold as ice! This goes for your bridal party as well. They’ll be outside with you and your partner the entire time and should be just as cozy as the happy couple. Lastly, you must have some sort of lip balm in your purse! With the number of friends and family you’ll be kissing hello and the number of photos you’ll be smiling in, it’s important to not have chapped or cracked lips. A bride should look like a million bucks at all times and helping her stay cozy will make the day that more memorable!

Winter Decor

When all is said and done, this is a winter wedding, after all, so embrace it when it comes to your decor! We love ice sculptures around the reception; this is such a classic way to decorate while incorporating your theme.

Keeping Warm

Any part of the wedding that is outdoors, such as a reception or cocktail hour, must have multiple outdoor heaters! This is a great way to have your guests cozy up and chat by a heater. Or, even better, an amazing little fireplace to have a cocktail in front of is always a great addition to any wedding!

If you’re a winter bride and have any other suggestions for those getting married, shoot us an email at PR@castlecouturenj.com so we can share with our Castle Couture ladies!