Creative Bridal Accessories

Try as she might, the devotedly non-cookie-cutter bride is still hard-pressed to liven up the virtually inviolable bridal couture standard of white. The great thing about white, of course, is also its disadvantage – it smoothes out lines, curves and oddities into a beautifully ethereal impression. While that means that everyone looks good in it, it’s also hard to stand out from the connubial crowd.

No matter how many bells, whistles, feathers and furbelows you add to your white gown, it’s all going to meld together into a uniform, gauzy effect. You’ll look marvelous, but most textured detail will get lost in the mist.

So, what’s an imaginative bride to do? She’ll have to get creative with her accessories, natch. By offsetting her gown with daring, colorful or thematically relevant adornments, she can have her cake and eat it, too – she’ll both look her beautiful best on her wedding day, and leave a unique impression of her personality on her guests.

For original accessory twists, start by considering three things – season, wedding theme and location. Some ideas:

• In addition to being practical, seasonal footwear can add a dash of humorous flair to a bridal gown. It is particularly appropriate for outdoor or rustic weddings. And if your gown is long, your guests will only get an occasional glimpse of your funky shoes, so they won’t compete with your dress. Think about flip flops in summer, rubber galoshes in fall, and furry boots in wintertime.

• Shoes are a great place to bring in a touch of color, too. Try red or green shoes around Christmas or pastels in the spring. And don’t forget the groom: if he’s never seen without his purple Chuck Taylors, why shouldn’t he wear them on his wedding day?

• Hats and hair accessories are an easy way to make a statement. For something truly unique, check out Etsy.com and other crafts sites for beautiful handmade pieces that will draw attention to your face. Antique combs, feathered headbands and hats can be found at thrift and antique stores and will bring both funky and traditional twists to your wedding-day look.

• Antique or artisanal jewelry is another great way to accessorize. Comb antiques fairs or stores for interesting vintage pieces. Look in crafts markets for one-of-a-kind jewelry made by local artisans.

• Getting married in New Orleans? Mardi Gras beads or a sequined mask are really going to set the scene. Ditto for cowboy boots or a Stetson in the West. Turquoise-and-silver jewelry would look right at home in Arizona and New Mexico, and puka shells or leis celebrate a Hawaiian destination-wedding location.

• Don’t overlook your ethnic heritage. Wearing traditional wardrobe pieces from your ancestors’ homeland is a great way to include your family in your day and celebrate your cultural history. Jewelry or traditional bridal or costume pieces that you can borrow from a grandmother or other family member are particularly meaningful.