Enhancing A Simple Wedding Dress: Creative Ways To Shine

what to add to a plain wedding dress

A wedding dress is one of the most important dresses a person will ever wear, and it's crucial that they feel confident and beautiful on their special day. A plain wedding dress is a great base for customisation, and there are many ways to elevate a minimalistic bridal gown and create a personalised look. Accessories, jewellery, veils, belts, sashes, hairpieces, gloves, and even bouquets can all be used to add a unique touch to a simple wedding dress.

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Jewellery: earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and tiaras

Jewellery is a great way to elevate a plain wedding dress. Here are some tips for choosing earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and tiaras to complement your gown:

Earrings

When selecting earrings, consider the neckline and style of your dress. For a high-neck wedding dress, statement earrings can be a great choice as they draw attention to your face. For example, opt for bold, elongated shapes like chandeliers or diamond drop earrings. If your dress has a square neckline, long drop earrings can beautifully complement the unique shape. For a minimalist, flowing dress with a high neckline, larger earrings can add nice detail without detracting from the overall look. Delicate diamond earrings or diamond studs are timeless choices that you may wear again after your wedding. If you want to mix metals, consider earrings with marquise diamonds set in 18K white gold.

Necklaces

The right necklace can pull your whole look together. Consider the neckline and style of your dress when choosing a necklace. For a strapless dress, a diamond tennis necklace can add shine. A dress with a square neckline pairs well with angular necklaces or chokers, especially with slicked-back hair or a half-up, half-down hairstyle. A V-neck dress suits a V-shaped necklace that mirrors the neckline. If your dress is heavily embellished, you may want to skip the necklace to avoid a cluttered look.

Bracelets

A sleek bracelet can add a touch of elegance, especially if your dress has no sleeves. For a high-neck dress, a subtle bracelet or stacked bracelets can complement the look without competing with the neckline. If your dress is a simple design, a statement bracelet can be a great choice.

Tiaras

Although not mentioned as frequently as the other types of jewellery, tiaras can be a beautiful addition to a plain wedding dress. Tiaras can add a traditional, regal element to your bridal look.

Remember, when choosing jewellery for your wedding, it's important to consider your personal style and select pieces that feel authentic to you. You can opt for family jewellery with sentimental value or new pieces specifically chosen for your special day.

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Veils: lace, beading, embroidery, feathers, and polka dots

Veils can be a great way to add instant glamour to a bridal ensemble. A veil with lace trim is a subtle way to incorporate a special touch of lace to your wedding dress. You can also opt for a veil with hand-woven lace, floral elements, or a bold colour. If you want to add lace to your wedding dress, consider the type and style of lace you want to use. Chantilly lace is a good option for light yet intricate detailing. If you want to showcase the detail of the lace, consider a fitted or straight-style dress, or a mermaid tulle style that will provide a beautiful texture contrast between the lace and the tulle. A lace train can also be a nice touch, especially if you have lace on the bodice or all over the dress.

Beading can add subtle glamour and a touch of sparkle to your wedding dress. Beads can be used strategically to bring attention to specific parts of the dress. You can also add beading to the veil, but it is recommended to avoid anything too heavy as it can distort the shape of the veil.

Embroidery is another embellishment option to add to your wedding dress or veil. You can add crystals or beads to the embroidery for an extra touch of sparkle.

If you're looking for a statement-making detail, feathers may be a good option. Feathers can be added as a trim or as an overlay, and can range from bold and glamorous to streamlined and modern. If you're looking for a full ballgown, you can opt for a flurry of feathers from head to toe, or go for a design with an ombre effect. For a more subtle look, consider a silky slip dress with feathered trims or a feathered neckline.

Polka dots are another option to consider when adding details to your veil. This can add a playful and unique touch to your bridal ensemble.

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Belts: add a pop of colour or texture

A belt or sash is a great way to add a pop of colour or texture to a simple wedding dress. It can be a good way to draw attention to the middle area of the dress, and can be a stylish complement to the wedding colour scheme.

A belt can be a great way to make a statement, and there are many widths and styles to choose from. For example, a satin belt covered in applique could be a bold choice, or a belt with a pop of colour could be used to match the wedding colour scheme and attendants' outfits.

One bride suggested sewing a belt only to the front half of the dress, so as not to distract from the back. Another bride commented that a belt could ruin the flow of the dress, so it is important to consider the style of the dress and the overall look you are aiming for.

Ribbons are another option to add interest to the waist, and can be a bold alternative to a belt. Gold, purple, blush, red, and blue are popular colours for bridal ribbons.

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Gloves: mesh, frills, and embellishments

Gloves are the perfect accessory to add to a plain wedding dress. Genevieve James, design director of Cornelia James, says, "They provide the punctuation that can transform the most simple of dresses into a statement, and an event into an occasion." Opting for modern iterations featuring mesh, frills, and embellishments can add a touch of drama to a pared-back look.

For a playful and modern look, consider sheer mesh gloves, which can add a touch of drama to your wedding ensemble, as demonstrated by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy on her wedding day. Mesh dress gloves are available from various retailers, including Etsy, where you can find unique or custom, handmade pieces. You can even find mesh dress gloves with custom embroidery to make your look more personalised.

Frilled gloves are another option to elevate your plain wedding dress. Dents of England, for example, offers women's tulle gloves with frilled cuffs. Combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, these gloves can add a stylish and elegant touch to your bridal look.

Embellished gloves can also be the perfect addition to a plain wedding dress. For a glamorous and chic look, consider an A-line wedding dress with intricate beading that pairs flawlessly with classic sweetheart necklines and shimmering details that extend into a free-flowing tulle skirt. Elevate the ensemble with embellished gloves, creating a stunning bridal look that will surely stun your guests.

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Overskirts: satin, lace, or sparkle

Overskirts are a great way to give your plain wedding dress a final boost of drama and elegance. They can be made with different fabrics, such as satin, tulle, or lace, and can be customised to match your bridal gown. If you're looking for a classic bridal look, consider pairing a detachable overskirt with a traditional ballgown wedding dress silhouette. The contrast between the voluminous and structured overskirt and the more delicate dress underneath creates a beautiful wedding day look.

For a modern minimalist bride, a satin column wedding dress with a simple, straight-across strapless bodice and a chic sheath skirt can be paired with a detachable overskirt to add extra volume and drama. A full satin overskirt will add a touch of glamour to your plain wedding dress, creating a romantic and versatile look. If you're looking for something lighter, a tulle-layered detachable overskirt will add just the right amount of wispy texture without overpowering your bridal aesthetic.

If you're looking to add some sparkle to your plain wedding dress, consider an overskirt with glitter or sequin embellishments. This will add drama as you walk down the aisle and create a glamorous two-in-one look. You can also add a big, fluffy bow to the back of your dress for a soft, fashion-forward statement.

Detachable overskirts are a trendy accessory that allows brides to transform their dresses without actually changing into whole new outfits. They can be worn at the ceremony and then removed for the reception, revealing a sleeker "second look". This means less time spent changing and more time with your loved ones!

Black Dress Code: Wedding Edition

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Frequently asked questions

There are many ways to make a plain wedding dress more glamorous. One way is to add a veil, which can be dramatic and feature romantic feathers, pretty polka dots, hand-woven lace, floral elements or a bold colour. You could also add statement jewellery, such as a tiara, a pearl necklace, or some dazzling earrings.

To make a plain wedding dress more unique, you could add some colour. This could be in the form of a sash or belt, or even a coloured veil. You could also add some beading, embroidery, crystals, or sequins to make your dress stand out.

To make a plain wedding dress more fun, you could add a pair of statement shoes, or a fun hair accessory like a headband or tiara. You could also add some gloves, or a hat for a boho vibe.

To make a plain wedding dress more formal, you could add a jacket, cape, or shawl. You could also add some sleeves, or a dramatic veil.

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