 Wedding accessories may include jewelry, headpieces, shoes and more.
Undergarments
The most important thing about your wedding day underwear is your gown and what kind of underwear it requires to make you look your best in it. (Some dresses, particularly the corseted and boned bodiced gowns, may not require a bra at all.) After you pick your gown, visit a specialty lingerie store with a picture of it and to be fitted for your bra, etc. This is a step a busty bride simply cannot skip.
Finding the Perfect Bra
As stated above, the bra you choose is largely dependent upon the type of dress you have. However, your own body type also plays a large factor in the type of bra you'll need. Most bridal boutiques or lingerie stores (such as Victoria's Secret or Frederick's of Hollywood) will have salespeople there who can tell you exactly what your perfect bra size is. Many women wear a size of bra that is not their actual bra size. If you're a do-it-yourself bride, you can do your own measurements. Fitting Tips has great step-by-step instructions on determining your bra size.
When choosing a bra to wear underneath your wedding dress it's important to consider a few things:
- How wide is your dress' neckline?
- How low is the back of your dress?
- Are there any peephole decoration parts on your dress - keyhole decorations are popular at the base of the neckline.
- Are there sheer pieces to your dress that may show parts of a bra?
Also, it's importatant to remember that while heavy underwire bras are the most flattering for most Brides in their wedding dresses, they are not the most comfortable. You will be standing in front of many people for hours, with no chances to adjust an uncomfortable fitting bra. Finding your best fit, and figuring out your comfort level will make for a more enjoyable day.
Hosiery
 Stockings are a popular type of hosiery for brides.
While some brides prefer to not wear hosiery, others insist upon it. One factor which will determine your hosiery needs is what kind of undergarments you are wearing. Another is your own personal preference. If you are not beginning your honeymoon immediately, you may opt for pantyhose. If you are planning to start your honeymoon immediately after the ceremony and have special lingerie for the occasion (such as merrywidows or garter belts), you may opt for thigh-highs or stockings. Body stockings are another option for a bride who wants something sexy under her dress but doesn't need a lot of undergarment support.
| Tip: | Consider your shoes in your hosiery decisions. Hosiery should not be worn with open-toed shoes unless it is specialty hosiery that allows for the toes to be bare. |
Lingerie
Some brides who are starting their honeymoons immediately after the ceremony (or who just want to feel sexy) may opt to wear lingerie under their gowns. Many types of bridal bras can also double as merrywidows or sexy corsets. Brides who only need simple bra support may opt for lace or satin teddies. Body stockings, as mentioned above, are a great solution for the bride who wants to be sexy and wear hosiery without the complication of garters or stockings. Regardless of the lingerie you choose and prefer (and there are many options), always try on the lingerie with your dress and other items to make sure that everything looks as it should.
Garters
 A groom taking the garter off the bride.
All a garter is, when you get down to it, is a piece of elastic or lycra and some pretty lace/ribbons/etc. They are generally less than $10.00 and most people wear them right above or right below their knee. Things to take into consideration are 1.) how playful your groom is, and 2.) how playful you want to be. Some grooms may ham it up for the boys to an embarrassing degree for the bride. (Sticking their head under the gown, etc.)
To avoid embarrassment or the showing of more leg than you wanted to, simply sit in a chair and pull your gown up over the necessary leg, and cross your legs so the garter can be slid off with ease.
To see various looks and types of garters, see Garter designs. It's also very easy to make your own garter and we've explained it step-by-step for each main garter type at the Make your own garter page.
Slips and Crinolines
Slips and crinolines are used to help shape the gown from the beneath: whether it is smoothing the under texture, shaping the body inside the gown, or providing extra body to the dress skirt. These items may be purchased from most women's clothing stores or you can make your own crinoline.
Veils and Headpieces
There are many different types of veils and headpieces for the bride. Some brides choose the hairstyle they like first and then choose the headpiece & veil, while others decide on the hairstyle based on the accessories they like. Some veils and headpiece require the hair to be a certain type of style and vice versa. While these items can be purchased at any store that sells hair accessories (and you will often find much reasonable prices at accessory stores or party stores - in the bachlorette party area), you can also make your own veil and headpiece.
Veils
Veils are made out of a soft, delicate translucent fabric called illusion. They usually start at US$50, but usually go for US$200. A bride could wear multiple veils at once, such as a blusher veil and a chapel veil. (In many weddings, the groom would pull back the bride's blusher veil so he could kiss her.)
There are several types of veils:
 Multiple veils can be worn as one. - Ballerina: A straight, tulle veil that extends down to the shins but not below the ankles. 1.5 m (5 ft) long.
- Blusher: A veil that covers the bride's head and shoulders. 61 cm (24 in) long.
- Cathedral: A full veil that supplements a train. 3.2 m (10.5 ft) long.
- Chapel: A veil like a cathedral veil but shorter. 2.13 m (7 ft) long.
- Elbow: Full, tulle veil that extends to the elbows
- Fingertip: A common veil that extends to the fingertips.
- Flyaway: A short veil that reaches the shoulders, usually worn in layers.
- Mantilla: A tulle with lace at its hem that is draped over the head, except for the face. It may extend to the fingertips.
All measurements are approximations. Veils may be tailored in proportion to your actual height.
External Links & Sources
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