How to Best Accessorize Lace Wedding Dresses
Searching for the perfect lace veil for your wedding dress can be an overwhelming and daunting task. Should you accessorize with a simple raw edge veil or try to match your dress lace exactly?
Don't worry - you can create the perfect look for your special day, without the stress. You just need a bit of insight from the pros to guide you.
I understand the special power that lace has. It is innately feminine, romantic and effortlessly elegant, inspiring timeless elegance and beauty that will last a lifetime.
In order to guide you to the best choice for your dress, I have compiled a few tips and insights for the most popular lace styles to help you pull together your bridal look.
What styles of lace are used for wedding dresses, veils and accessories?
Soft Chantilly Lace
The most delicate and sheer style of lace, very light and beautifully floaty. Named after a city in France, this soft and sweet lightweight lace is often designed on a fine net background. Beautiful for brides who want a touch of lace without being weighed down.
French Alençon Lace Trim
Has a more 3 dimensional, textured look since the motifs are outlined in satin cords. It photographs so beautifully because the cording really makes it "pop". It can be beaded or unbeaded based on your preference.
Venice Lace (sometimes called Guipure Lace)
Venice lace is made from the heaviest material, so it has a more bold and distinctive shape and pattern. It does not have a net background like the other styles of lace trims. The heavier yarn threading gives it a more organic, garden, or boho vibe based on how it is styled.
How do I match the lace of my wedding dress?
When it comes to selecting embellishments to enhance your wedding dress, keep in mind that the primary focus should be on the beauty and style of your dress. The embellishments should be used to enhance the dress, not take away from it.
When matching lace with lace, start by considering the color and pattern of the lace fabric. Choose a color palette that complements the dress or is one shade lighter.
If your dress has a heavier lace fabric, choose a lace material with a similar pattern but in a lighter or finer version.
Consider the entire design of the dress, and select a lace that also coordinates with any trim or other beading detail. If the dress has a very intricate lace design, keep the accents simple and delicate to let the dress's lace be the main focus.
Focus on subtle accents and avoid anything too overwhelming.
Above all, make sure that the embellishments don’t overshadow you as the bride. Remember, it’s all about you and your look on your big day!
What if I am looking for a specific lace?
This happens all the time - brides fall in love with an image they find online of a lace trim or they want to recreate a lace veil that they fell in love with at the salon.
While it may not be possible to re-create your exact vision, you should be able to find something that has a similar aesthetic to the design you are loving.
Consider why you loved the inspiration photo in the first place. Perhaps you loved it because...
- it was soft
- you love the width
- you love the shape
Asking yourself what you loved about this lace trim or the inspiration photo is a good starting point.
If you are not finding a lace trim that is exactly what you are wanting, then sometimes you need to do a bit more digging. Contact me for suggestions and to see if your vision is doable.
When it comes to styling a lace wedding dress, embrace the beauty of the fabric and choose accessories that will enhance the look. Select accessories in hues that will coordinate with your dress, opt for timeless pieces, and don't be afraid to mix motifs and textures for a modern twist. With these tips, you can create a romantic and elegant look that fits your personal wedding style.
If you are not quite done browsing the lace trim options, then continue viewing my most popular lace options.