What to consider when designing or buying beaded accessories for a Wedding.

Bride/Groom

You are the main focus of the day so accessorizing your outfits can be fun, but you must also understand that if chosen wrongly it can make or break your outfits.

Traditional Wedding:

(This view from my perspective and culture. There are other variations as per cultures.)

This is where the two families formerly agree to the union. It is an engagement party but is also known as the traditional wedding. The traditional wedding is usually celebrated before the formal church activities (white wedding) if there is any.

Things to consider:

1. Always have a sample of your attire with you as the colour scheme of the day is important.
2. Traditionally, there are bead stones that are used on this day e.g., Corals (red, peach, blue), real Pearls and other precious stone beads. So having your attire colours at hand will help you match correctly.
3. The colours of your bead jewellery should not clash with your attire but compliment.
4. The style of your bead set depends on your taste and style but match the hues of your beads with your attire.
5. Layering is a clever idea for the traditional wedding jewellery.
6. You can layer bead sets with long coral necklaces
7.  You can layer a jewellery set with a long coral necklace.
8. You can match your long coral necklace with your intendeds
9. You also do not have to use a long coral necklace but have a bead set designed for you for this occasion from quality beads.
10. There are many options for you to choose from, but even then, you do not want to go overboard in costs, style etc. Use quality beads as against cheap beads. Quality beads do not necessarily need to be so expensive. Your bead stylist should be able to guide you here.
11. Use a bead stylist that is worth her salt. It is best to design a set that will be a keepsake for you. A set designed with meaning for your day.

Wedding Day

What you decide to style your wedding dress with is your decision but taking these points into consideration can help as bead accessories are meant to enhance your dress not overwhelm it.

1. Your dress style is important to note.
2. Add pieces of jewellery that will make your décolletage sparkle if the neckline of your dress is open.
3. If there is a touch of colour in your dress, you can have a bead jewellery set designed in this colour bead stones.
4. A high neckline dress may not warrant you using a necklace but instead a bold bead bracelet/bangle or drop earrings.
5. Less is More when accessorizing a wedding dress.
6. Remember also beads can be used on other items to be used e.g., the veil, a crown, a sash, a cover for a winter bride.
7. Lastly, always match the metal of all your accessories with the hue of your dress and use the same metal colour throughout your accessories.

E.g.

A white/off white wedding dress could be matched with silver/rhodium.

 An ivory wedding dress could be matched with gold.

A pink wedding dress could be matched with rose gold.

Mother of the bride or groom

In some cultures, the traditional wedding ceremony is as much the bride/groom day as it is the Parents. Therefore, the mothers of the bride and groom are allowed freedom in their choice of bead jewellery.

There are still things to consider though:

1. The colour scheme of the day
2. Depending on tastes, their bead accessories can be more defined, more in-depth, bold, or simple.
3. Sometimes both families agree to use the same attire and accessories, to show the families are now a union.
4. Bead accessories should be tastefully made with quality bead stones otherwise the set may seem tacky.
5. Quality bead stones does not necessarily mean expensive. A good bead stylist should be able to guide your choice.
6. It is nice to choose a bead set that you may be able to use later or restring in another way for maximum use.

As the mother of the bride/groom remember that the wedding day proper is a big day for the bride/groom but also for the mothers. You are the host and want to be extremely comfortable and feel your absolute best.

1. Unlike the traditional wedding day, it is not wise to over accessorize the bead accessories as it really is the day for the bride/groom to shine.
2. Take the style of your dress/attire into consideration in choosing the neck piece.
3. Although there is no rule on what you can or cannot wear, it is best to strike a balance in the style you choose so that it does not seem you are competing with the bride.
4. It is best to stay away from loud, noisy, uncomfortable bead accessories
5. Take the dress and colour code of the day into consideration as this will help you decide what type of accessories go with such and occasion.
6. It may be best to speak to the bride about what you intend to wear just so you do not end up wearing the bridal train jewellery or competing with them.
7. It is also nice for both mothers to be on the same page before the day. This makes everyone comfortable.

Bridal Train

1. Members of the train are usually trusted friends/sisters, which means they are willing to concede that it is the bride’s day, and her wishes take precedence over theirs.
2. Whatever the choice of bead accessorises, whether they are in unison or chosen by each person the bride must veto them. She must be comfortable with what her girls wear.
3. The colour scheme of the day must also be considered
4. The style of the dress they wear must be considered.
5. Simplicity is key. In short, less is more is very appropriate for the train.