Wedding Planning: Accessories

Marilyn Veil, SomethingBold.com

When I found my dress last year, the wedding shop gal put me in a birdcage veil with this cool silk rose comb on the side. I’d told her that I didn’t want to wear a long veil, but I wanted something on my head. I’d never heard of a birdcage veil before. I vaguely recalled that Jessica Alba’s character wore a short veil in the Fantastic Four, and it looked hip yet retro. The small ivory veil at the bridal shop was pricey–$105. I’ve been on the lookout for one online ever since. It totally suits my face shape and short hair. After much internet research, I chose the Marilyn veil from Something Bold, an online store specializing in veils.

Vintage brooch + earrings from letsgetvintage.com

Short veils are made more chic when paired with a fascinator–another word I’ve learned along the way. We’ll be using peacock feathers in our flowers, and I want to wear some in my hair too. I found several etsy shops that sell custom flower-and-feather headpieces, but they’re all really expensive. I have $115 total to spend on my headpiece, and the estimates I’ve gotten from some excellent handcrafters are double that for the feather comb alone! So I’m going to make it myself. It can’t be that hard–feathers, glue, and a fabulous centerpiece. I found this gorgeous vintage blue rhinestone brooch and earrings on Let’s Get Vintage. I have $10 left over to zip down to the Denver Zoo to buy a handful of peacock feathers for $1 each (no peacocks were harmed in the scavenging of the feathers), and to pick up a packet of cream ostrich feathers, some strong glue and a plastic comb at Michael’s or Hobby Lobby.

Touch Ups Iris from zappos.com

I picked up a pair of sexy slingbacks on zappos.com, as Steve says: “Shoes to dye for!” Ha ha. Yes, I’ll be having them dyed a deep turquoise color … if they are comfortable. Because life is too short to wear painful shoes on your wedding day. They’re quite high–3 1/2 inches–which will make me taller than Steve in all of our pictures. He’s gotten good at standing on his toes so he looks to be my same height (he’s maybe 1 inch taller than me in real life). I need tall shoes or I’ll have to have my dress hemmed. I neither want to ruin the lovely lace at the hem or have the expense. Anyway, the shoes are sexy, and I hope they’re comfy too. If not, Zappos has an excellent return policy. That’s why I bought my shoes there.

Last Christmas, I bought myself a bracelet. I’m still not sure if I want to wear a necklace or not. I feel like the feather fascinator will be enough.All of this stuff should be in-hand by next weekend. Then I’ll try it all on with my dress and see if I need anything else!