The perfect dress needs the perfect accessories
Your shoes should be not only sexy, but sensible; you'll be on your feet for hours, dancing and mingling with your guests. A wise choice is a silk or satin pump that can be dyed to match your gown. You can dress up the pumps by covering them with matching lace or by attaching a jeweled clip to each shoe. (Clips are available in many fine shoe or department stores.)
Depending on the couple's height relationship, some brides wear ballet slippers. These can be purchased at bridal salons or dance stores. The humble ballet slipper can rise to the occasion of a wedding if you have it covered in lace, studded with baby pearls or appliquéd with satin roses. Your maid of honor might already be presenting you with a pair of simple appliquéd tennis shoes that you can discreetly (and comfortably) wear beneath your gown.
It's best to keep your jewelry simple: You don't want it to compete with your dress. If the neckline of your gown is open, a single pendant or strand of pearls may complement the dress perfectly. Diamond or pearl earrings are elegant choices. If you don't own anything appropriate, you might ask a friend to loan you a pair. Something must be borrowed, after all!
Long gloves may be worn with a sleeveless formal gown or if the gown's sleeves are short. Short gloves are generally worn with longer-sleeved gowns. Make sure you've removed the glove on your left hand in time for the ring to be placed on your finger.
Delicate lace garters are often sold in shades of blue to comply with the "something blue" directive that nearly every bride follows. One garter may be tossed to the single men at the reception, so buy two - you'll treasure this keepsake.
The color blue has long been a symbol of purity, fidelity, hope and love. In the early days of Judaism, brides wove blue ribbons into their hair. Perhaps this is where the "something blue" tradition began. If you don't wear a blue garter, there are other ways to incorporate the color into your ensemble. Use a hankie trimmed in blue, or you might wear a piece of jewelry with a sapphire stone. In England, it's the custom to tie streamers of blue-and-white knotted ribbon to corsages worn by the wedding party. You could tie some to your own bouquet, or simply include a few blue blossoms in the mix.
