How to avoid common bridal styling mistakes

To help you navigate the world of bridal fashion with confidence, we've pulled together our expert tips on how to avoid common bridal styling mistakes and achieve a flawless, cohesive look on your wedding day.

Avoiding common bridal styling mistakes is all about thoughtful planning and staying true to your personal style. There are many decisions to make, from choosing the perfect dress to selecting the right accessories, and it’s easy to make styling mistakes that could impact your overall look. Remember, your wedding day is about celebrating your love and feeling your best, so make choices that reflect who you are and what makes you feel beautiful.

1. Choosing accessories before the dress

Mistake: Many brides fall in love with a particular piece of jewellery or a headpiece before they’ve even chosen their wedding dress. While it’s tempting to start shopping for accessories early, this can lead to mismatched pieces that don’t complement your gown.

Expert tip: Always select your wedding dress first. Your dress is the centrepiece of your bridal look, and your accessories should enhance and complement it. Once you’ve chosen your dress, consider its style, neckline and embellishments before selecting your jewellery, wedding veil and shoes. This approach ensures that every element of your look works together harmoniously.

2. Overaccessorising

Mistake: It’s easy to get carried away with accessories, especially when there are so many beautiful options available. However, wearing too many accessories can make your look feel cluttered and detract from the elegance of your gown.

Expert tip: Follow the “less is more” philosophy when it comes to bridal accessories. Choose one or two statement pieces, such as a necklace and earrings, and keep the rest of your accessories minimal. If your dress is heavily embellished or has intricate details, consider skipping the necklace altogether and opting for simple earrings and a bracelet instead. The goal is to complement your dress, not to compete with it.

3. Ignoring the venue and weather

Mistake: Brides sometimes forget to consider the venue and weather when choosing their bridal attire and accessories. Wearing a heavy, ornate dress in a hot outdoor setting or opting for delicate shoes on a grass lawn can lead to discomfort and logistical challenges.

Expert tip: Let your venue and the season guide your styling choices. For an outdoor summer wedding, choose light, breathable fabrics and consider comfortable footwear that won’t sink into the grass. For a winter wedding, consider layering with a stylish cape, wrap or jacket and opting for closed-toe shoes. Planning your look with the environment in mind will ensure you stay comfortable and look your best throughout today. For windy locations, ensure your hair accessories are minimal to avoid tangles and hair disasters.

4. Forgetting about comfort

Mistake: While it’s natural to prioritise aesthetics, some brides overlook comfort when selecting the dress, shoes and accessories. This can lead to sore feet, an inability to sit down or high maintenance accessories (such as an extra long veil or heavy earrings) that will bother you throughout the day.

Expert tip: Comfort is key to looking and feeling your best. When trying on accessories, consider how they feel when you dance, and move around. Break in your shoes before your wedding day to avoid blisters, and practise wearing your veil to ensure you’re comfortable managing it on your own.

5. Not having a hair and makeup trial

Mistake: Skipping a hair and makeup trial can lead to surprises on your wedding day. What you envisage might not translate perfectly in reality, leading to last-minute stress and adjustments.

Expert tip: Always schedule a hair and makeup trial at least a month before your wedding. Bring along your hair accessories, veils and photos of your dress to ensure your stylist can create a cohesive look. This trial run allows you to make adjustments, ensuring you’re completely happy with your hair and makeup on the big day.

6. Wearing a new look that doesn't feel like you

Mistake: Some brides might feel pressured to adopt a completely new style for their wedding day, which can leave them feeling uncomfortable or not like themselves.

Expert tip: Your wedding day is not the time to experiment with a dramatically different look. Instead, aim to enhance your natural beauty and stay true to your personal style. If you’re not comfortable with heavy makeup, opt for a more natural look. If you never wear your hair up, consider a half up, half down style instead of a tight updo. The key is to feel like the best version of yourself.

7. Forgetting about posture and presence

Mistake: No matter how beautiful your dress and accessories are, poor posture can detract from your overall appearance. Slouching or awkward movements can make you look less confident and composed.

Expert tip: Practise good posture leading up to your wedding day. Stand tall, with your shoulders back an your chin slightly lifted. Confidence is the best accessory you can wear. During your dress fittings, practise walking, sitting and posing in your gown to ensure you’re comfortable and confident in your movements.

Want more bridal inspiration and tips?

For more bridal inspiration and tips, explore the Style Journal on our blog, and follow us on Instagram and Pinterest. We’re here to help you feel like the most beautiful version of yourself on your wedding day, and create the wedding of your dreams.

Need personalised styling advice?

Every wedding gown and bride is different and the perfect accessories for you will not only depend on your gown but your personal style, vision, height and hairstyle. We love to work with our brides to create the perfect veil that you will love to keep as an heirloom after your wedding day. Get in touch with us – we would love to hear from you!