Accessorising the gown

Visiting 'Something Bleu' for my accessories.

Truth be told, I am actually hoping that my dress does most of the talking, but that's not to say I won't be looking for items to enhance the overall feel of it, and pull my look together.

The veil was number one, but seeing as I am getting married on a December day (hot and probably sticky) and I probably will not need it once the ceremony was over, I decided to go all out with it for the church and swap it with a lovely fascinator complete with bird-cage veil for the reception. Steven Khalil will actually make the veil for me as part of the cost of my gown, and he'll also include a hair clip too, which is going to attach to the fascinator and bird-cage veil for the reception.

Next stop was the shoes, and they were surprisingly an easy find. Despite the fact that I had many a choice of style and price point, I went for a pair of elegant off-white peep-toes encrusted with diamonds, pearls and a bow – and at only $149 from Wanted Shoe Co, they were an absolute bargain.

With so much going on at the top of my gown and in my hair, I wanted to go to light on the jewellery. This is something completely foreign to my mother and most of my relatives, as some Lebanese families like to dress the bride in new jewellery sets on her big day.

So far, I have managed to tell anyone who will listen that I'd like to forego this option lest I wind up with something completely different to my regular style, and, based on past experiences, I can't really blame myself. This is probably starting to freak them out a little, especially considering that I have decided to hold off on shopping for earrings until I have done my hair trial, so I can at least be certain of the look I will be working with.

I have decided to adopt a fairly recent Catholic Bride tradition (at least among Eastern & European Catholics) and wear a rosary on my right hand. To make sure it was perfect enough for the big day and the big dress, I decided to get it custom-made using Swarovski crystals at the bridal accessories boutique Something Bleu on Parramatta Rd, Petersham. It set me back over $200, but it's pretty and destined to be a family heirloom someday.

I'll be returning to Something Bleu to shop for accessories for my bridesmaids as well as my own earrings, but in the mean time, Ill be content with understanding where the wedding bucks go! 

Next fortnight, I'll finally get a start on my bridesmaid dresses. With four girls to dress and a mother who wants final say on what her daughters are wearing, it's probably going to be more drama than it's worth. Then again, isn't that what this whole wedding planning process has been about so far?