A wedding look is never just the dress. Once you've found your gown, the accessories are what make the whole look feel finished: a belt that defines the waist, a scarf that stands in for a veil, sleeves that cover bare arms for a cooler ceremony, or a sun hat that saves you on a beach wedding afternoon. This roundup skips the categories that already have their own guides on this blog, veils, capes, jewelry, hair accessories, shoes and bags, and focuses on the smaller finishing touches most brides forget to shop for until the week of the wedding.
What counts as a wedding day accessory, beyond the obvious
Veils, jewelry, shoes and bags tend to get shopped for first, since they're the accessories most brides already have on their list. The ones that get missed are smaller: a belt or chain to define the waist on an unstructured dress, gloves or detachable sleeves for a cooler ceremony, a scarf that can be worn at the neck or wrapped into a hair piece, and the small practical items, an eye mask, sunglasses, a sun hat, that get a bride through the getting-ready hours and the parts of the day that aren't on the registry.
Six finishing touches worth adding to your registry
Pearlette Pearl Chain Belt, Ariel Taub
A delicate pearl chain belt that sits at the natural waist, built to add definition to an unstructured slip or a drop waist gown without changing the silhouette underneath. It's made to order by Ariel Taub, available at Mae Bridal. Shop the Pearlette Pearl Chain Belt, $210.
Swiss Dot Lace Sleeves, Tailored Tulle
Detachable swiss dot lace sleeves that slip on over a strapless or sleeveless gown, good for a cooler ceremony or a venue that asks for covered shoulders. They're made to order by Tailored Tulle, available at Mae Bridal. Shop the Swiss Dot Lace Sleeves, $114.
Lace Trim Bridal Scarf, Tailored Tulle
A long lace-trimmed tulle scarf that can be worn draped at the neck, wrapped as a hair piece, or used as a lightweight stand-in for a veil. It's made to order by Tailored Tulle, available at Mae Bridal. Shop the Lace Trim Bridal Scarf, starting at $132.
Bridal Silk Eye Mask, Fleur du Mal
A silk eye mask for the morning of, made to go in the getting-ready bag alongside the robe and the coffee. It's by Fleur du Mal, available at Mae Bridal. Shop the Bridal Silk Eye Mask, $48.
Esme Sunglasses, Heaven Mayhem
A classic frame for the car ride to the venue, the photos just after the ceremony, or a honeymoon that starts the next morning. They're by Heaven Mayhem, available at Mae Bridal. Shop the Esme Sunglasses, $170.
Gigi wide brim sun hat, Shebobo
A crochet raffia sun hat with embroidered flowers, built for a beach or destination wedding where the ceremony itself calls for some shade. It's by Shebobo, available at Mae Bridal. Shop the Gigi sun hat, $105.
How to choose your finishing touches
Start with what the dress actually needs structurally, a belt or chain if the silhouette has no waist seam, sleeves if the neckline leaves you cold at an evening ceremony, and work outward from there. The smallest items are the easiest to forget and the easiest to buy last minute, so pack an eye mask and a pair of sunglasses with the dress itself rather than leaving them for the morning of. If your day moves between settings, a scarf or a sun hat will usually get more real use than a second statement piece.
Shop the full collection
This is a small slice of a much bigger assortment. Browse the full bridal accessories collection, or go deeper on the categories with their own guides: our wedding veils guide and our bridal capes guide.
Bridal accessories, answered
What wedding accessories do brides forget to shop for?
Usually the smallest ones. Veils, jewelry and shoes tend to get decided early, but a belt or chain, gloves or sleeves, a scarf, and practical items like an eye mask or sunglasses often get left until the week of the wedding.
Do I need a belt or sash with an unstructured dress?
Not always, but it's worth trying one on. A slip or drop waist gown with no built-in waist seam can look different with a thin belt or chain at the natural waist, and it's an easy way to change the silhouette without altering the dress itself.
What should I pack in my wedding day getting-ready bag?
An eye mask and sunglasses are easy to forget because they're not part of the outfit itself, but they get used, on the morning of and in the photos right after the ceremony. Pack them with the dress rather than leaving them for the morning.
Can I wear gloves or sleeves with a strapless or sleeveless gown?
Yes. Detachable lace sleeves are made to go on over a strapless or sleeveless bodice, so you can keep the gown as designed and add coverage only where the ceremony or the season calls for it.
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