How to Plan Your Bridesmaids' Accessories

After you've popped the question to your favorite friends, chosen their bridesmaid dresses, and figured out their big day beauty look, it's time to pick out their accessories! Here's how to plan everything from the jewels to the shoes, and all the other accouterments your gals will want to rock on your wedding day.

You've carefully chosen a theme or style for your wedding, so you likely want your bridesmaids' attire to suit that look. If you're having a vintage affair, consider accessories that incorporate rhinestones or other era-appropriate baubles. At a rustic wedding, you might want to do floral crowns or handmade corsages. For a glam, modern fete, choose statement necklaces or earrings with serious wow-factor.

We're firm believers in letting bridesmaids pick out their own accessories, especially if you're asking them to pay for them. Unless you want a wedding look that's absolutely uniform, your 'maids will be happier if they can purchase accessories that fit their personal style, or re-wear items they already own. And if you go this route, you can always give them some guidelines (like "avoid statement necklaces please") to make things look more cohesive.

If you want your bridesmaids to wear one item that's the same across the board, consider giving it to each woman pre-wedding. For example, you could pick out a beautiful bracelet, printed clutch, or a monogram pendant that will suit all of your gals. And if you're expecting your bridesmaids to wear something that's purely for the pictures (like fascinators for a garden party or matching coats and scarves at a winter wedding), you should cover the cost.

If you're asking your bridesmaids to wear fresh hair wreaths, corsages, or other florals, know that you'll be footing the bill. You can ask your girls for input or show them a few options and talk through their favorite styles, or you could even bring one of your bridesmaids to an appointment with your florist to share her thoughts.

We love when brides let their 'maids pick out their own shoes; every woman's feet are different and not all of us are comfortable tramping down the aisle in six-inch heels. If you want a uniform look, ask your bridesmaids to wear shoes in a particular color or silhouette. Ultimately, you should try to choose accessories for your bridesmaids that fit the overall style of your wedding. But it's also important to give them space to feel comfortable and confident on your big day.