Wednesday, November 30, 2011

F*ck accessories. You're wearing a VERA WANG





Hey ESB,

I’m a wedding blog obsessed soon to be bride, and yours is among my very favorites. I love how practical down to earth your posts are, it leaves me feeling like it's possible to have the wedding of my dreams without breaking the bank. I don’t have any sort of huge moral dilemma. We aren’t doing the bridal party, I’m going for easy peasy, low drama, fabulous modern, somewhat reasonably priced affair.

So far,  the moms have been super super good to me. My mama was kind enough to foot the bill for this amazing dress, in ivory (I wasn’t crazy about the peach in person).

And my fiance’s mom bought me these incredible shoes.

So, obviously I'm delighted about all that. I knew exactly what I wanted, and I was fortunate enough to get exactly that. 

Now I’m really really struggling to decide how to accessorize this glorious dress/shoe combo. Future mother in law offered up these very simple fresh water pearl earring to borrow, and fiance’s sister's veil. I think it would be very special to wear something from their family, I adore them, but aesthetically not so sure. I’m just feeling wishy washy and non-committal about how to accessorize. I'm hoping for some ideas, advice, thoughts, whatever from you and your lovely readers. 

Also, I’m probably on my own for accessories, so I’d like to keep everything under $200. I’ve attached a “mini mood board” so you can kind of get a feel for what I’m going for.

Thanks so much for your help!
Keep on rocking with your hilarious, blunt, GOOD advice.

Unaccessorized Bride

*****

here's a KAZZILLION DOLLAR DRESS and some KAMILLION DOLLAR SHOES! now go shop etsy for the accessories?

i'm sorry but no.

also: NO NO ONE THOUSAND TIMES NO on freshwater pearls. (did I mention: NO?)

throw your $200 at hair and makeup -- i'm loving the ballerina beehive situation our model has going on, actually -- and ROCK. THAT. DRESS.
______________________________

*"Lil" is apparently my word of the week? No idea.
Posted by esb at 11:30 AM

46 comments:

  1. 17 beats.November 30, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    exactly. unless you happen to have some rubies, sapphires, or emeralds to stick in your ears.

    if you wear cheap jewelry with this dress i will hurt you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. esbNovember 30, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    @17 beats are you on twitter secretly???? I NEED YOUR HANDLE

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  3. HalfPintNovember 30, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    Yup. Nope. But, I will add aquamarines to 17beats' suggestion.

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  4. fancy pantsNovember 30, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    i wish i had learned this before my october nuptials but bad accessories can RUIN a luminous and perfect gown like yours. i agree with ESB on the NO to pearls. Since you have a budget and anything worthy of your spectacularly ethereal dress is going to be over $200 or look cheapsies...I say...use rent the runway. i saw a wedding online recently where the gal used rtr and her earrings were kick ass. they have beautiful wedding jewelry options for $25-50 fee. So you could get a couple options in the earring/bracelet route then decide a few days before or on the day of (you will change your mind/not care by that point btw)! just make sure your mum or someone else who hasn't tired of you sends the stuff back the day after the wedding. good luck!

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  5. RobNovember 30, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    I'd vote for a shorter pearl necklace and not much more than that. But hey, what do I really know.

    That is a spectacular dress.

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  6. Ashley MooreNovember 30, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    Renting some amazing jewelry for this is a great idea, but I also agree that it really doesn't NEED jewelry. The best thing that will ever go with this dress is your bright smile as some smudged lipstick from kissing your fiance (then husband)too much.

    (Also, allow me to cry for a moment that your budget for jewelry is 50% of what I paid for my dress... *sniff*)

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  7. esbNovember 30, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    @Rob YOU KNOW NOTHING. keep your mouth shut pls.

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  8. Ms. BunnyNovember 30, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    Earrings maybe. But I did ESB's minimalist suggestion.

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  9. RobNovember 30, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    @esb awww you said pls, you *are* going soft. ♥

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  10. AnonymousNovember 30, 2011 at 12:05 PM

    I would even suggest simple gold stud or diamond option, nothing fussy, or extravagant.

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  11. 17 beats.November 30, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    i am embarrassed to say that i do not know how to twitter. it seems complicated with all the #s and @s.

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  12. 17 beats.November 30, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    i actually had a conversation with my husband the other night in which he attempted to explain what the 'little tic-tac-toe boards' are for.

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  13. Emily GreeneNovember 30, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    Take a hint from how the model is styled...nothing but fab hair and simple black headband. I think a veil would be tragic.

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  14. HalfPintNovember 30, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    @Emily Tragic veil! Great visual.

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  15. esbNovember 30, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    @17 beats how'd you leap on the new post so fast then?

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  16. esbNovember 30, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    @Emily oh, man. see, I didn't even THINK ABOUT a veil.

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  17. AnonymousNovember 30, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    follow the model.

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  18. chesapeakeNovember 30, 2011 at 1:13 PM

    follow esb's advice. a thousand times NO on the accessories.

    and veils are way overrated.

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  19. ToniaNovember 30, 2011 at 1:22 PM

    I'm in the No Accessories camp!! Let the focus be YOU! Adding more stuff will take away from you and that insanely amazing dress.

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  20. JessNovember 30, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    If you do put your hair up like the model I think a pair of studs would be lovely but no pearls. Plus whenever you wear them you'll be reminded of your wedding day!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Fine PersecutionNovember 30, 2011 at 1:32 PM

    Yes, spend on hair and makeup. Do not ruin the effect of that dress and those shoes with cheap accessories. Do not wear pearls. Do not wear a veil.

    Accessorize with your wedding band.

    (Maaaaybe you could get away with some tiny studs. Maybe.)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Ms DictatorNovember 30, 2011 at 2:06 PM

    If anything, a bracelet. A good one. But not clunky, nothing to make a statement. Something that matches your ring, but even regardless of everything I'd still say no. Be minimalist.

    I think any type of non-giant-celebrity-red-carpet gem earrings wouldn't work at all. Either go big or go home b/c the dress and shoes are ostentatious enough as it is (and in a very good way).

    ReplyDelete
  23. Ms DictatorNovember 30, 2011 at 2:11 PM

    Yeah, going to have to go with the dress and shoes only, especially after reading the "no veil" comments too.

    But yes to earrings only if, you know, you can get some giant ass rubies or emeralds or sapphires on loan from Harry Winston or w/e. Which then is probably just no, again.

    I like making redundant comments.

    ReplyDelete
  24. MelissaNovember 30, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    If you did want some sparklies (I did, just to have something I could wear again) I would go with simple earrings or a cuff or bracelet.

    Please don't dare wear a necklace! And it really may be best to just wear nothing but that gorgeous dress.

    ReplyDelete
  25. little winter brideNovember 30, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    I agree with 17 beats maybe some ridic sapphires, rubies or diamonds (preferably grey or black) on the lobes but other that I'd say the dress + fab shoes= pretty much all ya need. oh and a fabo hair dewy

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  26. nicoleNovember 30, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    I agree with ESB on that beehive! And with readers on no veil, no necklace and simple studs, if you must. I adore these, but they're over-budget. These are a bit different but totally badass.

    Your dress is so dreamy. And I love that you have wedding fairy godmothers. My mother-in-law was mine. She let me borrow her Mikimoto diamond-and-pearl earrings and bracelet; they were exquisite. Even though all y'all be hatin' on some pearls up in here.

    ReplyDelete
  27. MaggieNovember 30, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    I vote minimal jewelry too. I was going to say a bracelet but then I pictured it snagging on the fabric all night. That dress is a knockout.

    What about some herkimer diamond or rough/raw diamond studs? I'd say set in silver to match the shoes (they look silver on my monitor anyway). I think the rough organic-ness will contrast nicely with the soft organic-ness of the dress.

    I did not love my dress in the end and I think I overcompensated with the accessories. I might have looked a little wacky. Your dress is so beautiful, you don't need it.

    ReplyDelete
  28. AGNovember 30, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    I.would.have.killed. for that dress.

    ugh.

    don't fuck it up with anything, just bask in its glorious meringue-ness.

    ReplyDelete
  29. katherine woodsNovember 30, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    Am I the only one who wants to call bs on this being a "reasonably priced affair?"

    ReplyDelete
  30. AnonymousNovember 30, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    @katherine - I thought the same thing... I mean the bride's ensemble as it stands is some people's entire budget.

    Also I would put like $20 on this bride not styling it minimally in the end, because if she liked minimal, she wouldn't have picked that (albeit very lovely) cupcake of a dress.

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  31. 17 beats.November 30, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    I"M PSYCHIC.

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  32. LPCNovember 30, 2011 at 7:09 PM

    I'd wear something like this, http://bit.ly/sRm8kd, from Catbird. Nothing else.

    ReplyDelete
  33. AnonymousNovember 30, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    I think you can still have fairy godmothers and still have a "reasonably priced affair."

    I agree with the simple studs, but although the (fabulous!) shoes are silver, I think that gold studs/gold set gemstones would compliment the dress better.

    Also definitely go with hair up. No low chignons/giant hair flowers here.

    ReplyDelete
  34. LPCNovember 30, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    I should point out, the ones I like from catbird are moonstones. With a dress like this I wouldn't go for color. The texture is so fab, just texture your bad self all over.

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  35. ShaynaNovember 30, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    I like these. Awesomeness of the dress aside, that neckline doesn't want a necklace anyhow.

    ReplyDelete
  36. ShaynaNovember 30, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    @ESB I even put the url in as a link just for you! Now I try to do it on other websites only to have them eat the code. It annoys me but I just imagine you yelling at them for me.

    ReplyDelete
  37. esbNovember 30, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    @Shayna I'M A GOOD YELLER

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  38. CaraNovember 30, 2011 at 11:25 PM

    Whoa, ditto Shayna -- those earrings are gorgeous. I do love this confection of a dress + love love those shoes (my friend looked *dazzling* in her Jimmy Choo shoes!), and I agree a simple updo would be awesome. Ummm but I also like accessories. Ditto the commenter above on wouldn't-a-beautiful-bracelet-snag-on-your-skirt, and for sure no necklace. If not those druzy studs, then I vote simple sparkles -- like these moonstone ones in silver (oops, a little out of budget), and maybe a sparkly headband? (Or for a little more bling. But I also heart this, some white topaz, this, this, a bit more sparkle, or this (again, a little out of budget). From renttherunway.com, I like this, maybe these, and mm, more druzy! I kind of also love Carolee, and---maybe it's the late night shopping---but I also like this, this, this (but no center stone maybe), and, last before I head to bed, more drusy. Because I love options...

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  39. HalfPintNovember 30, 2011 at 11:27 PM

    Just showed the Aussie. Reaction:

    That's a fucking sexy dress.

    Let it speak, woman!

    ReplyDelete
  40. esbDecember 1, 2011 at 12:35 AM

    @Cara no

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  41. mauraDecember 1, 2011 at 5:41 AM

    i had the same wedding shoes! except the open toe mary jane. love them.
    and so looking forward to wearing them on sunday to my hubby's work holiday party!

    good small earrings. and GOOD MAKE UP.

    ReplyDelete
  42. CaraDecember 1, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    Hahahaha, I know, I am the absolute worst. A friend of mine gave my daughter (10 mos) this black dress with hot pink + leopard ruffles -- so tacky I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Ms DictatorDecember 1, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    I want 17 Beats to read my mind, omg.

    ReplyDelete
  44. KHDecember 2, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    I think pearls would be awesome. I'll save me A THOUSAND TIMES NO for the veil.

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  45. KHDecember 2, 2011 at 6:00 PM

    *my

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  46. Bottoms_UpDecember 31, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    These in person are pretty stunning and so sparkly: http://laurenwolfjewelry.com/cp.asp?id=2

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