I know most brides breathe a huge sigh of relief after finding their wedding dress. {You’re not walking down the aisle naked! Yay! } But don’t let your wedding accessories become an afterthought. The baubles and bling that you accessorize with on your wedding day can take your look from OK to amazing—so choose them wisely.
“But how different can ONE dress look?” you’re asking? VERY different, I’m telling you. Here to prove my point, three real-life brides—all friends of Glamour—modeling the exact same dress (the Dakota Gown from BHLDN) with BHLDN accessories that make it look totally new from bride to bride.
To start, here’s the Dakota in BHLDN’s look book: a super-straightforward fit-to-flare gown with infinite possibilities.
Nicole Miller Dakota Gown from BHLDN, $1,035.
First, here it is at its most basic, with bling-heavy earrings, a sparkly belt, and a short, sassy veil on Caty from The Knot. Can you even take her smile?! Total future toothpaste model.
![2-real-brides-model-new-bhldn-wedding-dresses-wedding-gowns-0204]()
Aurora Crystal Sash, $350. Cirque Veil, $210. Crystal Marquee Drops, $180.
Let’s get a better look at those earrings. **swoon**
![3-real-brides-model-new-bhldn-wedding-dresses-wedding-gowns-0204]()
Crystal Marquee Drops, $180.
Next up, Nicole from Brides, who looks like Amal Alamuddin’s kid sister. See how the romantic little shoulder wrap and the lace-trimmed chapel-length veil soften the dress? It looks 20 times more romantic, I think. (And SO different than it looked on Caty, right?!)
![4-real-brides-model-new-bhldn-wedding-dresses-wedding-gowns-0204]()
Visionary Chapel Veil, $650. London Wrap, $170. Ampoule Earrings, $100.
And then the dress heads into boho territory on lovely Johannah, who covers fashion for the New York Post and is going to be a striking destination bride. (I basically made her give me a minute-by-minute description of her island wedding, which sounds like heaven. #stowawayguest) Yes, I know with the lace topper the Dakota looks like a totally different dress here—which is perfect if you want to switch things up between your ceremony and reception without buying two dresses.
![5-real-brides-model-new-bhldn-wedding-dresses-wedding-gowns-0204]()
Pearly Dreams Halo, $380. Luciana Topper, $250. Zadie Sash, $400.
Here’s a side view of that delicate headband. And Johannah’s impossibly shiny hair.
![6-real-brides-model-new-bhldn-wedding-dresses-wedding-gowns-0204]()
Pearly Dreams Halo, $380.
All the gorgeous hair and makeup is by JoAnn Solomon, who does hair and makeup for real-life brides and is super fun to work with.
Stay tuned for more super-stylish BHLDN wedding-dress-and-accessories combos, coming soon!
How would you style the Dakota Gown? Which of these three looks is your favorite? And are you putting a lot of thought into your accessories?
Please remember these are real brides. You don’t have to love any of the looks above, but you do have to play nice in the comments.
PS: Want a stylish bridal updo that’s similar to Caty’s? Copy this one from the BAFTA awards.
More from our friends at Brides: