Are you participating in an upcoming outdoor wedding, either as a bride or a guest? Outdoor weddings are becoming more and more popular among couples, and for good reason! Outdoor venues offer gorgeous views, allow for a light and breezy atmosphere, and provide the perfect opportunity for the bride and groom to share their love of the outdoors with their closest family and friends. While there are plenty of amazing reasons to opt for an outdoor wedding venue over more traditional settings, some individuals worry considerably about what shoes will be most appropriate for the event.

While some venues have concrete areas and decks, or provide portable dance floors, you’ll usually have to spend at least some time on the actual ground. You can certainly choose to brave a sharp heeled stiletto, but you may end up clutching the arms of whoever is next to you when your heel sinks into the soft ground. Or worse yet, you may break that tiny heel right off and end up walking around barefoot before you even get near the dance floor! For a more comfortable outdoor wedding experience, consider these shoe types to save yourself some hassle and heartache—and possibly muddy feet!

Wedges

For those of us who haven’t quite mastered the tiny heel, wedges are easier to walk in. This option is a reliable alternative to heels, especially when outdoors. They have plenty of surface area on the bottom to ensure you’re not drilling for oil with every step! You’ll still get a little bit of height, depending on the size of your wedge, and your ankles will thank you.

Are you considering wedges as your bridal attire? Make sure to find a pair that suits your venue. If you’re going to be moving up and down steps, you’ll need wedges that fit nicely or have supporting straps. If you’re working with relatively flat ground on the other hand, you can stick with a slip-on type for great comfort and style all rolled into one.

Flats

These shoes aren’t just for kids anymore! Flats can be the perfect solution for an outdoor wedding. This type of shoe offers unrivaled comfort and it’s extremely easy to find a beautiful pair to fit any outfit. They’re one of the most commonly worn shoe types and are available in a huge variety of style and colors. For added arch support, it’s a good idea to grab a set of insoles for your flats.

One of the cutest forms of flats for brides is the ballet slipper. These flats have an amazingly dainty feel and look that lends itself beautifully to a wedding dress. You can even incorporate ribbon to wrap up your leg for an added elegant touch. Flats are also the perfect option for particularly creative brides. Consider adding a brooch, gems, or even flowers to your flats. The process is simple and the result is a very special, one of a kind, pair shoes with a personal touch that will draw the attention of all your guests.

Thick Heels

Some people just don’t feel dressed up without heels. If you’re dead-set on wearing heels to your upcoming outdoor event, make sure that you invest in a pair that won’t leave you stuck in the dirt. A thicker heel provides that lovely, feminine look you love without the need to sacrifice stability. You’re also significantly less likely to break your heel off if you do happen to get it caught somewhere.

Brides who choose thicker-heeled shoes are in for a treat! The larger heel allows for a lot of decorative freedom. If you like gems, find a pair has large stones on the heel, or consider adding some yourself. Your guests will be in awe as your every step catches the light and sparkles.

Boots

Nothing is built better for the outdoors than a pair of boots! While work boots are functional, they don’t go too well with a dress. Cowboy boots and heeled boots on the other hand, mix function with fashion and are the perfect alternative to stilettos. Consider opting for a nice, tall pair of boots to go with your dress. There are a variety of designs for boots, so you won’t have any trouble finding the perfect pair!

For a bride-to-be, consider getting a brightly colored boot. Many outdoor weddings call for a shorter wedding dress, which is a perfect way to show off your stylish boots. There are dyed boots in all different shades, so finding one to match your wedding color scheme won’t be too hard. If a completely bold color isn’t your thing, try finding a pair of boots with features that catch the attention of others. You can also look into replacing the strings with ribbon to match your wedding theme and colors.

The right veil is an accessory that can transform your entire wedding day look. Traditionally, the wedding veil is a piece of a bride’s wedding attire that can be pushed back to reveal her face, top off her princess look, or just hang there in pure beauty. Historically, the veil was actually worn so evil spirits couldn’t see the bride’s face and steal her away from the groom.

If you’re thinking about accessorizing with a gorgeous veil on your special day, check out this style guide to see what type may be right for your look.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Veil Style

Before you choose the type of veil you want, there are a few things you should consider. Think about your wedding dress and how it will harmonize with the veil. You want the veil to be an enhancement, not the star of the show.Evaluate where it will hit on the dress, especially if you are wearing a strapless or a halter-style dress. The last thing you want to do is take attention away from your dress.

Think about your hairstyle and how it will go with your veil. You will want to take the veil to your hairstylist so he or she can work the veil into your chosen hair design for the wedding. If you’re planning to go with an extensive updo, you don’t want a heavy veil that will conceal the beauty of your hair.

If you are wearing your hair down, you can choose almost any style of veil. You just don’t want the veil to hide your entire hairstyle.

Also, think about the location where you will be married. If you are in small, confined space, a long veil with a train isn’t likely your best option. Alternatively, if you’re getting married outdoors where it might be windy, you don’t want a long veil flying around hitting your guests in the face.

You should also decide if you want a simple or embellished style of veil. Any length or type of veil can be embellished with lace, embroidery, or jewels. If your dress is embellished, you may want to shy away from an embellished veil, but it’s your style and your day, so you can add anything you want to a simple white veil for your own flair if you choose to.

Birdcage Veil

It’s got a fun name with a vintage look. The birdcage veil is usually made with tulle. These veils traditionally cover a part of the bride’s face and usually fall right above the chin. This type of veil is beautiful with short dresses when you are going for the all-over romantic, vintage style.

Blusher Veil

The blusher veil is perfect for the bride that wants the beautiful, dramatic moment when the veil is lifted to reveal her lovely face. This type of veil covers the entire face, landing at the shoulders. It’s perfect for any length of dress, whether a long train or a shorter cocktail length.

Fingertip Veil

The fingertip veil reminds many brides of royal weddings, such as the wedding of Kate Middleton to Prince William. It’s a flowing, extravagant veil that reaches your fingertips. The style is long and looks beautiful in photos, but it might get in your way for dancing and socializing all night. Many brides take this veil off after the actual wedding ceremony. Long veils are best with dresses that don’t have a train so the styles don’t compete with one another to be star of the show.

Ballet Veil

This is the perfect type of veil to wear when you want a long veil, but not too long. Commonly known as the “waltz veil” or “ballerina veil,” the ballet veil is usually knee or ankle length. It doesn’t traditionally touch the ground, making it easier for you to walk and dance if you want to wear it at the reception. It is still best worn with dresses that don’t trains.

Chapel Veil

A chapel veil is the perfect length for many brides. It’s not the longest veil of choice, yet short enough to allow movement. It’s perfect for updos and dresses without trains. The chapel veil is usually a few inches longer than the dress itself. It’s traditionally worn at more formal weddings, and many brides choose to take it off before the wedding reception. Although it’s short enough to walk in, dancing in a chapel veil might be difficult as guests try to navigate around it without bringing you down.

Cathedral Veil

The cathedral veil is traditionally one that expresses beauty and elegance. It’s mostly seen at formal weddings, and it flows at least 20 centimeters past a train of a dress. That being said, before you choose a cathedral veil to go with your dress that has a train, make sure the two complement one another. This veil looks beautiful in photos, and it can extend up to nine feet making a cascading look.

Elbow Veil

An elbow veil is a gorgeous, yet lighter look for your big day. It’s flattering for any woman to wear and it falls to the elbows. The best thing about this type of veil is it won’t compete with a short or long gown. It looks good with just about anything. It’s usually without hassle as you aren’t fighting with it to get out of your face all day and night. Embellishments are perfect for this type of veil as well.

Flyaway Veil

Drama and style come together with a flyaway veil. This type of veil falls right at or below the shoulders. It offers volume and a vintage look to any type of dress. This type of veil isn’t as formal as some others, so it is traditionally worn in a more informal wedding.

Most brides figure out that they need to pack their purses especially well for the day of the wedding. This bag can accompany them from preparation, to meals, to ceremony, to reception, and away into the night. However, it can be hard to know what you’ll need on one of the most busy days of your life.

Make sure that these ten items are part of your bag, so that there is no way you’ll be without them; if you are over-prepared, that is certainly not a bad thing! Rather than having a mad scramble for anything at your venue, having things handy will make every small bump in the road feel barely noticeable.

1. Tissues

Listed number one for a reason! Great for removing a quick swipe of make-up or a stray tear, and handy if you need to blow your nose or if someone wants to get rid of gum at the last minute.

2. Stain Stick or Wipes

In combination with the tissues, these can be a lifesaver if something gets on an outfit – especially a white bridal gown. Make sure to test the one you want to use on the fabrics of the bridal party outfits; find a spot on the inside of a hem where no one would notice discoloration and make sure you pack the brand that leaves no trace!

3. Super Glue, Duct Tape, or Another Fastener

Something about big events seems to coax things to break at the last minute. While nothing truly important in a wedding ceremony is breakable, most of us want to be able to quickly resolve any issue with decorations or physical items in the wedding space without complaint. Super glue is a good option for this, though if you know you’ll need something stronger, no one would turn down a small roll of duct tape either!

4. Safety Pins

While no one would choose ideally to have their wedding dress held up by a pin and a prayer, safety pins are a great plan B when a rip or tear or not-quite-fitting outfit happens. They can also be helpful if your outdoor wedding takes a turn for the windy: pinning down a tie or two if someone forgets a real tie pin can be done in a non-obtrusive way to make the photos or videos of the ceremony not look like a wind tunnel.

5. Benedryl/First Aid Essentials

Especially helpful if you haven’t been exposed to the wedding venue previously for long enough to know if you are allergic to anything, it is also a great idea to have a small supply of your favorite headache cure, some band-aids, and antibiotic ointment. Even if the only use is a scraped knee from an adventurous flower girl, its always nicer to be able to quickly handle the situation rather than searching an unfamiliar venue for what you need.

6. A Ring of Some Kind

While not the world’s most romantic option, putting a ring in the bag and then keeping it hidden in a bouquet or pocket can be helpful for if something keeps both rings from making it into the hands of the happy couple for the specific moment of the ceremony. From far away, no one in the crowd will be able to tell if you have to use your teenage mood ring to get married, and once you swap them out for the real thing, it becomes a story to laugh about, rather than a scramble in front of everyone.

7. Small Mirror

While brides and grooms usually look wonderful, it’s nice to be able to quickly check, especially if you are wearing more than your usual amount of makeup or are sporting a fancy hairdo.

8. Water

Hydration is key, especially on a day when many people are too nervous to eat adequately. At least taking small sips of water in the moments between activities on the wedding day is important, especially since using a water fountain is a pain in a ball gown.

9. Scissors

For some reason, there always seems to be a need for scissors: cutting a loose thread from a dress or opening a package of bubbles at the end of the night can be hard without them. Personally, I liked having scissors packed for a minute after we drove away from our venue because we were able to slip out and cut away all the dangling parts of our car’s festooned decorations from the groomsmen. I didn’t mind looking silly, but it just seemed dangerous to get on the highway with tin cans dragging behind us.

10. Pen

From guestbook signing to signing the marriage license, it cannot hurt to have a pen handy. Some people choose to write a sweet note to their beloved during the moments between preparation and the ceremony, to calm their nerves and return their focus to the reason why the hoopla is happening. Having a pen handy will allow you to have this little moment and your groom or bride will appreciate knowing they were on your mind when that moment arrived.

Add your own items to this list to make sure that your bag is customized to the needs for your particular wedding. If you know you’ll need to light candles at some point, for instance, keep a lighter in your bag, and if you want to be able to change shoes for the reception, keep those handy too. Overall, the goal of the survival kit or “go bag” is to have more than you need so that any time something arises on your special day, it won’t take more than a minute to pull out a solution to any small problems.

Is there anything more magical than an outdoor fall wedding? The leaves are falling, the air is crisp, the nights are longer, and the weather is no longer unbearably hot. But as the temperatures drop, your strapless wedding dress might seem ill prepared to keep you warm during all the toasts, dances, and kisses underneath the autumn stars. … read more

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I’ve gotten to the point where nothing planning related feels as good as checking something off my list. And I just knocked off a big (at least for me) one—I nailed down my bridal accessories.

If you read my post on accessories from a while back, you know I was seriously waffling about what to get. But at this point, I’ve got it nailed down…and I’m thrilled with the final look.

I ended up deciding to mix gold with pearls on my accessories—and even though the actual rings are silver (remember how pretty they are?!?) I think it’ll work. Of course, I don’t have a picture of my final “bridal look” on me…but as a refresher, here’s what I’m doing.

Hair: I fell in love with a couple of hundred-plus-buck hair combs at BHLDN, but given that my day-to-day look is a ponytail, I couldn’t justify the expense. Enter Etsy, and BridalShopCollection, a local (to me) vendor who does beautiful, affordable combs—and she’s QUICK with custom work, too.

I love the mixture of pearls and rhinestones, and it really pops against my hair color. It’s about five inches long and SO delicate. | Image via BridalShopCollection

I loved a lot in the shop, but I only wanted one longer, asymmetrical comb, so we worked on a custom piece that I’m obsessed with.

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Done well, veils can add just the right amount of drama to your wedding look. However, it’s the “done well” part that can get tricky. Here are all the do’s and don’ts you need to know about veils to look gorgeous on your wedding day, should you choose to wear one. … read more