Weddings seem to have a language all of their own, and brides are expected to be fluent in all things "wedding" right from the get-go. When it comes to bridal style, there's all sorts of terminology and reference points that are commonly used to categorise which "sort of bride" you may be.
While usually, being pigeon-holed as one type of person or the other makes us bristle and defiant, when it comes to weddings - giving in to this labelling ever so slightly can actually make the whole process of choosing your most important elements a lot easier.
The reason is, there is such an abundance of everything related to weddings that you need to start whittling down your choices, and you need to get really discerning about what IS and ISN'T YOU, really fast. Lest you become swamped in indecision, confusion and then - inaction.
Let's put it this way: imagine walking into a wedding dress store and being greeted with dozens of beautiful gowns - all perfect in their own way. How do you even begin to know which one to try on? What do you tell the sales consultant? Simply saying you're looking for a beautiful white or ivory dress is not going to do you any favours or help you get any closer to finding the perfect one! Consider - do you want to evoke feelings of Gatsby or Gigi? Audrey or Grace? Being able to simply say " I am only looking for a classic wedding dress" works wonders. The same goes for choosing your wedding jewellery, your flowers, the choice of your bridesmaids dresses and so forth.
So we encourage you to spend some time in the very early days (or even before you get engaged) working out which bridal style you love the most. It will save so much time, so much effort, and go a long way to eliminating any mis-steps in your entire bridal process.
Below we've curated some of our favourite examples of Classic Bridal Style & Classic Bridal Jewellery. But first, what is "Classic Bridal Style"?
As the name implies, classic bridal style is timeless. It is a wedding with a theme that won't expire drastically, or look dated in years to come. It tends to be slightly more traditional in nature, with the hallmarks of an upscale celebration. In terms of the wedding dress, a classic wedding dress often features clean lines (not too many frills, poufs and ruffles), is generally made out of satin, silk, or another minimal fabric, and is free of heavy beading and other adornment.
Classic style icons include Audrey Hepburn, Amal Clooney, Olivia Palermo and Kate Middleton. This style is about exuding good taste, refinement and and elegance.
However, to be a classic bride, you do not have to be a movie star, a fashion icon, or a princess. Simply opt for a timeless wedding dress and bridal jewellery that is elegant, soft and sophisticated. We recommend to steer to the side of simplicity - to look fresh without being plain. A classic wedding dress and the classic bridal jewellery to match will never overpower the bride.
ABOVE: Channelling Audrey Hepburn, Meghan Markle opted for a classic boat neck wedding dress with long sleeves. Her skirt, which is free of adornment is the ultimate in simplicity. We are absolutely in love with her wedding headpiece, a chic tiara that is encrusted in diamonds. Her classic bridal bracelet and stud bridal earrings complete the perfect picture.
ABOVE: This dramatic off the shoulder wedding dress with long sleeves is worthy of this European Royal.
ABOVE: A strapless wedding dress with featured pleats is a lovely balance of classic-meets-modern. We love the brides's no-fuss bun, and her choice of bridal earrings are just WOW. You can shop similar here.
ABOVE: An even more classic take on the earlier example, this dress is the epitome of classic bridal style, The fabric looks absolutely lush, this looks expensive without the need for any extra adornment. We'd suggest a simple stud bridal earring and smaller wedding headpiece for this ensemble.
ABOVE: Supremely soft and feminine, this lace bodice dress with chiffon skirt will never go out of style. A simple drop bridal earring and side hair comb would be recommended.
ABOVE: A classic wedding dress for the contemporary bride. The straight strapless neckline is matched with feint horizontal detail on the skirt to give this classic dress an updated twist. The bride's simple drop bridal earrings and classic bridal bracelet are all that is needed.
ABOVE: We can only imagine how beautiful a bride would look in this ultimate expression of classic femininity. The plunging neckline on this wedding dress calls for a delicate bridal pendant and bridal earring set, finished off with a sparkling bridal bracelet.
ABOVE: This form-fitting classic wedding dress with plunging back is taken to another level thanks to the slightly sexy (!!) inclusion of buttons. We think a statement bridal earring and statement side comb would be the ultimate finishing touches to this gown.
ABOVE: Kate Middleton's wedding dress and bridal accessories is the modern take on the Grace Kelly classic. he lace sleeves, corseted bodice, classic V-Neckline and veil are just perfect. Kate's classic teardrop bridal earrings and tiara are just enough to balance out this jaw dropping gown. You can shop similar bridal earrings here.
Classic Bridal Jewellery Picks:
Kate Bridal Earring SHOP HERE.
Renae Bridal Earring SHOP HERE.
Jasmine Bridal Necklace SHOP HERE.
Vendome Bridal Bracelet SHOP HERE
Natasha Bridal Bracelet SHOP HERE
Bernadette Bridal Headpiece SHOP HERE.
