Wedding Wednesday | How to Re-Wear Your Bridal Headpiece

“It’s only one day.” If you somehow have anything to remotely do with weddings, twenty bucks says that comes up a lot. If you’re helping someone plan, it’s your job to bring in that perspective. If you’re a vendor, couples use it as an excuse to save. If you’re gabbing with a bride-to-be, it’s an easy response to hearing why some expense was cut. And if you’re getting married, it’s the thing you say — followed swiftly by, “But it’s the day,” and the two are repeated endlessly —  to make yourself feel totally unsure of what to do and where to spend.

Are there any purchases that bring up this conversation quicker than the attire? And the budget-loving nay-sayers are right when they say you’ll only wear the dress once — excluding the brave woman who wore her gown to the bar, and the blogger who dyed her wedding dress, of course, but my money says you won’t find too many occasions that call for ivory lace and a hoop skirt.

This all sounds like a bummer.  I’m a bride-to-be bumming out other brides-to-be. I think keeping the bride free of bummed-ness is practically Wedding Rule No. 1, so let me save the day when I tell you there is a solution to some of your spending woes. The accessories you wear with that once-in-a-lifetime dress have a much longer shelf life, and can be reused in all types of outfits. Take, for example, one of the funnest accessories to splurge on: the headpiece.

davids bridal halo - three ways - outfits (2)

You can wear it again! Isn’t that headpiece gorgeous? And there’s not an inch of white silk or tulle to be seen in those outfits. David’s Bridal sent me this spectacular piece to prove the accessories that made the outfit will take plenty of others to the next unique — and not visibly bridal — level. We’re going from the aisle to the streets. Who’s coming?

Outside of the obvious (ahem, with a big, white dress) I instantly pictured three different looks for this Painted Leaf Halo. For the sake of shock and awe, let’s begin with what is possibly the polar opposite of your wedding dress: denim shorts.

CASUAL | From the farmers’ market to the music festival

Let’s hit pause on flower crowns for a bit and travel down a sparkly road. Mixed with a sheer kimono and denim shorts, this ethereal headpiece takes a bohemian turn. Word to the wise: If you’re wearing your beloved jewel to an outdoor festival, try braiding it into your hair for added security against possible slips.

davids bridal beaded halo - festival ready with kimono and braid (1)

davids bridal beaded halo - festival ready with kimono and braid (3)

davids bridal beaded halo - festival ready with kimono and braid (4)

davids bridal beaded halo - festival ready with kimono and braid (2)
Currently wearing… Kimono c/o Pitaya [SIMILAR] | Shorts, H&M [SIMILAR] | Blouse, Express [SIMILAR] | Boots, Steve Madden [SIMILAR] | Clutch, DIY [DETAILS] | Necklace, Tarina Tarantino [SIMILAR]  | Bracelets, vintage

DRESSY-CASUAL | Cocktails, night clubs, and cinemas — oh my!

Keep the look cohesive with a common color. In this case, I went for all-over champagne with a denim pop. The light gold tank brings in a bit of metallic, which plays nicely with the headband, while the plain pumps and simple jacket keep the pairing of denim from seeming too harsh against the formal aspects. Bonus points if you can tease your hair out to make the headpiece an even bigger focal point. Midwestern humidity kicked in a few days ago, so try as I might, this is as big as my mane would go.

davids bridal beaded halo - semi dressy with champagne blouse and khaki moto jacket (3)

davids bridal beaded halo - semi dressy with champagne blouse and khaki moto jacket (2)

davids bridal beaded halo - semi dressy with champagne blouse and khaki moto jacket (4)

davids bridal beaded halo - semi dressy with champagne blouse and khaki moto jacket (1)
Currently wearing… Jacket, JCP [SIMILAR] | Blouse, Target [SIMILAR] | Jeans, AEO [HERE] | Heels, Nine West [SIMILAR] | Bracelets, vintage and DIY

DRESSY | For festive fetes and formal feasts

Grab something metallic and add metallic, metallic, metallic, and metallic. Top with black only because you don’t own a metallic jacket. Go big or go home.

On a lighthearted note, these photos really capture my paleness. If the cement hadn’t been wet, it would be one big optical illusion as to where my legs stopped and the ground began.

davids bridal beaded halo - formal with sequin maxi skirt (3)

davids bridal beaded halo - formal with sequin maxi skirt (4)

davids bridal beaded halo - formal with sequin maxi skirt (1)

davids bridal beaded halo - formal with sequin maxi skirt (2)

Currently wearing… Skirt, Dillard’s [HERE] | Blouse, Halogen, Nordstrom Rack [SIMILAR] | Jacket, UO [SIMILAR] | Shoes, Madden Girl, DSW [SIMILAR] | Bracelet, gift | Clutch, vintage

By the way, did you notice how this headpiece is shaped? It’s called a halo, and it sits on top of your head, instead of pinching your temples like a traditional headband. For those of you who, like me, sometimes suffer from headband-induced headaches — and for those who prefer something a little more unique, rad, and otherwise fun — halos are the way to go.

When rewearing your bridal headpiece, here are a few things to keep in mind: Let that crown jewel — or rather, crown with jewels — do the talking, and keep other jewelry items either away from the head or incredibly small. Think statement bracelets or delicate necklaces. Try pairing the bridal headpiece with another metallic item to create a look that’s cohesive from head to toe. And perhaps finish the ensemble with waterproof mascara; in case you happen to daydream about the romantic occasion for which you purchased this headpiece, it’s best to avoid smudges after a sentimental tear escapes. All together now: Awwwwwwww.


Love weddings? Me too. Follow along with Wedding Wednesday at OhJuliaAnn.com!

7 Comments

  1. Sara
    April 1, 2015 / 12:04 pm

    Cute!! I especially love the boho look on you!

  2. April 1, 2015 / 12:15 pm

    That first casual look might be my fave. Might also be cute to throw up a messy bun in the center of it!

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