How to Add Sparkle to a Wedding Dress: Ideas, Tips, and More
A bride with a sparkly wedding dress belt.
It’s nearing your wedding day, and you’ve found the dress of your dreams. You’ve accessorized your wedding dress, and you realize your look is missing something…you just can’t put your finger on it.
Maybe your dress is a little too natural. Or maybe you’ve decided you want to be the star of the show with a glamorous look. Whatever your reasoning is, there’s always a fix for this feeling: bling!
But don’t worry. You don’t have to buy a new dress or all new accessories. There’s plenty of bridal add-ons out there you can add to perfect your dream look.
Let’s dive into how to add sparkle to a wedding dress with various ways you can add sparkle, tips for how much bling you should add, and more.
How to Choose the Right Sparkle for Your Look
Wedding Themes and Seasonality
Your wedding theme plays a role in your overall look. Depending on the type of wedding theme you selected, more or less bling and the type of sparkle you choose come into play.
If you’re planning an all-out black-tie formal affair, more sparkle can be appropriately added. If you’re planning a semi-formal affair, a moderate amount of sparkle can be included in your wedding look, but it should be more subtle than a formal wedding.
If your wedding is casual or informal, small amounts of bling can be incorporated, but it’s important to keep the pieces smaller and more spread out. Casual or informal weddings don’t call for flashy and glamorous accents, so it’s best to keep these minimal.
Seasonality also plays a role in your bling selection and look. If you’re having a Spring or Summer wedding, wedding sparkle should be well dispersed and feel more natural. Due to all the outdoor greenery and colors of these seasons, a more natural look and feel is well-fitted. Adding too much bling can feel gaudy.
If you’re having a Fall wedding, you can incorporate more sparkle with more significant pieces or more glam. If your wedding is in the Winter, feel free to go all-out with the bling. Winter is all about moody colors and stunning visuals, so heavy amounts of glam are welcomed.
Your Bridal Style
The right sparkle also depends on your overall style and the look you want to achieve for your wedding. Is your style more minimal? Choose one or two small pieces to add sparkle. Are you a go big or go home kind of girl? Feel free to throw a few larger, show-stopping pieces into your look.
Pick pieces and accessories that feel right to you without overdoing it.
Affordability
Some bridal accessories are more affordable than others. If you’re on a tight budget, consider adding some cheaper options to your accessory bag, such as a wedding dress belt or a bridal hair piece.
Crystals, beads, and sequins are lovely, but they often require a moderate amount of work to attach or sew into your dress. Unless you plan on DIYing this task, it is usually hundreds of dollars in alterations and tailoring. Therefore, these can be considered the more expensive options.
Whether you choose a few small, affordable pieces or one larger, more pricey item, choose something that you can afford.
12 Ways You Can Add Sparkle to Your Wedding Dress
Crystals
Crystal wedding dress Via AliExpress
Crystals are a bold and beautiful way to add some big sparkle to your wedding dress! They are also extremely versatile. Since crystals typically need to be sewn into your dress, they can be placed anywhere; from the bodice all the way down to the train.
They are also easily manageable. If you want to reel in the sparkle a little, you can just opt for a small design. If you want to go big and bold, you can layer an entire section of your dress.
As mentioned previously, crystals can be a higher-priced sparkle addition, so they are not always the best solution if you’re on a tight budget. Unless you or a family member plans on sewing on the crystals, it can cost hundreds of dollars to completely tailor the look you want.
As far as the cost of the crystals by themselves, they are very affordable. Even large pieces can be purchased for under $35.
2. Sequins
Sequin wedding gown Via KatarzynaJanuszewska on Etsy
For a more shimmery look, sequins are a perfect mix of bling and properly dispersed sparkle. They are naturally more reflective due to their flat surfaces, but they offer small, spaced-out areas.
Sequins are incredibly affordable and mostly customizable on your dress, similar to crystals, so there is no need to worry about personalized bling.
In some aspects, sequins can become the most customizable accessory you can purchase. They are not only a perfect match for your dress, but they can be added to sleeves, veils, hair pieces, and more.
Like crystals, most sequin types require sewing or some form of permanent attachment, so the bill for this bling can rack up quickly if you’re not careful.
3. Beads
Beaded champagne wedding dress Via David’s Bridal
Beads are likely to be your most subtle and elegant sparkly touch. With such small surfaces, they offer just a taste of bling without being in your face.
As you could’ve guessed, beads are usually sewn into the dress or attached with permanent glue. Since they are so small, this can be a tedious task for any tailor, so you could easily fork over hundreds of dollars for this addition.
Most beads are attached to the bodice of a dress, but it’s not uncommon to find them along a train or sleeving. If you’re a more minimal bride looking for just a touch of bling, beads are your best bet.
4. A Bridal Belt (Or Sash)
Botanical floral wedding sash Via AGoddessDivine on Etsy
Easily one of the most accessible and most affordable sparkle accessories, a wedding dress belt (or sash as they are also called) can be found in a style and price range for any bride.
They can be large and in-your-face, or they can be thin and natural. Crystals, flowers, leaves, and any other design element you can think of can be found on a bridal belt.
From $25 all the way into the hundreds, wedding dress belts can be as simple or as intricate as you want. Since you wrap the belt around your waist and fasten it like a typical belt, it’s easy to add to your bridal look.
5. A Sparkly Overskirt
Shiny bridal wedding overskirt Via SlayerUS on Etsy
For more vintage and evenly dispersed sparkle, consider a sparkly overskirt! These accessories are typically made of tulle, so your wedding dress isn’t concealed under the fabric. Most underskirts’ sparkle is attributed to sequins, but some can be found with beading on them as well.
These overskirts are simply tied around your waist (similar to a belt), and they lay over top of the bottom portion of your wedding dress. These skirts can create a vintage look or fit a boho wedding theme well.
Costing an average of around $66, they are a pretty affordable option as well!
6. A Flashy Wedding Cape
Tulle glitter bridal cape Via JewelryOLaLa on Etsy
Wedding capes are a perfect option for a Cinderella-like wedding! Picture ballrooms or vintage themes. They fit best with capped, strapless, or off-the-shoulder wedding dress styles. Wedding dresses with puffy or long sleeves could begin to look clunky with this specific accessory.
At around $60, they are affordable and super easy to assemble on your wedding day! Simply secure them to your wedding dress sleeves, and you’re good to go. Also usually made of tulle, wedding capes are meant to add a small, subtle amount of “bang” to your look without overshadowing your dress.
7. Add Shiny Straps
Crystal bridal straps Via MagnificenceBridal on Etsy
If you’re into the crystal look but don’t necessarily want to add them to your dress, or you’re looking for a more affordable crystal option, grab some sparkly crystal sleeves!
For around $50, you can pick up a set of crystal straps that are sure to “wow” your guests and add much-needed sparkle to your wedding photos.
These are obviously best suited for a dress that doesn’t have sleeves already.
8. Sparkly Sleeves
Sparkly long sleeve wedding dress Via Alina Nova
If you selected a dress without sleeves, consider adding sparkly sleeves to your look! Whether you slip them on your arms with your dress or have them sewn into your dress, they can add sparkle, fashion, and elegance to your big day.
Sparkly sleeves are created with various materials, including tulle, cotton, or polyester. Sparkles can come from beads, crystals, sequins, and more. You can get them as half, three-quarter, or full-length sleeves.
Sparkly sleeves are relatively affordable, usually priced between $50 and $80. They are also a perfect addition for a winter wedding or a location that may be cooler than usual.
9. Shoulder Jewelry
Wedding shoulder jewelry Via ADbrdal on Etsy
Shoulder jewelry is relatively new compared to some other ideas listed here, and it’s pretty stunning! Acting almost like sleeves, this jewelry is put over your head and rests upon each shoulder with a connected strand lying on top of your upper back.
This is an excellent alternative for those who love the look of a sparkly sleeve without having to wear the sleeves. If you are getting married in a hot month or your wedding is outdoors, and sleeves would be uncomfortable, opt for some shoulder jewelry!
Usually ranging between $45-$110, this sparkly option is pretty reasonably priced for most brides.
10. An Eye-Catching Veil
Sparkle cathedral wedding veil Via MarryBridalUS on Etsy
If you’re searching for how to add sparkle to your wedding dress, but don’t necessarily want to alter the look of your dress, pick out a sparkly veil!
Whether you like the style of a birdcage veil or the long, luscious look of a cathedral veil, sparkles can be found in any style. Most sparkly veils incorporate sequins or beading, but on rare occasions, you can find one with crystals.
The bling is usually incorporated at the ends of the veil, leaving the parts that cover your hair untouched. Most veils are secured in your hair with a comb, but some can be secured with pins or other materials.
Picking out a sparkly veil will help create more shimmer without taking away from the original look of your dress.
Depending on the length and type of veil you set your sights on, they can range from a lower price of $40 all the way up to $200.
11. Back Jewelry
Pearl back jewelry Via AMYOBridal on Etsy
Similar to shoulder jewelry, back jewelry is pretty affordable and can be bold or simple and subtle. Small, dainty chains or larger, more daring pieces can be found within the back jewelry category.
Back jewelry is the perfect way to add sparkle to your wedding dress if your dress happens to have a dip or open back. While these can be used on wedding dresses with backs, they create a more elegant and obvious approach without a back.
To utilize this as your wedding bling, you simply chain it on like a necklace and hang the longer side down your back. Back jewelry is a perfect fit for any season or type of wedding.
12. A Bridal Hair Piece
Vine and leaves bridal hair piece Via LottieDaDesigns on Etsy
Like a sparkly veil, a bridal hairpiece can create a unique and flashy accessory without disrupting the look of your dress. Smaller hairpieces average $20, and larger ones can go up to $70, so depending on the size you choose, they are pretty affordable for any bride.
They are also extremely versatile. You can find sparkly bridal hairpieces in nearly any shape, size, or style. They can be worn on the side of your hair, in the back, on top like a tiara, or incorporated with your veil.
Conclusion
There are so many ways to add sparkle to a wedding dress. Choose an accessory or two that fits your wedding theme, budget, and bridal style. Don’t be afraid to be the center of attention with some bridal bling.