Women’s Fashion: Your 5 Head-to-Toe Summer Wedding Essentials

I’ll admit it – I get a little carried away at weddings. The gooey romantic in me comes out, and all I want to do is go running down the aisle, hug the bride and groom standing under the chuppa (if you’re unfamiliar, it’s a Jewish wedding tradition), and profess my love for the both of them combined. Told you I get a little carried away.

This weekend, to my utter dismay, I was not apart of the bride and groom’s love affair as they vowed eternal love to one another with friends and family surrounding them. I was, however, still able to have a good time – what’s not to love about unlimited mini weenies at the reception?

It’s important to look your best at a wedding. Whether you’re the bride, the flower girl, or an average audience member like me, the air is filled with love, and you never know what’s bound to happen when the bride throws her bouquet. Whether you’re catching the flowers or giving a toast, you’ll want to make sure your style is fit to be wed. Thanks to my 5 wedding essentials, I ate all the cake frosting I could manage (the endless problems of a gluten-free girl) and still felt my absolute best in elegant style.

#1: The Dress: David Lerner Plunging Neckline Dress

My dress was inspired by this David Lerner bodycon called the Plunging Neckline dress.
The dress is tight, yet clings in all the right places. Its longer length gives it an air of maturity and professionalism, while the touch of lace at the front evokes just enough sensuality to stay wedding-appropriate but still be interesting. The look is perfect for a black-tie optional affair.

#2: The Necklace: Satya Gold Necklace

Think about all the jewelry you own. Now, try to pick out just one – remember, it’s her day to shine, not yours. Borderline impossible, right? With the deep neckline of the David Lerner dress, I chose a necklace that stood out, but didn’t take away from the lace below it. A flat gold bar necklace, like the kind spotlighted above, shines bright and matches the deep navy of the dress almost too well .

#3: The Nails: Francis Saint Arnaud (in-stores only)

When I was younger, my mother allowed my friend and me to paint our own nails. It was a big deal: we sat on the floor of my unfinished basement, the ground covered in newspaper below us to prevent spills, and remained locked in utter concentration as we made our nails into masterpieces.

I will never forget showing my mother my achievements an hour later, her voice gently reminding me that only the nail should be painted, little Alissa, not the entire finger. Scarred from this past occurrence, I usually stay away from painting my own nails. However, before any trip to the nail salon, I filed my nails with a crystal file from Francis Saint Arnaud.