Ok to not be “extra”?

Outside of celebrity weddings you see in the magazines, most people expect you to be you on your wedding day. Not extra. But everyone has their own idea of what is “expected “, “common”, etc and it varies wildly even in the same city, but social circles are the determination of that. If you want to be natural bride, whatever that means in your mind, then do that and don’t let anyone pressure you into something different because they live vicariously through you.

Oh wow, I totally agree with you. Your dress is stunning, and your rings and simple veil will compliment perfectly. I dont think you need anything else at all.

I think the dress is its own statement.

I had an embellished gown, and I also chose a plain veil. Mine was a simple drop veil. My mom was initially aghast (she had the same reaction - "a plain veil?? Veils should be covered in lace and beading!!!") but once she actually saw it with the dress (which ended up being on the wedding day itself because I didn't get the dress until the night before), she agreed it was the best choice.

I will say this, too: I wore a statement necklace on my wedding day (as my only piece of jewelry - I didn't even have a hair accessory, as the drop veil simply pinned into my hair with a hat pin). I look back at my photos now and I hate it. I wish I could edit it out of every photo. I don't wear necklaces and I never did, but I picked it for a similar reason, feeling like I "needed" bridal jewelry.

If the only reason you are second-guessing yourself now is that you worry about being too plain, leave it alone and do not start tacking on accessories. You won't miss them if you skip them.

I LOVE the aesthetic you picked out. The dress, shoes, veil and your natural beauty are all you need. And those shoes are absolutely perfect for your dress!

I opted to wear just my rings as my only jewelry for our elopement and plan to do the same for our celebration this month. Like you I didn't want to take away from my dress or my rings. My dress manufacturer had a "real brides" section of their website so I looked at how a bunch of other different brides accessorized the same dress and decided I liked the simple, understated approach best. I don't feel like I look "underdone" in my elopement photos at all, and that my rings and bouquet were the only "extra" I needed to look and feel bridal.

I wore a veil for our elopement, decided it wasn't really "me" and gave it away after (all of my favorite photos from our elopement are after I removed the veil). This time around, I DIY'd some hair pins to try.

That's a great idea!!! Shopping day to pick out dresses/accessories/etc for your other pre-wedding event's would be fantastic for you and your mom/sisters!

I think your mom would love that. You're probably right - she's missing out on the experience with you, you are the baby after all.

I adore your dress and shoes! They make a statement all on their own

You sound super practical and i think that's great! like what some people have said, things for weddings do not have to be so over the top

I ADORE your dress and think your shoes are perfect. I think an embellished veil and over the top jewelry would be too much. It's funny--in my everyday dress, I choose statement earrings or necklaces, bold makeup, etc. But for my wedding day, my hair was simple, my jewelry was barely noticeable. Makeup natural. I think being over the top for the sake of being over the top can put you at the risky of looking gaudy and overly trendy.

I love the idea of seeing if your mom wants to take you shopping for a statement heirloom piece for your rehearsal dinner! That can be just as treasured as a wedding day piece, and totally pop against your unique black dress (which I'd love to see!).

Honestly, the dress is pretty heavily embellished and so are your beautiful shoes. I don't think you'll look too plain. And, at the end of the day it's your wedding and you can do what you like, even if other people wouldn't do it that way, or do think it will look too plain.

I think you should go with your own vision. They can go with their vision for their own days.

Also, I agree with the other posters that the cocktail ring especially stood out to me as an oddity. I understand big earrings or a necklace or bracelet, but your wedding ring should absolutely be the focus, so I personally have no intention to wear a cocktail ring - nothing I could afford to buy could compare in sentiment or cost to my wedding and engagement rings, so why even bother?

You're going to be a stunning bride, irrespective of what you choose!