There’s a bag for every dress: finding the perfect bag to complement your wedding attire

Choosing the perfect dress is not the only fashion-related choice you’ll have to make when getting ready to attend a wedding. Deciding on the accessories that you’re going to add to your outfit is just as important because it’s the details that make all the difference. A beautiful pair of shoes and some nice jewelry can complete and transform any look in an instant. And the same can be said about handbags. 

You might think that once you’ve picked the right dress, the most challenging part is over, and finding the final pieces is going to be easy. That is, until you realize how many different bag styles there are and start wondering which one would pair well with your attire. If you’re the kind of person who has a hard time making up their mind, this decision can give you a few headaches. 

However, you shouldn’t worry too much about it. Despite the overwhelming amount of options, searching for the ideal wedding handbag doesn’t have to turn into a stressful pursuit. We’ve got a few tips and recommendations that can help you settle this dilemma and make the choice a bit easier.  

Do you really need a purse?

First, let’s answer a very important question because many wedding guests seem to wonder the same thing: should you really invest in a handbag when preparing your wedding outfit? The simple answer is yes; the more elaborate answer is that unless you already have a bag at home that just happens to perfectly match the dress you’re going to wear at the wedding, you should most definitely purchase a brand new one – or a second-hand one, as long as it’s in good condition. 

Where else are you going to keep all your essentials if you don’t have a bag with you? You can’t carry your belongings in your hands and lay them out on the table. It’s true that most bags and purses for special occasions are quite small and you can’t fit many things inside, but you only need them to hold a few basic items such as your phone, keys, cards, and maybe some makeup. 

Apart from their practical purpose, handbags are also a fashion accessory in their own right, meant to complement and elevate your ensemble. So don’t write them off as inconsequential because they’re anything but. 

Should you match your bag with the shoes?

Another common issue that comes up every time someone has to put together a look for a formal event is whether one should match their bag with the shoes. The jury is still out on this one since opinions tend to differ. Coordinating accessories has been a longstanding unwritten fashion rule, but now many see it as outdated and unnecessary. Some even find it tacky when the shoes, bags, and belts are identical in color and style. 

However, there are those who recommend and encourage the practice, particularly for elegant outfits, arguing it brings a sense of balance and helps create a more cohesive and polished look. 

What you should take from this never-ending dispute is that the once strict fashion standards no one dared to question have gradually given way to more lenient approaches, allowing for more freedom of expression, experimentation, and creativity. So, it’s up to you to decide how to style your outfit. And while strict matching might be obsolete, you should at least make sure your bag and shoes complement each other and blend well with the rest of the elements to avoid unpleasant visual clashes. 

The no-white rule

Speaking of rules, let’s discuss one more aspect that might influence your bag choice for a wedding event, namely color. We all know that wearing white to a wedding is a deadly sin since no one is allowed to don something that can compete with or outshine the bride’s gown. The offense is all the more serious if the person breaking the rule is a bridesmaid, maid of honor, family member, or close friend. 

However, this golden rule applies only to clothes, not accessories. So, you can rest assured you won’t offend anyone if you choose to accessorize your dress with a white clutch or purse or wear white shoes. In fact, handbags that are white or a similar color, like ivory or pearl, are thought to be a great choice as they go well with dresses in beautiful soft tones that many women prefer to wear at weddings. 

Time matters

This is something most people seem to ignore, but the time of the wedding should be taken into account when considering your options. As such, daytime events call for simpler bags with fewer frills – but not too casual. On the other hand, flashier purses and clutches, featuring more intricate designs, generous embellishments, and shiny finishes, are more appropriate for evening celebrations. 

Similarly, different seasons and venues invite different purse styles. Winter weddings held in a luxurious hotel, for example, invite equally luxurious bags, as opposed to springtime garden weddings, where one can opt for minimalistic clutches or delicate bags with rustic motifs.  

The formality of the event

Ultimately, your choice of bag will be influenced by the formality of the event and the dress code it requires. If the wedding is a formal or black-tie affair where everyone is going to be dressed to the nines in stylish outfits and floor-length gowns, small classic clutches and structured handbags in neutral colors or bright silver and gold hues are the perfect choice. If the occasion is semi-formal or has a dressy casual dress code, you’re free to choose a bag that is a bit more modest but still elegant. Beach weddings where airy gowns and breezy sundresses dominate the scenery invite handbags made of natural materials such as raffia, rattan, and bamboo. 

Finally, the perfect bag for your wedding outfit should reflect your personal style and taste, so follow your gut and pick something that feels right to you.