Brenda's Wedding Blog

Today's post is from Nancy Jaeger, founder/publisher of USABride.com. She has spent more than 12 years in the online bridal retail industry and today she shares with you her Bridal Accessory Trends for the new year.

According to Nancy, "2009 will be all about bold accessories and expressing your personal style and individuality. Flaunt your unique look by choosing a simpler, less expensive dress, and kicking it up with affordable and fabulous bridal accessories. Forget the cookie cutter, mass-produced jewelry sets and head pieces. Go for hand-crafted, artistic accessories - these types of luxury items are not only affordable, but will give you that one-of-a-kind look!"

Continue reading for the top 6 trends for 2009 - for any bride on any budget, according to USABride.com
1. Vintage Inspired
The vintage inspired look includes rhodium or antique-silver hair accessories and jewelry, bird cage or visor veils as well as outrageous feather and flower combs - all of which are a throwback to the 1920s. The vintage look is also the perfect opportunity to incorporate family heirlooms, such as Grandma’s silver brooch – timeless pieces that can be used with the visor veils or as an embellishment on gown sashes.

2. Hollywood Glam
Big hair, big jewelry, sparkling head pieces, and tons of glitz! That is Hollywood glam at its best. Use dazzling bouquet jewelry and long dramatic beaded gloves for extra glam! Long, layered, draping necklaces, oversized earrings and bold colored stones in red and black are perfect to draw attention.

3. Don't Settle for Subtle… Chunky is in!
Brides are choosing to accent their gowns with big, bold jewelry sets--dramatic collars, clusters, or long strands of large pearls and beads, asymmetrical looks and multi-strand drops are all great ideas. Another new trend is a bare neckline with large chandelier earrings, paired with a wide, bold cuff bracelet to really make a statement – layering several smaller bracelets creates the same effect.

4. Go for the Gold!
The past year has been dubbed the return of gold bridal accessories! Brides are choosing darker-colored gowns in tones like champagne and dark ivory, in natural fabrics such as raw silk. Victorian style gowns accented with gold-tones are also popular this season. Nothing compliments these colors and textures like timeless gold jewelry. There is just something about the richness of the color gold that gives the feeling of luxury and elegance!

5. Organic or Natural Pearls and Stones
Continuing to be very hot this season is the trend to incorporate natural or "organic" elements and shapes into jewelry designs. The natural shape and beauty of Keshi and Fresh Water Pearls, mixed with glazed stones and dazzling Swarovski crystals, inspire exquisite bridal designs. A perfect match for a romantic destination wedding!

6. Greek Goddess Style
Want a look that’s sexy and modern, yet utterly classic? Go for the enchanting look of a Greek goddess-inspired style. The dress should be a long, lean and fluid silhouette or a romantic series of overlapping layers. With this look, the accessories are key to bringing it all together. Look for chunky leaf or vine patterns in a head piece or hair pins (depending on your hairstyle), as well as the jewelry. You could go with any color, but make sure it is artistic and fanciful.

Images shown include: Vintage Birdcage Veil, Felicity Bridal Comb, Whisper Feather Comb, Crystal Letter Bouquet Jewelry, Fingerless Bridal Gloves, Emerson Gold Crystal Earrings, and the Pearl Bliss Bracelet