15 Vogue Brides on the Best Thing They Bought for Their Wedding

Save this storySave StorySave this storyAsk any bride about the best thing they bought for their wedding, and invariably, the answer will be the same: a wedding planner. A further investigation may find more color in the next tier of answers—a reception dress they’d pined over in a bridal bookmarks folder for ages; a signature shade of lipstick that made them feel normal on an otherwise highly extraordinary day; a sentimental heirloom-in-the-making they plan to pass down to their children. The shopping list for anyone getting married is long and expensive, but when it comes down to it, a handful of pieces will be the ones that stand out. While the specifics are personal and vary by couple, we’re nosy. So, we asked 15 Vogue brides to share a bit about their most memorable wedding purchases. (If you too are getting married and looking for a bit of inspiration for your own big day, their answers have plenty to offer.)

The Classic Bridal ShoeManolo Blahnik Camaparinew Mary Jane pumpJump to review$1,025 NORDSTROM

The Pop of ColorDior rouge Dior hydrating lipstickJump to review$50 DIOR

The Skincare SaviorClarins cryo-flash face maskJump to review$80 AMAZON

The Sparkling JewelsJennifer Behr Raelynn EarringsJump to review$358 REVOLVE

The Tablescape AccentInner Child seashell napkin ringsJump to review$62 OVER THE MOON

The Personality PieceMarco Bicego 18k gemstone braceletJump to review$3,950 BLOOMINGDALES

The Pearl EarringsCompletedworks tra‐la‐la pearl earringsJump to review$435 COMPLETEDWORKS

From satin bridal shoes to one-of-a-kind hair accessories to many, many sparkly jewelry pieces, these are the very best things Vogue brides bought for their weddings.

“I wore these CompletedWorks earrings during our wedding ceremony. They were a gift from my husband a couple years prior and he'd always jokingly ask me when I'd be wearing them—it never felt like the right occasion. He didn't know I was going to wear them until he saw me walk down the aisle and actually started grinning when he noticed! It was so cute and a nice nod to something that was already part of our relationship.

Then, I wore these sparkly Jennifer Behr earrings with my traditional sari during our wedding dinner. It was difficult to find jewelry that matched the ornate embroidery of my Indian sari and also felt modern and seamless. I felt like these did both; the size and shape fit my outfit seamlessly.” —Poppy Thekdi

Save to wishlistSave to wishlistCompletedworks

Save to wishlistSave to wishlistJennifer Behr

“These low-heeled slingbacks were the versatile shoe that I actually considered pairing with every dress I wore throughout the weekend (they ended up being my rehearsal dinner shoes). Not only are they incredibly walkable and didn't hurt after a full evening of fun—even into impromptu afters in my hotel suite—but they are the perfect shade of ivory and have a little hidden something blue on the insole.

If you are in search of a day-of gift for your spouse-to-be, consider making a new family heirloom. I have always worn a signet ring passed down by my grandfather and loved the idea of making one that the two of us could wear. Since we were hyphenating our name, I worked with Holden to create small portrait rings in gold and silver (our jewelry colors of choice) that combined our two last initials. It was the perfect gift to give the morning of our wedding that we could take throughout our day.” —Shelby Wax

Save to wishlistSave to wishlistAlexandre Birman

“One of the details I still think about the most cost almost nothing. I found these old olive wood beads on Etsy—something like $8 each—and had them woven into my hair. It made my bridal look a little more pagan than princess.” —Olivia-Jené Fagon

“Up until two days before the ceremony, I didn't have any wedding earrings. My then-fiancé and I were walking through the mall to grab last-minute items before all the guests started getting into town, and we walked into the Swarovski store and found these. I immediately loved them; the green stones went perfectly with my engagement ring, which is an emerald. He tricked me into thinking he didn't like them so he could secretly go back to the store and buy them for me as a wedding day gift.

I was hellbent on wearing metallic shoes for the wedding. After trying on a few different styles, I found the Jimmy Choo Bing mules to be so comfortable, but none of the stores had the color I needed. So I searched all over the internet and found the perfect pair online with one left in my size… I’ve never ordered something so quickly.” —Brianna Agyemang-Tessema

Save to wishlistSave to wishlistSwarovski

Save to wishlistSave to wishlistJimmy Choo

“The earrings were actually the hardest accessory for me to find. I wanted something that felt special without competing with my dress, and I loved how understated and delicate these pearl drops were—knowing they were handmade made them feel even more unique. I also loved the pointed shape and the little pearl detail on these Jimmy Choos, which tied in beautifully with my earrings, but still felt very clean and classic. Plus, the low heel meant I could actually wear them all day—particularly important when our wedding involved walking around New York City!” —Claire Yau

Save to wishlistSave to wishlistStudio Ēna

Save to wishlistSave to wishlistJimmy Choo

“My signature red lip was the finishing touch that completed my entire bridal look. Because we eloped to New York, I was able to pick up a fresh one at the airport before the wedding, which made it feel even more special. The formula is incredibly silky, lasted beautifully throughout the day, and provided the ideal pop of color against my white dress.

Another item that now holds so much sentimental value is the Simone Pérèle garter I wore. I kept mentioning to my now-wife Claire that I really wanted a garter for our wedding day, but with everything else going on, I never got around to buying one. A few days before we flew to New York, she surprised me with this beautiful garter. I’m not sure how traditional it is for your fiancée to buy your garter, but it felt completely right for us. I also loved that it featured a blue ribbon, meaning it became my something blue.” —Johara House

Save to wishlistSave to wishlistSimone Perele

“Finding the right wedding shoe is deceptively difficult. You want something perfect and simple, but it also has to survive the night. For several of my wedding events, I wore a pair of my mother’s vintage white calf-hair Manolos. On the wedding night, however, I chose high-vamp Danielle Frankel shoes because they stayed securely on my feet, almost like boots. I never had to worry about a strap coming loose while I danced.” —Rachel Besser

Save to wishlistSave to wishlistDanielle Frankel

“I had seen Rooney Mara wearing an archival Givenchy dress with a cape and little bows on a red carpet right before I got engaged. I loved that dress and immediately saved it; when Sarah Burton debuted a mini version on her runway right after I got engaged, I knew I had to have it. I bought it before I even had my sketches for my gown, but returned it thinking it was too early to buy an after-party dress. Two months later, when my husband and I were in London over Christmas, I saw the dress at Selfridges and explained my manic purchasing. He had me try it on and said I had to have it. I’m so glad I did! My actual wedding dress was designed with the Manolo Camparinew Satin Mary Janes in mind. I thought they would be trashed after our garden reception—but they are still in pristine condition.” —Gabrielle Katz

Save to wishlistSave to wishlistManolo Blahnik

“My husband bought me this really fun Marco Bicego bracelet with citrine, tourmaline, and all these weird, colorful gemstones set in hammered gold. It’s super sculptural. He said it reminded him of one of my paintings, which I loved. I wear it every day now. And much less sentimental, I also bought a Skims seamless bra for the wedding that has since changed my life.” —Charlotte Hailstone Wu

Save to wishlistSave to wishlistMarco Bicego

“My bespoke Clio Peppiatt after-party corset and skirt set was my favorite item from my wedding wardrobe. We incorporated baroque seed pearls and the skirt featured organic shell-shaped petals. It inspired a ready-to-wear dress that Clio sweetly named after me—the “Emma”. I bought these seashell napkin rings for our rehearsal dinner from Inner Child. After the wedding, I gifted three sets to different family members and kept three for me and my husband. I use them frequently when entertaining, and highly recommend them as a registry item to complete a coastal tablescape!” —Emma Quigley

Save to wishlistSave to wishlistClio Peppiatt

Save to wishlistSave to wishlistInner Child

“This Clarins mask was the shot of espresso my face needed each morning. I've sworn by it for years, but having it as my trusty sidekick throughout the wedding weekend really made all the difference. I gifted it to my entire family ahead of the weekend, and it is now ingrained in their routine (my husband included).

While you don't technically need a purse for your ‘going out essentials’ on your wedding night, I was so glad that we produced this custom Moritz Pouch with One/Of for the weekend. It's been such a treat having pieces from my wedding that I can consistently come back to and integrate into my daily wardrobe.” —Madison Boniface

“I am sentimental, and I wanted an heirloom to pass down to my future children so they could look back at our wedding photos and feel connected to the beginning of our journey that led to them. ‘Something new,’ if you will. I wore these earrings on our wedding day and they now sit in a safe with a note for our daughter we just recently welcomed into the world.” —Rhiannon Hainds

“I kept thinking I needed to find something blue to fit the tradition, and when I saw the lingerie from Agent Provocateur, I thought it was hilarious. (Mine said ‘Just Married."’) I loved the mischievousness of having this little secret underneath everything. Wearing something slightly more playful also helped keep the whole day from feeling too serious or dramatic. When we left the church for the reception near Giverny in Normandy, I wore Rick Owens Shield Sunglasses and, at the very last minute, wrapped a floating piece of silk around my head as a scarf. We were driving the whole way in a convertible, so the combination ended up being both quite practical and one of my favorite parts of the look.” —Ingvild Gillet

Save to wishlistSave to wishlistAgent Provocateur

Save to wishlistSave to wishlistRick Owens

“These six-inch platforms gave me incredible height but were somehow comfortable and sturdy enough for our uneven cliffside aisle. I loved that the silver made more of a statement than a traditional white bridal shoe, while the platforms remained mostly hidden beneath my dress.” —Shayne Kybartas

Save to wishlistSave to wishlistValentino Garavani

"The bag I carried throughout my wedding day was a custom Clare V. piece created as a gift from my aunt, Clare Vivier—a beautiful frame bag made from smooth, milk-colored goat leather which she lined with fabric from her mother’s wedding dress. Designed to be simple and chic, it is also an heirloom that I will cherish forever; this one is similar.

I always had an idea to get my husband jewelry as a wedding gift, but I wanted something with more history than buying new. I went down an Etsy rabbit hole looking at lockets and finally found the perfect one—a vintage sterling silver oval locket on a thin chain, engraved with a beautiful fleur-de-lis. For our anniversary later this summer, I'm planning to have the inside engraved with our wedding date and initials." —Sophia Bennet

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