Our Fashion Director, Jamie O’Neill Shares What She Would Wear On Her Wedding Day

As the Fashion Director of The Bridal Finery, I am often asked ‘What would you wear on your wedding day?” So, while I am working from home and missing dresses, I thought I’d finally share this answer with you.

I am currently writing this blog from my bed. My room is slightly messy, I have candles lit, and I have worked from home for the past 50 days. I am missing wedding dresses, my co-workers, and our brides. Many know, I write or edit just about every single blog post that is published on our blog. The blog allows me to live vicariously through you! (our brides)

I love reading your love stories, making selections of which photos to add to your blog posts (which is harder than you think), and falling in love with every bride’s unique style that is personal to them and their wedding day. This year, I celebrate my 6th year in bridal, it’s insane! Time does really fly by. Because you all share your love stories and wedding dress information with me, I thought it was time to get real and finally share exactly what I would wear on my wedding day and how I would style it with you.

***Disclaimer. I am not engaged nor do I plan to be anytime soon. But a girl and dream, right?***

My Ceremony Dress

Living in Florida is a struggle for me because I LOVE turtle necks. There is something so simplistic about the high neckline that makes me feel so chic and even sexy when I wear one. Like a lot of women, I have always felt insecure about my arms. I always layer to cover them so I realize on my wedding day I would probably want to do the same thing!

Winter is also my favorite season, I love the crisp cold air and wearing warm clothes. I love the cold weather so much that even when I travel I typically visit a colder climate.

Below are two dress options I would wear on my special day.

I have never tried either of these dresses on, but based on my love for turtle necks / high necklines and A-line skirts, I would wear either of these on my wedding day. The first gown is ‘Adore’ by Reem Acra. This dress is light and airy, even though it features a high neckline and long sleeves. I love this fashion-forward approach with an exposed horsehair cage-style skirt and nude lining. This dress feels perfect for an Early Spring or late Fall wedding.

The second dress is the Saida dress by Amsale. This traditional style gown has always felt so chic and feminine. I love showing off my waistline, so I feel this dress would highlight my shape while making me feel chic and timeless. This dress is perfect for a Winter or Early Spring Wedding.

Ceremony Accessories

Inspiration: Miranda Kerr on her wedding day. While I fell in absolute love with her custom Dior wedding gown, what made my heart melt was her headpiece and her veil.

A Pearl Headband

Anyone who knows me, knows I love accessories. No matter if I’m hitting the beach or happy hour, it’s all about creating a LOOK. At The Bridal Finery, we have so many different accessory options that work for any style, but my personal favorite is the oversized blush velvet and pearl headband by Maria Elena Headpieces. From the moment I saw this headpiece worn by Berta Bridal Models at the Spring 2020 runway, it felt like the headpiece was made for me! I even had to take a selfie with it!

A Cathedral Veil

A veil is a ‘must-have’ for all brides. When else would you wear one? Veils also make a woman look like a bride. There are different types of veils and veils aren’t always stiff and itchy like they used to be when your mom got married in the ’80s/ ‘90s. Veils now are soft and sheer, they are the perfect photo prop.

I would choose a silk tulle veil by Girl and a Serious Dream for my wedding day. I’d wear this veil with the large headband to create a dramatic and even royal feel, like Miranda Kerr’s bridal style.

Reception Bridal Jumpsuit

On the complete opposite side of the neckline spectrum, my other favorite neckline is a plunging neckline! I am not very busty, so I love wearing plunging necklines. Plunging necklines make me feel like Michelle Pfeiffer! Sleek and sexy. Because my wedding ceremony style is very classic and even demure, I would love to showcase the other side of my personal style at the wedding reception.

Because I love to dance, eat, drink and I am a complete mess (I drop EVERYTHING) I would want to change into something a bit more sexy and easy to wear for my reception - like a jumpsuit! Jumpsuits have been introduced into bridal and I can simply not get enough of it. Jumpsuits offer so many women a different way to feel like a bride. We currently have Ellis jumpsuit by Ines Di Santo in inventory now. I have never tried on any other bridal jumpsuit, but this one seems to be perfect. Designed in a deep champagne color, open back, and plunging neckline, I love it!

Reception Accessories

Like my ceremony wedding dress, I would need killer accessories for my wedding day. I love the ‘Sareh’ pearl hoops by Maria Elena Headpieces. These earrings are fun, flirty, and bridal. I’d wear them all the time after the wedding. Many of our brides have been wearing them as their reception earrings and I am obsessed!

Exit Dress

Exit dresses are so much fun. The best part is, it can be completely unrelated to your wedding. So if you want to wear a crazy color, playful print, or sparkly dress, do it! This dress or outfit is meant to be worn when you are exiting your wedding and heading to your after party! Think about celebrities who wear after-party outfits to galas or award shows, they are usually super sexy and almost random, and I love that because it’s meant to be partied in!

For my exit dress, I would want to wear something that can be worn again for anniversaries or fun parties. The suit dress by Girl and a Serious Dream is the perfect dress for me! I love the ivory, but I’d probably want to wear it in black (because I am a mess, remember? :) ) I’d pair it with converse or ankle booties for an end of the night and easy shoe to dance the rest of the night away.

Below is an image of me styling a model in the suit dress!

I loved finally sharing my bridal style with you! Creating bridal looks for yourself is all about bringing your personal style to life through wedding dresses and reception outfits! Let me know how we can help you with your bridal vision, you can contact me at jamie@thebridalfinery or DM me on Instagram @jamie.oneill or @thebridalfinery