Debra Moreland is the designer behind PARIS, an elegant handmade line of bridal accessories that includes necklaces, bracelets, earrings, headpieces, belts, and veils. Based in Cincinnati, she approaches bridal accessories as beautiful, wearable art, and this philosophy has earned her a spot in the bridal world’s inner circle. Her awards and media mentions are too numerous to list, but we can’t help name dropping a few of the celebrities who have been her customers—Taylor Swift, Winona Ryder, and Oprah Winfrey, just to name a few. She gave us a few tips on finding the perfect accessories for your dress.
CW: What should a bride keep in mind as she chooses accessories?
DM: If you don’t have access to your specific gown, you need to get the closest possible dress and put it on. Something with a similar neckline and texture, so you can see what it looks like. Take off all of your existing jewelry. Take off your watch. You will be compensating for it. Picking out jewelry is just like picking out a dress. You need to try it on. The accessories should really take it up a level. They should reflect you, but a little more, and not be your usual everyday look.
CW: How do you know when you have too much? When it’s time to take an accessory away?
DM: There are some people that you can’t put enough on them and they carry it off. And some people you can’t put much on at all. It’s personality-driven. There are some rules of thumb. If you have a statement necklace, you shouldn’t have statement earrings. You want to give the eye a place to rest, so the accessories you choose matter. It’s a matter of balance. Be careful not to under-accessorize a dress that has a lot going on, or it will look unfinished.
CW: What’s most important for brides to keep in mind about veils?
DM: If you’re just shopping for veils, your eyes go to the more decorative ones. But my advice is to start with a plain veil. I like a long, very simple veil that lets you see every detail of your dress. A short veil creates a triangle on the top half of your body. If you’re outside, wind is always a factor. If you have a short veil, there’s no way to control it. You need something long enough to drape over your arm. If your dress is more architectural than ornamental, that is the perfect opportunity to do a lace or painted veil—the perfect way to show it off.
This article originally appeared in the Fall 2012 issue of Cincinnati Wedding magazine.
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