1. The best advice may seem the most obvious but is worth repeating: first choose your gown, then choose your accessories to compliment it.


2. Having a good idea of a hairstyle will usually help in deciding on the hairpiece. Many of these tiaras are versatile enough to work with different hairstyles. The tiara description will usually indicate this. Your hairdresser will love working with any of them!


3. The tiara should be matched to the proportions of your face (see comments below).


4. Match the type of sparkle in your gown with the sparkle in your accessories. Use crystals with crystals, pearls with pearls, etc.


5. If you have a floral details in your gown, look for a headpiece with similar detailing. For example: your dress may have a rose pattern so it might be well matched to a headpiece that has roses, which will highlight the pattern. Some of the tiaras have more geometric features and others have curving, floral features.


6. If you gown has embroidered floral detail, look for a tiara with floral detail. A modern, straight, plain white gown might look best with a tiara that echoes that shape, a tiara with straight, geometric lines.


7. A tiara with only Austrian crystals and no pearls or other ornaments will go with any gown, but a tiara with pearls should match either the gown or the necklace and earrings. Pearl tiaras also go well with off-white or ivory gowns, since the particular luster of pearls is enhanced by this color in a gown.


8. Remember that it is the design details of the tiara and veil that transform a beautiful dress into a glorious bridal gown, and a beautiful woman into a bride. The overall balance of your outfit should be such that no one piece overwhelms another.


9. Gold-tone or ivory pearl-accented tiaras are a good compliment to ivory gowns, while silver-tone, rhinestone, and white pearl tiaras best compliment the tones of a white gown. Diamond white gowns (diamond white is in between white and off-white, that is, just barely off-white) are a good match for either gold or silver.


10. Platinum blonde hair looks spectacular with white, crystal, and silver accents as do darker shades of hair. Meanwhile, shades of red and lighter brown look well accented with ivory pearls and gold-tone accessories.


11. Look at the style of your gown. A more stylish dress requires a more modern tiara but an antique style gown should be worn with a more antique style headpiece.


12. If you have short hair you will want to decide on a lighter, more delicate tiara that won't require lots of pinning to hold it in place. Brides with shorter hair look best in headband styles or tiaras with a small shape.


13. Keep in mind that tiaras are not just for the bride; they are perfect for bridesmaids as well. To give the wedding party a coordinated look, the attendants can compliment the bride's ensemble by wearing a smaller or simpler version of the bride's tiara. Also, tiaras are the perfect post-wedding accessory for your most menial household chores... a goddess in the kitchen, a vacuuming queen, or for those less savoury tasks... a goddess of toilet paper and bathtub cleaning!


14. A tiara is also beautifully complimented by a feather boa. Have fun, let loose, and keep the spark going long after your special day!

A tiara (and veil) should draw attention to your face by framing it, not draw attention away from it. The wrong shape tiara can make your face look too long and thin or too short and full. Here is a guide:

• Round face: To make your face appear longer, choose a tiara with some height or one that has a peak.


• Long face: We recommend headbands or tiaras with little or no height that extend over your head from one side to the other at an even height.


• Oval face: Avoid pieces with a peak at the top, which will make your face appear longer. Wearing a headband, forehead piece, or a back piece will make your face appear less oval.


• Full face: To create the illusion of a longer face, wear a tiara that peaks into a "V" at the top.