"Gloves, a Wedding Style-Setter"
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If you intend to underline the formality of your wedding, wearing gloves is one way to set the style. Gloves, much like your train and your veil, are considered as formal wedding attire. The key to the level of formality is that the longer the gloves, the more formal they are. Your selection of gloves impacts on how your bridesmaids will dress, because they should never be dressed more formally than you are. That coordination holds true for the length of their gowns, which must be the same or shorter than yours. If you choose to wear gloves, your bridesmaids should also. The length of their gloves must be the same or shorter than yours.

Despite these rules of etiquette, many wedding consultants say that although in the past gloves were an essential component in a formal event, today wearing gloves is optional. Today, gloves are more of a fashion statement than a wedding attire requirement. There are still areas in our country, such as the South, where gloves are still a must. While in other places they are a fashion trend that comes and goes. Consultants do agree, however, that wearing the wrong glove can really wreck your whole look.

If you have decided to wear gloves, begin your shopping with this in mind. Gloves are classified by length, measured either by inches, or by the number of buttons. The most popular lengths of gloves are one, two, six, eight and sixteen button styles. A one-button glove goes to just below the palm. It works best with a long-sleeve gown. Some etiquette guides say that gloves do not "go" with a long-sleeve gown, so you may choose not to wear a glove at all. A two-button glove stops at the wrist. It is also called a wristlet or gauntlet. The six-button glove stops below the elbow . It is also called a quarter-length glove. The quarter-length style works well with a short-sleeve gown. The eight-button glove stops at the elbow and is best worn with a short-sleeve dress. The sixteen-button glove, also called opera-length, reaches to the top of the arm. It goes best with sleeveless or strapless wedding gowns and is usually worn either crushed or gathered.

Gloves are manufactured in any number of fabrics and with many different embellishments. They can be made of leather, silk, light-weigh satin, cotton, or a fabric blend. They can be solid or crocheted. They can be opaque or sheer. The material you select for your gloves should compliment your dress without overshadowing it. If your gown is highly embellished, your gloves may also be. If your gown is simple, your gloves should be also. The color of your gloves should match the color of your wedding gown. A white glove is the only color appropriate for a white gown. Likewise, an ivory gown should be worn with ivory colored gloves. Gloves with vertical patterns don't particularly tend to make arms look slimmer. If you are shorter than average or chubby, gloves are not necessarily a good choice. If you are petit, gloves may make your arms "them disappear." If you really want to wear gloves, you would be best served by selecting a short sleeve gown.

This is a list of some of the glove styles that are available.

  • Gauntlets with Fingers: Sequin and Beaded, Satin Cutwork Lace with Pearls & sequins, Satin
  • Cutwork Lace with Pearls & sequins, Crochet Florets with Pearl Center, Allover Scattered Pearls,
  • Allover Scattered Sequins with Beads, Reembroidered Beaded and Sequin Lace
  • Venetian Beaded Lace, Reembroidered Lace Cuff with Pearls and Sequins. Fingerless Gauntlets:
  • Sequin and Beaded Reembriodered Lace with Illusion Cutout, Plain Crochet Venetian Lace,
  • Reembroidered Beaded Lace with Satin Bow and Porcelain Flower, Embroidered Lace with Pearls,
  • Sequins, and Beads, Sheer Gloves with Reembroidered beaded lace, Reembroidered Sequin &
  • Beaded Lace, Satin Cording with Pearls, Satin Wrist Gloves with Satin Buds, Lace Cutoffs with
  • Rosette Buttons, Satin Cuff with Pearl and Rhinestone, Button, Satin Elbow Gloves Beads and
  • Pearls with Satin Bud, Fingerless Elbow Gloves with Satin Flowers and Pearls, Satin Elbow
  • Gauntlet with Tiny Bows, Satin Elbow Gloves with Pearl Heart Cutout and Pearl Drop, Lace Wrist
  • Gloves Ruffled Cuff with Satin Bow and Porcelain, Flower Satin Wrist Glove with Double Satin Bows.

    One of the quandaries you may face relates to the time in your ceremony when you exchange or receive your wedding ring. If you are wearing short gloves, it is appropriate to remove your gloves and hand them to one of your attendants. If you will be wearing long or elbow-length gloves, your simplest option is to slit the seam on your ring finger and push the fabric in, so your ring finger becomes accessible. Another option involves making a cut perpendicular to the seam, across the seam at the base of your finger. During the ring exchange, you can slip your finger out, and once the band is in place you can slip your finger back in.

    A third alternative is the purchase an old-fashioned glove that buttons at inside of the wrist. With this type of glove, you will need to become adept at unbuttoning the buttons at your wrist. Then you will slip your hand through the opening you created and, finally, you will need to take that part of the glove that is left "hanging" and push it at the back of your hand. Should you choose this option, you would best practice the technique before your wedding day. The good news with this alternative is that your bouquet will probably hide your hand, so may want to do the process before the processional, in advance of the ceremony.

    The final option is to purchase fingerless gloves, which, of course, solves the problem. This type of glove begins just above the elbow and goes down over of the back of the hand. A loop is used at a point of fabric to secure the glove to the middle finger.

    There are several etiquette guidelines for when you should wear your gloves. There is, of course, no glove police, but rather traditions that have been handed down through the years. 1. Your gloves should be worn for the processional and through the ceremony.
    2. Your gloves should be worn while you greet your guests in the receiving line. Contrary to gentlemen, ladies do not remove gloves when shaking hands. If you are concerned that your gloves will get dirty when you shake many hands, you might remove them temporarily and put them on again for dancing.
    3. Your gloves should also be worn dancing at your reception.
    4. Your gloves should be removed while you are eating, to prevent you from staining the fabric. That also holds for during dessert and cake.
    5. Your jewelry should never be worn over your gloves. Some people bend the rule a bit for exchanging rings.
    6. Your gloves should be worn during the reception. Today, for comfort's sake, many brides remove their gloves at some time into the reception.

    Gloves as a bridal accessory go back many years. Brides in ancient Greece believed that placing a lump of sugar into one of their wedding gloves would bring sweetness to their married life. For many brides today, gloves continue to set a style and fashion tone to their weddings. The selections are many and varied. Some brides even frame their gloves as a sweet memento of their special day.


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