Giuseppe Zanotti EB0020 Convertible Clutch

Just like any everyday outfit, a bridal ensemble needs several elements to be complete. There’s the dress, obviously. Then the wedding shoes. It should be kept understated and not too flashy, but you need to wear some sort of jewelry other than your engagement ring. And finally, a handbag. Now, it’s not like you’re going to need to reach into your bag to pull out your cell phone to take a call while you’re walking down the aisle. At least, you shouldn’t be doing that. I would hope you’d at least have your phone on vibrate during the ceremony. You can put your phone on vibrate during the honeymoon for a little fun, too. Heh. But seriously, you won’t be carrying a handbag down the aisle with you, but you’ll need one for the reception. You’ll want to freshen up your makeup a little between the ceremony and the party, especially if you got emotional and forgot to wear waterproof mascara. It’s a good idea to carry a lip gloss or lip balm, too, for all the kissing, talking, drinking, and eating you’ll be doing. But you don’t want to carry a huge, bulky shoulder bag that obscures the dress you spend a month’s salary on. A clutch is the way to go, and this Giuseppe Zanotti EB0020 Convertible Clutch is an excellent choice.

There are a couple of reasons why I like this one. First, it’s sleek and compact. Its simple design means it will go with just about any wedding dress, regardless of the style. And it’s leather, which is a lot easier to keep clean than satin. And because it’s leather, it’s a little more contemporary looking. Those satin, embroidered, flowery clutches are pretty and feminine, but sometimes they can be a bit much, especially if your dress has a lot of embellishments. The more stuff there is decorating your dress, the simpler your accessories should be, and vice versa. It’s all about balance. Also, because it’s leather and simple in design, you could conceivably use it after the wedding, which would be kind of difficult to do with those flouncy, frilly bags. This clutch is convertible because it comes with a detachable strap. I recommend leaving it off, though. It’s hideous. The strap is lined on both sides, from end to end with rhinestones. If you’re getting married in Vegas, go ahead and attach it. Otherwise, leave the strap in the included dust bag. The clutch is lined inside, and has a magnetic closure, which doesn’t mar the pristine exterior. This Zanotti clutch is $695 at Endless.com.

Budget Saving Alternative 1

When it comes to planning your wedding, unless your parents are rich, or you’ve recently won the lottery, you may need to find ways to save money. There are some things you don’t want to compromise on, like the dress, of course. And trust me, don’t skimp on the food. You want people to be talking about your wedding for years to come, but not because they’re complaining about the horrible, cheap food you served. People do not let stuff like that go. So spend money where you need to, and save in other areas, like your accessories. Check out this Touch Ups Carson clutch. It’s white satin, but it also has a simple enough design that it could be used as a regular clutch after the wedding. I’d say it’d be more of an evening bag, though, because of the rhinestone-embellished ornament on the front. It also has a detachable, pretty chain shoulder strap that gives it a 20-inch drop. The interior is lined in black, with a small mirror and back wall slip pocket. It’s just the right size to hold your wedding reception essentials. If you decide to forgo white for your wedding, the Carson also comes in black satin, and gold synthetic leather. It’s on sale, too. It’s usually $59, but it’s now just $53.10 at Zappos.com.

Budget Saving Alternative 2

Jessica McClintock has been designing formalwear for decades. Chances are, your prom dress was a McClintock because not only does the company produce many pretty designs, they’re always very affordable, just like this Jessica McClintock East/West Satin Clutch. The exterior is all satin, with slight pleating for texture and visual interest. It comes with a dainty, detachable chain strap, which gives it a 10.5-inch shoulder drop. The interior is lined with satiny fabric, and it closes with a silver tone clasp. The defining detail, though, is the frame which is adorned with tiny chain mail panels, and squared, multifaceted, clear crystals. It may be the most affordable thing you buy for your wedding at just $50 from Endless.com.