When it comes to weddings, every detail matters. From the perfect dress to the right shoes, the accessories you choose play a crucial role in completing your look. One of the most important accessories is your handbag, which can not only elevate your look, but will tie everything together. Whether you are the bride, a bridesmaid, or a guest, selecting the right handbag is not just about style; it’s about ensuring you have everything you need on the big day, all while complementing your outfit flawlessly.
In this style guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about choosing the perfect handbag for a wedding. Introducing varying styles, proportions and colourways to suit every role in the celebration, ensuring that whether you’re walking down the aisle or watching from the sidelines, your handbag is as well-chosen as your outfit. We also have a chic collection of designer dresses perfect for all kinds of special occasions, from weddings and parties to christenings and formal dinners.
Click on a section to find out more:
Discover why a brand-new designer handbag could benefit you when attending a wedding
Browse our handbags picked for your next wedding, or your special day
Read more about the importance of a cohesive look at a wedding
Handbags are not only an eye-catching accessory to accompany your outfit
Discover our collection of designer handbags
Who Needs a Handbag at a Wedding?
From the bride herself to her bridesmaids and guests, all in attendance can benefit from a designer handbag or clutch bag. With varying colour palettes, styles and designs to choose from, you’re bound to find the perfect evening bag for your wedding outfit and for other formal occasions to come. For special events such as weddings, consider a sleek evening bag to make an impact no matter your outfit.
Many brides wonder whether they need a handbag at all; with so many other elements to worry about, a handbag may seem like less of a priority. However, a handbag can provide peace of mind and convenience on your big day by keeping all of your essentials in one place. A well-chosen bag will also complement your look and elevate your bridal style. A cream handbag, such as the chic choices in our Francine collection, is the perfect choice for your big day; you can find out more about creating the perfect bridal look in our previous guide here.
Once you’ve chosen your own bag, consider a stylish accessory for your bridesmaids to match with their dresses and provide an eye-catching counterpart to their look. Neutral colours such as cream and silver are ideal choices for bridesmaids, no matter the colour of their dresses. Our Francine top handle grab bag collection is a polished choice, and can be used by your bridesmaids for events to come.
The mother of the bride or groom can benefit from a new designer handbag to tie her entire outfit together. From bright pastel blue to lively red, our Bee mini grab cross body bags are beautifully compact with a detachable strap to suit your style. This bag also has the functionality to be worn at more casual occasions, such as day trips and drinks in the pub with friends.
As a guest, a handbag is an essential accessory that serves a stylish and functional purpose. An evening bag would suit a wedding setting, alongside other special occasions and events that signal a need for a designer handbag. Our Celia evening bags present a glossy finish and a golden chain strap, ensuring you look like the epitome of elegance.
What Handbag Should I Bring to a Wedding?
The style of handbag you bring to a wedding depends on your personal style as well as your planned outfit. Smaller evening bags are much more practical and can add a touch of elegance to any outfit, complementing your wedding outfits perfectly. At Jasper Conran London, we have a wide range of handbag styles perfect for wedding outfits, from sleek chain strap evening bags to top handle grab bags in a variety of neutral and vibrant colours.
Our Francine top handle grab bag collection is an ideal choice for summer weddings, available in versatile black, modest cream and vibrant green. Crafted from smooth leather, our top handle grab bags are a chic option for your look, complete with a detachable chain for a hands-free look. This bag also comes with a poppered opening and zipped middle compartment for extra security and storage.
For a classic choice that can be your go-to bag for all occasions, our Celia chain strap evening bags are glossy and compact, available in red and black for a daring addition to your wardrobe. This bag can match with your most chic looks, and can accompany you to formal occasions as well as visits to the pub with friends. For a low maintenance, lightweight and compact handbag, our new Gabriella clutch bags come with a detachable strap to suit your preferences, with bespoke golden hardware for that extra touch of refinement.
Cross body bags are a popular addition to any wardrobe, combining practicality with style to give you a functional piece you can rely on. Our Bee mini cross body bags are a versatile choice, accompanying you to your next summer wedding as well as storing your essentials when having casual drinks with friends. Available in blue, cream and red, you can choose the style to best represents you, with a unique silver clasp and plenty of internal space to suit you. This bag also comes with a detachable strap to give it a top handle look.
Our Bee tote bags are a popular choice at Jasper Conran London, perfect for day trips, school runs and journeys to the office. Our miniature versions are just as refined, but are more suited to weddings and special occasions. Our black mini tote bag in particular is a flexible addition to your wardrobe, and can match with any wedding outfit to elevate your look, whether you’re a guest, a bridesmaid or the mother of the bride or groom.
Our bags are thoughtfully designed to have the versatility to pair with an occasion dress and everyday wear, adding elegance and refinement wherever you go. Our Darcey collection is perfect for everyday use and formal occasions, ensuring you get the most out of your designer handbag. Our Darcey leather dome cross body bag in particular presents a unique shape, with an adjustable strap to suit you. You can pair this with any of our classic black dresses, such as our Blythe full skirt shirt dress.
Visit our “New In” collection here to browse latest handbag designs ideal for the upcoming months and for years to come.
Does Your Handbag Need to Match Your Dress at a Wedding?
Often, a handbag doesn’t need to match your dress, but rather complement it to elevate the look and create a winning silhouette. Our Bee mini cross body bag in cream would look ideal with our Fleur silk full skirt shirt dress, combining the darker tone with the light to provide an elegant combination. Matching colours can provide an eye-catching look, especially bold tones such as red for a daring combination. Our Bee mini cross body bag in red can match with our Edie silk dress in red to provide you with a look that can benefit you at a range of special occasions.
A key accessory in most women’s wardrobe, a little black bag can be your go-to accessory for casual and formal occasions alike. Their versatility and classic style make them perfect for a wedding, and can last for years to come. From vibrant tones to more neutral dresses, a black handbag can draw any outfit together. We recommend matching our black Francine top handle grab bag with our Celia silk dress in yellow for an impressive look. Similarly, our Eliza silk dress can pair with our Francine leather chain clutch bag in black for a year-long look perfect for weddings.
If you’re the bride, a handbag that matches the tone of your dress never fails, adding extra refinement to your special day. Our Filomena full skirt silk dress is ideal for second weddings and vow renewals, presenting a classic look for a contemporary bride. This dress matches perfectly with our Francine leather chain clutch bag in cream for a paramount bridal look.
Balancing functionality and style is key when dressing for a wedding, no matter whether you are a part of the wedding party or simply a guest. If you’re attending a late summer wedding this year, explore our previous guide to find the best designer dress and bag combination for you.
What Do I Need a Handbag for at a Wedding?
If you’re the bride or bridesmaid, a handbag may be the least of your worries. A designer handbag can be an eye-catching piece, with plenty of style and designs to suit your dress and be utilised for future special events. The style you choose depends on your personal preferences, as well as the theme of the wedding.
When getting married, a neutral handbag or clutch can tie your whole ensemble together, and doesn’t have to be reserved for just your wedding day. Our Gabriella clutch bag in silver could make for a perfect bridal handbag, with the option to be worn hands-free or across the body. Similarly, our Francine leather chain clutch in silver presents an alternative option to add a different tone to your bridalwear.
For a handbag that combines storage with style, our Bee leather mini tote handbag is a larger option that still looks that part at a wedding. Our black Bee mini tote bag would look ideal when paired with our navy Flora A line dress, and can be matched with our Bee leather belt for an extra touch of class.
The type of wedding and its setting could also influence your choice. For a formal evening wedding, a more elegant clutch might be appropriate, whereas a daytime or outdoor wedding might call for a less formal handbag, possibly in a more relaxed style. The key is to maintain a cohesive appearance that respects the tone and formality of the event. Our Francine chain clutch collection is perfect for formal and evening weddings, whereas an outdoor wedding calls for brighter colours such as our Francine top handle grab bag in green.
To find your next handbag and dress combination, consider our designer dresses here.
Wedding Handbags at Jasper Conran London
Finding the perfect handbag for a wedding, whether you are the bride, a bridesmaid, or a guest, is an essential element of your overall ensemble. The right handbag not only complements your attire but also serves a practical purpose, ensuring that you have everything you need close at hand throughout the day.
By carefully considering factors such as colour, style, material, and functionality, you can choose a handbag that enhances your look and contributes to the elegance of the occasion. Ultimately, your handbag should reflect both the formality of the event and your personal style, allowing you to carry yourself with confidence and grace.