Like a Glove

Although gloves are not for every bride, an increasing number are deciding to wear them as part of their bridal ensemble. No other item of bridal apparel can so immediately evoke a sense of elegance and cosmopolitan flair.
Gloves have been worn for centuries, usually for practical reasons. In the Victorian era, gloves where worn by a woman virtually any time she appeared in public. They later fell out of favor but reemerged in women’s fashions in the 40s and 50s. In that era, gloves with formalwear were usually long and dramatic -- a woman who wore them was definitely making a fashion statement. Shorter gloves projected a chaste and demure politeness. Fifties fashion plates like Grace Kelly popularized the mid-length glove, which reached half-way to the elbow and was most frequently worn with a suit featuring fitted 3/4 sleeves that end just below the elbow.
Today’s bride has many options. Gloves may be worn at an informal wedding, but certainly aren’t required. However, if you are having a formal wedding and wearing a dress with sleeves anywhere above the elbow, you should almost definitely plan to wear gloves. The range of length is great, as are the materials used. Here’s an overview of the basic information:
Length is traditionally expressed in terms of the number of buttons. Of course, you may be wearing a style that has no buttons at all, but this sizing system is an artifact of the days when gloves buttoned up. The longest gloves are 16 button gloves (sometimes called opera length) and they end up above the elbow. The shortest gloves are one-button gloves, and they end at the wrist. In between, in increasing length, you’ll find two-, four-, six-, and eight-button gloves.
Although there are no absolute rules about length, your best look in glove length is largely determined by the length of the sleeves on your dress:

• If you are wearing a sleeveless dress, you should probably choose gloves that go above your elbow.
• If you are wearing a dress with sleeves that end just above your elbow, wear mid-length gloves.
• If you are wearing a dress with sleeves that end below your elbow, wear short gloves.
• If you are wearing a dress with long sleeves, don’t wear gloves.
  

Materials from which gloves can be made range from kid leather (historically the most coveted) to cotton eyelet and organza lace. A bride is encouraged to pick gloves in whatever materials most complement the fabric(s) of her gown, as well as the time of day, season, and formality of the wedding. Most popular now: silk for late summer and matte cotton for fall. Still, consider that you will probably only wear these gloves once, and it may make sense to choose a nylon pair. They’re more affordable and you may be pleasantly surprised to discover that they tend to drape better than more expensive gloves. A bold bride (or one wearing an unadorned gown) might opt for gloves that are trimmed with sequins, crystals, baby pearls, beading, feathers or fur.
Size is important -- your gloves will look best if they fit well. In decades past, women knew their glove size as readily as they knew their shoe size. (Just ask your mother or grandmother, she can probably tell you her glove size.) If you don’t know your glove size, you’ll need to try some on to be sure, but you’ll probably find that your glove size is the same as your dress size. Modern styles and those that stretch to fit are often sized small/medium/large. Whatever the sizing scale, select a pair that fits snugly at the wrist.
Color is probably the easiest element. You should select a pair to complement your gown (and that probably means matching it). Most formalwear styles are available in the range of white/off-white/ivory shades that brides commonly wear. If you’re a second time bride wearing color, you may decide it makes the most sense to find a pair you love and have them dyed to match your gown. The same rule applies to gloves for bridesmaids. (The rules about length, etc., are the same for bridesmaids as for brides.) If you’re unable to come up with a perfect match in color between your white/off-white/ivory gown and your gloves, opt for a pair slightly lighter than your gown. (Otherwise it will appear your gloves/hands are dirty.)
Quality is perhaps not your biggest consideration, because, as mentioned earlier, you aren’t likely to wear your gloves again. However, if you’re concerned about getting great gloves, consider not only the quality of the fabric, but the workmanship. On well made gloves, all the stitching should be on the inside. Any buttons or adornments should be securely attached.
Your two primary options for receiving your ring are:
Remove your glove
As you reach the portion of the ceremony where rings are exchanged, hand your bouquet to your Maid of Honor. Position your hands near your waist, directly in front of you, elbows bent. If your glove features buttons, undo those on your left glove with your right hand. Then gently tug on the tips of the fingers of your left hand, starting with your thumb. If you create at least a half an inch of space at the tip of each finger, you should then be able to gather the empty fingertips into the palm of your right hand and slide off the glove, right side out. Avoid holding your hands too low (you’ll look stooped over), holding them too high (it might evoke the image of a stripper, mid-routine), or allowing the glove to turn inside out. Practice removing the glove a time or two before the big day. If you are wearing mid-length gloves, you may wish to remove the right glove as well, since you probably won’t put it back on before you exit. If you are wearing long gloves, do remove both, so you won’t exit the ceremony with one gloved arm and one bare arm. Quietly hand the glove or gloves to your Maid of Honor. Gloves should be held or carried draped across your palm, fingertips aligned and pointing away from you.
After the exchange of rings, when she is to hand your bouquet back, you can choose to first quickly slip your glove back on (if it is a shorter glove, and if you have practiced with the ring ahead of time to make sure it will slide over easily); or you can just carry one or both gloves in your hands, underneath your bouquet.
Create a "Break Away" Glove
It is not uncommon to make a cut or undo the seam underneath the left ring finger of the glove so that the finger can easily be exposed to receive the wedding ring. You can do this yourself -- by slitting the fabric or undoing the seam -- or you may find the bridal salon where you purchase your gloves is able to modify the glove. You might also seek out a tailor or seamstress to help you. (This will probably "ruin" the gloves, so take that in to consideration before you make your initial purchase.) During the ceremony, simply slip your left ring finger out to receive your ring. Slip it underneath and inside the glove fabric, so the empty finger isn’t flopping around. Replace it as the ring exchange concludes.
The Victorians created a style of glove to accommodate the temporary removal of just the hand portion of a glove. A mousquetaire is a long glove that can be unbuttoned at the wrist and the hand can be slipped out of the glove, while the length of the glove remains on the arm. Here again the empty portion of the glove is tucked inside the remaining glove. Although mousquetaire gloves are difficult to find today, you might want to search for a pair, especially if you are wearing a vintage gown.
Beyond the ring exchange, wear your gloves as follows:
Wear Gloves:
During posed photos, unless they feature your ring
As you enter the ceremony
During the ceremony, until you receive your ring
As you enter the reception
During the receiving line
During the rest of the reception, except when you are eating or cutting the cake
Don’t Wear Gloves:
When you are eating or cutting the cake (you may wear them if you are merely drinking)
Any time you are touching up your makeup or hair
(At the risk of pointing out the obvious) in the ladies room

Although etiquette indicates that it is quite appropriate to shake hands with your gloves on, in the receiving line or otherwise, some brides worry that this will seem impersonal. If you prefer, you can certainly remove your gloves for the receiving line, or for dancing, if that is your wish. In the receiving line, consider removing only your right glove; hold it in your left hand as you greet guests. http://weddings.weddingchannel.com/wedding-planning-ideas/wedding-fashion/articles/like-a-glove.aspx