Once you’ve chosen your wedding gown, you’ll want to start thinking about the wedding jewelry that will go with it. It’s an exciting shopping excursion to hunt for the perfect accents to your dress. Always choose your dress before the jewelry, as your jewelry should serve as an embellishment to your dress, not overwhelm or compete with it.
If you are planning on a very ornate dress with sequins, lots of beading or pearls, or a long veil with lots of jewels, you’re not going to need very much jewelry. A simple strand of pearls that hug your neck should do the trick. Maybe a set of pearl studs would look nice too. Avoid dangling earrings as they will compete with the shine of your dress. Also avoid long necklaces and anything showy or flashy as your dress has enough lovely adornments that make them unnecessary.
Choose a style of wedding jewelry that you really love. Don’t feel you have to stick with traditional bridal jewelry or wedding accessories. If you have never worn pearls in your life, don’t force yourself to pretend you like them now. If the thought of a tiara makes you laugh, then it’s not for you.
Choose only the pieces that make you feel glamorous and leave the rest for someone else. If your dress is very plain, like a sheath dress, you’ve got the perfect canvas to start with. A necklace that shines and sparkles is perfect. All the attention will be drawn up to your face. Today’s simulated diamonds are so good you can’t even tell them from the real thing. Online sites like QVC and HSN offer diamond equivalents that will make your eyes pop. For $50 you can get a necklace or bracelet that has the look of a piece of several thousand dollars.
If you like big jewelry, go with big jewelry. No sense trying to make a tiny pearl stud work for you if you’d rather wear large dangling chandelier earrings. Go bold but tasteful. Stick to one color metal—white, yellow or rose gold—and then mix and match from there. If you love rubies, why not wear them? Any color of gemstone is appropriate these days.
Don’t feel you have to go purely traditional. You can stack a bunch of bangles on your wrist if you like that look. Or wear a non-traditional necklace like a bib collar or big round gems. It’s all fashionable right now.
Don’t forget that you can adorn your waistline with a lovely vintage pin or put an antique hair clip in your hair. You don’t have to shop modern if you’re more of a vintage girl. Hunt flea markets and antique shops for that one piece that really speaks to you. You’ll have it the rest of your life to love and pass down to grandchildren.
The more richly ornamented your outfit is, the less jewelry you should wear. Try your dress on with the wedding jewelry and any headpiece you are wearing. It’s better to find out that you’ve got too much on while there’s still time to change it. Just take one or two pieces off and sport the rest proudly.
Jewelry is the most personal part of your wedding attire. It can convey who you really are and give your guests a sense of your tastes and likes.
More on Wedding Jewelry:
- Tips for Selecting your Bridal Jewelry
- Personalized Bridesmaids Gift Ideas
- Dazzling Wedding Jewelry Ideas
- Wedding Jewelry - Beyond the Ring
- Tips for Keeping your Wedding Ring Looking Great
- When It Comes to Wedding Rings, Size Does Matter
