Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing Your Wedding Jewelry
Are you busy in the throes of wedding planning? Have you already picked out the venue and beautiful wedding dress for your wedding day? Did you also think about your bridal jewelry? You may have your exquisite engagement ring and wedding rings purchased already, but have you considered how to add the final touches by including perfect wedding jewelry?
When you are creating that special look for your magical day, don’t forget to think about designing your complete bridal look with a jewelry set or some carefully selected fine pieces of jewelry for the finishing touches.
Jewelry plays a pivotal role in the overall aesthetic and emotional experience of your wedding day. These carefully chosen bridal accessories will complement your engagement ring and bridal attire, while adding a touch of elegance and sparkle, plus serving as timeless keepsakes that capture the memories of your special occasion.
Wedding jewelry often carries profound sentimental value, whether it's a cherished family heirloom or a newly acquired treasure that symbolizes your love and commitment. The right jewelry can enhance your personal style, harmonize with your wedding theme, and ensure you feel radiant and confident as you walk down the aisle.
The practice of wearing wedding jewelry has a history in many cultures. It is not only decorative, but rich in meaning. Bridal jewelry traditions vary greatly around the world. Bridal jewelry can reflect the values, history and customs of their culture.
This blog will take a look at different elements of your special day and how to find the best bridal jewelry for your wedding day look. Keep in mind that any jewelry you choose should be comfortable to wear throughout the day.
Avoid pieces that are too heavy or might cause irritations. Remember, you don’t want to overdo your look either, the jewelry should add to the overall look–not compete with it. The bride should be the focal point that everyone remembers.
Wedding Dress Color
The color of your dress (white ivory, champagne, etc. ) can affect the choice of gemstone and what type of precious metal (silver, gold, rose gold, platinum, etc.) that you choose. An ivory wedding dress looks good with yellow gold jewelry. A pure white wedding dress looks good with platinum, white gold, or silver jewelry. An off-white wedding dress looks good with any type of precious metal.
Wedding Theme and Venue
Consider the theme and formality of your wedding when choosing wedding day jewelry. A beach wedding might call for more relaxed jewelry instead of a statement piece, A formal ballroom wedding might be more suitable for classic and elegant pieces.
Hairstyle
Think about what hairstyle you plan on wearing for your special day. Wedding hairstyles can highlight or hide different types of earrings or necklaces. Updos will showcase your earrings. Studs and shorter drop earrings may be more practical for hair that is worn down.
Wedding Dress Neckline
The wedding dress neckline can influence the type of necklace and earrings you choose. For example, a strapless dress partners well with a statement necklace paired with diamond earring studs. Or, a strapless neckline could use a choker necklace with matching chandelier earrings. Any necklace chosen should rest on the bride’s skin, not on the dress.
Below are some examples of statement necklaces and chokers.
Featured are some chandelier earrings and stud earrings.
There are several necklines that look better without a necklace, like a wedding gown that has an asymmetrical neckline. A wedding dress with an illusion neckline, a halter neckline, or high-neck needs something that is more subtle. With these types of neckline of your dress, it is advisable to go with simple earrings like stud earrings.
Featured below are solitaire diamond stud earrings, diamond open teardrop stud earrings, pearl and diamond halo earrings, and oval sapphire and diamond halo earrings for those who would like a pop of color for their something blue.
A sweetheart neckline would look good with a pendant necklace like these pictured below.
A pendant with a longer drop would look good for a V neck wedding dress like this graduated diamond drop or elongated open diamond drop necklace.
A scoop neck wedding dress would look good with a choker and matching earrings or just statement earrings like these emerald and diamond drop earrings, diamond front and back spear drop earrings, and gold pave diamond loop through drop earrings.
Off- the-shoulder dresses will draw attention to the collarbone and shoulders. A pearl necklace, choker with stud earrings, statement or drop earrings with no necklace will complete this look like those pictured below.
Bracelets
There are many bracelet styles to choose from if wearing a sleeveless wedding dress. Once again, when deciding to add a bracelet, you need to determine if wearing a bracelet accents the look. You don’t want your jewelry competing against each other as the bride should be the focal point on the big day.
Here is a beautiful variety of bracelets that you could choose. A fancy yellow and white diamond pave maze motif bracelet, a four row round brilliant diamond halo bracelet, a diamond pave bangle bracelet in gold, a diamond tennis bracelet, a diamond bypass hinged bangle bracelet, and a single row diamond bangle bracelet.
Dress Embellishments
Balance your jewelry with your dress and other accessories. If your dress is heavily embellished, opt for simpler jewelry to avoid looking overly busy. Conversely, if your dress is simple, you can afford to go bolder with your jewelry.
If you have beading on your wedding gown, wearing a pearl necklace (depending on your gown’s neckline), pearl earrings, or a pearl bracelet is a good choice. Below are a pearl necklace, pearl earrings, and pearl bracelets.
Other Considerations
Some brides like to have two wedding gowns–one for the wedding and one for the reception. If you are wearing two different wedding day gowns, you may also want to consider if you want special jewelry for each gown, or if some of your bridal jewelry can be worn for both wedding dresses?
Another consideration would be if you have thought about whether you would want to gift your bridesmaids with identical pendant necklaces or matching bracelets for the wedding and as a special keepsake?
Finally
You will want your overall wedding day look to be cohesive. Any earrings, necklace, and bracelet you choose should complement each other.
Try taking a picture wearing your entire wedding day jewelry with your wedding gown before the wedding day (like at a dress fitting) to make sure that the bride is the center of focus in pictures. When you see the bride, you do not want a piece of jewelry to be the first thing that draws your attention.
At E.D. Marshall Jewelers, we can help you find the perfect wedding day jewelry for your engagement ring, wedding bands, and bridal jewelry. Stop in and see how we can assist you in finding the bridal jewelry you desire.