Photo: Nadia Hung Photography
Accessorizing your bridal look is possibly more fun than the gown shopping itself, but it has its own challenges. Going too far with your bridal jewelry can cheapen the entire look but going with too little may leave your ensemble wanting. Thankfully, there are a few simple rules to follow to get your look just right. We’ll walk you through the dos and don’ts of finding your perfect bridal jewelry.
If you need some inspiration, check out this sailboat elopement where the bride wore ocean-inspired jewelry or this minimalist wedding in a NY gallery space where the bride wore a custom pearl headpiece.
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Photo: Betsy Blue
Just because your ring is white gold, that doesn’t mean that the rest of your jewelry needs to match it. It’s 2022 and mixing metals is totally cool now, but there are some rules to make sure it looks purposeful and cohesive. If you are going to select a different metal for the rest of your jewelry, make sure that you are consistent with your choice. For example, if you go with yellow gold earrings and are planning on wearing a necklace, make sure the necklace is yellow gold as well. If the jewelry is going to be near your rings, it is best to match that metal as closely as possible. If your gown happens to be metallic or has metallic elements like beading or embroidery, coordinate your wedding jewelry to match that color instead of trying to match your rings.
Before you go jewelry shopping, ask yourself this question, “What is the vibe of my gown?” Is it boho, is it vintage-inspired, perhaps it’s modern. Keep this in mind when you are shopping for your accessories. You want them to enhance your overall look, not detract or distract from it.
Photo: XO & Fetti
This is super important! It may be tempting to cover yourself from head to toe in jewels, but that is rarely a wise decision. You have already invested so much in your gown, you want to make sure to highlight its best qualities, not hide them behind layers of jewelry. For strapless gowns or gowns that fall off-the-shoulder, we rarely recommend a necklace of any sort. Instead, opt for a stunning pair of earrings. If your gown has a plunging neckline, find a delicate necklace that mimics the shape.
If you would like to introduce some color into your ensemble, consider stones that echo your wedding color palette. We recommend limiting colorful stones to statement earrings and cocktail rings. A colorful necklace may steal attention away from your gown.
Photo: Candida & Max Jan Photography
It probably goes without saying, but before you invest in bridal jewelry, it’s a good idea to know how you will be wearing your hair. If you are wearing your hair down, keep necklaces and earrings limited to delicate chains and simple studs. If you are wearing your hair up, there is more opportunity to showcase your precious jewels, so go bigger and bolder with your choices.
In addition to earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, you will likely be wearing another kind of bridal accessory in the form of a veil, tiara, or headpiece. These are items that you should choose before committing to bridal jewelry. The selection for these items is more limited and you want to be sure that your jewelry coordinates well with them.