Your wedding day is one of the most important events of your life, and every detail matters—from the dress to the wedding jewellery. Selecting the right jewellery is key to complementing your look and enhancing your natural beauty without overpowering it. This guide will help you navigate the delicate balance of accessorising with elegance and style.
Summary
When choosing wedding jewellery, consider the dress style, colour, and neckline to ensure the accessories complement, not overpower, your look. Opt for balanced pieces: a statement necklace or earrings for simpler dresses and minimal jewellery for embellished gowns. Match metals to your dress colour (e.g., gold for ivory, silver for white). Don’t over-accessorise; focus on key items like earrings or a bracelet. Make sure shoes are comfortable and practical, and break them in before the wedding. Invest in timeless jewellery you can wear post-wedding, and don’t compromise your style.
Choosing Jewellery To Match Your Wedding Dress
When selecting jewellery for your wedding day, your wedding dress should be the focal point of your overall look. Your dress’s material, neckline, and embellishments all significantly determine which accessories will enhance your bridal ensemble. Let’s explore how these elements guide your choices.
Neckline: Defining The Focal Point
The neckline of your wedding dress dictates the type of jewellery you should choose. Different necklines highlight different areas of your upper body, and your jewellery should work in harmony with them:
- Strapless Necklines: For a strapless gown, your neck and shoulders are the focal points, so this style pairs well with a bold necklace or statement earrings. A short, dramatic necklace can draw attention to the collarbone and create a stunning focal point.
- Sweetheart Necklines: This romantic neckline also exposes much of the neck and upper chest, providing the opportunity for a statement necklace. Alternatively, you can skip the necklace and use chandelier earrings to frame your face.
- V-necklines: A V-neck gown naturally complements a pendant necklace, as the shape of the jewellery mirrors the neckline, drawing attention to the cleavage area. A delicate pendant or layered chain can enhance the elegance of this style without overshadowing the dress.
- Halter Necklines: A halter neckline covers much of the chest, making necklaces unnecessary and often distracting. Instead, focus on dramatic or statement earrings to draw attention upward and balance the overall look.
- High Necklines: Dresses with high necklines typically look best without a necklace. Opt for drop earrings or studs and perhaps a bracelet to add elegance without overwhelming the look.
Dress Embellishments: Balancing Complexity With Simplicity
Another critical factor to consider when selecting jewellery is the level of embellishment on your wedding dress. Too much adornment can make your overall look appear too busy, while well-chosen pieces can elevate a simpler gown.
- Highly Embellished Dresses: If your gown features intricate lace, beading, or embroidery, it’s best to keep your jewellery subtle. Over-accessorising can clash with the detailing of your dress and create a cluttered look. For example, a heavily beaded dress might be complemented by simple stud earrings or a thin bracelet rather than bold, ornate pieces.
- Minimalist Dresses: If your dress is relatively simple and lacks embellishments, you can experiment more freely with bold accessories. A statement necklace, large dangling earrings, or a sparkling bracelet can add interest and personality to a plain gown without overpowering it.
- Consider the Placement of Embellishments: If your dress has intricate details around the neckline, it’s best to skip the necklace entirely and focus on earrings or bracelets. This way, the jewellery won’t compete with the dress’s design but will still enhance your overall appearance.
Dress Colour: Matching Metals And Gemstones
Your dress colour also plays a major role in deciding which metals and gemstones will complement your look. Here’s how different colours of wedding gowns pair with jewellery:
- Ivory Gowns: Ivory dresses have warm, creamy undertones that pair beautifully with gold jewellery. Gold brings out the richness of the ivory, making the entire look more cohesive and warm. Pearls, especially in cream tones, also work well with ivory dresses for a classic bridal look.
- Bright White Gowns: Pure white dresses can appear stark, so choosing metals that don’t clash is essential. Silver, platinum, and pearls are ideal for white gowns, as they maintain a cool, clean look without overpowering the brightness of the dress. In this case, gold can sometimes appear too harsh against the white fabric.
- Diamond White Gowns: This soft white shade is highly versatile and pairs beautifully with various metals and gemstones. Yellow gold, rose gold, silver, and pearls complement a diamond white dress, allowing you to choose your favourite metal without fear of crashing.
- Champagne or Off-White Gowns: These dresses have slightly warmer tones than bright white gowns, making them compatible with gold and rose gold jewellery. The subtle warmth of these metals will enhance the dress’s colour without overshadowing it.
- Blush or Coloured Gowns: For brides who opt for blush or coloured wedding gowns, choosing jewellery can be a fun opportunity to play with contrast. For a blush dress, rose gold or soft gemstones like pink diamonds or morganite will blend harmoniously, while silver and platinum can provide a striking contrast.
Dos And Don’ts Of Wedding Jewellery
- DO combine old and new pieces. Incorporating family heirlooms can add a meaningful touch to your look, while new pieces bring modern elegance. For example, pairing your mother’s vintage bracelet with contemporary earrings can create a timeless, personalised look.
- DON’T over-accessorise. It’s easy to get carried away, but a more minimalist approach often yields the most sophisticated results.
- DO ensure you have plenty of time. Start shopping for your jewellery at least three months before the wedding, giving yourself time to find the perfect pieces and make any necessary adjustments.
- DON’T sacrifice your style. While following the latest trends is tempting, your wedding day is about feeling like the best version of yourself, not someone else. Stick with pieces that reflect your taste and personality.
Coordinating With Your Hairstyle And Accessories
Your hairstyle will also play a significant role in deciding which jewellery works best.
- Loose Hair: If you wear your hair down, smaller earrings such as studs or delicate drop earrings are appropriate, as larger pieces may get lost in your hair.
- Updos: A structured updo is perfect for showing off chandelier earrings or statement pieces, adding an extra layer of elegance to your look.
- Hair Accessories: If you plan to wear a headpiece or veil, make sure your jewellery complements these elements without competing for attention. For example, keep your earrings simple to maintain balance if your headpiece is elaborate.
The Importance Of Balance: Less Is More
When it comes to wedding jewellery, sometimes less really is more. Wearing fewer accessories can distract from your overall look. Instead, please choose one or two key pieces that will enhance your ensemble without overwhelming it.
- Elaborate Dresses: If your dress has a lot of detail around the neckline, opt for drop earrings instead of a necklace to keep the look balanced.
- Simple Dresses: A plain dress offers the perfect canvas for a statement necklace or earrings. If your gown is understated, don’t be afraid to experiment with bolder pieces.
Matching Metals With Your Dress
The type of metal you choose for your jewellery should complement the colour of your wedding gown.
- Ivory Gowns: Gold jewellery pairs well with ivory because it accentuates the fabric’s warm undertones.
- Bright White Gowns: For bright white dresses, platinum, silver, or pearl jewellery is ideal, as gold can create too much contrast and may clash.
- Diamond White Gowns: This versatile shade combines various metals, including yellow gold, rose gold, silver, and pearls.
Post-Wedding Jewellery: A Lasting Investment
One of the great things about bridal jewellery is that it can be worn again long after your wedding day. Quality timeless pieces can become part of your regular wardrobe or even heirlooms for future generations.
- Versatility: Invest in versatile pieces to wear on anniversaries, formal events or even to elevate a casual outfit.
- Heirloom Potential: By choosing high-quality jewellery, you can create pieces that may be passed down to your children, adding sentimental value to your collection.
Conclusion
Selecting the right wedding jewellery is about balancing elegance and personal style. By considering the details of your dress, hairstyle, and accessories, you can create a cohesive and beautiful look that enhances your natural beauty without overwhelming it. Remember, less is often more when it comes to bridal accessories. Focus on timeless pieces that will make you shine on your big day and can be cherished for years.
FAQs About Jewellery
Which Jewellery Is Best For Marriage?
- Chains.
- Necklaces.
- Earrings.
- Bangles.
- Gold.
- Diamond.
- Gemstone.
What Do Brides Wear On Their Wrists?
Many will wear matching jewellery sets for their weddings, but a bracelet is far enough away from your other pieces that it’s easy to get away with a separate sparkler for your wrist. Whether you’re going for a subtle or flashy look, there is sure to be an option for you.
Why Do Brides Wear Green Jewellery?
Green Jewellery Inspiration For Brides. When it comes to bridal jewellery, green is an off-beat colour to go in for. However, this omnipresent colour is considered auspicious and makes its way to any bridal trousseau without even trying too hard.
Do People Wear Real Jewellery At Weddings?
It all depends on your budget, personality and availability of resources. If you have a small budget, imitation is always better. But if you are someone who wears gold/diamonds regularly then real jewellery is better as you will use it. So depending on your situation, take a pick.
Is It Necessary To Wear Gold At Weddings?
Gold improves blood circulation, which regulates oxygen flow to every part of our body. A bride can get nervous on her wedding day but guess what? Gold’s always going to have her back! Gold is made up of positively charged ions that relax your blood vessels, restoring peace to the body and mind.
