Jewelry to consider for your special day
What necklace suits the neckline of my wedding dress? How should I style my hair with statement earrings? Don’t panic, and stop googling, you’ve reached our ultimate guide. Our wedding jewelry checklist will help you determine not only what’s right for you, but also best suited to your bridal gown, hairstyle, and overall wedding theme. Here are our top tips for jewelry on your big day.
Photography credit: Char Cook
Wedding day jewelry checklist
1. Wedding rings
2. Engagement ring
3. Necklaces or pendants
4. Earrings
5. Bracelets and bangles
6. Tiaras or headbands
Without a doubt the most important piece of jewelry for the occasion. As this is such a precious milestone we recommend finding or designing your rings or bands with your partner. This way you can decide whether you’d prefer matching bands, your own individual pieces, or to include elements that subtly nod to your other half’s ring. This ring symbolizes the start of forever together, so it’s important you make the right choice.
The all-important rock. Traditionally, this gets slipped on after the exchange of rings at your ceremony and sits on top of the band. It can help set the theme for the rest of your wedding jewelry, including your wedding ring, so use this as a starting point. You could pull elements of your engagement ring’s design into your earrings and necklace. For example, if your ring features a classic diamond, match that elegance with traditional diamonds or pearls. If it features a colored gemstone, find other accessories that match the main jewel’s tone. Typically, it's best to stick with the same precious metal type: yellow gold, rose gold or platinum, but if a two-tone ensemble is more to your taste, then go for that.
3. Necklaces or pendants
A necklace or pendant is a spectacular accessory to draw attention to your gorgeous face and wedding dress. Quick tip: A pendant is a statement piece which hangs from a chain (and can usually be removed), whereas a necklace features similar design aspects along its entire length. For deep necklines such as sweetheart, V-neck and strapless, a pendant would be perfect. With pendants you can opt for different chain lengths, letting it sit where it best complements your neckline and dress. A necklace would best suit square, scoop and off-the-shoulder necklines, and a choker-length necklace would be perfect for higher necklines such as bateau and illusion styles. We’d recommend opting for no neck jewelry if your dress has a high neck cut, as the accessory here is your gown!
Different earrings will be better suited to different looks, particularly hairstyles. Statement drop earrings stand out against an up-do or a half-up-half-down look, alternatively if you’re after more subtlety, pearl or diamond studs are a classic and more pared-back option. If you’re letting your locks down, then we say meet in the middle - you don’t want statement earrings which detract or studs which get lost. Cluster earrings, which offer a bit of glitz and glamour without being too overpowering, are the perfect compromise.
An alluring addition to a sleeveless gown; a bangle or bracelet adds charm and draws the eye’s attention to your hand, and therefore, your beautiful wedding ring. Decide whether you’re going for simplicity or the ‘more is more’ approach. If simple elegance is your preference, we suggest only opting for a single bangle or bracelet. If you’re after a touch of vibrance in your bridal accessories, consider different colors or stacks of bangles. Quick tip: A bangle is a solid design which slips onto the wrist, a bracelet is typically a movable chain and/or jeweled and has a clasp.
It’s your day, so if you want to feel like a princess then who is anyone to object? A glitzy headband or a twinkling tiara would be a beautiful addition to your wedding jewelry line-up and can do no wrong. A tiara or headband looks gorgeous with any hairstyle and is an elegant nod to vintage jewelry styles.
So, there you have it; our ultimate checklist for bridal jewels. It’s very easy to over accessorize by adding jewelry to every aspect of your wedding look, so unless you’re looking to suit a particular vibe, we’d recommend going for sweet and subtle. You can always ask a jeweler for help if you’re unsure. They live and breathe jewelry, so naturally they'll have the best recommendations based on your existing engagement ring, as well as your gown and hairstyle. Don’t forget about Pinterest, the ultimate wedding planning tool. Remember, it’s all about celebrating the love you and your partner share, so your wedding jewelry should make you just as happy as they make you. In the end, make sure you choose what feels the most ‘you’, and what makes you feel your best on your special day.
