Wedding attire is often planned round the dress, but the tiniest touches can transform how it looks. Earrings can brighten the face, a pendant can soften an open neckline, and a carefully chosen bracelet can add just enough sparkle without marring the look.
It is not enough to choose the bridal jewellery pieces at the display. The right choices should complement the dress, hairstyle, surrounding venue, and personal taste. A heavily adorned gown will need little else, while a simple satin dress will carry a bold statement piece.
Modern brides have many choices at their disposal, unlike previous generations. Diamonds are as desired as ever, but lab created diamonds have risen as a viable option for couples that seek the look and substance of diamonds, with differing considerations for their cost and origin.
The goal is not to be wearing as much jewellery as possible, but to make everything balanced so that it feels intentional.
Choose Bridal Jewellery Around Your Dress
Consider the neckline and detailing of the wedding dress.
A strapless or sweetheart neckline provides lots of space to showcase a pendant or short necklace. V-neck designs tend to pair well with pendant styles that echo the shape of the neckline.
High neckline, halter, and heavily embroidered dresses rarely require much else around the neck. Instead, the focus turns onto earrings, which now become the statement piece.
A good rule of thumb is as follows:
- Detailed dress: opt for quieter jewellery
- Minimal dress: consider bolder statement pieces
- Decorative neckline: skip the necklace
- Simple neckline: use jewellery to highlight it
- Jewellery should complement the dress rather than battle it.
Bridal Jewellery That Complements Your Face
Earrings sit closest to the face, making them one of the most noticeable wedding accessories.
Simple stud earrings provide a clean, understated look for brides that want minimal fuss. Drop earrings create motion and are particularly nice with an updo or with hair pinned behind the ears.
Longer designs can create drama but consider all the other details surrounding your face. A sparkling tiara, a decorated veil, statement earrings, and a dangling necklace worn together can become overkill.
Test your earrings with the hairstyle you intend to wear on the day. A pair that looks nice with free-flowing hair can look completely different pinned up.
Lab Created Diamonds For Modern Wedding Jewellery
Diamonds are not necessarily the domain of mined deposits.
Lab created diamonds are formed in conditions that mimic those of natural diamond formation, and possess the same visual and physical properties. They share common factors for grading such as cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight.
In terms of wedding jewellery, they can appear in:
- Diamond stud earrings
- Pendants
- Tennis bracelets
- Wedding bands
- Sets of jewellery
The choice between lab created and mined diamonds becomes a matter of personal preference, budget, design, and sourcing considerations rather than visual appeal.
Keep Bridal Jewellery Comfortable
Wedding jewellery should look good in photographs, but it also needs to feel comfortable while worn.
Very heavy earrings can become uncomfortable during a long ceremony and reception, and bracelets with sharp settings can snag on lace or other delicate fabric. Long necklaces can also become unwieldy while dancing.
Wearing each piece at home for a short while prior to the big day is always a good test. It becomes easier to spot uncomfortable clasps, pieces that are too heavy, or jewellery that constantly needs adjustment.
Match Metals Without Becoming Too Strict
Matching jewellery metals is a neat trick, and need not be perfectly consistent throughout.
White gold and platinum are metals that tend to pair well with cool white gowns. Yellow gold can lend warmth to ivory, champagne, and cream dresses. Rose gold provides a softer hue that pairs especially well with romantic themes.
Existing jewellery is also important to consider. If there is a family bracelet or heirloom earrings that are worn, it is a good idea to build the rest of the accessories around that important piece, rather than trying to replace it.
FAQs About Wedding Jewellery
How much jewellery should a bride wear?
It depends on a number of factors but most brides look nice wearing two or three pieces of coordinated jewellery. A good rule is to have earrings and a necklace along with a bracelet.
Should wedding jewellery match the engagement ring?
It need not be identical but similar metals tend to provide enough cohesion.
Are lab created diamonds suitable for wedding jewellery?
Yes, they can be found in earrings, necklaces, bracelets, engagement rings, and wedding bands just like mined diamonds.
Should I wear a necklace with a detailed wedding dress?
It is best to avoid wearing too much jewellery to compensate for a lack of detailing on the dress. If the neckline has lace, beading, pearls, or crystals, earrings or a bracelet can be sufficient.
Create a Look That Still Feels Like You
The best bridal jewellery accentuates the bride without overpowering her or transforming the wedding outfit into a series of clashing accessories. Creating small points of interest helps to make the entire look feel cohesive.
Using the dress as the point of reference while taking the hairstyle and neckline into account, it is now possible to choose pieces that can be comfortably worn. Whether it is heirloom pieces, minimal designs, traditional stones, or modern diamonds, choose jewellery that feels natural to wear.
Wedding photographs outlive trends, so it is always a good idea to begin elsewhere besides personal style.