Since your
engagement, the only jewelry you really care about is the sparkler on your
finger. With a beautiful engagement ring taking center stage, and a new wedding
ring coming soon, what other jewelry could you possibly need? While your rings
are sure to be the stars of the show on your wedding day, your bridal ensemble
probably needs a few other accents.
Selecting wedding
day jewelry isn’t something to leave to the last minute. The pieces you select
will play a major role in the completed look and will be captured in hundreds
of photographs. Here’s how to select wedding jewelry to accent the dress and
create a memorable look.
Choose a metal
With thousands of
options vying for your attention, the easiest way to narrow down the choices is
to start with a color scheme, including the type of metal. Sticking to the same
tone and metal as your ring seems like the obvious choice. But, your engagement
and wedding rings can stand on their own and there’s no need to limit your jewelry
choices to items that match them. Rather, consider which tones complement your
skin tone and the hue of your gown. As every bride knows there are many shades
of white, each of which takes on a new look depending on the accents.
- Bright white - Dazzling, pure white looks best when
accented with silver, platinum or white gold. Avoid yellow gold, which can
dull the overall look.
- Natural white - Sometimes called “diamond white,” this
hue is just a shade off pure white, looks lovely on a wide variety of skin
tones and is the most common wedding dress option. Happily, it is also the
most versatile when it comes to choosing jewelry as it works well with
every hue including both yellow and white gold, as well as the slightly
less traditional rose gold.
- Cream - With names such as “ivory” and “candlelight,” creamy shades
with gold undertones generally look best when paired with yellow gold
jewelry.
Consider the stones
If your wedding
dress features accents, such as crystals or pearls, consider sticking to the
theme by choosing jewelry containing the same stones. However, don’t overdo it.
Heavily accented dresses look best paired with simple jewelry.
When selecting
jewelry to complement an unadorned dress, diamonds or pearls are the
traditional choices. Pearls lend a sweet, demure look while diamonds create
drama.
When looking for
clear stones, stick to real diamonds or high-quality crystals. Steer clear of
inexpensive rhinestone. They might seem like a good way to ease the wedding
budget, but they may end up looking low quality when teamed with an upscale
dress. Plus, rhinestones typically don’t photograph well. Because they don’t
reflect light like higher-quality stones, they may end up looking dark in your
precious wedding pictures.
Beyond the
traditional choices, add personality to your wedding look with colored
gemstones. Add a piece of jewelry containing your birthstone for a sentimental
touch. Or, choose accents that match the color palette of the day. Sapphires,
emeralds and rubies add a pop of drama and will become pieces that you wear
again and again, long after your vows.
Don't over-accessorize
Remember when you
were a little girl and played dress up, pretending it was your wedding day and
piling on heaps of Mom’s castoff costume jewelry? This is not that day. While
you can get away with more sparkle and shine on your wedding day that you can
in your day-to-day outfits, it’s still best to stick with one statement piece
and use simpler accents elsewhere. On your wedding day, a hair comb or veil may
require attention, calling for scaled-down jewelry. A statement necklace may be
an option, but large earrings are often a chicer, more upscale look.
Complement your neckline
When selecting a
necklace to pair with your gown, choose a length that enhances the neckline of
your gown.
- For a strapless gown, choose
a choker or princess length necklace that grazes the collarbone. This is
also the perfect neckline to pair with a large statement necklace.
- For a V-neck dress, look for
a slim necklace that within the open area.
- For an asymmetrical neckline,
necklaces will likely look confusing. Instead, skip the neckwear and opt
for beautiful earrings to bring focus to the face.
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Strapless gowns call for chokers or princess necklaces.
|
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| Slim necklaces go with a v-neck dress. |
Earrings go with asymmetrical necklines. |
Careful with bracelets
For most outfits, a
great bracelet, or even a stack of them, is a must-have. However, it’s often
best to leave wrists unadorned on your wedding day. On such a busy day, there
are plenty of opportunities for a bracelet to snag on clothing while hugging a
guest and to serve as a distraction by sliding around during the service. The
look of a large bracelet may also be too much, especially as you hold a large
bouquet of flowers.
If you are head
over heels for a bracelet, be sure it fits snuggly and doesn’t move around too
much or slide down over your hand. Also, consider wearing a bracelet for your
wedding and bridal portraits and sliding it off for the event.
Choose quality pieces
With the wedding
budget stretched thin, it’s tempting to try to save on accessories. However,
this isn’t the time for low-quality costume pieces. These will likely be the
most photographed pieces of jewelry you will ever purchase, so make sure they
match the elegance of the day. By investing in quality pieces, you aren’t just
picking up pieces for one-day wear; you are adding lasting items to your
jewelry wardrobe. It may feel like an extravagant wedding expense, but you’ll
be happy you invested when you pull out the pieces to wear on your anniversary,
loan them to a friend as their something borrowed or pass them on to your
daughter as a family heirloom.
Make room for a sentimental piece
On an emotional day
filled with love, family heirlooms or other sentimental pieces make lovely
additions to your wedding wardrobe. But, what if they don’t complement your
overall look? Consider placing a piece in an unconventional spot. A pretty
brooch works well pinned to the handle of your bouquet while a much-loved
strand of pearls or another necklace may drape elegantly around it. You can
also pin small pieces to the inner layer of your dress, near your heart so that
no one knows it’s there.