When it comes to wedding day jewelry, there’s no question that the engagement ring and wedding bands will be the stars of the show. But that doesn’t mean that the accessorizing needs to stop there. In fact, a few finishing touches can take an already gorgeous bridal look to the next level.
Each jewelry piece can make a statement on its own or be combined with other pieces. Whether you’re looking for a sparkly piece here and there to amp up the glam factor, a borrowed heirloom for a sentimental touch, or a few options to keep wedding guests on their toes, you’re in the right place. If you’re wondering how to accessorize a wedding dress or just looking to add a few pieces, these wedding jewelry ideas might be just what you’re looking for for your big day.
Tips for Choosing Your Wedding Jewelry
Before we dive into the different styles of wedding jewelry, there are a few things to keep in mind. From your wedding gown to the theme of your wedding to choosing ethical wedding rings or ethical engagement rings, all wedding jewelry should be questioned to fit your style and taste. Follow these tips for choosing your bridal accessories to help you get started.
Consider Your Dress
If you’re looking to create a cohesive bridal jewelry look, you’ll want to begin by considering the neckline, style, and fabric used in your dress.
If your dress is sleek and simple, consider a statement piece to add some intrigue to the overall look. On the flip side, if your dress is intricate and ornate, keep your accessories to a minimum to avoid too much busyness.
In addition to dress style, the fabric is an important factor to keep in mind because some tones of precious metal look better with different shades of dresses than others. For example, platinum, silver, and white gold captivate when paired with a white gown. This is opposed to dresses with an ivory hue which tends to look better with yellow gold and rose gold pieces.
But color coordination isn’t the only reason that wedding gown fabric is an important consideration when selecting wedding accessories. Some fabrics are more prone to catching and snagging than others too, meaning that you’ll want to be extra careful when pairing your dress with pieces that might come into contact with it like bridal necklaces, bangles, or a diamond-studded tennis bracelet.
Lastly, when pairing fine jewelry to your wedding dress, one of the best guidelines for choosing an accent or statement necklace is the neckline. This is because some styles simply look better than others when combined with a specific type of dress. For example, chokers look great with strapless or sweetheart necklines while v-necks pair well with pendants. And if your dress has a high neckline? Then, you might want to forgo pendants and chains altogether and opt for a pair of bridal earrings instead. Studs are always a timeless classic, or for a statement piece opt for chandelier earrings, drop earrings, or dangle earrings.
Of course, there are no official “rules” for how to properly style your wedding day look. What’s important is that you select pieces that are of importance to you. It’s your big day after all, and all that really matters is that you love what you wear.
Choose Styles That Feel Like You
What’s your fine jewelry style? You likely already know which accessories you tend to gravitate towards, so use this knowledge to help you build your perfect bridal look. That being said, your wedding day is a special event, so don’t be afraid to go a little outside of your comfort zone by reaching for larger carat weights and more formal styles than you would usually wear
Bonus: By choosing styles that you love, your bridal jewelry can be worn far after the day you say, “I do.”
And, as an additional note, don’t feel pressured to base your look around styles that are trending. In a world of Pinterest and Instagram, it’s easy to get swept up in the latest wedding world trends. However, these fads will come and go while your memories and wedding photos will last forever. Of course, that’s not to shame anyone who loves the latest styles, by all means, feel free to incorporate them into your wedding look as long as you’re doing it for you, not for the fad.
Don’t Take Things Too Seriously
Again, at the end of the day, there is no right or wrong way to assemble your wedding day look. So don’t stress about getting everything to perfectly match up. In fact, it can be lots of fun to embrace a little bit of fine jewelry chaos. For a personalized look, try mixing and matching metals, gemstones, and different styles of jewelry. The result is a jewelry set that’s uniquely you.
If you feel daring, you can even wear stacked wedding rings, so you don’t have to choose just one. You can also refer to our guide for how to stack wedding and engagement rings to make your look special and unique.
Wedding Jewelry Ideas
Now that you have a better understanding of where to start building your wedding jewelry ensemble, you can begin thinking about which style suits you best. Classic, glam, romantic, and boho, we’ll break down each of these four categories to help you choose which is the right choice for you.
Classic Styles
For a timeless set that will never go out of style, you can’t go wrong with the classics. Think beloved gemstones like diamonds and pearls, a pair of simplistic studs paired with a glitzy tennis bracelet, and sleek yet eye-catching pendants.
Best of all, classic pieces are easy to wear in day-to-day life. Whether dressing up for the office or a night out on the town, you’ll get lots of wear out of these styles.
Romantic Pieces
Perfect for sentimental types, romantic pieces often feature charming design elements and hidden meanings. Fine jewelry in this category includes delightful floral flourishes, three stone ring settings, and family heirlooms(hello, something borrowed!).
Ultra Glam
If the glamour of Old Hollywood makes your heart swoon, your wedding day is the perfect event to recreate some of your favorite looks. Jewelry in this category is intended to captivate with tons of sparkle, as seen in dazzling halo ring settings, dramatic statement earrings and statement necklaces, and maybe even a diamond-studded tiara.
The point is, there’s no such thing as too much sparkle. Embrace your wildest fine jewelry dreams and create a look that will have your guests starstruck.
Boho Vibes
Take a cue from mother nature with a boho-inspired look. Great for outdoor weddings, this category is all about incorporating natural elements and textures. Perhaps that means organically shaped gemstones, floral-heavy designs, and fairytale-worthy headpieces.
A boho-style fine wedding jewelry set is a fabulous option for couples who dream of tying the knot on a beach or in the woods. These styles are relaxed yet glamorous in their own way and they can easily be worn again in the years to come. You can also follow 2021 fall jewelry trends that’d be sure to be in style for the theme and the season.
From pendant necklaces to pearl jewelry to lab grown diamond stud earrings, each bride’s wedding day jewelry is unique to her style and each jewelry piece can describe her without saying a word.