As a future bride, looking stunning on your big day is probably high on your priority list. And who can blame you? With all eyes on you for pretty much the entire event, looking and feeling your best is paramount. But this means more than just your dress. The jewelry you pair with it can make or break your entire look. Luckily, there’s a whole slew of fantastic tips below for selecting the ideal jewelry to make you and your dress shine.
What Jewelry to Wear with My Wedding Dress
Wedding dresses come in many styles. Some are long. Some have sleeves. Some are smooth and silky. Others are covered in pearls, lace and patterns! Just as each dress style is different, so is each bride’s taste and style. If you lean toward a more minimalist style, you may want subtle wedding jewelry— or none at all. If you are a bling-focused bride, you may prefer to be dripping in diamonds on your wedding day. If you’re unsure where to start, you’re in good hands with these tips.
Different necklines call for different jewelry
Your wedding dress neckline is important. The jewelry you choose should complement it. Here are some ways to complement various necklines:
Strapless
This neckline opens the stage for statement pieces, such as a dazzling pair of chandelier earrings, shoulder duster earrings or a bold, sparkling necklace. A delicate bracelet or subtle hair accessory can help complete this look with a romantic touch.
Sweetheart
This neckline's gentle curves are flattered by delicate pieces like teardrop earrings or a necklace with a curved pendant that echoes the neckline. A dainty bracelet and simple pearl or flower hair embellishment can round out this look perfectly.
V-neck
V-necks elongate the silhouette and provide a large backdrop for your jewelry. Choose a pendant necklace that follows the dress’s V-shape or a lariat necklace that cascades down the neckline. Keep earrings on the simple side and consider a cuff or delicate chain with a simple, meaningful charm for your bracelet.
Halter
Want attention drawn to your shoulders? The halter neckline does just that! Statement earrings will be the focal point of this neckline; keeping necklaces minimal and delicate (or forgoing one altogether!) is recommended. A simple diamond or pearl bracelet can bring an element of sophistication to this look.
High neck
High necklines can feel a bit closed in. Combat this by choosing earrings with some dangle or movement. A delicate pendant necklace that sits just below the neckline, with a simple tennis bracelet can balance this neckline nicely.
Off-the-shoulder
Off-the-shoulder necklines are romantic and dramatic. Earring options can go opposite ways here: You can feature long, dangling threader or shoulder duster earrings that graze the collarbone or simple studs for a more minimal look. Consider a finger ring chain/bracelet or a layered bracelet look to carry the drama throughout your look.
Boat neck
Boat necks have a wide, horizontal feel, running across your collar bones. Add a visual focal point with a pendant or lariat necklace that hangs below this higher neckline. Simple earrings, a bracelet and a single flower placed off-center in your hair can balance the look without taking attention away from your dress.
Accessorizing different wedding dress styles
The style of your wedding dress can greatly impact the recommended styling of your accessories.
Ball gown wedding dress
With a full skirt and covered bodice, the ball gown wedding dress looks great with dangly statement earrings, complementing the grandeur of this style dress. However, if your dress has a lot of embellishments on the bodice, simpler earrings may be a better fit. To play up the glamour, add a bold necklace. Or, if you want to keep it more delicate, a thin chain pendant necklace will do the trick.
A-line wedding dress
Your wedding jewelry options for this dress style will ultimately depend on the neckline you choose. However, A-line dresses tend to be quite versatile and lend themselves well to various jewelry looks. Depending on your style, your A-line dress will likely pair perfectly with everything from stud earrings and chandeliers to hoops or dangly earrings. For necklace options, follow that ever-important neckline advice above.
Sheath wedding dress
A more modern and minimalist look, the body-hugging sheath dress is simple and sophisticated. Let that style be your guide when selecting your jewelry. You won’t want your earrings or necklace to be too over-the-top. Simple studs, hoops or small dangly earrings are all good options. Delicate pendants, simple chokers or small gemstones (for a pop of color) should be considered for necklaces with this dress style.
Mermaid wedding dress
Known for showing off curves, the mermaid dress doesn’t shy away from making a statement. Neither should the jewelry you pair with it. Intricate chandelier earrings, large hoops or long, dramatic threader earrings will contribute nicely to this look. Choose a shorter necklace, such as a collar or choker that won’t compete with the mermaid dress’s fitted top.
Bohemian wedding dress
Carefree and flowy take center stage with this wedding look. Choose earrings that reflect that style. Dramatically stacked earrings or an entire curated ear will blend perfectly with your eclectic ensemble. Incorporating natural materials like pearls, feathers or gemstones plays up the earthy qualities of the Bohemian feel. Layered necklaces or a statement necklace showcasing a natural pendant are both great options here.
Colors
The undertones of your dress can guide your jewelry metal selection. For bright white gowns, cool tones like platinum or silver will create a crisp, elegant look. Warmer tones like ivory or champagne pair beautifully with yellow or rose gold, accentuating the dress's richness. Blush pink dresses find a perfect match in rose gold's soft shimmer, while a touch of yellow gold can add warmth to a cream-colored gown. If you are considering wearing jewelry with colored gemstones, ensure the selected colors compliment your dress color and overall wedding color palette.
Textures
If your wedding dress has pronounced textures or embellishments, you may want to tread lightly when adding jewelry pieces. Sometimes, less is more, especially when your extra flair and personality are already shining through your beautifully textured dress.
Rings
Besides your wedding band, keep things simple on your ring finger. Don’t force your new symbol of love and commitment to compete for the spotlight. If you have sentimental favorites or are planning to wear your engagement ring on your wedding day, consider wearing them on your other hand.
Earrings
Remember to consider your hairstyle. Statement earrings will pop with an updo, while delicate earrings, such as chandelier earrings, shoulder dusters and threaders, will peek through longer styles.
Bracelets
Keep your bracelets comfortable. The last thing you want is an ill-fitting or awkward bracelet annoying you all day. If your dress has sleeves, a delicate bracelet or simple bangle may be the bracelet for you. A more minimal look may not require a bracelet, while more dramatic or eclectic looks practically demand a dramatic bracelet (or twelve!).
Necklaces
As mentioned above, let your dress’s neckline be your guide when it comes to necklaces. A strapless dress can handle a statement necklace, while a sweetheart neckline may be better paired with something a bit more delicate, like a simple chain, paper clip or pendant necklace.
Six Additional Tips for Selecting Your Wedding Day Jewelry
Throughout your wedding planning experience, there are bound to be (many) moments where you think, “What am I forgetting?" Remember these six pieces of advice for making sure your wedding day jewelry makes you shine like a star.
Personal style over trend
It’s easy to find content brimming with the latest trends for all things bridal. Don’t fall for it. It’s perfectly fine to consult these sources for inspiration, but you should ultimately choose jewelry that reflects your style. Staying true to your style means you’ll look like you on your special day rather than reflecting some soon-to-be-forgotten trend that just happens to coincide with your wedding season.
Pick wedding jewelry that enhances your dress
You likely have a specific look in mind for how you want to look and feel on your big day. Want to be so covered in diamonds that you look like a disco ball? Curate a head-to-toe diamond ensemble that brings balance without overdoing it. Is your wedding theme in-your-face floral? Select one or two bold floral jewelry pieces to carry the theme into your look.
Include sentimental pieces in your bridal look
Weddings are often a time of reflection, leading many brides to incorporate sentimental jewelry pieces into their wedding day look. If you want a simple, minimalistic look, consider simply wearing a meaningful statement necklace—and nothing more. If displaying your heirloom jewelry is important to you, but you don’t want to appear too cluttered or bogged down with jewelry, you can always spread jewelry pieces throughout your look. Maybe add a sentimental ring or two to your opposite hand or wrap an heirloom necklace around the base of your bouquet.
Use the dress's neckline to pair jewelry
Let’s say this once more, with feeling: Your jewelry needs to complement your dress’s neckline. The tips above are a great start, but considering different types of necklaces and different necklace lengths first might help you narrow down your ideal look.
Find wedding jewelry you can wear again
Don’t you hate it when you buy a pair of shoes or a particular dress for a specific event and know you'll never wear it again? When it comes to wedding day jewelry, consider choosing pieces you can continue wearing after your big day, either for future anniversaries and special events or even as part of your daily wear.
Feel beautiful in your final bridal jewelry
When selecting your bridal jewelry, the primary goal should be choosing pieces that make you feel beautiful. Regardless of whether there’s outside influence (we all have those close friends or relatives who lovingly insist on sharing their opinion on every aspect of… everything!), make sure you’re following your heart and selecting jewelry that makes you feel your best. It’s your special day and your happiness (and the happiness of your spouse-to-be) is of utmost importance. And everyone loves seeing a joyful, confident bride on the big day!
From pre-ceremony prep to the “I Dos” to the reception, be sure not to end your special night with lost or damaged jewelry that wasn’t properly insured. Protect your wedding day jewelry with personal jewelry insurance through Jewelers Mutual. It’s an affordable choice that covers loss, damage, and disappearance and, in some cases, is a better option than homeowners insurance. You can check your rate by clicking the button below.
