With all eyes on you as you walk down the aisle, and a lifetime’s worth of looks in photo albums and on Instagram, getting your wedding dress right is as crucial to your big day as choosing the right husband.
Of course, your dress is only one part of your wedding day ensemble; you also have jewellery and accessories to consider, and it pays to consider them just as carefully.
But with so much of the focus often falling on the dress, it’s all too easy to let the jewellery and accessories you wear take a back seat. However, every detail of a bride’s look matters and the jewellery and accessories can add that finishing, personal touch to proceedings, able to tie the whole look together effortlessly.
It’s no secret that jewellery and accessories have the power to transform your bridal look. Here are 6 tips on how to choose the IDEAL jewellery & accessories for your wedding day.
Let Your Dress Dictate Your Jewellery
The last thing you want is for your jewellery to clash with your dress. As such, it’s a good idea to always choose your dress first then let it dictate your jewellery.
If you’re having trouble choosing whether to wear silver, gold or rose gold, then let your dress do the choosing for you and match your metals to your dress. If your dress is satin or silk, then silver, platinum and, of course, diamond jewellery pair well.
However, if your gown is a warmer champagne tone, opt for a metal in a warmer colour like rose gold. We also think vintage lace and boho-inspired dresses look especially lovely with gemstones. All that said and when in doubt, pick pearls; not only are they classic and traditional, but pearls also represent eternal love, making them the perfect accessory for wedding days.
There are so many types of jewellery styles to consider that it makes sense to let your dress dictate the jewellery you choose. If your wedding dress has a high neckline, then forgo a necklace and wear a pair of statement earrings insead. On the flip side, you can enhance a dress with a plunging neckline with an extra-long pendant. Or, if your dress has an open back, consider a long, dainty wrap necklace.
Editor’s Extra: There are no thick and fast rules when it comes to wearing jewellery. Remember the days when you had to choose whether you were going to be a gold or silver girl? Well, the days of having to stick to your chosen metal, because – god forbid – you wore the two together, are gone.
Mixed metals have been a serious trend for the last few years, so embrace clashing golds, silvers and bronzes with abandon for your wedding day, should you wish. An Italian silver chain, for instance, can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any bridal look when layered with other necklaces in different shades. It’s a statement, for sure, but a seriously stunning one at that.
Less Is More
The experts over at Silver Sets, who specialise in wedding jewellery sets, tell us that, “The secret tip to the perfect wedding jewellery is less is more and it’s easy to wear too much jewellery on your wedding day and overwhelm your dress”.
Bear that expert advice in mind and consider keeping things simple with a stunning sterling silver set of drop earrings and matching pendant. Alternatively, you can’t go wrong with a matching set of diamond stud earrings and necklace – this is your time to sparkle and shine after all!
Editor’s Extra: Shoulder sweeping statement earrings are everywhere at the moment. Wondering how to wear them, or rather, how not to? Don’t bother with any other type of jewellery – not even a pair of small studs if you have your ears pierced more than once – as this will look clumsy, clunky and over-stylised.
Clean Your Jewellery
Of course, that sparkle and shine will be dulled somewhat if you don’t follow proper silver jewellery care in the run up to your wedding. This includes wrapping your jewellery in a fabric pouch between wears, keeping it in a cool, dry place, and storing it individually to avoid other pieces causing scratching. You should also avoid contact with chemicals, perfume, hairspray and deodorant.
For more cleaning tips, head over to our top tips for looking after your jewellery.
Stay True To Your Style
Whether you love statement hoops, chandlers or perfect dainty drop jewellery, what you choose to wear on your wedding day should reflect your everyday style. Your wedding day isn’t the time to risk a new style, we’d politely caution!
When it comes to choosing a statement piece for your big day, remember that statement jewellery is a way for us to express ourselves creatively, helping the wearer to connect with the character of the piece. As such, it’s essential to find a piece that resonates with you.
Something Old, New, Borrowed & Blue
Jewellery is the ideal way to factor the tradition of “something old, new, borrowed and blue” into your outfit.
We know that we recommended earlier to let your dress dictate your style, but if you have your heart set on wearing your Grandma’s pearls or there is a particular heirloom piece you want to include in your outfit, then take those pieces with you when you go dress shopping to ensure that it matches your dress.
Alternatively, consider turning your heirloom piece into a beautiful new creation that you’ll love to wear, not just once, but time and time again. It’s a great way to honour past pieces, giving them new life and meaning.
For your ‘’something blue’’, consider choosing blue gemstone jewellery. Vivid sapphires are thought to represent honesty, sincerity and faithfulness, and are ideal for the occasion as these symbolise important attributes every marriage should have.
That said, and depending on the tone of your dress, pairing blue jewellery with your dress can be tricky. Aquamarine may be a good option as a bold sapphire may overwhelm your look. Alternatively, consider choosing a traditional blue garter instead – buy a new one and you’ll be ticking off two traditions on one go!
Read: 5 IDEAL tips for repurposing family heirloom jewellery
Head Gear
If you’ve decided to wear a veil, then you’re probably feeling a little overwhelmed at the hundreds of different styles and lengths to choose from. Where to start? First, always choose your dress first and your veil second.
The best choice of veil will depend on your gown’s detail, silhouette and train length, should you have one. Although your veil doesn’t need to match your dress perfectly, you will want it to match the same shade of your gown.
Next up is to get familiar with the different styles of veils out there; do you want a floor sweeping chapel veil or a vintage style birdcage? Pop into a bridal shop with your dress and try on a whole load. Oh, and if you do choose an OTT veil, then it’s a good idea to stick with simple wedding jewellery.
If you’ve decided that a veil isn’t for you, then have you considered wearing a whimsical flower crown instead? Flower crowns are an extremely versatile hair accessory and can be made to go with pretty much any dress design. On top of that, they look just lovely!
Choose A Secondhand Piece
We love the idea of finding a one off, preloved piece for your wedding day. If you’ve ever walked through the jewellery lanes of Brighton, London’s Hatton Garden or Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, then you’ll understand just how much choice there is when it comes to secondhand jewellery.
In fact, the diversity on offer far trumps the variety of new pieces available. So, whether you’re after a vintage piece from a different era like the 1920’s, a modern item which is after a new home, or an esoteric piece with a rare backstory, then second-hand is certainly the smart option.
What’s more, buying a secondhand peice reduces the carbon footprint on the environment, which is definitely an ethical choice for your wedding day. And on that note, we wish you all the happiness and joy, both on your Big Day and for your future years together as a happy couple!
