Complimentary Bridal Jewelry
Accessorizing Beautifully on Your Wedding Day
With all due respect to Cleopatra—or Nicole Kidman—you don’t want to walk down the aisle weighted down with so much jewelry your train feels like welcome relief. Jewelry is formal, festive, and most of all gorgeous, but it needs to be comfortable and easy to wear. It also shouldn’t define your look…only enhance it.
The first person you need to consult with is yourself. Like figuring out a hairstyle, start with choosing what jewelry you enjoy wearing. If you adore simplistic, try basic diamond or pearl studs, or a pearl necklace. If you’re a thrift-shop trinket gal, go all over the place with strands and baubles and costume jewelry galore; just make sure it doesn’t clash with your outfit. There’s a general rule of thumb that if your gown’s elaborate and detailed, your jewelry shouldn’t be…and vice versa. Remember too that the more jewelry adorning your outfit, the less people look at you. (That’s fashion wisdom applied to wedding-wear—in the same way that a frilly blouse takes away from your face, dangling, multi-colored crystals do the same thing.) When in doubt, go with less.
Pearls of wisdom.
As for prices, pearl necklaces can range from $500 to $3,000, depending on where you shop and the quality. Single diamonds usually start from around $200. You can also get cheaper jewelry from major retailers starting in the $30 range. And remember: There’s nothing wrong with faux-anything, especially if you are going for a vintage theme. Use your budget to factor in how much you can realistically spend on accessories, knowing that you can always borrow jewelry for the wedding-day. Another important point: When factoring in that diamond bracelet you love, make sure it doesn’t clash with Mom’s “something borrowed” diamond pendant that’s already a definite. When you speak with jewelers, show them pictures of your dress, and any other jewelry you will definitely be wearing—including your ring. Reliable jewelers will know what clashes, and what enhances.
Rocks in a hard place.
Like your hairstyle, don’t try anything drastic when it comes to jewelry. If you’re ears are not pierced, this is not the time to finally get them punched. You’re not going to look your best with a big red infection adorning your lobes. Make sure, if you go for anything dangling, it doesn’t get caught in your outfit, or swing to much in your face, etc. (Think of Jan Brady’s infamous charm-bracelet fiasco and you’ll get the idea.) Anything you wear on your wrist can easily get caught in fabrics. Like your shoes, wear the jewelry with your outfit often enough so you’re comfortable with it. Less is always more in the accessory department, so find jewelry that’s as enticing as it is easy-to-wear. That added feeling of satisfaction will give you an even bigger glow on your wedding day.