All eyes are on you as you strut the aisle and you’re all dressed up and made up for the occasion. While the bridal gown is often the first thing that people notice (who designed and where you bought it), accessories come in a close second. They bring in the dazzle, drama, and elegance that put together a vision of beauty in white, beige, or cream.
Wearing jewelry is also the best way to honor and give tribute to the most significant people in your life. You have your mother’s ring, your grandmother’s necklace, your father’s watch, and your most recent valuable piece, the engagement ring from your beloved.
Putting these pieces in a coherent whole makes the dressing-up part exciting and a bit challenging too. You wonder if less is more in ornamentation or flaunt your prized jewelry collection. Accordingly, this guide will teach you how to accessorize your wedding gown and achieve a polished and sophisticated look.
Of Necklaces, Earrings, and Bracelets
Your dress and your accessories complete, not compete, with each other. The neckline of your dress will be the main starting point for the accessories to be featured in this article.
Necklaces
An open neckline invites a necklace. As to what kind, it boils down to the shape:
- A crystal or pearl choker matches a strapless gown. With the neckline as open as it is, you’d be sure to wear something that is a statement in itself, like a collar-length necklace.
- A simple chain necklace with a pendant matches a V neckline or a sweetheart neckline. Your choices for the pendant include a birthstone, a pearl, and a locket adorning your neck.
- A pearl necklace or one with a solitaire diamond pendant fits a bateau neckline. You can ditch the accessory as Meghan Markle did on her wedding day or go all-out with Audrey Hepburn’s double strands of pearls.
- A collar necklace matches the traditional cut of a scoop dress, which closely resembles the bateau neckline, or an off-the-shoulder gown. If you have a low-scoop dress, think of over-the-top necklaces like bibs.
- A lariat necklace goes well with a plunging neckline.
Earrings
While you can wear a necklace and earrings at once, consider skipping the other when it becomes too much to the eyes.
- Statement earrings like colorful tiered stones and shells can complement sweetheart and off-the-shoulder dresses. Ear cuffs are an interesting addition to the off-the-shoulder ensemble.
- Chandelier or cascading drop earrings work best with plunging necklines.
- Stud earrings make a splash with high-neck and scoop wedding dresses.
Bracelets
These accessories are straightforward; that is, they go with a sleeveless or strapless dress. Cuffs also work with scoop and halter- or high-neck wedding gowns.
What Rings to Wear
Online bridal jewelry guides don’t have much to say about rings. So do what you please with your rings, stack them up, and have fun wearing them as you will soon gain another one in the form of a wedding ring.
In line with this development, the more pressing question is where to wear the engagement ring. Traditions vary in this situation. For one, you can leave it on your left hand, whereby the groom will slide the wedding ring on top of it.
Another option is to move the engagement ring to your right hand temporarily; just make sure the ring fits so you won’t lose it. Otherwise, you have a free hand on how to wear your engagement ring with your wedding dress.
Marriage wooers are also free to look around for their diamond engagement rings as their budget and preference dictate. Modern and practical ways recommend you check online stores for diamond rings because they offer a more extensive selection at a lower price than those found in physical stores.
Last-Minute Reminders before You March
- Match the metal hues of your jewelry with the shade of your dress. For example, pearls and platinum go well with a white wedding dress, while gold suits a dress in ivory or off-white.
- Think of something blue to wear. It can be a sapphire ring, your bridal shoes, or a flower in your bouquet.
- Consider bridal hair accessories. A bedazzled clip or ornate hairpin can be fitting your crowning glory.
Did we miss out on anything? Let us know in the comments section.