Choosing Your Wedding Day Jewelry

Consider your dress.

As the foundation of your wedding fashion, your dress will likely determine the style and kind of jewelry that you wear for your wedding. First, consider the silhouette of the dress. For example, if you’re wearing a dress with a detailed or high neckline, a necklace may “get in the way” or compete with the design elements on or around your neckline. If you’re wearing a simple, strapless dress, however, your décolleté may be begging for a statement necklace!

After considering the silhouette of your dress, think about its style. Is it ornate? Bohemian? Minimalist? Ideally, your jewelry will complement your dress. For example, a less formal dress may not pair especially well with a diamond tennis bracelet. Meanwhile, a fancy ballgown style probably wouldn't do well with a strand of semi-precious stones. (Of course, none of these guidelines are set in stone, and you’ll never really know about a particular pairing until you try it!)

Finally, don’t overlook the color of your dress. A pure white gown may clash with gold, so opt for pearl or white metal. Slightly off-white fabric pairs with just about anything, however, so don’t limit yourself by color. Lastly, an ivory gown is best paired with gold or rose gold metal.

Gold complements off-white and ivory dresses. 

Barbara Michelle Jacobs Chandelier Twig Earrings with Peridot Dangles

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

Your jewelry is a great outlet for incorporating something old, new, borrowed, and/or blue—if you’re interested in following that tradition. Don’t feel pressured to wear something just because it checks off one of the “somethings,” however!

Think beyond the basics.

You can “wear” a piece of wedding day jewelry on your bouquet. If you have an heirloom brooch, bracelet, or necklace that you’d like to incorporate in your ceremony but not necessarily on your person, consider pinning it to or wrapping it around your bouquet. This will help your bouquet stand out from the rest while also giving it (additional) special meaning.

Don’t forget that hair can sparkle, too.

Your wedding may be of the few occasions when you can wear diamonds or crystals in your hair. If you’re not wearing a necklace, consider adding some sparkle to your hair in the form of a repurposed brooch, a tiara, or crystal-blazoned comb. Keep in mind that your hair piece should complement (rather than compete with) your necklace, earrings, etc.

Give it all a test run.

Once you’ve narrowed down your jewelry selection, try on your dress with your accessories. Move things around. Add a piece. Subtract a piece. See what arrangement you like best. And don’t forget to snap a pic!

Give a little TLC to your engagement ring.

The most important piece of your wedding jewelry ensemble is obviously your engagement ring! Chances are you already have one by the time you’ve picked out your dress (but if you need tips on choosing or designing an engagement ring, check out this post). On the day before your wedding, clean and polish your engagement ring. It will likely be given a lot of attention on the day of your wedding!

Barbara Michelle Jacobs Princess Diamond Twig Engagement Ring

More wedding advice:  

Ethical and Eco-Friendly Wedding Ideas

Photo: Barbara Michelle Jacobs, Mary Hood Luttrell, Elizabeth Scott Photography,  Powder Blue Bijoux