Choosing the perfect jewellery for your wedding day can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it’s essential to find pieces that complement your dress, personal style, and the overall theme of your wedding.
To begin, consider the type of wedding you are planning. Will it be a formal affair or a more casual event? The style of your wedding will greatly influence your choice of jewellery.
For a traditional, elegant wedding, timeless options such as pearls and diamonds may be the perfect fit. On the other hand, if you’re opting for a more laid-back or bohemian celebration, you might consider incorporating gemstones or unique statement pieces.
Your choice of gown is another crucial factor in selecting wedding day jewellery. Think about the neckline, silhouette and fabric of your dress, and look for accessories that will enhance and not overpower these elements.
For example, a high-neck gown may suit drop earrings, while a strapless dress could be beautifully accentuated by a sparkling necklace.
Understand Your Personal Style
Assess Your Personality
When choosing jewellery for your wedding day, it’s essential to first assess your personality. Consider your everyday style preferences and wardrobe choices. Are you drawn to classic, timeless accessories, or do you prefer bold or bohemian statement pieces? By identifying your personal style, you can confidently select jewellery that complements and enhances your wedding ensemble.
Consider Your Wedding Theme
Taking into consideration the overall theme and colour scheme of your wedding is another important factor when choosing bridal jewellery. A vintage-themed wedding may inspire you to choose antique, heirloom accessories whilst a modern affair might suit sleek, minimalistic jewellery. Reflect on the vibe you wish to create on your big day and select accessories accordingly.
Think About Your Facial Features
Lastly, take a moment to consider your facial features, as certain jewellery shapes and styles can accentuate or downplay specific aspects. For example, if you have a round face, opt for elongated or drop earrings to help elongate the face. In contrast, those with a more angular face may benefit from choosing jewellery with rounded, softer shapes. It’s essential to find the perfect balance that brings harmony to your overall look.
Choose the Right Metal
Metal Types
There are several metals to choose from for your wedding jewellery:
- Gold: This traditional choice comes in various colours, including yellow, white, and rose gold. Each colour suits specific styles and skin tones.
- Silver: A popular option for its affordability and versatility, silver pairs well with most styles and colours.
- Platinum: A durable and timeless metal, platinum is hypoallergenic and doesn’t tarnish or corrode over time.
- Palladium: Similar to platinum, palladium is both durable and hypoallergenic but is more affordable.
Consider Skin Tone
When selecting the metal for your jewellery, it is essential to consider your skin tone:
- Cool skin tone: If your skin has pink or blue undertones, white gold, platinum, and silver will complement your complexion.
- Warm skin tone: For those with yellow or golden undertones, yellow or rose gold will look lovely.
Durability
Some metals are more durable than others, which is worth considering if you plan to wear your wedding jewellery daily:
- Platinum: Known for its durability, this metal resists scratches and requires less maintenance compared to others.
- Palladium: As a member of the platinum family, palladium shares the same durability and scratch-resistance.
- Gold: Depending on the karat, gold can be more prone to scratches and wear over time. Higher-karat gold is softer and requires more attention, while lower-karat gold is more robust.
- Silver: This metal is an affordable choice, but it may require more care as it can tarnish and scratch easily.
Budget
The price of your wedding jewellery will vary depending on the metal you choose. Here is a brief overview to help you find a suitable option within your budget:
- Gold: Higher-karat gold will be more expensive due to its purity.
- Silver: A budget-friendly option, with a price fluctuating based on the current market rate.
- Platinum: The most expensive of the metals, but also the most durable and long-lasting.
- Palladium: Slightly less expensive than platinum but still a premium choice.
Remember to consider not only the price but also the long-term value and durability of your chosen metal.
Select the Perfect Gemstones
Colour Coordination
When choosing gemstones for your wedding jewellery, it’s essential to consider the colour coordination with your wedding theme, dress, and personal style. To achieve harmony in your overall look, you can follow these simple tips:
- Match your gemstones with your wedding theme and colour palette.
- Pick gemstones that complement your wedding dress, for example, a creamy pearl necklace with an ivory gown.
- Ensure the metal settings of your gemstones are consistent, either opting for yellow gold, white gold, platinum, or silver.
Meaning and Symbolism
Gemstones often carry meanings and symbolism, so selecting the right ones for your wedding day can add personal significance to your jewellery. Some popular gemstones and their meanings include:
- Diamond: Symbolises eternal love, strength, and commitment.
- Ruby: Represents passion, love, and courage.
- Sapphire: Associated with loyalty, trust, and wisdom.
- Emerald: Linked to growth, rebirth, and love.
- Pearl: Signifies purity, innocence, and wisdom.
Consider incorporating your birthstone or your partner’s birthstone as it can add a personal touch to your jewellery.
Quality and Cost
Lastly, it is vital to balance the quality and cost of gemstones in your wedding jewellery. High-quality gemstones can be expensive, but they generally retain their value and make for excellent heirlooms. To weigh quality and cost, consider these factors:
- Type of gemstone: Some gemstones, like diamonds, can be pricier than others due to their rarity and demand.
- Carat weight: Larger gemstones will be more expensive, but you can find smaller stones with excellent quality for a lower price.
- Clarity and cut: Choose gemstones with fewer inclusions, and pay attention to the cut, as it affects the stone’s brilliance and reflects its value.
With these guidelines in mind, you can find the perfect gemstones for your wedding day that harmonise your look, hold personal significance, and suit your budget without compromising on quality.
Coordinate with Your Wedding Outfit
Complement Your Dress
When choosing your jewellery for your wedding day, it’s essential to complement your dress. The jewellery should enhance the features of your gown without competing for attention. Consider the neckline, sleeves, and detailing of your dress when selecting jewellery pieces. For a simple or minimalist dress, more elaborate jewellery can elevate the look. However, for a heavily embellished gown, opt for more delicate and subtle pieces that won’t overpower the dress.
Match Other Accessories
In addition to complementing your dress, your jewellery should also harmonise with your other accessories. Ensure that your pieces match in style, metal, and colour. If you’re wearing a silver tiara or hairpiece, consider sticking with silver or white gold jewellery. Similarly, if your belt or sash has a certain hue, look for jewellery that incorporates the same colour, like gemstones or coloured metals.
- Consider the following combinations:
- Silver dress details: Silver or white gold
- Gold dress details: Gold or rose gold
- Ivory dress details: Gold or ivory pearls
- Pearl dress details: Pearl jewellery
Remember to stay true to your style and personality. Choose pieces that you’ll cherish and remember, and most importantly, feel comfortable wearing on your special day.
Finalise Your Wedding Day Look
Hair
When choosing the perfect hairstyle for your special day, consider factors such as your face shape, hair type, and your wedding dress. It is essential to choose a hairstyle that complements your headpiece or hair accessories. If you have a statement-making headpiece, opt for a simple hairstyle and vice versa.
Makeup and Jewellery
Your makeup look should tie in seamlessly with your overall wedding day style. Consider a natural and polished bridal makeup, but don’t be afraid to experiment with bolder looks if it suits your personal style. The jewellery you choose should enhance your makeup look, rather than overpower it. Coordinate the jewellery materials and tones with your dress and other accessories for a cohesive appearance.
Selecting Bridal Party Jewellery
When selecting jewellery for your bridal party, consider the following:
- Consistency: Choose jewellery that complements the bridesmaids’ dresses and overall wedding theme.
- Budget: Keep in mind the budget for bridesmaid gifts, as it’s a tradition to gift your bridal party with items they can wear during the wedding.
- Personalisation: Give your bridal party a touch of individuality by selecting pieces with slight variations, such as different earring shapes or necklace lengths.
Remember, your wedding day jewellery serves as a beautiful addition to your overall look. Consider your personal style and the theme of your wedding when finalising your selections.
