How to Do Jewelry
When to go with a lot, a little, or nothing at all
Even though the gown typically gets all the glory on your wedding day, it isn’t the only aspect of your attire that merits close attention to detail. Whether it be dainty diamond earrings, a long strand of your grandmother’s heirloom pearls or a striking vintage Bakelite bangle, your jewelry selections have the power to both make a look, and make it look all wrong.
Here’s a little input from the experts to help you determine how much bling is suitable for you.
A Lot
If you plan on donning massive amounts of jewelry on your wedding day, Jill Spitznass, editor-in-chief of Portland Bride & Groom, advises treading cautiously when piling on anything eye-catching i.e. long earrings and a chunky necklace and a wrist cuff and an oversized cocktail ring.
“Very few women can get away with wearing an excess of jewelry – Madonna and Elizabeth Taylor come to mind,” Spitznass says. “To carry it off, the look calls for a big personality. Even if you fit the bill, know that eyes will be drawn to the surplus of accessories i.e. ‘Was there a sale at Claire’s?,’ and not you, the bride.”
Too much jewelry will take away from both you and your dress, agrees Nina Knell, who works in high-end fashion in Dallas. If you think you might have too much jewelry on, you probably do, so even if you’re unsure, Knell advises taking something off. “This isn’t a runway show or the Oscars,” she says. “It’s your wedding day, and you want that to be the focus.”
If you really want a lot, your best bet is to keep it as simple and similar as possible – diamond stud earrings, a small diamond pendant necklace and a delicate gold chain around the wrist.
A Little
If “go big or go home” is your mantra, instead of over-icing yourself, Spitznass suggests wearing one statement-making piece, such as chandelier earrings, a wide bracelet or a striking necklace. Here you should allow the style of your dress to dictate your selection. Some choices are obvious: a high neck and bare arms would show off a bracelet or cocktail ring beautifully, while statement-making earrings, which require lots of “white space” around them, look best with bare shoulders. Try them with a strapless gown or one that reveals plenty of décolletage, says Spitznass.
If you want the classic wedding look, stick to more subtle pieces and materials like cultured pearls (particularly in a choker or opera-length), diamond studs or drop-style earrings, platinum and white gold. “Right now I’m also really liking pieces that take the traditional diamonds and pearls and combine them in a unique way,” says Knell, who plans to do just that at her own black tie wedding in July, by wearing a combo necklace that belongs to her mother.
However, a bride need not channel Grace Kelly to ensure she won’t cringe when looking at her wedding photos in the future, says Spitznass. These days, an increasing number of women are choosing to wear ethnic-inspired jewelry on their big day, a look that’s in keeping with the trend towards personalization. Hammered 24-karat gold and semi-precious stones are richly beautiful complements to a taupe or ivory gown in an unconventional cut, she says.
Similarly, if you have personal jewelry that you never remove, such as a delicate cross, a strand of pearls or a Kabbalah bracelet, there’s certainly no need to do so for your wedding day. Wear the item alone or with one additional understated piece.
Nothing At All
If your wedding is during the day or informal, it’s fine to wear no jewelry whatsoever, says Knell. But going without may look a little out of place at an evening or formal wedding where fine gems are standard trimmings. “In these instances, it’s nice to wear something small and symbolic to you, your family or your spouse,” says Knell. It’s unlikely you’ll regret donning your mother’s sapphire earrings or a slender string of pearls that belonged to your fiancé’s grandmother.
That said, if there’s one day that calls for authenticity, it’s your wedding day, says Spitznass. “If you aren’t a ‘jewelry person’ at heart, don’t sweat it,” she says. “Your wedding ring is the only accessory that really matters.”
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