Wedding Jewelry

I recently went to a wedding. The bride was beautiful, her dress was beautiful. It was a lovely affair.

At the reception, I met the bride in the receiving line. To my horror, on close-up view, her jewelry made her bridal attire looks like something out of a child’s dress-up box. The gown was a very formal peau de soie satin gown, with a Queen Anne neckline, and the bodice was done with all over crystal beading. And what did the bride have around her neck? A set of obviously cheap, plastic, white, fake pearls that hung too long at her neckline and just looked ridiculous. Being the tactful guest, I said nothing and exclaimed how beautiful she looked and what a beautiful ceremony it was. I would kill to get a look at those wedding photos later---it’s going to be obvious that her jewelry choice was a mistake. Jewelry should NEVER be the focal point of the bride. It should blend well with what she is wearing and compliment both her attire and her features. This is not the time to try something new.

While I am not usually this snotty about these things, it got me to thinking. I started to wonder how many other brides out there are putting on totally inappropriate jewelry and no one has the guts to tell her.

The credo I have always lived by is “less is more”. This applies to a multitude of things, and for the bride, it should be her mantra. It should cross her mind regarding makeup and jewelry at a minimum. What would have been more appropriate with that dress was a small circle of pearls that barely hit her collarbone. And fake is ok.  Just don’t be obvious about it. I have found very nice looking fake pearls for around $25.00 and usually found earrings that match for around $10.00. Anything a bride chooses to wear for jewelry should be delicate and quietly enhance her attire, not detract from it.

The only dress that I have ever seen that a long necklace of any kind would go with was a flapper-style 1920's dress that screamed for that type of neck wear. Leave your chains and long necklaces in your jewelry box. There are very few bridal necklines that will accommodate these and it is best to keep your jewelry small and delicate. A small cross on a gold or silver chain nestled in the hollow of your neck is a beautiful look. Dresses with high necklines and busy bodices should forgo a necklace entirely. If you have a necklace that you love and never take off, leave it under the dress.

Earrings should also be kept delicate or at least complimentary. Put away your favorite gold hoops (unless they are small). If you are wearing your hair up, earrings that dangle will be pretty as long as they match the style of your attire and your neckwear. And long earrings should NEVER hang farther than your jaw line. I have seen brides wear earrings that dangle with their hair down and saw the pictures later where their hair was tangled up in the earrings. A small set of pearls, diamonds, gold hoops or anything delicate would have been more appropriate. If you are going to wear your hair down, forget the dangling earrings.

Never mix silver and gold. If your watch is silver, wear silver or clear jewelry. Crystals strung on an illusion wire can go with anything. If that gold or silver jewelry is what you have to have and your watch is the opposite metal, either purchase a small watch in the same metal or leave the watch off. You’d be surprised how many people will notice this. You want to make sure that your jewelry compliments your attire. Your dress should be the focal point.  Never your jewelry.

Your wedding day is one of the most important days in your life. How you looked and what you wore will be immortalized in photographs forever. Remember.  LESS IS MORE. Say it over and over. Less is more, less is more.  Now you’re getting it.

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