Brides through
ages have accessorized with wedding jewelry to add a finishing touch to their bridal attire; however, many brides who don't wear jewelry in everyday life jump at
chance to wear it on their wedding day. Is it
special occasion or
chance to play dress-up that prompts these brides to don
unthinkable—jewelry? Those brides too practical to care about jewelry in real life use it on their wedding day to check off all
"somethings" that bring good luck—something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Whatever your reason for wearing jewelry on your wedding day, it should complement
overall theme of
wedding, including
formality of
occasion,
design of
wedding dress, and
bridal color scheme if your jewelry includes color.
The traditional bridal jewelry ensemble consists of pearl and/or diamond earrings and necklace, often heirloom pieces (something old, something borrowed). Pearls top
list as
most popular bridal jewelry. Originally worn as a symbol of purity, pearls are understated, elegant and timeless. If you listen closely and put your ear to
ground, you can almost hear that chorus of all
Mothers of
Brides from here to Timbuktu: "Dear, you cannot go wrong with pearls." For once, Mother's mantra hits
mark.
The same holds true for diamonds. You can't go wrong with real diamonds. A rare bride can afford to be gaudy and showy with diamonds, and those who can know better. It's
blinding array of affordable simulated diamonds that leads to trouble. On your wedding day, less is always more unless you're Elizabeth Taylor. There's a fine line between a fairy tale look and gaudy. If you're not sure whether you're crossing
line, ask for help from a trusted friend or relative with an air of elegance.
If you want to wear pearls and a little flash of diamonds,
"Sweetheart" Swarovski line combines
two (something new), and offers you a choice of colors in pendants and spacers, as well as your choice of metals. Swarovski crystals and glass pearls are
finest in quality from
Czech Republic, world renowned for their crystals and semi-precious gems. Each handmade piece is customized to match
colors in your wedding. Their line also includes glass fresh water pearls. If you want to introduce a little color into your wedding jewelry, pick up a color in
bridesmaids' dresses (something blue).
Guidelines for Bridal Jewelry
Semi-formal or formal attire guidelines apply to wedding attire—the simpler
dress,
more elaborate
jewelry. You can't highlight everything, and you don't want your jewelry to compete with your gown. Intricate bridal gowns with elaborate beadwork or hand-sewn lace call for simple, elegant jewelry while unadorned bridal gowns can support jewelry with more glitter, glitz and drama.