How to Choose Wedding Jewelry

You've said yes to the dress. Now comes the equally exciting (and slightly overwhelming) question of what to wear with it.

As anyone who has ever gotten dressed knows, accessorizing pulls your look into focus. Take that truism and apply it to wedding jewelry and headpieces, then amplify the effect by 100%. Because, not unlike when you chose your gown, the pressure to choose the right accessories can be very real. Being a bride is not something you plan on repeating, so you want to get it right. On top of that, as you shop, you'll come across all sorts of opinions and rules.

Take every single one with a grain of salt, because the truth is, if ever there was a time to toss caution to the wind and follow your heart, it's your wedding day. Whether you're drawn to understated elegance or head-to-toe sparkle (yes, all of it — the tiara, the chandelier earrings, the bracelet, the crystal-encrusted and embroidered veil) your wedding day is the opportunity to wear exactly what you wish. Here's how to think through it.

Start With Your Headpiece

If there's one piece of rule-adjacent advice our stylists give every bride, it's this: choose what you'll wear in your hair first.

Your bridal headpiece has a big impact on your overall style. Its scale, materials, and mood become a natural reference point for every jewelry decision that follows.

A crystal-encrusted headband or tiara suggests sparkle and glamour. You could lean into it with starlet-style dangle earrings and a dazzling cuff bracelet, or make things read a little more understated with pearl drops and a delicate pearl and CZ vine bracelet.

When your headpiece and jewelry are working together to convey the same aesthetic — whatever that is — the whole look feels intentional.

Think About Your Neckline

Various dress necklines frame your face and your décolletage in different ways. Wedding jewelry can echo that framing or provide a beautiful contrast.

Earrings and Bracelets

Strapless: This is the neckline that gives you the most jewelry freedom. Your neck and shoulders are on full display, which means statement earrings like dramatic chandeliers and long dangles are stunning. This goes double if hair is down — a larger earring can be very impactful against soft and Hollywood waves. If long earrings are not your vibe, drop earrings offer that coveted twinkle and interest without the length.

V-neck: The V naturally draws the eye downward, which makes dangly earrings feel right at home. Another option is an eye-catching bridal bracelet — something that, as you gesture or rest your chin in your hand, sparkles and adds to your glow!

High neck or illusion: When your neckline rises, your jewelry can focus elsewhere. This is a moment for wedding earrings and/or a bracelet. Stud and drop earrings work beautifully, but so can dangle or even chandelier earrings.

Scoop or bateau: These elegant, understated necklines play well with almost anything — a stunning pair of earrings, an impactful cuff bracelet, or both.

Necklaces

Chokers or shorter necklaces are gorgeous with strapless necklines, and a pair of CZ studs or drops are a shimmering foil. If you're wearing a halter, V-neck, or scoop neck, try a pendant or a medium-length necklace. Gowns with high necklines are not typically a natural fit for a necklace, but the only way to know for sure is to try and see how it looks.

There Are No Rules

You may have heard the old advice: put on all your accessories, then remove one. We'd like to respectfully set that aside.

Our brides wear stunning crystal crowns and chandelier earrings and CZ-covered bracelets. They also wear pearl drops and a hair comb, or elaborate custom headpieces and red-carpet-ready earrings — and they look incredible. An opulent gown and bold headpiece don't require you to dial back your jewelry. If anything, we encourage you to try everything on to see what ticks your boxes.

If you love sparkle, wear sparkle. If you want a dainty comb with ceramic flowers and crystals and a royal cathedral veil with your initials on it, go for it! Your wedding day is not the occasion for playing it safe unless playing it safe is genuinely what makes you feel most beautiful.

Find Your Bridal Style

The best way to choose your wedding jewelry is to see it alongside your headpiece, and ideally your dress. We'd love to help. At our New York City bridal accessory boutique, our stylists work with you one-on-one to find pieces that feel like the perfect finishing touch. You can also shop our bridal accessory collection and contact us if you need long-distance styling help.