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The bride's jewelry, along with her other accessories,
as a general rule should reflect the formality
of the wedding celebration. A small, informal wedding
calls for simple jewelry, while a large, formal
wedding calls for more elaborate jewelry.
The style of the bridal gown also plays a major
roll in the selection of jewelry. Many of today's
most popular gowns are strapless or have low necklines.
This is a perfect style to showcase a wonderful necklace
and earrings. Gowns with high necklines may be better
of to forgo the necklace and concentrate on the perfect
earrings.
As a general rule to more glitter and detailing
on the gown the simpler the jewelry, while a more
plain gown can support more decorative selections.
Necklace Length
The various lengths of necklaces
include the, choker, the collar, princess, matinee,
and opera lengths.
In general you may want to follow these guidelines
in selection of the necklace length to best flatter
your gowns neckline:
The Choker: One to three strands worn close around
the neck is the most classic version and works well
with a jewel or bateau neckline. If too much skin
is showing it may get lost.
The Collar: Made up of three or more strands that
fit securely around the middle neck. This Victorian
style looks lovely with a plunging or strapless neckline.
The Princess: Perfect for strapless gowns, this
length falls below the hollow of the neck in front
-- perfect support for a pendant. This style is most
often 16" looks great with almost every bridal
gown neckline, except a high neckline.
The Matinee: Longer than the Princess but shorter
than the Opera, this style hits the top of the bust
and looks great with a bateau, jewel, or a lower
neckline with sheer fabric covering the décolletage
area. It shouldn't hit the top of the dress because
then the necklace and the dress are fighting for
attention.
The Opera: This long single strand falls below the
bust and looks classic with a very high neckline.
Not often a good choice for bridal gowns or bridesmaid
dresses.
Other things to consider:
- Keep your earrings simple
if your necklace is large or grand.
- Bracelets
can be worn with sleeveless, short-sleeve, and
three-quarter sleeve gowns. It is possible
to combine a bracelet with gloves as a dramatic
accessory
worn over tight-fitted gloves, but not many
feel comfortable with this look.
- A watch can
be worn if it is an unusual antique or family
heirloom, but most watches are
not appropriate wedding jewelry for the bride
or the bridesmaids.
Choice of Earring
Keep this in mind when selecting
earring styles:
- A button earring accentuates a round face.
- A
dangle earring widens a narrow face.
- A squared
earring adds interest to a long face.
- If you
are wearing a Tiara you may not want to wear
earrings.
- If you are not wearing a necklace you
may want your earrings to be larger. It is all
a
matter of balance.
Wearing a Tiara
Want to feel like a princess?! Spend
your special day crowned by a glittering tiara.
But consider
keeping the other jewelry simple, small pearl
earrings and a simple necklace or let your tiara
be the
point of focus and leave off any extra jewelry. Appropriate Jewelry for Bridesmaids
Most bridesmaid ensembles can be enhanced with earrings
and perhaps a necklace or bracelet. All bridesmaids
should wear jewelry that is the same color and
style. It can match or contrast with the color
of the dress. We recommend that you keep the bridal
party jewelry simple, yet elegant. Jewelry is a
great gift for the bride to consider giving her
bridesmaid, and maid of honor and by doing so you
can control the total look the day of the wedding.
The Type of Jewelry Most Often Selected For Weddings
Brides have worn pearls for centuries as a symbol
of purity and perfection. In ancient Rome, the
pearl was the ultimate symbol of wealth and social
standing, while the ancient Greeks associated the
pearl with love, marriage, and unrivaled beauty.
The Greeks also believed the pearl would promote
marital harmony.
Today's modern brides often includes rhinestones,
diamonds faux diamonds, sometimes called CZ's, crystals,
gemstones and or a combination of them all in their
wedding jewelry. It's really a matter of personal
style and budget.
The important thing is to make sure your jewelry
does not over power the dress and that the color
works with the gown. For example a white bridal gown
looks best with white pearls and silver. An ivory
gown looks better with ivory pearls and gold. A pale
pink or beige tone gown looks best with ivory and
gold accents or faux gemstones that match or are
slightly lighter. Rhinestones, crystals, diamonds,
or faux diamonds (CZs) can work with all gown colors
but it is best to use a silver setting with white
and a gold setting with other gown colors. Of course,
all rules are made to be broken so what makes you
feel the most special.
By Kathy Reid
www.weddingandbridaljewelry.com
service@weddingandbridaljewelry.com
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