A wedding is a great occasion to dress up and celebrate the union of your loved ones. When it comes to wedding day jewelry, there are no hard and fast rules, but there are still guidelines you need to follow when it comes to deciding on what jewelry to wear to a wedding as a guest.
Check the dress code.
The first thing to do is check the dress code indicated in the wedding invite to avoid looking out of place. If it’s a “white-tie” or “black-tie event,” you’ll need to wear formal jewelry, such as a diamond necklace or pearl earrings to match with your evening gown.
If the dress code says “cocktail” or “festive,” then you have more flexibility when it comes to your jewelry choices. You can afford to add a little bit of color or sparkle to your accessories. For a more casual, laidback affair, you can opt for simpler jewelry that will allow you to relax and dance the night away.
If there’s no dress code on the wedding invitation, use context clues such as the venue of the ceremony and style of the invitation. Better yet, ask the couple beforehand to make sure that your dress and jewelry are wedding-appropriate.
Never outshine the bride.
While it’s important that you look your best as a wedding guest, you’ll need to avoid statement-making jewelry that could upstage the bride. Smaller, daintier pieces such as a pair of delicate stud earrings, a simple tennis bracelet, or a small pendant necklace are much preferred to flashier accessories.
Dress according to theme.
If the wedding is to take place in a grand ballroom, you can wear Art Deco jewelry to match the venue’s grandiosity. If it’s a garden party, opt for jewelry with floral patterns like this diamond flower drop earrings. And if you’re attending a beach wedding, you may want to opt for lightweight, nautical-inspired pieces that are easy to wear.
Consider your outfit.
Less is always more if you’re attending the wedding as a guest. Stick to one or two simple pieces that complement your outfit. Keep the neckline of your dress simple but striking with a solitaire pendant or a strand of pearls.
If you’ve chosen to wear a dress with a high neckline, you can do away with the necklace and opt for an elegant bracelet instead. A single cuff is great to wear to a formal wedding, while stacking your bangles would look great for an informal occasion.
Think about hairstyle.
Your hairstyle can also affect the type of jewelry you wear. For an updo hairstyle, you can wear dangling earrings that frame the face and bring the focus to your elegant neck. If wearing your hair down, choose earrings that don’t get tangled up in your hair, like a pair of studs or hoops.
Choose joy.
Weddings are supposed to be a day of celebration and joy, so the jewelry you choose should inspire joy within you, and make you feel comfortable and confident throughout the wedding celebration. If you’re not used to wearing statement jewelry, it’s better to stick to the basics, but if you love bold jewelry, then go for it as long as it’s appropriate for the dress code and won’t detract from the couple’s special day.
