All that Glitters?Something Old, Something New...


Brides through the 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 the chance to wear it on their wedding day. Is it the special occasion or the chance to play dress-up that prompts these brides to don the unthinkable-jewelry?

Those brides too practical to care about jewelry in real life use it on their wedding day to check off all the "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 the overall theme of the wedding, including the formality of the occasion, the design of the wedding dress, and the 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 the list as the 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 the ground, you can almost hear that chorus of all the Mothers of the Brides from here to Timbuktu: "Dear, you cannot go wrong with pearls." For once, Mother's mantra hits the 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 the 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 the 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, the "Sweetheart" Swarovski line combines the 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 the finest in quality from the Czech Republic, world renowned for their crystals and semi-precious gems. Each handmade piece is customized to match the 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 the bridesmaids' dresses (something blue).

Guidelines for Bridal Jewelry

Semi-formal or formal attire guidelines apply to wedding attire-the simpler the dress, the more elaborate the 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.

You may hear that a white bridal gown requires silver jewelry and that an ivory bridal gown requires gold jewelry. Unless you specifically selected your bridal gown to match your engagement and wedding rings, select gold or silver jewelry according to your personal preference. You're going to find that almost everyone with whom you discuss your wedding plans has an opinion on nearly everything, usually stated as a rule.

When you select your wedding jewelry, ask yourself the following questions:

Does the jewelry fit the occasion? Is it too formal or too casual? Does the jewelry compete with your wedding dress? Does the necklace follow the curve of the neckline? For example, if your wedding gown has a round neckline, a choker follows the neckline. If your gown has a V-neck, a longer necklace follows the neckline. Does your jewelry accentuate your best features, or does it attract attention to the wrong area of your face or neckline?

Earring Options

Whether you choose studs, or dangling earrings, pearls or diamonds, the key words are delicate and elegant. If your bridal bouquet and floral displays are predominantly pastel, you can select one of the pastels for your jewelry ensemble. Pale pink pearls are stunning with a bouquet of pastel roses. Out with the rules: wear whatever makes you look and feel good.

Neckwear Options

High necklines are the only necklines that generally cannot support neckwear. The neckline is the neckwear! If you're wearing a severe neckline such as a bateau, you can wear a more dramatic necklace: a larger, dramatic pendant or a longer strand of pearls. When in doubt, a simple pearl choker complements most necklines without overpowering the gown.

Tiaras

If you elect to wear a tiara, limit the rest of your jewelry to simple stud or button earrings and understated neckwear. You chose the tiara to make a statement; let it do just that. In fact, you may want to forego a necklace when wearing a tiara so that the eye wanders up to the tiara.

When selecting your jewelry, determine which asset you want to emphasize, and use jewelry to draw attention to that asset.

M J Plaster is a successful author who provides information on shopping online for jewelry and engagement rings. M J Plaster has been a commercial freelance writer for almost two decades, most recently specializing in home and garden, the low-carb lifestyle, investing, and anything that defines la dolce vita.







Related News



The dearer the wedding, the poorer the marriage - Telegraph.co.uk

The dearer the wedding, the poorer the marriage
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom -Dec 2, 2008
By Rowan Pelling It's no wonder the institution of marriage is in meltdown. The cost of the average wedding has doubled in a decade and now stands at just ...

Melody LaLuz Fabien and Claudaniel Fabien wait until marriage to kiss - Chicago Sun-Times

NEWS.com.au

Melody LaLuz Fabien and Claudaniel Fabien wait until marriage to kiss
Chicago Sun-Times, United States -Nov 30, 2008
...marriage -- but went a little further by agreeing not to kiss each other on the lips before their union was official. The couple's wedding was yesterday ...
Abstinence Instructors Hold Out Until Marriage for First KissShortNews.com
Chicago couple wait for first kiss at the altarThe Associated Press
A Lesson From a 28-Year-Old Virgin Couple abstains from sex and ...NBC Chicago
Chicago Sun-Times
all 291 news articles

Why Impact Florida will demonstrate outside of Governor Crist’s ... - Creative Loafing Tampa

Tampa Tribune

Why Impact Florida will demonstrate outside of Governor Crist’s ...
Creative Loafing Tampa, FL -7 hours ago
We are not opposing or trying to stop the wedding. (That would be pretty silly since Impact Florida is explicitly and enthusiastically pro-marriage. ...
Crist Wedding ProtestWMBB-TV
all 4 news articles

Gays to Demonstrate at Fla. Gov. Crist’s Marriage - EDGE Boston

Gays to Demonstrate at Fla. Gov. Crist’s Marriage
EDGE Boston, MA -Dec 1, 2008
After the ceremony, the demonstrators plan to protest the wedding reception at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort. Crist’s marriage to New York socialite Carole ...
Florida governor's bride-to-be chooses her gown for Dec. 12 weddingSun-Sentinel.com
Crist's fiancee to wear silk gown at weddingGatorsports.com
Gay rights group to protest at Crist's weddingMiamiHerald.com
Palm Beach Post
all 41 news articles

Crist Fields Questions About Wedding, Obama, Politics - Tampa Tribune

Crist Fields Questions About Wedding, Obama, Politics
Tampa Tribune, FL -2 hours ago
Q: Gay rights activists are planning to demonstrate outside your wedding and reception to protest the gay marriage ban that passed in Florida on Nov. ...


The God of the Middle - ChristianityToday.com

ChristianityToday.com

The God of the Middle
ChristianityToday.com, IL -3 hours ago
But as I attend wedding after wedding of friends who ventured out on this journey with me all those years ago, it can feel tiring to keep pressing on, ...

California lawmakers decry gay wedding ban - United Press International

California lawmakers decry gay wedding ban
United Press International -6 hours ago
Prop 8 would amend the state constitution to restrict marriage to heterosexual couples, ending a brief period in which it was legal for same-sex couples to ...

Wedding Videography: The Best Way to Share Your Love Stories Over Time - Best Syndication

Best Syndication

Wedding Videography: The Best Way to Share Your Love Stories Over Time
Best Syndication, CA -5 hours ago
It is a perfect way to show to your friends how love has kept your family together, may it be 25 or 50 years of marriage. This wedding videography is long ...

Did Spencer Pratt 'drug' Heidi Montag for wedding? Ask Mom! - Los Angeles Times

MTV.com

Did Spencer Pratt 'drug' Heidi Montag for wedding? Ask Mom!
Los Angeles Times, CA -2 hours ago
Heidi Montag's mom gives her daughter and Spencer Pratt's marriage “six months,” calling it “the biggest mistake Heidi's ever made." Wow, six months? ...
Heidi Montag's Mom Says Marriage To Spencer Pratt Will Last 'Six ...MTV.com
'The Hills' Newlyweds To Try for BabySan Francisco Chronicle
Speidi's 'Wedding' BlingExtra TV
E! Online - Access Hollywood
all 47 news articles

6 Common Mistakes on Your Wedding Day - Best Syndication

Best Syndication

6 Common Mistakes on Your Wedding Day
Best Syndication, CA -6 hours ago
The marriage license. There are many rules and regulations pertaining to a marriage license. These rules usually vary from state to state. ...
A Career As an Event PlannerBest Syndication
all 2 news articles