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You’ve said yes to the dress, now all you need is a few finishing touches to elevate your look. Bridal earrings are one of the most important to consider as they help to frame your face.
Learn all you need to know about finding the right pair of wedding earrings to compliment your gown and your style below.
Where to Start
The number one rule of styling your wedding outfit is that jewelry should flatter your gown – not overpower it. Your pieces should also complement each other.
The start of your search for the perfect bridal earrings will depend on where you are at with the rest of your accessories.
Where Are You At?
If you already have a necklace that you have your heart set on, use that as a guide for your earrings. Look for matching metals, stone shapes, and colors so that the earrings pair well rather than compete with each other.
If you’ve chosen a statement necklace, keep your earrings on the smaller side so that your jewels don’t distract from your face.
If you don’t have a piece as a starting point, do a little research before you start shopping.
Collect images of completed wedding looks that are similar to what you are aiming for. Try and find pictures of dresses that have the same neckline as your gown (more on the importance of necklines below) and find inspiration for different hero pieces.
Be prepared to edit while shopping just in case you fall in love with an unexpected piece. Shop long drop earrings from Blue Sky Horizons.
Editing is key for bridal jewelry. Shopping without considering your other pieces can leave you with OTT accessories. Having different jewelry goals in mind while you shop will help you edit according to what you find.
For example, you may think that you want to wear a statement necklace, but instead, find a bewitching pair of embellished teardrop earrings. This should then determine the rest of your jewelry.
It’s easy to get tempted to load up on sparkles and bling when you’re shopping but remember less is more – you don’t want your jewelry to outshine you!
Consider Comfort
Emerald lace earrings by Pillow Design
Weddings are a long affair. This is why you should consider how comfortable your earrings will be when you wear them for hours on end. It can be difficult to gauge comfort without trying earrings on, but a general rule is to keep to styles that you’ve worn before.
If you don’t usually wear heavy pieces, your wedding day probably isn’t the best day to start wearing big chandelier earrings. If you have your heart set on statement earrings, look for pieces made primarily of lighter materials such as silk or lace.
Assess Your Gown’s Neckline
The neckline of your gown will determine the jewelry you choose, especially the shape of your earrings.
Bare or Low Necklines:
Long earrings that dust the shoulders create an alluring look. Shop drop earrings from Blair Nadeau Bridal.
The cut and design of your gown’s neckline frames your face and your earrings will do the same. Choosing earrings that clash with your gown’s neckline will be confusing to the eye. Your earrings and neckline should create a beautiful cohesive backdrop that allows your face to be the centerpiece.
Sweetheart, strapless and off-the-shoulder necklines are the perfect blank canvas for statement earrings. Go bold with multi-tiered chandelier earrings or keep it demure with long chain earrings that hover just above your shoulders.
High or Detailed Necklines:
Match your earrings to details on your dress. Shop these silk flower earrings from Atelier Lucky Dress.
If your dress features an elegant high neck or intricate detailing close to the face (think beading, fabric appliques, or illusion netting) you can go either way with earrings. The safe option is to keep it simple with studs or modest drop earrings with classic diamonds or pearls to let the dress do the talking.
Alternatively, you can use your earrings to highlight designs in the dress. Pay attention to all the little details to ensure a perfect match. Pair longer earrings with an illusion or high neckline to elongate the neck and draw the eye from your dress to your face.
The goal is to find earrings that look like they were made for the dress. If your gown is beaded or is embellished with fabric appliques, find earrings that feature the same stones, shapes, or patterns. If you have the budget for it, you might even want to have a jeweler make custom earrings that match your dress exactly.
Match Your Jewelry Tone with Your Dress
You probably learned about all the different shades of white when you were shopping for your wedding dress, and you should apply the same principles of matching tones when you shop for earrings.
Gold jewelry is best worn with ivory as it highlights the creamy tone of the fabric. Silver or platinum metals work best for pure white, as do white pearls.
Champagne tinted gowns also work well with gold, but especially suit rose gold as it brings out subtle pink hues.
If your dress is diamond white (a slightly off-white color between ivory and pure white) you can choose any metal as this pairs well with both cool and warm tones.
If your gown is embellished with beadwork, this should dictate the tone of your jewelry. This is because both your dress and your jewelry will be sparkling, so you will want both to glisten in the same cool or warm tones to keep your look harmonious.
Don’t Forget Your Hair
Simple drop earrings are perfect for brides that want to wear their hair down. Shop this style from Davie and Chiyo.
Your bridal hairstyle is also an important factor to consider. If you are wearing your hair up or pulled back, then your earrings will be the primary face-framer; if you are wearing your hair down, your earrings will be secondary to your hair.
Any embellished accessories such as pins, clips, or headbands will also be close to your earrings, so these should be matched as closely as possible. If you are donning an elaborate headpiece such as a tiara, flower crown, or statement clip, consider choosing simple studs to match rather than statement earrings that will compete with your hair.
Also consider your veil. You may love the look of show-stopping chandelier earrings but will they pair well with a modest veil during your ceremony? To get the best of both accessories, consider an earring change from simple studs during the ceremony to a dazzling pair of party earrings for the reception.
Wedding Earrings for Different Styles
Most of all, your earrings should reflect your personal style. With all the different options, accessories are the perfect opportunity to highlight your flair with fashion and your wedding theme.
Modern
Laser-cut earrings by Hushed Commotion
Brides with an ultra-modern style sensibility should look for geometric and graphic earring styles. Clean lines, chunky stones, and sharp shapes should be balanced with a muted color palette to keep from overwhelming your face.
Elegant
Pearl and White Topaz Earrings by Blue Nile
Opt for timeless earrings that make a gorgeous statement when inspected closely, but are more subdued when you consider your entire outfit. What you want to avoid is anything OTT, so stick to one classic stone such as diamonds or pearls in studs or single-tier drop designs.
Show-Stopping Earrings
Chandelier earrings by Allure Wedding Jewelry. Check Price Here.
Chandelier earrings exude old-world opulence that is perfect for a bride that wants to feel glamorous on her big day. If your wedding theme is decadent, take some design cues from your décor. By mimicking the piers and stones in your centerpiece or crystal ware you’ll ensure that you look every part the belle of the ball.
Something Blue
Sapphire and Diamond Halo Stud Earrings from James Allen
Wedding earrings tinted blue are a great way to pay tribute to the old tradition of ‘something blue’ on your wedding day. If your look is more laid back and natural, consider turquoise stones, but if your look is more traditional or glamorous you can’t go past a stunning set of sapphires. A pop of bridal blue is a great way for traditional brides to add color that isn’t too left-of-center.
Trendy
Bridal ear climber cuff by Olga Delice
Finishing off your bridal look with contemporary earrings is the perfect way for fashion-forward brides to keep their wedding day ensemble on-trend in a subtle way. Many jewelry designers have adapted the popular celestial trend into dressy pieces worthy of your wedding day. If you are looking for something more understated, consider choosing a crawling ear cuff encrusted in diamonds or pearls in place of simple studs.
Wrapping Up…
The right accessories will help to complete your bridal look, complementing you perfectly without overwhelming you. This is why it’s important to choose your bridal earrings carefully.
Remember that the jewelry should complement you and the dress, not vice versa. Once you have your dress and know what style you’re after, you can then choose the best pair of earrings to set them off.
