Choosing Jewellery for a Wedding Day

Wedding jewellery has one job: to look right in photographs that will be looked at for decades. That argues for restraint, good materials and pieces that suit the dress rather than compete with it.

Let the neckline decide

A strapless or sweetheart dress leaves room for a short necklace or a collar. A high or illusion neckline usually looks best with no necklace at all, so put the emphasis on earrings. A deep V suits a fine pendant that follows the line of the fabric.

Match the metal to the dress, not the season

Bright white dresses sit beautifully with silver, platinum and white gold. Ivory, champagne and blush fabrics are warmer and are flattered by yellow or rose gold. Holding the piece against a scrap of the actual fabric is the only reliable test.

Pick one focal point

Statement earrings with a simple neckline, or a striking necklace with plain studs. Doing both at once photographs as clutter, especially with a veil or an updo in the frame.

Think about the whole day

Clip-on or heavy drop earrings become uncomfortable after twelve hours. Check that clasps are secure, that nothing catches on lace, and that bracelets do not slide over the hand while dancing.

Do a full rehearsal

Wear everything together, with the dress and the hair, at least once before the day. It is the quickest way to find out that a bracelet clicks against a ring or that a chain shows above a neckline.