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| Selecting Your Wedding Jewelry |
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Photo by
Bristol Workshops in Photography
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Article
written by Kathy Reid, Heller & Reid
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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 large, formal wedding calls for more
elaborate jewelry.
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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.
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As a general rule: the more glitter and detailing on the gown,
the simpler the jewelry; a more plain gown can support more
decorative jewelry.
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The various lengths of necklaces include the choker, collar,
princess, matinee, and opera lengths. You may want to follow these
guidelines in selection of the necklace length to best flatter your
gowns neckline:
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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.
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The Collar: Made of three or more strands that fit
securely around the middle neck. This Victorian style looks
lovely with a plunging or strapless neckline.
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The Princess: Perfect for strapless gowns, this
length falls below the hollow of the neck -- perfect support
for a pendant. This style is most often 16"; looks great with
almost every neckline, except a high neckline.
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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 d�olletage area. It shouldn't hit the top
of the dress because then the necklace and the dress are
fighting for attention.
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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.
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Other things to consider
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Keep
your earrings simple if your necklace is large or grand.
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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.
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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.
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Keep this in mind when selecting earring styles:
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A button
earring accentuates a round face.
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A dangle
earring widens a narrow face.
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A
squared earring adds interest to a long face.
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If you
are wearing a Tiara you may not want to wear earrings.
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If you
are not wearing a necklace you may want your earrings to
be larger. It is all a matter of balance.
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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.
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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. |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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