Mr. Dele's Wedding... Happy Marriage Life (Tips on how to write a powerful wedding statements)
Some girls love simple pearls. Some crave a demure pair of diamond studs. But some brides long to say something bold with their wedding-day jewelry. It is a very special occasion, after all—and a day (and night) when your bling will be in the spotlight. To make a big statement with your bridal jewelry, but avoid upstaging your gorgeous gown, take a little time to learn about what types of statement jewelry pieces go best with different styles, wedding settings and personalities.
Decorated Decolletage
The first thing to do is to select your bridal gown prior to shopping for jewelry and accessories. The neckline, silhouette, fabric and embellishment of your dress may sway you toward (or away from) particular pieces.
Notes Tiffany & Co. group director Michael McClure, “Bridal jewelry is always determined by the neckline of the gown.” A strapless design, he suggests, typically will allow a bride to go all out, with a statement necklace, earrings and bracelet. “However, a gown with a lace bodice may not support a necklace, but instead allow the bride to consider dramatic earrings and a bracelet,” he adds. Favorite Tiffany selections include an exquisite diamond butterfly bracelet and diamond floral earrings.
While statement jewelry should seek attention, it shouldn’t overwhelm your bridal ensemble. One way to avoid going overboard is to wear no other jewelry except for one striking statement piece. Ilaria Lanzoni, director of design for Hearts On Fire, recommends the “Reflection Earrings,” comprised of 7.5 carats of diamonds set in 18K white gold. “Best with a strapless dress, these bold, dramatic earrings will reach down toward your shoulders. These are fabulous earrings to wear as a stand-alone piece at your wedding. And after the wedding, they would be appropriate for very formal events.”
The sweetheart neckline continues to be a popular choice among brides. If this is the style you select, your statement jewelry can be spotlight-commanding, but should lean toward the delicate side. Lanzoni’s choice is Hearts on Fire’s “Provocative Pendant”—two elegant carats worth of diamonds in 18K white gold. Gorgeous with a sweetheart-neckline dress, this statement piece can be paired with a low-cut dress for romantic evenings out as newlyweds, special occasions and holiday events.
When selecting your jewelry, also keep the color of your gown in mind. For a bright white wedding dress, your best choices are platinum, white gold and pearls, rather than yellow or rose gold. For an ivory gown with soft yellow undertones, yellow gold jewelry is your best bet to really bring out the warmer shades in the fabric. Diamond-white gowns work with any metal.
Fancy yourself a traditional bride? It’s important to note that statement pieces don’t have to be edgy or modern. Sometimes the best statements are made by classic bridal jewelry. “From its founding in 1837, Tiffany has been internationally renowned as a purveyor of the finest pearls,” says McClure, noting that pearls have always been a timeless bridal accessory. To make a statement with classic pearls, go for volume, as in Tiffany’s triple-strand necklace of cultured South Sea pearls, with its platinum-and-diamond orchid clasp. Pair this evocative piece with South-Sea-pearl-and-diamond earrings to complete your profound pearl ensemble. “These pieces are considered timeless classics and can be worn again and again, long after your big day,” McClure adds.
For a vintage, Art-Deco look—a very hot trend right now, and one that’s not likely to go out of style soon—search for statement pieces such as large pendants and chandelier earrings. Or borrow something from your grandmother’s jewelry box—then you’ll have “old” and “borrowed” covered…not to mention beautiful.
When your dress features an unusual neckline or intricate beading throughout the bodice, skip the earrings and necklace, and instead select an amazing cuff bracelet. This also holds true if you are wearing an elaborate headpiece.
Jonathan Zadok of Houston’s Zadok Jewelers suggests a diamond cuff from designer Image. “The intricate scrollwork of this cuff evokes thoughts of the ethereal as the bride floats down the aisle,” he notes. After the big day, a newly minted Mrs. can wear her diamond cuff, which features 3.13 carats of diamonds in 18K white gold, with a formal gown, cocktail dress, or even sexy night-out skinny jeans and a slinky top.
With a low-cut gown, you have the opportunity to make a big statement with a bold pendant. Lanzoni recommends the “Copley Diamond Circle Pendant,” featuring approximately three carats of diamonds set in 18K white gold. “This piece is best with a V-neck or low-cut dress (possibly a halter top), as this bold necklace will fall nicely on the chest. It’s great to partner with a pair of small diamond drop earrings or large diamond studs for a complete look. After the wedding, this is a fantastic necklace to dress up outfits for other formal events such as weddings, holiday parties, work functions and other affairs.”
For the bride who is in search of the perfect “something blue,” an exquisite pair of earrings or a bold bracelet featuring blue gems makes a stunning statement. McClure recommends that a bride choose a piece comprised of tanzanites and Montana sapphires for “that precious ‘something blue’ that supports longtime traditions on her wedding day.” The Tiffany “Garden Bracelet,” with diamonds, tanzanites, tsavorites and Montana sapphires, and Tiffany “Enchant Earrings,” are particularly spectacular choices. Also consider the Tiffany “Jeypore Bracelet,” in enamel and diamonds with seed pearls. “Your wedding guests won’t be able to take their eyes off this remarkable piece,” McClure notes.
Zadok touts an A & Furst blue topaz bracelet, which features a dazzling 255 carats of blue topaz and .62 carats of diamonds, as the perfect bit of blue: “Light reflects off the rose cuts of the aquatic blue topaz like bubbles effervesce from a glass of Champagne,” he says. “Long after your wedding day, this stunning bracelet will invite jealous glances and start conversations.”
While your wedding day is a uniquely momentous occasion, it’s always preferable to select statement jewelry you can wear after the big day is done. Look for pieces that you can imagine wearing for future formal and semiformal occasions—and keep your jewelry accessible for wear (though secure, and, if it’s valuable, properly insured), rather than locked up in a bank vault.
Like your bridal gown, your wedding jewelry should be indicative of your own personality. The best statement jewelry reflects not just the current bridal fashion trends but also your own sense of style.
.JPG)
.jpg)
Comments