Kacey Bradley
Some brides have been planning every detail of their wedding day — from the dress to the venue to the jewelry — since they were little. Others need a bit more guidance to prepare the perfect wedding to match their style and tastes. No matter where in the spectrum you fall, many details need to be ironed out before you say "I do."
One of the final details you'll want to pick, once you choose your dress, theme and colors, are your accessories. Before you start shopping, think about the following points.
Gather wedding inspiration. Grab some magazines or hop on Pinterest, and start deciding what appeals to you.
On a scale from casual to glam, how formal will the wedding be? Pick jewelry that will be appropriate.
Consider the neckline of your wedding dress. For a sweetheart neckline or strapless dress, wear a choker to keep eyes on your face. For a V-neck, consider a pendant or layer a few delicate pieces. If you're wearing a halter or dress with a high neckline, stick to a nice set of earrings.
What color is your dress? Silver or platinum look best with snow-white gowns. Gold is a great complement to ivory and champagne-colored gowns, and rose-gold pairs well with a blush-toned dress.
You want your big day to be a reflection of you. Besides matching your accessories to your dress, you'll also want to consider your wedding theme. Based on the style you choose, this guide will help you pinpoint the perfect accessories to match.
Classic
Going with a classic theme means you want your wedding to be timeless and something you'll still remember fondly — without cringing — 20 years from now. You want to keep with wedding traditions, from exchanging vows in a church to tossing the bouquet to eagerly awaiting bachelorette parties. For jewelry that matches this aesthetic, consider wearing classic drop earrings with a matching necklace. Wear a belt to add some sparkle to your dress, and choose a matching veil.
Vintage
Are you looking to evoke a vintage vibe at your wedding? Trying to pay homage to your parents' or grandparents' great love story by recreating it for yourself? Maybe you just love all things mid-century modern or roaring '20s. Find vintage pieces that speak to the era you're trying to recreate.
Glam
You want your wedding to be the event of the year and one that everyone talks about for a long time. Glitzy and glamorous fits your taste, and you've found the perfect ball gown wedding dress to match. Select jewelry that will enhance the beauty of your gown while still making a bold statement. Consider wearing a tiara, flashy earrings and matching choker.
Modern
Modern themes are ultracontemporary — chic venues, clean lines and minimalist decor. Find the perfect jewelry to complement your style, and go with the mantra that less is more. If you're trying to add a bit of pizzazz through jewelry and accessories, consider making something old new again. Repurpose a vintage piece of jewelry into something fresh and uniquely you.
Rustic
A rustic wedding is much more than mason jars, burlap and cowboy boots. They have transformed into boho chic and are the perfect way to theme just about any outdoor wedding. If you're getting married on top of a mountain, at a farm or ranch, or in the open woods somewhere, look for accessories and jewelry to match — but consider toning it down to not distract from the natural beauty around you. Wear a flower crown or throw a few feathers in your hair, and wear a bold cuff bracelet in gold or turquoise.
Theme
Theme weddings are the ultimate way to personalize your ceremony. These weddings aren't always the most formal, but they're certainly more fun. Whether you're going for a nautical theme full of anchors and rope, a Halloween wedding where you encourage guests to wear costumes, an all-white winter-wonderland or even a "Game of Thrones" soiree, find accessories that follow along. This is your chance to celebrate your love and have a ton of fun along the way. It will be an event your guests will never forget.
Your Accessories Reflect You
When it comes to your wedding day, it's important to do what feels right. Finding the perfect jewelry and accessories to complement your bridal look is also part style, part feeling. If you hate the idea of wearing chandelier earrings, stick to studs. If you've always wanted to wear a tiara, this is your moment. When you're happy in your dress and accessories, you'll feel beautiful and confident — and no accessory can top that.