Jewelry Care 101: Keeping Your Treasures Shining
The Ultimate Guide on How to Choose Wedding Earrings
Congratulations! You said YES… to the dress! Now it’s time to accessorize. Your choice in earrings and other bridal embellishments will set the tone for your look, and while thinking of the finer details can be overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be! Here, the experts at Stella Nicole break down their best style tips for choosing the perfect pair of wedding earrings to complete your bridal look.
Stay true to your style
There’s a trend for almost anything today and while it’s perfectly okay to jump on trends that you connect with, your wedding look should feel right for you personally rather than just a reflection of what’s popular at the time. When you look back on your special day, you want to say “Those earrings were special to me,” and not “I chose them because they were trending on Instagram.” Make decisions based on what holds sentiment to you and what you want to look back on fondly. Earrings are more than just adornment, they become a part of your story.
Step out of your comfort zone
You know yourself best. Only you know what you’re comfortable with and what doesn’t feel right for you. Start from there and take it up a notch! If minimal elegance is your thing and you rarely go beyond a pair of studs, try a gem-encrusted pavé look. If you’re into a more boho chic wedding and look with jewellery draping from your ears, a chandelier style pair of earrings is perfect for you! Browse through your photos, find the earrings that you feel really speak to your personal aesthetic and use that style as inspiration for your big day.
CIrcle drops by Stella Nicole
Match your metals
We’re all for breaking rules! After all, this is your day and your look needs to work for you. But, if you can’t decide on the metals to complement your dress, here are some tried and true tips to guide your selection.
Platinum or silver metals will complement bright white fabrics, while gold enhances ivory and champagne gowns. For the “blushing” bride, consider coordinating your dress with rose gold earrings.
Don’t clash with the veil
Every wedding look needs a showstopper. Decide if your earrings or the veil will be the pièce de résistance. If you plan on showcasing a lavish pair of vintage chandelier earrings then play it simple with the veil.
I chose a plain tulle veil from Anna Campbell for my own wedding so that I could wear drop-style earrings without the veil sharing the spotlight. If your showstopper is a veil with embellishments and intricate lace trimming, or a diamond-encrusted headpiece then choose a minimal look for your earrings.
Tulle veil by Anna Campbell, allowing the drop-style earrings to stand out
Consider your hairstyle
A bride’s hair – along with her neckline – will frame her look. How will you style your hair so that your earrings stand out? This will determine how visible your earrings are. Hair length can really help in choosing which style of earrings work best for your face.
If your hair is long and full of volume and you plan on wearing it down or to the side and hanging off one shoulder, consider a drop style. The key to showing off your earrings with longer hair is you want your earrings to be seen in photos. This is where we recommend longer earrings to make a statement!
For short hair or up styles, statement studs work really well. A birdcage veil would complement this look, especially if you favour a classic 1940s vintage look which is certainly making a comeback!
Statement crystal studs to complement a longer hairstyle. Image by Freepik.
Choose earrings to suit your neckline
Earrings should complement a bride’s dress, not overshadow it! An off-the-shoulder neckline draws attention to the neck and shoulders. Statement studs are a perfect way of keeping this area open and showing off your neckline.
A plunging neckline or low back exudes elegance and creates a sensual look. For this, consider longer drops and avoid a necklace to allow your earrings to stand out and accentuate the neckline of your dress.
High necklines work with either pearl studs or longer drops but this of course depends on how embellished your dress is. If you want to play it safe, then opt for the pearl studs. You can never go wrong! Pearls are the epitome of timeless elegance and sophistication.
Sweetheart necklines open the door to so many styling possibilities. This is one of the most versatile necklines to work with. Your décolletage takes focus here, so you want to create a statement with your earrings. This is where you can be as extravagant as you like and choose longer chandelier style earrings to compliment your neckline.
Frame your face
Once you have an understanding of how your earrings will anchor your look and the vibe you’re going for, consider the shape of your face and how you will work earrings to your advantage! The style of earring you choose can impact the way your face looks, so there are two simple rules to go by. The longer the face, the shorter or rounder the earrings. The wider the face, the longer the earrings.
For long faces, emphasize the width of your face by choosing studs or hoops.
For a wide face, opt for a long drop style or chandelier drops to give your face a slimmer appearance. Avoid hoops unless you want a bloated look in your photos. Leave that for all the post-wedding feasting on your honeymoon!
Statement pearl drops to elongate a wide profile. Image by Freepik.
A final word…
Our final piece of advice is not to go overboard. Your earrings should never outshine you. While it’s tempting to experiment with extravagant styles, your wedding day is not the time for you to look like a Christmas tree! Less is more!
Whatever style of earrings you choose, remember to stay true to your personal style and be yourself… your best self!
In the words of Harry Winston, “People will stare, make it worth their while.”
