By: Erica Delp
Summer seems to be the season of love, as is evidenced by the myriad of weddings that occur May through August. In addition to sharing the meaningful day with the bride and groom, weddings also give guests a welcome chance to see and be seen. Once the invitations are received, girlfriends and family members almost instantaneously will begin discussing the big question “what are you going to wear?”. Finding the perfect dress is of course paramount on many ladies minds. However, that fantastic frock will do very little for a woman without the right jewelry to enhance the overall look. But what jewelry is right for the occasion? Are there any “rules” to follow? Although I tend to shy away from giving any hard and fast rules when it comes to fashion because I believe it should be fun and creative, there are a few helpful principles to keep in mind when selecting your jewelry for a wedding.
The first and most important of these is to keep the attention on the bride and the wedding party. It’s most often not possible to know what a bride will be wearing on her big day or what jewelry she may have selected for her girls. But, you can be sure that you don’t want to show up wearing the same jewelry set from Tiffany & Co. that she is, for example. Choosing one of a kind or handmade pieces is a useful way to make sure that your look is your own, and that there are no embarrassing duplicates floating around the day of the wedding. Also, as is true for dress selection, competing with the bride is a big “no no”. Make sure that your choice in accessories is tasteful and different so that there is no accidental “one uping” going on.
Secondly, use the setting to inform your choice in accessories. Is the event at a ritzy, upscale venue? By all means, break out your high end, large gemstones to add some pizzazz to your outfit. Is the setting artsy? Perhaps an eye catching statement piece would be best. At a Garden or a Mansion? Think about using traditional pieces that compliment your dress. Pearls often a good fit for such occasions. Practicality is also an important consideration when dealing with hot summer days. Heavy or tight pieces that are perfectly comfortable in an indoor setting can quickly grow burdensome if you are spending hours at a reception in the outdoor heat.
Finally, aim to look “expensive” as the judges on the ever popular “Project Runway” like to advise. You don’t have to actually spend a lot of money on your accessories, just choose pieces that you look like you did. Weddings are in most cases a semiformal occasion. Therefore, your accessories should reflect that mindset. Even at the most informal of weddings, no lady should look like she picked up her jewelry at the local dollar store on the way to event. Jewelry that includes genuine gemstones, precious metals, fine glass, crystals or artisan pieces are all good choices. Avoid plastics and cheaply made jewelry that’s better left for your everyday wardrobe.
Above all, have fun and enjoy your look for the day. If you feel beautiful and glamorous, you’re doing something right. Below are some ready to wear pieces from Layne Designs that will help you complete your wedding ensemble.
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