Once you’ve found the perfect wedding dress, the next step is finding the perfect jewelry to go with it. The type of jewelry you wear on your wedding day will give your dress and your overall look a more personal touch.
It’s more important to pick jewelry based on your personal style and sentimental reasons instead of following what’s popular on Instagram or Pinterest.
The clean lines and minimalist styles we see in modern bridal jewelry are great, but there’s just something about vintage-style fine jewelry that makes us swoon with awe.
Another reason to go for vintage is that you’re certain to be wearing a one-of-a-kind piece for a wedding look that’s completely unique. Unlike the mass-produced jewelry, most vintage jewelry was handcrafted with intricate details.
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to choosing bridal jewelry. Trends may come and go, but vintage is definitely here to stay. Based on the traditional four must-have elements for every bride on her wedding day, here’s some inspiration to bear in mind.
Something Old
Raid your mom’s closet for vintage finds and be inspired by the sophistication of bygone decades from the roaring 20s to the flying 40s and elegant 50s. Chances are there may be some pieces that have been passed down through generations in your family. See if there are any bold Gatsby-style bangles or geometric Art Deco pendants that will surely dazzle the crowd on your wedding day. This kind of jewelry works best when paired with pin-curled hairstyle or old Hollywood waves.
When choosing which vintage jewelry to wear, make sure that it matches the style of your dress. If your wedding dress is on the simpler side, then wear a bold statement piece. But if you’re wearing a highly embellished wedding gown, it’s best to keep your baubles simple so they don’t clash with the dress. If the neckline of your dress is elaborate, then go for a simpler necklace; and if your gown has long sleeves, you can do away with the bracelet.
Something New
If your grandma’s strands of pearls are too fragile to wear and your mom’s favorite bangles are broken, then vintage-inspired jewelry is the next best thing. There are plenty of stores offering vintage style jewelry – like Zadok Jewelers, a wedding jewelry store in Houston. You can shop for rings with lace-like filigree and milgrain borders reminiscent of the Edwardian era, or you can go for bold and geometric jewelry that was popular during the Art Deco period.
Most vintage designs are timeless and can be worn long after the wedding festivities are over. So make sure to buy something that you’ll want to wear again with your other outfits. Also, remember that wedding activities last all day and night, so you’ll want to choose something lightweight and not cumbersome. The last thing you want is a piece of jewelry that isn’t staying in place or is weighing you down.
Something Borrowed
Wearing vintage jewelry is a classic way to incorporate wedding traditions. If you want to make a show-stopping impression once you start walking down the aisle, then shop the rest of your family’s jewelry chest and choose an heirloom piece that compliments your wedding dress. You can reach out to grandmothers, aunts, sisters, and any other special female role model in your life to see if they’d like to contribute to your “something borrowed.”
Don’t just go with the first vintage piece you see. You can ask your mom for a piece of jewelry she wore on her own wedding day, or ask for a piece that was given to her by your dad. Aside from the usual suspects, you can also use your mom’s vintage hair pin or your grandma’s brooch for added glamor. Wearing these will make your wedding day all the more meaningful and sentimental.
Something Blue
There are plenty of gemstones to choose from for your something blue, including sapphire, blue opal, blue topaz, and aquamarine. Unless your wedding palette calls for it, you’ll want the “something blue” jewelry to be subtle so it doesn’t clash with the rest of your wedding colors, such as a pair of blue studs or a simple blue bangle.
If you want a traditional look that will make you feel like royalty, you can find a lot of rings online that have been inspired by Kate Middleton’s blue sapphire and diamond engagement ring. If you want something that truly blends the old with the new, then a pendant necklace featuring a turquoise or lapis lazuli gemstone will add a burst of color to your bridal ensemble.