However quickly your wedding day
might flash past, your memories of it (not to mention the photos)
will last forever.
You will want to remember it as the perfect day,
and you will want to look your very best. Preparations often seem
to focus around the dress, but there are many other elements of
your look to consider.
Most people build up a “look” or
theme around one particular piece of their wedding day outfit.
It might take a while to settle on a theme, and it may change
several times before the big day, but at some point you will probably
see a gorgeous pair of shoes, or an adorable bouquet of flowers
that inspires the rest of your outfit, or even the whole wedding.
Whatever your inspiration, it’s a good idea to try and get
each piece of the outfit to sit harmoniously with everything else.
Don’t feel that you have to colour match everything perfectly,
but don’t buy things in isolation.
How to shop for Wedding Day Jewellery
and Wedding Rings
Buying a wedding ring is not a purchase to be
rushed. While wedding day jewellery is key to bringing together
your look on the big day, you will wear your wedding ring forever.
Many jewellers like H.Samuel ( http://www.hsamuel.co.uk/ )now
have fantastic websites to complement their high street stores.
This means that you can either research on the web and go into
a store to buy your rings or vice versa. Websites are great for
getting hold of unusually large or small sizes, and frequently
offer delivery within a couple of days of your order. You can
often find more information about jewellery around the site, and
even view large photos of the pieces to be sure you are getting
exactly what you want. The Blue Nile ( http://www.bluenile.com/
)website is also a good tool for investigating different styles
of jewellery, especially engagement rings.
What jewellery should I wear on my wedding day?
What you wear on your wedding day will depend
on the style of the occasion.
Classic Blushing Bride
If you are having a traditional, meringue-y wedding
dress, then you can get away with big, eye-catching pieces. Try
dazzling diamond earrings with a matching tennis bracelet and
a delicate pendant. If you’re on a budget, you can get the
same look for a fraction of the price with gorgeous cubic zirconia
versions of classic jewellery pieces. To perfectly accessorize
a strapless gown, try a loosely swept up-do to draw attention
to your shoulders, along with some simple, elegant drop earrings
that will move and twist and catch the light. Diamond earrings
( http://www.hsamuel.co.uk/webstore/browse/N/4294967245+63/ )
will frame and light up your face for all the photos to give you
a radiant glow.
Cool, Contemporary Woman
It’s trickier to get the balance right
when your dress is the sort of sleek, elegant creation that characterises
the modern wedding. You might choose traditional jewellery to
contrast with and soften the contemporary look of your dress.
Pearls are a perennial favourite of blushing brides, even before
they were worn by the stunning Grace Kelly at her wedding to Prince
Rainier of Monaco in 1956. Pearls have a timeless elegance and
they are available in a huge variety of shapes, colours and sizes.
Make a statement with iridescent, blue-grey Tahitian pearls, or
add a feminine touch with perfectly round pretty pink ones. Cultured
pearls are readily available on the high street and are much more
affordable wedding jewellery than natural pearls. Teardrop-shaped
pearls are perfect for ladylike drop earrings or pendants, while
a string of gorgeous pink pearls is a reliably feminine accessory.
Indie Chick
Not everyone goes for a traditional white wedding;
some opt for genuine individuality and self-expression. Whether
your unconventional wedding is planned around a medieval banquet
style or a funky urban brunch, pearls and diamonds are unlikely
to hit the spot. Jewellery stores (and websites) are full of pieces
set with coloured stones, and you have the choice between genuine
gems and simulated stones. Coloured cubic zirconia looks fabulous,
and you’re bound to find just the right shade somewhere.
To really make an impact, why not try accessorizing with funky,
gothic-y, vintage-y jewellery? Marcasite jewellery or big black
beads will add a striking accent to your wedding dress, whether
it’s vintage Edwardian, elegant cream column, or a scarlet
tea gown.
Celebrity Weddings
Celebrities through the ages have made their
wedding days an occasion to make a style statement. Gwen Stefani,
one of People magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People of 2004,
is famed for her unique but immensely successful style. When she
married Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, she wore a stunning white
and pink John Galliano creation. To accessorize her unusual, asymmetric
gown, Gwen wore an elegantly simple white gold and diamond cross,
which looked fabulous. The couple recreated their London wedding
two weeks later in Los Angeles, where Gwen’s individual
style shone out – she wore the same dress, but instead of
the discreet cross, she chose a striking heart pendant of pink
tourmalines, peridots and diamonds. Madonna is another big star
who chose a simple cross as an accent to her Stella McCartney
gown, although not many of us could afford to emulate that particular
37 carat Harry Winston piece.
With this ring, I thee wed.
Of course the most important pieces of jewellery
on the big day are your engagement and wedding rings. Most couples
opt for simple, timeless wedding bands that will look stylish
forever (remember you’ll be wearing it every day for the
rest of your life) and will perfectly complement the bride’s
sparkling engagement ring. It is traditional to wear your engagement
ring on the right hand throughout the ceremony, to leave the third
finger of your left hand free for the most symbolic piece of jewellery
you’ll ever own, your wedding ring
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