Whether you're the bride or a bridesmaid, choosing the perfect bridesmaid jewellery can be a tricky task. Should bridesmaids even wear jewellery? And if so, what colour or style? Are pearls okay for bridesmaids, or is there some rule that they should be reserved for the bride? These are just some of the many questions asked by bridal parties every year. The good news is, there's no single 'right' answer, just plenty of possibilities to suit every type of wedding.
In this post, we'll discuss all things bridesmaid jewellery, from which pieces suit different necklines to who typically buys the jewellery. Jewellery can be a very personal thing, a way to express yourself, but if you'd like guidance and inspiration (as we've found many people do, where weddings are concerned!), allow us to offer our advice as women who live and breathe beautiful, timeless jewellery.
Are bridesmaids supposed to wear jewellery?
People often assume that there are set rules for bridesmaid jewellery, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Whether or not bridesmaids wear jewellery is entirely up to either the bride or the bridesmaids themselves.
For some weddings, the bride will decide what the bridesmaids wear, from their dresses and hairstyles to their makeup and jewellery pieces. In others, brides give their bridesmaids free rein, allowing them to dress and style themselves however they choose. These days, it's most typical to see brides settle somewhere in the middle, having an overall aesthetic vibe or colour theme that the bridesmaids stick to when choosing how to style or accessorise their looks.
If you're a bridesmaid and unsure what you should do about your jewellery pieces, ask the bride or your fellow bridesmaids and see what they're thinking.
What jewellery should I wear with my bridesmaid dress?
To answer this question, you must ask another: is the bride choosing your jewellery or are you? If the bride is in charge, she'll decide which pieces best complement your dress. If, however, the choice is down to you, you can select pieces that you love, or decide based on the style of dress you'll be wearing on the special day. While there are no real rules, we can offer advice on which pieces complement dress necklines the best.
Boat necklines
Choose long necklaces that drop below the neckline, like our Gold Solitaire Diamond Necklace, and matching studs, or wear no necklace and accessorise with large statement earrings.
Scoop necklines
Rounded necklines are best suited to rounded necklaces - think symmetrical charm necklaces or any piece that sits in a curve against your chest. Matching studs will complement this look, or delicate dangling earrings.
Square necklines
This elegant neckline offers a lot of choice in jewellery style, as long as the necklace doesn't overwhelm it. Stick with a delicate style, but choose from rounded pieces, short pendant necklaces, chokers, and layered chains. This is another neckline where you can wear no necklace at all, and instead showcase large, showstopping earrings.
Halter necklines
The deeper the halter neck, the longer the necklace you can get away with. If the space isn't there, have fun with earrings instead and take your pick of styles, from delicate studs to statement earrings. We particularly like bold, playful pieces such as our Statement Flower Studs for necklines such as these.
Strapless necklines
Strapless dresses allow for a wide range of jewellery choices. Highlight your décolletage with chains, pendant necklaces, chokers, or any other style that captures your joy, or leave it bare and accessorise with earrings.
Asymmetrical necklines
Unique necklines that cut an asymmetrical figure don't necessarily need a necklace, but if your heart is set on accessorising in this way, choose a simple chain or charm necklace that lies in a neat curve.
Sweetheart necklines
A beautiful shape, the sweetheart neckline can be complemented by rounded pieces to continue the romantic curved lines. Complete the look with matching studs or drop earrings, such as these stunning Silver Chain Pearl Earrings.
Off-the-shoulder necklines
With this neckline, you want to avoid drawing attention away from your exposed shoulders. Choose something simple and sweet, like a choker or short necklace, or opt for delicate stud earrings.
Illusion necklines
Illusion necklines are an accessory all on their own, so we'd recommend leaving necklaces out of the look. Instead, dress your ears with beautiful statement earrings and add a delicate bracelet to your wrist, like our Handformed Heart Charm Bracelet in 9ct gold.
High necklines
This is another neckline that doesn't require a necklace. Again, get creative with your earrings and pick pieces that make a statement.
What colour jewellery should bridesmaids wear?
The jewellery colour you should wear as a bridesmaid depends on whether the bride has a specific metal in mind, your own preference, and whether you'd like it to match the colour of your outfit. We believe there are no rules when it comes to expressing yourself with jewellery, but if you'd appreciate some inspiration, we've listed some popular colourways:
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Cool tones such as blues, greens, and purples work well with white gold or silver jewellery
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Warm tones such as reds, oranges, and yellows work well with gold jewellery
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Neutral tones such as greys, white, and black work well with all metal colours
Your skin tone can also play a part in your decision-making. Just as above, cool undertones in skin suit silver and white gold, warm undertones in skin suit gold, and neutral undertones in skin suit all metal types.
Your bridesmaid jewellery FAQs
Let's talk about some of the other questions most commonly asked surrounding bridesmaid jewellery.
Should bridesmaids wear pearls?
Absolutely! Bridesmaids can certainly embrace the beauty and timeless elegance of pearls. There is no rule that states pearls are for brides only, and they can, in fact, be a wonderful, subtle way to tie the bride's look and the bridal party's look together.
Minimal and classic, our Pearl Pendant Necklace in gold is the perfect piece of bridesmaid jewellery, along with our unique Pearl Drop Studs for when you're looking for something simple yet special.
Does bridesmaid jewellery have to match?
Brides and bridesmaids alike often ask if all bridesmaids should wear the same colour jewellery, and the answer is no, bridesmaid jewellery does not have to match. It is once again entirely up to the bride if her party's jewellery should match. Perhaps she'd like everyone in the same diamond pieces, or all in silver but with varying styles, or maybe she doesn't mind what her bridesmaids wear. In the end, the decision of who makes the choice is with the bride.
Who pays for bridesmaid jewellery?
The question of whether the bride should buy the bridesmaid jewellery is a common one. As with many of the decisions, it will be up to the bride whether she pays or not. Traditionally, in the UK, it's typical for bridesmaids to buy their own jewellery, but sometimes the bride or couple will pay for the jewellery and give it to their bridesmaids as gifts. This often happens when the jewellery is at a higher price point, or if the bride has very specific ideas or exact pieces she wants her bridesmaids to wear.
Popular with our brides is the Dainty Pearl Necklace Gift Set for Bridesmaids, which comes in a bundle of 3, 4, 5, or 6 necklaces.
Choosing the right bridesmaid jewellery
The most important thing of all is not to put pressure on yourself when it comes to bridesmaid jewellery. Whether you're a bride buying for her party or you're a bridesmaid looking for the perfect piece to elevate your outfit, there are some wonderful pieces out there for you to fall in love with.
Our unique bridesmaid jewellery is made in London by our experienced and talented goldsmiths, each piece crafted with care for the big day. For jewellery with a difference, discover our statement jewellery pieces to add a bold element to your outfit, or explore our bestsellers to find pieces that continue to be loved by our customers.
Are you looking to do something truly special? Design the jewellery for your bridesmaids yourself with our bespoke jewellery service. We'll work with you to design the most beautiful pieces, before creating them in our workshop and delivering them to you to gift to your bridesmaids. Bespoke jewellery is an incredibly meaningful present that will last for years beyond the wedding day. Book a free consultation with our goldsmiths, in person or via video call, to begin your bespoke journey.
If you're a bride and have questions about the jewellery you should wear on your wedding day, we invite you to take a look at our ultimate guide to wedding day jewellery.
