Wedding Jewellery FAQs
(Courtesy stylemepretty.com)
Does the wedding ring go on before my engagement ring or after it?
The wedding ring should be placed on the finger first, followed by the engagement ring. Therefore, many brides decide to wear their engagement ring on their right hand because it makes things easier during the ring exchange at the ceremony. It is much more convenient for the photographers, too.
I have very sensitive skin and am allergic to most metals. Is there a hypoallergenic metal that we can use for our wedding bands?
Most metal allergies are due to the nickel or copper content found in metal-alloys. These most commonly occur with low quality metals. Platinum or yellow gold are the least likely metals to cause an allergic reaction. However, if you are on a tight budget, a pure titanium ring might be a good choice for you. You will want to be careful with the other jewellery pieces that you choose to wear on your wedding day. It might be best for you to wear strands of pearls, rather than jewellery with metal settings and clasps.
We’re on a tight budget, but I don’t want to wear fake jewellery because it might cause an allergic reaction and won’t look as good in photos. What can I do?
Some brides choose to rent their wedding jewellery. Many jewellery companies offer ready-made pieces which are insured and available for you to wear on the day of your wedding. Some companies ship the jewellery to you, whilst others need to be personally picked up in store. Of course, you will need to pay a deposit just in case you lose or damage the jewellery.
I have quite a full face. What jewellery style would suit me?
Steer clear of high-set necklaces and chokers. A longer necklace will draw attention to your clavicle, and give the illusion of lengthening your neck and face face. Earrings with sharp angles and geometric shapes tend to give the appearance of a slimmer face, too.
I am very tall and have a long neck. What jewellery should I wear on my wedding day?
Long, chandelier earrings flatter tall woman and tend to balance your proportions rather than draw attention to them. Be careful when choosing your earrings, though. You don’t want them tangling your hair or snagging on your dress and you certainly don’t want them to be so heavy that your earlobes are drooping down to your ankles by the end of the day.
What type of jewellery suits petite brides?
Steer away from big statement necklaces. The chunkiness of the design will make you look out of proportion. It’s best to stick to dainty necklaces and bracelets and perhaps some stud earrings or some very fine dangly earrings.
We are having an afternoon wedding. Can I wear diamond jewellery?
Tradition says that diamonds are reserved for evening wear. However, it’s up to you how closely you would like to stick to that tradition. If the diamonds bring out the colour of your eyes, suit your face and look fantastic with your dress and overall look, you may want to break this particular tradition.
We are having a casual garden wedding. What sort of jewellery is appropriate?
For less formal weddings, simple jewellery pieces like a tennis bracelet, matinee necklace, pendant necklace and/or stud earrings can look very classy without being over-the-top.
How much money should my honey spend on the engagement ring?
Tradition says that the groom-to-be should spend two- four months’ salary on the engagement ring for his sweetheart. This is, however, a rough guideline, and was actually originally suggested by a jewellery company in their ad campaigns during the post-war rise from the depression. Like most other wedding traditions, it is up to the bride and groom how closely you follow this guideline. If your man is doing particularly well, he may want to fork out a little more. If you’d both prefer to have more finance to put towards your wedding and play around with in your everyday life, perhaps he’ll spend a little less. There are stunning options to suit a range of budgets and lifestyles. Ultimately, it will be up to his- or perhaps also your- discretion.
How much should we spend on our wedding bands?
Fortunately, two months’ salary isn’t required for either wedding band. Wedding experts suggest spending approximately 3% of your total wedding budget on your rings. If you choose to go for more expensive metals and gems, elaborate designs or even go down the custom-designed path, be prepared to cut back on other aspects of the budget.
Do I have to wear chandelier earrings or are studs okay on my wedding day?
This is completely up to you and your personal taste. Many brides prefer to wear pearl or diamond studs because they aren’t so heavy and tend not to snag on the dress and veil. Studs can also prevent a bride’s hair from tangling. If the issue lies in the fact that you don’t like wearing hoops or hook earrings, some chandelier earrings are available in stud style.
Should I wear jewellery which is in fashion now or go with a more classic style?
The thing about fashion is that it goes out as quickly as it comes in. You will be looking at your wedding photos for the rest of your life so you don’t want to be asking yourself “What was I thinking?” every time you see them. It’s better to err on the side of caution and choose timeless pieces for your wedding day.
My dress is white. What coloured jewellery should I wear?
Since white is a neutral colour, it goes well with just about anything, so go jewellery shopping primarily with your skin tone in mind. As a general rule of thumb, darker skinned gals suit gold coloured jewellery whilst very fair skinned maidens suit silver coloured jewellery. If your skin tone is somewhere in between, your creamy complexion might suit gold jewellery or cooler shades of silver.
How many pieces of jewellery should I wear on my wedding day?
This, of course, depends on your personal style but you should also keep in mind the practicality of the day. You don’t want to be weighed down by the jewels you are dripping in and you don’t want glary photos because of the light being reflected by all of your bling. When it comes to the amount of jewellery, you need to consider your dress style and the overall look that you are trying to achieve. If you have a particularly ornate dress, you might want to tone down the jewellery so that the design of the dress can really shine. If you have a simple dress and are going for a doe-eyed bride appeal, a couple of small, dainty jewellery pieces might do the trick. Generally speaking, it’s best not to layer chokers with longer necklaces. Also, don’t go overboard on rings – this will take away from the focus of the ring exchange in photos. When in doubt, follow the wise words of the fashion guru, Coco Chanel, “Before leaving the house, a lady should stop, look in the mirror, and remove one piece of jewellery”.
