Wedding Jewelry for the Bride

Ah, wedding season. The time of year when love is in the air and couples are finalizing their plans for the big day and the start of their new life together. And what's a wedding without fabulous jewelry to match the joyous sparkle of Happily Ever After?

Handmade bridal jewelry is a great way to bring a personal touch to the wedding and carries more meaning than anything store-bought. Whether you're making wedding jewelry for a client, friend, loved one or yourself, you'll find tips and techniques in this article to guide you and get your creative juices flowing.

Choose elements that will have special meaning to the bride—a family heirloom, something to remember a loved one who has passed on, a memento of a happy memory—and work it into your creation.

When brainstorming a design, it's important to match the jewelry to the dress. If the bridal gown is a splendid confection embellished with crystals and sequins, worthy of a fairytale princess, you don't want to overload the bride with big-bold-blingy jewelry or an over-the-top headpiece. Save the statement jewelry for simpler gowns to achieve visual balance.

Remember to factor in the bride's hairstyle, too. Updos are ideal for showcasing fabulous chandelier earrings, whereas loose or half-up styles require simpler earrings that won't get caught in the bride's hair.

The bride's personality and personal style or aesthetic are important factors, too. Choose designs that harmonize and feel like a part of the bride—an outward expression of her inner self. That could be bold, chunky jewelry for a more outgoing type, dainty-yet-elegant jewelry for the more reserved or conservative type, minimalist styles for the practical bride, vintage-inspired for the romantic—the list goes on.

Find creative ways to incorporate the old rhyme, "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, a silver sixpence in your shoe."

Consider incorporating meaningful colors into the wedding jewelry. They could be anything from the bride's birthstone, the wedding colors or any colors that spark happiness for her.

Other elements to consider are objects or symbols that resonate with the bride. Use her favorite flowers, animals or themes as the base for your design. Incorporate elements honoring her and the groom's heritage, religion, fan clubs—anything that carries deep meaning.

And of course, you can never go wrong with pearls, crystal and diamonds (or diamond alternatives)! These materials are classics for a reason, and there are many ways to create beautiful jewelry with them. Whether you opt for the traditional string of pearls or something modern and trendy, such as the half-chain, half-pearl look, your designs will be fabulous. Remember, too, that glass and crystal pearls give the same look as traditional pearls at a fraction of the cost, with the bonus of additional durability.

Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but many budget-conscious brides will go for alternatives such as crystal or cubic zirconia. These components provide spectacular sparkle while saving the happy couple's budget for more practical things.

For more wedding inspiration, visit the Wedding Resource Landing Page.