Weddings, especially these days, can be very complicated affairs but as all eyes will be on the bride, it is vital to have an ensemble that doesn’t clash or draw attention for all the wrong reasons. The right jewellery blends in and adds to the look- the wrong bridal jewellery can clash or draw attention from the dress by looking like it doesn’t belong.

Mistake No1: Choosing Jewellery Before Dress

Choosing the accessories before you even have the dress is a mistake: the dress is so important, and it’s difficult enough finding the right one, you really don’t want the extra pressure of having to match with some accessories you picked up already.

Tip- if there are some accessories or jewellery that you have fallen in love with then keep the designer in mind- chances are you can still use their jewellery, but wait until you have the dress. Even if it’s different than the set you spied originally perhaps the designer has a different range in a style that will suit your dress, or can even customize it to suit.

The big exception to this is if you are using an heirloom piece of jewellery as your starting point.

Mistake No 2: Ignoring the Detail in the Dress

Once you have the dress and are looking for coordinating accessories take a good look at all the specific details. What beadwork, embroidery or other detail is used? Are there pearls or crystals? Which colours and shades are used? Are distinctive patterns or motifs used? How would you describe the overall style- clean, modern, simple, vintage, ornate, detailed, ethnic? Notice these details and make sure the accessories blend in with the overall “look” you have in mind.

Mistake No 3: Unsuitable Neckline

As with any dress and necklace combination, cast a critical eye over the lines created by the necklace and dress. V-necks usually look best with drop or pendant styles and a round neckline tends to work best with a simple round necklace or choker. Square necklines and strapless tend to work with all types of necklace- but watch for the length of the necklace and where it draws the eye to.

Mistake No 4: Not Coordinating the Look with the Bridesmaids

Your bridesmaids jewellery should echo some of the colours, materials or motifs that your jewellery and/or wedding colours have, but in a subtler or toned-down version. The undisputed star of the day is the bride and she should never be upstaged by her bridesmaids or have attention drawn from her by bridesmaids wearing clashing accessories.

Mistake No 5: Not Seeing the Jewellery with the Dress

Try all your jewellery on when you are wearing your dress. Without seeing everything together you may misjudge the length of the necklace or earrings, or the size of tiara. There’s a world of difference between seeing your wedding jewellery with your bridal gown as opposed to with your normal, workaday clothes. You may end up having to make another trip or even buy another whole set of jewellery if you end up buying unsuitable jewellery when you were in a rush.

A last word. Get at least one opinion from a friend who will tell you honestly how it looks. When my sister was trying her dress on in the bridal place, the employees there were so sweet they reminded me of Stepford wives as none seemed to have any opinion other than “wonderful!”.