Bridal Jewellery Guide: What UK Brides Need to Know

On your wedding day, everything needs to be perfect and yet somehow, anything can go wrong!

The perfect day is filled with chaos, but one thing is completely in your control, your bridal look.

One of the most important ways of taking your bridal look to the next level is through the right jewellery. In today’s time, women don’t just wear jewellery to accessorise but to express themselves. When is it more important than on your big day?

Through this guide, we will inform you everything about bridal jewellery. From traditions to trends, we have got it all covered!

Tradition of Jewellery at UK Weddings

Jewellery has been the centerpiece of weddings across the world, and the UK is no different. In fact, in the UK, it symbolises purity and love. Historically, gold and diamond have been given priority by brides as they stand for wealth and success, while round engagement rings have always been the popular choice.

 Family heirlooms, passed through generations, hold special meaning. Which is why, British brides tend to lean towards them to bring sentimental value to their big day as well as pay tribute to family history.

 At the same time, UK brides are fashionably very smart and have found ways to incorporate both age-old traditions with current trends. Imagine a pair of beautiful pearls worn by your mom and grandmother can be styled nicely with your modern wedding gown.

Your Wedding Dress Style is the Guide

If you are confused about what wedding jewellery for bride to pick, don’t worry! If you have your heart set on a dress, it can be the perfect guide to your choices!

Here’s how:

Strapless dresses help your collarbone to steal the show! A bold statement necklace or a chic choker can work absolute magic, making your neckline pop. On the other hand, a dainty pendant or a layered necklace can add just the right touch of elegance without overpowering your vibe.

With V-neck dresses, neck pieces that follow the shape of the neckline are preferred. Layered chains or pearls can create a beautiful cascading effect that flatters the chest area.

Off shoulder dresses bring the focus on the collarbone and shoulders. You can go for bold earrings like chandeliers or statement, and absolutely steal the spotlight!

High-neck dresses cover most of your chest and neck area, so wearing a necklace would be a waste. Instead, focus more on earrings. Studs are a classic option, but if you are feeling bold, something bigger and danglier also works!

Wearing a Necklace on Your Wedding Day 

Traditionally, wearing a necklace is a part of any bridal attire. However, nowadays, brides are becoming more and more unique and choosing what feels best for them. Remember, it’s your big day, so you get to make the rules.

With Strapless dresses and v-neck gowns, necklaces flatter your neckline. It helps add a sense of grandeur to your overall look. On the other hand, skipping a necklace when you are wearing a high-neck dress makes complete sense.

 If you decide to skip the necklace, don’t worry about being bland. There are several ways to keep your accessory game up! Try going for beautiful elaborate hair accessories like a tiara, jewelled hair pins, or combs. Not only can it replace necklaces, it’s a fantastic way to make your hairstyle even better.

Key Pieces for Every Bride

Earrings

Studs

If you want that chic, elegant vibe without going overboard, studs are your best friend! Diamonds or pearls, the right amount of sparkle is added to your fit while keeping things classy.

Drop Earrings

Looking for a little more dazzle? Drop earrings are perfect! They add that extra touch of glamour, making you feel bridal without being too extra. Works for both the classic and modern bridal jewellery set! 

Chandelier Earrings

The flamboyant brides who believe in being bold and want to turn heads, chandelier earrings are big, and dramatic, just like you want! If your gown is simple, you can pair it amazingly and let your earrings do all the talking. 

Necklaces

Delicate Chains

Minimalist brides will love delicate and dainty chains. If you want your dress to be the spotlight, especially those with a lot of details and embellishments, delicate chains will not steal the show. But they will do their duty of adding a subtle touch of elegance.

Statement Pieces

For those with simpler and understated dresses, you need your wedding day jewellery to add a wow factor. Statement necklaces do just that, taking your bridal look from beautiful to absolutely jaw-dropping stunning.

Bracelets

Dainty Bangles

Bracelets often go unnoticed, but your wrists deserve some love too. Dainty bangles will give you the shimmer you are looking for but not outshine your whole look. The dream bracelet for the understated look!

Bold Cuffs

For fresh and modern bridal jewellery, go bold and choose cuffs! They are the perfect, unexpected twist to your traditional bridal vibes and will make you come across as the ultimate fashion icon.

Wedding Rings

The MVP of the bridal jewellery ensemble, a piece that the bride will treasure forever. Make sure the metal of your wedding band plays nicely with your engagement ring. You can make your wedding band even more personal with a small engraving of your initials, wedding date or a little phrase that means something to you or maybe even an inside joke.

Custom Gold Necklaces for Weddings

Nowadays, more and more people are incorporating custom gold jewellery into their everyday outfits. Even UK brides are also turning to custom gold necklaces to make their bridal attire meaningful. The personalisation options that come with custom pieces allow you to have the sentiment that you are looking for.

Here are some styles that everyone’s loving right now:

Name Necklaces: The most popular option when it comes to custom necklaces. Wear yours or your partner’s, or your ship (combo of both) name if you have any! It’s difficult to go wrong with this one!

Engraved Pendants: Your pendants can also be engraved with something special. Wedding dates, initials or a sweet little phrase are popular options for engraving. Choose what feels meaningful to you!

Birthstone Accents: If you love your birth month, you can throw in a birthstone! This is a beautiful way to not only add a personal touch but also a pop of colour!

Layering Meaningful Pieces: Nowadays, layering modern bridal jewellery is very much in trend. You can wear initial pendants with delicate gold chain as well as a family heirloom. As a result, you will be wearing something that holds special meaning.

Remember that custom pieces are special because of the work that’s put into them. This means they will take time to be handcrafted by expert jewellers. A standard time of 2-4 weeks is normal for personalised pieces. Plan ahead and place your order with two to three months in hand for the jewellery for bride on wedding day.

The Types of Gold for Wedding Jewellery

Yellow Gold

If you're a fan of that classic look, yellow gold is calling your name! It’s been around forever and just oozes elegance. With its warm tone, it complements nearly every skin tone. Plus, it's been a symbol of wealth for centuries, so you’re in good company!

White Gold

Sleek, chic, and totally modern; that's white gold. It pairs perfectly with diamonds and gives off this cool, sophisticated look. If you’re after a more contemporary style, white gold might just be your match.

Rose Gold

For those who want to add more romance to their bridal look or simply want a more vintage vibe, rose gold is the one. The soft pinkish glow adds a dreamy touch to your wedding jewellery with its sweet romantic charm.

Green Gold

If you're the kind of bride who loves standing out from the crowd and wants something a bit off the beaten path, green gold is perfect for you. Remember that it needs to pair well with your dress and other aspects of your wedding. So before you choose it, make sure you consider everything. If done right, it’s enough to make people do a double take, in the right way.

Considerations Before Buying Gold Jewellery

Here are some things you should keep in mind during your purchase.

Carat Selection

24k Gold is the purest gold, but it is soft and not durable. If you want to wear your jewellery afterwards as well, 14k is the safest option, striking the right balance between purity and durability.

Skin Tone & Outfit

Your jewellery should pair well with the colour and style of your wedding outfits. Skin tone also decides how certain gold may look on you. Warm skin tones like yellow gold, whereas white and rose gold suit cooler skin tones.

Durability & Maintenance

Your bridal jewellery can be heirlooms for your descendants so it needs to last beyond a lifetime. Make sure you choose a durable piece and keep its beauty through regular maintenance.

Gold Jewellery on a Budget

If you are working with a limited budget, don’t worry about gold putting a dent in your bank account. You can go for 9k or 14k gold which are both beautiful and affordable. Gold plated pieces also offer a beautiful finish. Path to a gorgeous gold necklace doesn’t have to include overspending.

Wearing Your Mother’s or Grandmother’s Jewellery

Many wear family heirlooms from their mother or grandmother to have their family close to their heart, and to honour family heritage. You can wear your mom’s pearls or granny’s gold bracelet. It will help add personal touch and sentimental value to your attire.

If you are worried about your heirloom piece feeling outdated, consult a jeweller. Nowadays, old pieces can be restored or modernised. A vintage diamond can be reset into a modern band or a tarnished gold necklace can be polished. The sentimental value is preserved while complimenting your look.

Tips for Choosing The Perfect Bridal Jewellery

Choose Jewellery That Compliments Your Dress

You have to attain balance when it comes to the accessories of your bridal look. Heavily embellished dresses do not go well with bold and statement pieces, as it’s too overpowering. On the other hand, if your dress is minimalist, you don’t want dainty chains as the overall look may be too dull. 

Don’t make these mistakes

Over-accessorizing is a big no-no! You don’t want too much jewellery to detract from the beauty of your dress. Also, make sure you try the full jewellery ensemble with the dress beforehand. You may be surprised at how something that looks great on its own doesn’t really go with a dress once put on.

Avoid Last-Minute Stress

Keep your outfit planned for your big day at least two to three months beforehand. This way, you can make any necessary changes with plenty of time in hand. This is particularly essential if you are planning to wear custom or personalised pieces.

Conclusion

Choosing your bridal jewellery is a beautiful and personal journey. The options are endless. Honour your tradition with heirlooms, opt for custom gold necklaces or mix contemporary pieces, what matters is that you get a bridal look that’s meaningful and completely you.

If you are ready to start shopping for your wedding, take a look at Argent and Asher’s collection of custom pieces. Our handcrafted jewellery can be the perfect addition to your big day