Step 1

Think about how you can work family jewels into your bridal look. For sentimental reasons you may choose Grandma's pearls, your favorite aunt's diamond earrings or your mother's charm bracelet instead of buying new pieces.

Step 2

Opt for a necklace that complements the cut of your dress. A pearl or rhinestone choker works well with a strapless bodice, whereas a diamond solitaire will look stunning with a V or sweetheart neckline.

Step 3

Harmonize the gemstones found in your dress or headpiece with those in your jewelry. Pearls will complement beading, whereas diamonds or zirconia go well with sequins or crystals.

Step 4

Consider a tennis bracelet over long, plain gloves or a rhinestone or pearl cuff over a bare wrist. Wear similar metals so that you don't find your jewelry clashing.

Step 5

Let your hairstyle, headpiece and necklace dictate the earrings you choose. Chunkier styles and those with a drop look great with upswept hair, whereas simple studs or small bejeweled hoops may be the perfect addition to a dramatic necklace or decorative veil or tiara.

Choosing your jewelry is no different than choosing your wardrobe. Most important is to stick within your comfort zone and your personal fashion style. That said it never hurts to step out of the box once in awhile. What's most important is that your jewelry matches up with your outfit. Your jewelry is the finishing touch on your total look. Make your fashion statement count!
You need to determine what you want your jewelry to do. Do you want it front and center stage? Do you want it to compliment? Do you want it subtle? The occasion or event you'll be wearing your jewelry to is also important - make certain it is fitting. A sexy oversized choker might be perfect for a night on the town but may not be fitting for the boardroom.
Although you may have a favorite designer, there's really no need to stick with just one designer. In fact there's no need for the pieces to actually be designer. There are plenty of wonderful pieces on the market that are unsigned but certainly make a fashion statement. Mix and match your jewelry to give it character and a little pizzazz!
Costume Jewelry, both signed and unsigned, is an affordable way to complete your look. Costume Jewelry can be bought for a low price and has plenty of life. Heck we see costume jewelry back to the 1920s still in excellent condition. What's great with costume jewelry is you can use it, get tired of it, put it away or give it away and have still gotten good value for your money.

The bride's selection of wedding gown and veil will dictate the type of wedding jewelry that should be worn and the elaborateness of the jewelry. There is probably not a woman alive that has not at one point tailored an outfit around a specific piece of jewelry. You know – you find that great necklace or pair of earrings and you actually buy a new dress, jacket or blouse to coordinate. This should never be the case with wedding jewelry. When selecting wedding jewelry the bride has three major considerations that have to be decided upon first:

* Wedding Gown:
What type of neckline? Strapless, portrait, halter, cap sleeves, beaded straps? If you are not sure of the difference check out the bridal selection at the queen of bridal gown design – Vera Wang. Is the gown going to be the traditional white or some other color? Maybe this is your second wedding or third and you do not wish to wear white. And, back in the 1970s and 1980s it was considered quite avant-garde to wear a black wedding gown for an evening wedding - a trend that still pops up occasionally. Non-traditional weddings are quite normal in today’s society. Perhaps the setting for the wedding is not going to be in a church – maybe on a beach or in a park in a more casual setting. Some brides are now opting to change out of their wedding gown as soon as the ceremony is over and pictures are taken so they can be more relaxed at the reception. So, will you have a second outfit with which your jewelry must coordinate?

* Hair:
Will it be worn down or upswept. Are you going to be wearing flowers in your hair or some other type of hair ornament? Elaborate hair ornaments really dictate little to no earring presence.

* Veil:
Is the bride wearing one and will it be attached to a coronet, cap or headband with flowers? Perhaps you are opting for a hat instead. Wearing a veil will almost certainly dictate that only stud earrings are worn. Imagine trying to throw that veil back during the ceremony and having it get hopelessly entangled on a pair of chandelier earrings

Gown, hair, veil – these three items will dictate the type of jewelry that should be worn and the elaborateness of the jewelry. The traditional school of thought feels that brides need little jewelry, as all brides are beautiful jewels on their wedding day. However, the correct choice of jewelry will only serve to augment the bride's natural beauty on this special day.