The classic image of a bride's jewelry is a strand of lustrous white pearls at her neck. There is something to be said for this timeless style, and yet, it is not perfect for every bride. For those who prefer more unique accessories, take a look at some ideas for non-traditional bridal jewelry.
When different is what you are looking for, it is a good idea to start by working with a jeweler who specializes in helping brides, and will know all the interesting ways to make custom bridal jewelry. A bridal jewelry specialist will have all sorts of ideas about handcrafting your wedding pieces to suit your style and taste. Best of all, in some cases, you can get one-of-a-kind jewelry, like custom bridal Swarovski necklaces, for no more than the standard stock pieces.
So how are some of the ways that you can make your look less traditional? The factors to keep in mind include color, shape, size, and materials. Look for pieces that have stand-out details. They could be bold, whimsical, vintage, or theme-oriented. You will want to select bridal jewelry that coordinates with both the theme of your wedding and the cut of your gown.
More and more brides these days are getting away from the all-white look. You see gowns with colorful embellishment, bright bouquets, and other festive details. Your wedding jewelry can be the perfect place to introduce a dash of color, either to match a color in your dress or as a contrast with a pure white ensemble.
There are a variety of approaches to take when pairing colorful jewelry with your dress. If you are looking for a subtle effect, choose pieces like pale pink Swarovski pearl necklaces and earrings. On the other hand, if you want a bolder look, go with a statement making piece, like a chunky strand of crystals in your wedding color. Colorful jewelry can also be very sophisticated. Deep gray pearls or black onyx crystals are very striking accents for evening weddings.
Color is not the only way to elevate your wedding jewelry above the crowd. Interesting materials and gems in unusual shapes and sizes are also fantastic options. For a playful and chic twist on the traditional white pearl, choose pieces that are handmade with flat coin pearls in round or even square shapes. Their special shape and large size will really make your bridal jewelry pop. The organic shape of keshi, or "petal", pearls is another wonderful variation on white pearls for your wedding. Keshi pearls are very stylish and they also look great for a beach wedding.
Speaking of beach weddings, why not let your wedding location or theme guide you towards sets of non-traditional bridal jewelry? For the beach, you can choose pieces like shell pendants with your initials or Swarovski crystal pendants shaped like shells or starfish. Other great ideas for an informal beach wedding would be palm tree necklaces, silver dolphin link bracelets, or even a charm from your wedding destination worn on a bracelet.
There are so many fresh and stylish new options for bridal jewelry that there is no need to feel limited by tradition. Choose the pieces that express your personality and that fit in with the style of your wedding. When your wedding jewelry is so fun and interesting, you will enjoy wearing it on many occasions long after your wedding day.
