A Necklace for Every Neckline

           Accessories are the finishing touches that bring polish to a wedding ensemble. A bride without earrings and (usually) a necklace just doesn't seem complete. It would be like baking a delicious cake and forgetting to frost it. The key is to find the pieces that flatter the bride and compliment her wedding gown.
            Certain necklines just cry out for a specific style of necklace. V-neck gowns definitively look best with pendant or drop style necklaces. The deeper the V, the longer the drop should be. Custom bridal Swarovski necklaces with clusters or even a tassel effect would be fabulous with a v-neck gown. The advantage to custom bridal Swarovski necklaces is that you can specify the length, as well as choose unique colors, if you wish. This could be the perfect way to get in your “something blue”.
            A portrait neckline is a wide graceful neckline, either curved or v-shaped, that is designed to flatter the bride's face, shoulders, and collarbones (thus the name “portrait”). It is not as common as a standard v-neck, but it is often very beautiful, especially on brides with narrow shoulders. Follow the shape of the top of the gown when choosing a necklace for a portrait neckline – for a rounded one, a tin cup style necklace would be lovely, for one that is more of a v-shape, go with the ideas for a v-neck.
            Bateau (or boatneck) gowns have necklines that skim the collarbones. For this type of gown, a strand of dainty seed pearls would be appropriate. The necklace should be short enough that it does not  interrupt the bateau neckline. Sometimes boatneck gowns are conservative in the front, but have low, open backs. In that case, a bride could wear a lariat necklace draped down her back for a dramatic surprise. (Remember, your back is usually facing your guests during the ceremony.)
            That brings us to the most conservative neckline of all, which is a high neckline (such as on a Victorian style gown). This is the one time that a bride should skip a necklace, because jewelry really looks so much better sitting on the skin than over fabric. Instead of a necklace, wear bold drop or chandelier earrings in pearl or Swarovski crystal with an elegant updo to really show them off.
            Strapless gowns are the most prevalent, and they lend themselves to all shapes and sizes of bridal necklaces. (Just be sure to wear a necklace, or you will look naked in close-up wedding photos!) If the strapless neckline dips in the middle, as in a sweetheart style, a crystal and pearl strand with a center drop would be fabulous. For straight across strapless necklines, double or even triple strands of pearls or crystals look great. A choker also works very well, if it is flattering to your neck (Very short necklaces only look right with slender necks, otherwise you will look like your jewelry is strangling you.).
            Choosing the perfect necklace for your wedding gown will light up your face as well as top off your dress. Pick something that you really love, so that you can enjoy wearing it again after the wedding.

Bridget Mora writes about weddings,fasion,jewelry and societal trends. ©2008 www.silverlandjewelry.com

 

Bridget Mora writes about weddings,fasion,jewelry and societal trends.

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