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The focal point of bridal fashion is, of course, the wedding dress. But beautiful accessories like elegant earrings may be one of the best ideas to create a finished, sleek look.
From booking the venue to selecting catering, music, and selecting and ordering a wedding dress, it’s easy to forget small details with wedding planning—one of the most overlooked; accessories that go beyond a wedding veil.
While not a must, earrings are a beautiful accent for traditional, modern, boho, and even vintage-inspired looks. 2021 celebrity weddings showcase the hottest earring trends for weddings: a timeless, elegant style.
That can be seen with actress Inbar Lavi’s beach wedding in Israel, where she paired a high-slit, flowing A-line dress with a pair of simple pearl earrings. The earrings, Lavi said, were meant to match the atmosphere of the beach.
Other celebrity brides opted for a dazzling classic look. Stunning diamond drop earrings and classic studs have been seen for well-known influencers and everyday Americans alike.
Meaghan Markle met New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio with husband Prince Harry, dressed from head to toe in black. A slick updo was paired with a pair of dazzling diamond earrings-ones which many recognized as the same white gold diamond Cartier earrings she wore to her wedding.
While 2021 has been a year of expressive accessories, it’s also been a return to classics– and nowhere is that more clear than wedding earring trends.
I’ll give you my insight into some of the most timeless and beautiful wedding earrings and how to select ones for your wedding. I’ll finish up by giving you my favorite picks.
What are the 5 Things a Bride Needs?
There’s a classic saying– and tradition– as to what a bride needs. You’re likely familiar with the rhyme: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in your shoe. The last one is meant as a form of a good luck charm.
Some brides follow this by adding a charm of sorts to their shoes, but most wear a good luck charm or skip the tradition altogether. A good luck charm can be anything symbolic to you.
Something old often includes a family heirloom and may even be religious, such as a cross necklace or family Bible. Of course, not all brides follow– nor need to follow this tradition. The most important thing is to prepare for what’s suitable for you and your wedding.
After giving yourself nine months ahead of your wedding to select your dress, your next steps for your bridal look would be selecting any accessories that coordinate with your dress.
How Much Should I Spend on Wedding Accessories?
When planning your wedding, I highly recommend setting a budget. While most Americans do set a budget, they often don’t factor in all the costs tied to a wedding.
A separate category should be made for wedding attire– and that includes accessories. If you have a budget ahead of time, you not only keep yourself financially comfortable but also ensure that you aren’t overspending in one area.
Wedding accessories may include a veil or headpiece, shoes, a sash or belt, and jewelry. How much you spend is up to you, but I recommend that accessories equal no more than half the price of your dress. They should be a relatively small portion of your budget. However, you can always spend a little more on accessories and trim back something you don’t care as much about.
For instance, many couples opt for a finite number of drinks served at their wedding, saving from a full-service open bar.
What Jewelry Should I Buy for a Wedding?
What you wear is up to you. Some brides opt to wear bracelets, necklaces, and earrings, while others opt for just one accessory. Some of this depends on your dress.
A dress with a highly detailed bodice– whether that’s embroidered, lace, or beading– may not need a statement necklace. One of the most popular necklace ideas is keeping it simple with a white gold or silver pendant.
While you can get by with more than one statement piece if you have a simple dress style, I’d recommend focusing on a statement, bigger-budget accessory and playing it down for the rest. You want to complete, not distract, from your dress.
How do I Choose the Best Wedding Earrings?
Selecting beautiful wedding earrings isn’t too difficult. For brides with the budget to do so, I recommend opting for earrings that will last– a symbol of a lasting marriage and something you could even pass down.
On the other hand, some may want a budget-friendly option that looks elegant but doesn’t have a heavy price tag. Here are a few of my top tips.
How do I Choose Wedding Earrings for my Neckline?
The first factor you should consider is your wedding dress or suit’s neckline. While there are no hard and fast rules, certain earring types complement certain necklines more or less than others.
For low and v- necklines, consider a pair of statement dangle or drop earrings. High and illusion necklines often do best with studs or most subtle drop earrings. The idea is to find a pair of earrings that complement the space created by the neckline. Long, oversized earrings may distract with high or illusion necklines.
What Color of Earrings Goes With a White Dress?
If you’re opting for a white or off-white wedding look, then you really can get buy with just about any color. Most brides opt for a timeless look with crystals, pearls, or diamonds. For a twist on a timeless tradition, you could opt for blue gemstone earrings for your’ something blue.” But the good news is that white pairs with just about anything.
Which Gold is Best for Wedding Earrings?
If you have the budget, 14K and 18K gold is a fabulous choice for wedding earrings. 10K gold– the least pure form of gold accepted for fine jewelry– will appear dull and won’t have the beautiful polish you want for a wedding. 18K has a higher polish than 14K.
Platinum can also work– but you’ll save a lot of money by buying 14K and even 18K gold. Since you aren’t wearing them daily, the difference in durability may not even be that noticeable between gold vs platinum.
Sterling silver makes for a timeless appeal for a wedding. The problem? Even if you store your earrings carefully, expect that they will naturally tarnish over time. It’s not a deal-breaker for a wedding day– but something to keep in mind if keeping your wedding earrings as beautiful as the day you wore them is important to you.
What Styles are Best for Wedding Earrings?
Studs, dangle, and drop earrings are the most common for weddings. These are classic, beautiful, and range from statement to understated. That isn’t to say you can’t wear hoop earrings, however. Small hoop earrings can add a refined but less conventional look. Large hoop earrings are less common but have been seen for more casual, boho themes.
Beautiful Wedding Earrings: My Picks
Diamond Wedding Earrings
Diamonds symbolize eternal bonds, love, strength, and endurance. Not only are diamond earrings beautiful symbolically, but they also will never look outdated. Diamond earrings are timeless, elegant, and alluring. They are, of course, expensive– so make sure you have the budget.
If you do have room in your budget, don’t buy just any diamond earrings. Opt for a diamond clarity of no worse than slightly included and color of no worse than colorless. Worry more about clarity and color– carat will only take you so far.
Finally, I recommend only buying diamond earrings from fine jewelers who are transparent about their diamonds. You should receive a certificate of authenticity. To save money, opt for a smaller carat size and lab-grown (not a simulant) over natural diamond earrings.
Halo Diamond Stud Earrings
These enchanting diamond stud earrings are crafted in 18K white or rose gold, as well as platinum. An exquisite halo of the pavé-set diamond provides the illusion of a larger carat size.
These sparkling natural diamond earrings go above conflict-free standards and are made out of recycled precious materials. Beautiful and timeless, priced at $590-$690; Buy Here.
Diamond Teardrop Earrings
These dazzling teardrop earrings are sure to make an impression on your wedding day. Ideal for sweetheart and deep necklines, 58 round diamond earrings sparkle along with the teardrop shape and the hinged clip.
Crafted in your choice 14K rose, yellow or white gold as well as platinum; select your diamond quality and from ⅓ to ⅝ carats. Priced from $638 to $2,213; Buy Here.
Classic Pear and Round Teardrop Earrings
Longing for beautiful diamond earrings but can’t decide between a stud or dangle style? These pear and round teardrop earrings provide the timelessness of a stud earring- but with a slightly more dramatic statement.
Two pear diamonds (your choice of quality, ½ to 1 carat) sparkle for classic and vintage-inspired glamour. Crafted in 14K rose, yellow or white gold as well as platinum, priced from $1,034 to $4,463; Buy Here.
Lab-Created Diamond Stud Earrings
Don’t have hundreds or thousands of dollars to spend? These classic diamond stud earrings retail for just $290. Crafted in your choice of 14K white or yellow gold, ¼ carat of round brilliant diamonds adds beautiful sparkle to any wedding look; Buy Here.
Pearl Wedding Earrings
Genuine pearl earrings are enchanting, beautiful, and delicate at once. From vintage to classic and even modern styles, there’s something timeless about this look. Opt for Akoya Pearls (cultured pearls with beautiful luster), freshwater pearls (durable with many hues, usually from China), or South Sea Pearls.
Pearl earrings should have some rating for luster and color. Stay away from “A” rated pearls, which are considered poor quality. AA represents mid-range pearls that have only minor blemishes. The highest quality pearls are rated AAAA, but you probably won’t need the very finest quality for a pair of beautiful earrings.
White Akoya AAA Pearl Stud Earrings
These Japanese pearl stud earrings are simply exquisite. Paired with your choice of 14K white or yellow gold backings, these pearl earrings feature a beautiful luster with shimmering undertones. Timeless and understated, these earrings complement just about any wedding look. Priced at $195: Buy Here.
Dangling Solitaire Freshwater Pearl Earrings
A wedding dress with a plunging neckline pairs spectacularly with these dangling solitaire pearl earrings. The beautiful thing about these earrings is that you can wear them beyond your wedding day and dress them down.
Glossy freshwater pearls dangle from 14K rose, yellow or white gold, or platinum fish hooks. Choose from good to heirloom pearls, priced from $249 to $848: Buy Here.
Shell Pearl Front Back Earrings
Want the look of pearl earrings but can’t bring yourself to spend hundreds of dollars? Ross Simmons offers a unique option with these lab-created shell pearls. Superior to synthetic pearl earrings, these pearls offer a white, lovely luster, paired with 14K yellow gold. There is also something retro-inspired about these earrings. Priced at $99; Buy Here.
Something-Blue Wedding Earrings
From blue topaz to aquamarine, blue gemstone earrings aren’t common– but still, make a beautiful accent to a wedding look. These can be your “something blue.”At once unique and elegant, these earrings are for the more daring bride who wants to stand out but still wants to keep things elegant.
These can work well if you have a shade of blue at your wedding party. All of my picks are fine gemstones (natural or lab-grown) from fine jewelers. Before buying, pay attention to the color grading especially. Read about GIA grading for colored gemstones here.
Pear Sapphire Lever Back Earrings with Diamonds
TThere’ssomething truly enchanting about these sapphire earrings. Sapphires symbolize nobility, truth, and faithfulness. Here, pear-shaped sapphires pair with glittering diamond accents for a refined look.
Crafted in 14K white, yellow, or rose gold or platinum, choose from good to heirloom quality gemstones and from 0.96 carats to 2.76 carats. Priced from $499 to $9.935; Buy Here.
Aquamarine and Micropavé Diamond Stud Earrings
Aquamarine is not only a birthstone, but it’s also a calming and unique hue that’s associated with harmony, trust, and clarity. These earrings feature light blue aquamarines with a halo of accent diamonds for a brilliant appeal. The petite size is ideal for an understated but colorful wedding day look. Crafted in 18K white gold and priced at $712.50; Buy Here.
Solitaire Pear Tanzanite Drop Earrings with Diamonds
Tanzanite is a beautiful gemstone that many overlook. A symbol of majesty, awe, and dreams, the stone features enchanting blue hues with purple undertones. Majestic pear-shaped tanzanite stones are paired with accent diamonds. Crafted with your choice of 14K rose, yellow or white gold, or platinum. Choose from good to heirloom quality and 1.80 to 2.70 carats, priced from $701 to $2,879; Buy Here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Should You Wear a Bracelet on Your Wedding Day?
Answer: Bracelets are perfectly fine to wear– but they’re also by no means required. If you wear a bracelet, I recommend opting for something understated and comfortable. This is especially true if you have other statement pieces. The key is to make sure the bracelet isn’t competing for attention with other accessories or away from your dress.
Question: Should Bridesmaids Jewelry Match the Bride’s
Answer: Bridesmaids do not need to match their jewelry– but of course, it’s up to you and your bridal party. If you’re worried about ensuring a coordinated look, you could recommend the bridal party wear all white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, or silver jewelry. You could also give your bridal party an accessory to wear for the wedding.
Question: Should I Wear a Necklace With a Plunging Neckline?
Answer: A plunging neckline looks beautiful with dangle and drops earrings– and you don’t even need a necklace. However, a long pendant necklace is an excellent way to finish your look.
Question: Should You Wear a Bracelet on Your Wedding Day?
Answer: Bracelets are perfectly fine to wear– but they’re also by no means required. If you wear a bracelet, I recommend opting for something understated and comfortable. This is especially true if you have other statement pieces. The key is to make sure the bracelet isn’t competing for attention with other accessories or away from your dress.
Question: Should Bridesmaids Jewelry Match the Bride’s?
Answer: Bridesmaids do not need to match their jewelry– but of course, it’s up to you and your bridal party. If you’re worried about ensuring a coordinated look, you could recommend the bridal party wear all white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, or silver jewelry. You could also give your bridal party an accessory to wear for the wedding.
Question: Should I Wear a Necklace With a Plunging Neckline?
Answer: A plunging neckline looks beautiful with dangle and drops earrings— and you don’t even need a necklace. However, a long pendant necklace is an excellent way to finish your look.
Final Thoughts & Budget Wedding Earrings
Wedding earrings are a beautiful idea for a timeless look. From freshwater pearls to dazzling diamonds or even blue gemstones, a single accessory can make you love your bridal look even more. All of my picks should last for years to come and remain as beautiful as the day you wore them.
That said, I know not everyone has the budget to spend on expensive earrings, and that’s perfectly fine. If you are opting for cheaper earrings and don’t care as much about durability, I recommend supporting independent sellers on Etsy. Etsy’sWedding Earring Collection is playful and elegant, with options as low as under $20.
Just order only from reputable sellers, and order far ahead of time in case something goes wrong with shipping. Here are a few of my favorites below, based upon seller reputation, price, and style.
- Freshwater Pearl and Crystal Bridal Earrings
These handmade earrings are an Etsy bestseller, and it’s easy to see why. Crystals add sparkle and allure with freshwater pearls, all on an enchanting chandelier style. These silver earrings are elegant and add an ethereal but timeless charm to any wedding look. You can choose from a plain silver or rose or yellow gold finish. Priced at $61.20; Buy Here.
- Chandelier Swarovski Pearl and Crystal Earrings
These enchanting earrings look beautiful with a boho gown. Priced at $51, these best-selling, handmade earrings add Hollywood allure with cubic zirconia and crystals with a dangle finish and intricate detailing. Available with a silver, rose gold, or yellow gold finish; Buy Here.
- Teardrop Bridal Earrings
These teardrop bridal earrings are lightweight, simple, and nickel, and lead-free. Priced at $31.50, these bestselling and highly rated earrings add a beautiful accent to wedding outfits with higher necklines. Select from yellow gold or rose gold plating or a silver finish; Buy Here.
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