Your fantasy wedding attire is incomplete without the jewelry you choose out. The perfect wedding day outfit for modern brides must include bold accessories and unique pieces. Pearls stand as a bridal favorite —challenging the traditional choice of diamonds with their timeless allure. Doing a quick Google search for something like “should I wear pearls on my wedding day?” brings up a range of responses, but one thing is certain: pearls are the perfect accessory to complement any wedding style. They are the epitome of timeless grace that any bride would be lucky to wear. To help you find the perfect accessory, we have gathered a collection of stunning pearl wedding jewelry that will complement your traditional wedding gown.
Recommended: Popular And Unique Bridal Set Design Ideas For Engaged Couples
What Do Pearls Symbolize in a Wedding?
Pearls have attracted people in cultures all across the world for thousands of years because of the wealth and marital symbols they represent. As a symbol of domestic peace, pearls were originally supposed to bring marital bliss to the Greeks. Wearing pearls as a bride has long been associated with a happy and tear-free marriage, despite the common belief that they represent sorrow. This practice originated from a tradition of brides trying to contain their emotions on their wedding day. Because of their timeless charm (also represents eternal love), pearls are one of the most ancient and highly valued gemstone.
Soaking a pearl in a glass of wine was reportedly Cleopatra's way of displaying the richness that pearls represent to Marc Antony. The Chinese believe that pearls may ward against fire, but in many cultures they represent innocence and virginity—much like a bride's white gown.
When it comes to Western wedding traditions, pearls are still associated with love and Venus—the goddess of love and beauty. Another point of view comes from Greek mythology where the goddess of love, Aphrodite is described as emerging from the sea and sparkling with pearls.
How to Pair Pearls With Your Bridal Look
If your wedding dress is pastel in hue, freshwater pearls are a lovely accessory to add. You may get them in a range of earth tones and they are the most affordable option. A pearl jewelry set for brides in a neutral shades like white, peach, lavender, or pink can look lovely with any color of dress.
Pearls may elevate any look to a more refined, feminine level with their soft and delicate texture. If you are seeking for a sophisticated yet playful look, a bridal jewelry set including big, multicolored round pearls might be really stunning.
If you're wearing a traditional wedding gown, go for earrings that have a delicate movement, such drop or dangle designs, made of round and white pearls to match your classic wedding updo. Any neckline, whether a boat, sweetheart, or strapless one, will look stunning with a necklace of solitary pearls.
Let the gown to stand out on its own by wearing it with minimal bridal jewelry and a simple updo if delicate vintage vibe are your preferred wedding style. A pair of pearl stud earrings featuring round or baroque pearls would look great with a messy updo with low bun.
Strand of Pearl OR Pendant Necklace
There are a variety of necklace styles that will complement different types of dress necklines. If your neckline is deep or V-cut— a pearl pendant wedding necklace set with diamonds in elaborate designs would accentuate your neckline and add drama to your outfit. If your neckline is sweetheart—a strand of princess-length pearls will look lovely draped over your shoulders and neck.
If your wedding gown is strapless, go for a pendant necklace or a string of pearls. We don't think you need any more accessories with a one-shoulder dress because the asymmetry is enough to make a statement, therefore if you want a minimalist yet classy style— go for bridal pearl stud earrings instead.
Choker pearl necklaces are another option— they go particularly well with wedding dresses that have a round neckline. It's perfect length makes it a great neckpiece for highlighting the collarbone.
Put the necklace away if you're going for a halter, high-neck, boat, or illusion dress. Do you remember Meghan Markle's First and Second Wedding Dresses which included halter-neck and boat styles? She opted for earrings instead of a necklace since the dresses had too low necklines.
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Pearl Wedding Earrings
Add a touch of traditional sophistication to your wedding dress with a set of pearl wedding jewelry earrings—the epitome of timeless bridal elegance. Try something different and fresh instead of sticking to studs and hoops earrings.
A plethora of pearl earring styles are at your fingertips— from elegant chandeliers to whimsical dangles and beautiful pearl drops. Whether you're choosing for yourself or as a gift for someone else, this assortment of pearl earring is sure to have something that will compliment any bridal ensemble.
PRO TIP
The most important considerations is your hairdo for the special occasion. The earrings you choose should work nicely with your hairdo and complement it. If you wear your hair down—large dangling earrings may blend in with your locks and fail to draw attention. The smarter choice here would be to wear a delicate set of stud earrings and style your hair in a way that highlights them.
Pearl Bridal Bracelet
A pearl bracelet may work with any outfit; the only things to consider are its size, quality, and preferred level of attention— high-quality pearls not only enhance the bride's ensemble with an air of timeless elegance, but they also guarantee that her beauty will endure after the big day has passed.
If you're wearing an extravagant necklace that makes a statement then it is best to keep the bracelet on the smaller side. Doing so will keep your ensemble from looking too full. Also, if you are wearing a wedding gown with long sleeves, it is best to skip the bracelet unless you plan to wear it over the sleeves.
For every brides on a tighter budget, freshwater pearls are a stunning and affordable choice. Their easier cultivation process makes them more wallet-friendly —they also come in a dazzling array of natural colors. Whether it's big and dazzling or subtle, a pearl bracelet is a classic accessory that every bride should have. It symbolizes the happiness of the occasion as well as the timeless appeal of traditional fashion.
Pearl Rings
There is no wedding day outfit complete without a ring for the bride. All eyes will be on her hands—those of her husband and the guests—as she holds her beautiful bouquet of flowers and proudly wears her wedding band. As the old saying goes, “a diamond is a girl's best friend,” but if a woman is looking for a unique engagement ring that isn't solitaire or princess cut, a pearl ring is the perfect choice.
Pearls—which represent wisdom, loyalty, and good fortune, are a timeless choice that can withstand the glitz and glamor of larger diamonds while still conveying an air of refined elegance. You might have noticed that when Oscar-winning actress Emma Stone got engaged in December 2019, her breathtaking engagement ring included a pearl instead of a diamond. Are you sufficiently motivated? Right now, we have compiled a collection of the most beautiful pearl rings that you will love.
Why Pearls are Popular for Weddings
Some of the most well known women in the world have donned pearls on their wedding days. These wonderful piece have stood the test of time. The numerous meanings that pearls holds are innocence, love and protection, make them a popular choice for bridal accessories. If not using gemstones in their outfit, they usually wear them in their hair or as an accessory.
Jackie Kennedy gained fame for wearing a single-strand pearl necklace on her wedding day in 1947. When Queen Elizabeth II married Prince Philip in 1947, she too donned pearls. With time, double strand necklaces became increasingly popular in the First Lady's jewelry collection.
The captivating charm of pearls is one of the numerous reasons why pearl jewelry for brides has gained popularity as compare to diamonds. The popular belief that pearl jewelry is a must-have for weddings is being revived by Emma Stone and other celebrities. Pearls were also worn by Princess Diana and Grace Kelly, two more notable brides. The use of pearls bridal jewelry on your big day is a certain way to make a royal statement.
How to Care for Pearl Wedding Jewelry
- Never put a pearl in a airtight package such a a zip lock bag— As an organic gem, pearls do contain some water, but only in small quantities. They will lose their luster and become brittle if stored in an airtight container.
- Always keep your pearls away from other jewelry that is hard— Always keep your pearls away from jewelry that is hard— Pearls are delicate and easily scratched, therefore it's important to keep them away from metal jewelry (like rings or bracelets) and store them in a soft container.
- Wait after applying personal care products— After using any type of personal care product, wait at least 30 minutes before putting on pearls, and remove them before going into bed. As a general rule of thumb to remember is that you should put on your pearls last and take them off first.
- You should clean them regularly— After each use, wipe the pearls off with a moist, gentle cloth to remove any buildup of chemicals that might destroy the nacre.
- Be very careful while using chemicals—Pearls are delicate and should be protected from anything that might harm their surface, such as chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, ammonia, hairspray, perfume, and cosmetics.
- Avoid bathing or swimming with pearls (Bonus Tip)— The chemical components in shampoo and soap can diminish the shine of pearls. The surface of pearls can get damaged in swimming pools as well. Be careful to take off your pearl jewelry before entering the sauna, swimming pool, beach, or getting a shower.
Common FAQs
What do pearls symbolize in a wedding?
Similar to the traditional significance of wearing white, cultures have long retained the belief that pearls are a symbol of innocence and goodness. Some people think it will bring good fortune to the newlyweds to wear pearls on their wedding day.
What color goes best with pearls?
Pearls complement almost every hue since they are often milky white with a dazzling luster. You can be confident that whatever hue you wear will look fantastic with your pearl jewelry set. They say that pearls go well with traditional black and white colors.
Can you wear pearls as a bridesmaid?
Yes! We believe that pearl earrings are the ideal jewelry for bridesmaids since they exude an air of timeless beauty. The romantic touch that pearls bring to a wedding ensemble is guaranteed by their classic, elegant, and ever-chic style.
Can wedding guests wear pearls?
Yes, pearl jewelry is a beautiful option for wedding guests. It is best to wear minimalist jewelry, such as pendants or stud earrings.
Conclusion
Pearls are an internationally recognized symbol of purity, love, and devotion with a rich cultural past. As an heirloom or a gift from the bride's mother, mother-in-law, fiancé, or another relative might make a pearl more meaningful. All three parts of the famous wedding rhyme—”something old,” “something new,” and “something borrowed”—are ideally fulfilled by these items.
Though less than one percent of pearls harvested are of fine grade, but those that are available have an otherworldly beauty due to their brilliant sheen and immaculate surface. If you want your pearls to endure for years, you should only choose the highest quality pearls. Whatever a bride's budget, she may have the classic bridal accessory—pearls—for her special day. Our post on pearl wedding jewelry, which features both faux and cultured pearls, should have been interesting and informative.
