How to Choose a Necklace That Complements Your Wedding Gown

Martha Stewart Weddings recently did a nice spread on different wedding dress necklines and which necklace worked best with each type of neckline, so we thought we'd pass that along and add a couple of extra tips.

The first couple of photos show a strapless wedding gown with a rather plain (non-beaded) bodice. Both of these dresses look great with a bold necklace, as seen below:

 
 
We love these bold pieces. You could even consider adding color, if you want to make a splash. But if your bodice has more details, such as lace, beading, ruffles, a crumb catcher, etc., you'll want to pick a piece that's a bit more dainty. You'll still want a round shape, but you'll probably want pearls or crystals that aren't so big.

If you have a v-neck wedding dress, you'll want to keep the same shape with your necklace and get something dangly, like this:

 
Finally, if your wedding gown is a one-strap, you'll probably just want to stick to a pair of killer earrings:

Generally speaking, it's too much to wear a bold necklace with chandelier earrings if you have an ornate gown; simpler styles can sometimes handle both. And remember to keep things in proportion: if you're a busty bride or have a rouder neck, you don't want a teeny chain that will get lost.

Once you pick your wedding dress, then it's time to start shopping for accessories (or asking to borrow Grandma's pearls!). Feel free to bring your jewels with you when your gown comes in and you try it on. We love seeing your ideas for your final look, too!