How to Style Jewelry for the Bride and Groom

A wedding is not just a union of two people, but also a merging of styles. On the big day, both the bride and the groom want to shine — and the right jewelry completes the picture for each. Styling wedding jewelry is about enhancing the outfits (dress and suit) and expressing personal taste, all while maintaining a harmonious look as a couple. This guide offers tips on how both brides and grooms can choose and coordinate their jewelry for the wedding day. From the subtle sparkle of bridal rings to the classic polish of cufflinks, we’ll explore making tasteful choices that complement each other. The goal: a bride and groom who look classy, coordinated, and entirely themselves as they say “I do.”

For the Bride: Elegance in Balance

Less is more on your wedding day. You want to glow, not be weighed down by accessories. A great rule of thumb is to pick one or two areas to emphasize – ears, neck, or hair – and keep the rest minimal. Consider the style and neckline of your wedding dress first:

• If your dress has an ornate or high neckline (lots of lace, beading, or a halter/high neck), it’s often best to skip a necklace and focus on earrings instead. For example, a high-neck or heavily embellished bodice pairs beautifully with elegant drop earrings or classic studs, and perhaps a simple bracelet. Too much at the neck could clash with the dress.

• If your dress is strapless or has a sweetheart neckline, you have room to adorn the neck. A delicate pendant or a short necklace (like a single-pearl drop or a line of tiny crystals) can look stunning. Alternatively, a statement necklace like a choker or a bib of pearls can work, but in that case you’d opt for very subtle earrings (or none at all) to avoid competition. For instance, a strapless gown and a bold pearl choker could be a fashion-forward combo, balanced by no necklace but perhaps a simple stud in the ears.

• V-neck or scoop neckline dresses beg for a pendant or Y-shaped necklace that follows the V shape. A pendant with a teardrop pearl or a sparkling drop that sits in the décolletage is a classic bridal choice. Pair it with complementary earrings (not necessarily matching set, but similar in vibe – e.g., pearl necklace with pearl studs). A gentle rule: the deeper the V, the larger or longer the pendant can be, but keep it proportional.

• One-shoulder or asymmetric dresses might look best with no necklace and focus on hair pieces or earrings instead, so as not to interfere with the dress’s unique line.

Earrings: No matter the dress, earrings are key since they frame your face. If your hair is up or pulled back, earrings will be more visible. Drop earrings with a bit of sparkle are popular for brides – they add elongation and catch light for those close-up photos. If your dress is very simple, you might choose earrings that are a bit more ornate (like vintage-style drops with filigree or diamonds). If your dress itself has a lot going on, you can stick to classic studs or small pearl drops for a timeless look. Remember, the goal is harmony: your earrings should complement your hair and dress, not distract.

Bracelets and Rings: Aside from your engagement ring, some brides wear a bracelet or a second ring. A thin tennis bracelet or a bangle can add a touch of shine to your wrist, particularly if you have a sleeveless or short-sleeve gown. Be careful with bracelets if your dress has long sleeves or intricate lace; you don’t want snagging. Often, one bracelet is enough – you don’t need a full arm party on your wedding day. As for rings, you will be getting your wedding ring during the ceremony, so typically brides don’t wear extra rings on other fingers. Let your engagement ring and wedding band be the stars there.

Hair Accessories: Jewelry isn’t limited to ears, neck, and wrist – what you put in your hair counts too. Tiaras, jeweled combs, pins, or vine-like headpieces can be beautiful, but choose either statement hair jewelry or more on the neck/ears, not both. For example, if you wear a dramatic crystal headpiece, consider sticking to stud earrings and no necklace to let the headpiece shine (and to avoid looking too “blingy”). Conversely, if you prefer a fresh floral or simple veil in the hair, you have more freedom to wear that heirloom necklace or dangling earrings. Many brides love a subtle hairpin with pearls or crystals to tie the look together if their other jewelry has those elements.

Metal and Gemstone Coordination: Match your metals to the tone of your dress. White gowns pair nicely with platinum or white gold jewelry (or silver-tone) for a cohesive icy sparkle, though gold can be a beautiful contrast too. Ivory or champagne dresses often look lovely with yellow gold which highlights the warmth. Rose gold is a romantic choice that can flatter any skin tone and adds uniqueness. If your engagement ring is a certain metal, you can let that guide you but it’s not a strict rule — mixed metals can work if done subtly. For gemstones, if your engagement ring or family pieces have colored stones (sapphire, emerald, etc.), you can incorporate that color once more in your ensemble, but don’t introduce many new colors. A popular sentiment: “Something blue” is often a small piece of jewelry like a blue topaz pendant or sapphire stud backs — a tiny peek of blue for tradition that doesn’t dominate the look.

Above all, ensure you feel comfortable and like yourself. You’ll be wearing these pieces for many hours (and hugging a lot of people), so nothing should be poking, overly heavy, or catching on fabrics. Do a trial run with your jewelry on while wearing something with a similar neckline to your dress to see how it all lies and photographs. When you find the right combo, you’ll feel like a beautifully enhanced version of yourself – that confidence and joy will outshine any diamond.

(Quick Tip: On your wedding day, assign someone (maybe your maid of honor) to keep an eye on your veil and earrings situation. Often after the ceremony when the veil comes off, earrings can get tugged. Having help will prevent any accidental snags or lost earring backs.)

For the Groom: Subtle Sophistication

Groom’s jewelry is typically more low-key, but it makes a significant difference in polishing off the wedding look. The main elements for a groom are often cufflinks, a watch, a tie or lapel accessory, and of course the wedding band. The key is to coordinate with the bride and the attire.

Wedding Band: This is the ring you’ll wear forever, and you often start wearing it at the ceremony. Choose a band that suits your style – whether a classic gold band or a modern textured or black tungsten band. Many couples choose coordinating or matching wedding rings. It’s not mandatory, but there’s a certain romantic unity in having rings that share a design element or metal. For instance, both rings could be rose gold, or both could have a similar engraving or finish. If the bride’s ring is a delicate white gold with diamonds and the groom prefers a solid band, one way to match could be the color (both white gold) or a subtle detail like a small interior engraving that’s the same. Some grooms go with a completely different metal for durability (like tungsten or titanium) – that’s fine too, as long as you both love what you have. Comfort is crucial; ensure you’re sized correctly and consider a “comfort fit” band (rounded interior) for ease.

Cufflinks: If your wedding attire involves a French cuff shirt (common with suits and tuxedos), cufflinks are a chance to inject personal style. For a minimalist elegant look, match the metal tone to other accents (belt buckle, watch, or even the bride’s jewelry metal). Silver or gold cufflinks with a simple design (monogram, a knot, or a tiny motif meaningful to you) are classic. If you want to have fun, you could use cufflinks as that touch of personality – maybe they’re shaped like something you both love (e.g., a motif of your hobby) or contain a small colored stone that matches the wedding theme. Some grooms get custom cufflinks engraved with the wedding date or their initials – a nice keepsake idea. Just ensure whatever you choose doesn’t clash with the suit. For example, if you have a cool-toned grey or black suit, silver-tone or black cufflinks are safe; with a beige or warm-toned suit, gold-tone can look great. Also, consider them as a potential groomsmen gift – you could all wear matching or themed cufflinks for a unified look in photos.

Watch: A watch can be the groom’s equivalent of a bride’s necklace – not absolutely required, but can elevate the ensemble. If you have a special watch (heirloom from a grandfather or a gift from your bride), your wedding day is a meaningful time to wear it. Keep it sophisticated – a dress watch with a clean face and metal or leather band that complements the suit is best. Smartwatches or sporty digital watches might feel out of place with formalwear (unless you have a dressy strap for it). Make sure the watch’s metal or color doesn’t clash; e.g., a classic black leather strap watch with a white dial is universal, whereas a two-tone steel and gold watch is fine if your belt buckle or cufflinks tie in with the color. Many grooms opt not to wear a watch at all (since the day is carefully scheduled, you hopefully won’t need to be checking the time!). That’s okay too; it’s purely an accessory choice.

Tie Bar & Lapel Pins: If you’re wearing a tie (especially a straight tie vs. a bow tie), a tie bar (tie clip) can be both functional and stylish. It keeps your tie in place and adds a flash of metal to your chest area. A very minimalist smooth silver or gold tie bar about 3/4 the width of your tie is ideal – it should not span the entire tie width. As for lapel pins or boutonnières: most grooms will wear a boutonnière (flower) provided by the florist to coordinate with the bride’s bouquet. If you do that, you typically wouldn’t wear an additional lapel pin or badge on the same side, to avoid clutter. However, some grooms choose to honor family or military tradition by wearing an insignia or pin – if so, you might wear the pin on one lapel and the boutonnière on the other, or incorporate the pin into the boutonnière arrangement. Keep any lapel accessory modest so it doesn’t overwhelm your jacket – the focus should still be you (and, standing next to the bride, you don’t want too many focal points).

Coordinate with the Bride: This doesn’t mean you as the groom should wear pearls if the bride is wearing pearls! It means consider having one element that visually links you. One easy way is through metal color – if her jewelry is predominantly rose gold, perhaps your cufflinks or watch have a hint of rose gold. Or if she has a particular motif (say her jewelry or dress has a floral motif), your cufflinks could subtly echo a floral shape. Another nice touch is gemstone coordination: if the bride, for instance, wears blue topaz earrings as her “something blue,” maybe the groom’s cufflinks or tie pin contain a blue stone as well. It’s these small touches that people may not consciously notice, but in photos and overall appearance, you’ll look harmoniously styled. Moreover, it shows unity: you’re two individuals with styles that complement each other, just like your personalities.

Creating a Cohesive Look as a Couple

When both bride and groom have their jewelry picked out, step back and look at the whole picture. During the wedding, you’ll often be side by side – exchanging rings, holding hands, embracing for photos. You want your styles to mesh well:

• Metal Match or Mix: As mentioned, consider the metal tones. If one is all silver and the other all gold, it can still work but might stand out. Often couples naturally align on this because wedding rings are chosen together. If your metals differ (perhaps her rings are platinum and his band is yellow gold), it’s not a deal breaker at all – it can represent your individual tastes. Some couples deliberately mix metals in each other’s jewelry to symbolize unity (like a two-tone wedding band). The Engagement & Wedding Rings collection we offer includes designs in various metals so couples can find complementary styles even if not identical. You can also get your own design made with our bespoke jewelry service.

• Level of Formality: If the bride is dripping in heirloom diamonds (say, wearing a dramatic necklace and chandelier earrings), and the groom is extremely minimal (just a simple suit, no watch, no cufflinks), there could be a slight formality mismatch. Try to be on the same page – it doesn’t mean the groom needs to wear more jewelry than he’s comfortable with, but maybe in this case he ensures other aspects like a pocket square, polished shoes, etc., are elevating his look. Conversely, if the bride opts for a very minimalist look (say no necklace, just small earrings and her ring), the groom probably shouldn’t be the flashy one; he might skip that large flashy watch or bold lapel pin to keep the tone similar. Both should look like you’re attending the same event (you’d be surprised, sometimes one partner dresses far more formally than the other – communication is key!).

• Colors and Themes: Jewelry can subtly reflect wedding colors. If your wedding theme involves a certain color (like emerald green accents or a touch of red roses), a little pop in the jewelry can tie you in. Maybe the bride’s earrings have a tiny emerald, and the groom’s cufflink set has a matching stone. Or if the bride has a floral hair comb, the groom’s boutonnière features that same flower. These details make the overall wedding aesthetic cohesive.

• Photography considerations: Discuss with your photographer any special jewelry you want highlighted. Often photographers will take a beautiful shot of the rings, the bride’s accessories laid out, etc. If you have something special like cufflinks engraved with initials or a locket with photos of loved ones attached to the bouquet (common for brides), let them know so those can be captured. These pieces are part of your story. Also, practice exchanging rings with ease – the moment of putting on the ring is often photographed close-up, so you’ll inadvertently showcase your manicures and any bracelets/watch. Ensure everything fits well (no struggling to get the ring on) and that nails are clean/polished as desired for that beautiful shot of your hands with rings.

Finally, while planning jewelry, don’t forget comfort and security. Brides, if you have new earrings, wear them a bit before the day to ensure they don’t pinch or weigh too much. Grooms, double-check that watch band or cufflink backs are secure. It’s wise to have a small emergency kit: extra earring backs, polish cloth, the specific tool for any watch strap if needed, etc., just in case. Entrust a member of the bridal party with any spare pieces.

On the day, once you’re both dressed and see each other (whether at a first look or at the ceremony), the jewelry should be the last thing on your mind – it quietly does its job enhancing your beauty and handsomeness. You’ll be focused on each other, as it should be. The best accessorizing is done such that the couple’s love and happiness take center stage. Jewelry is the supporting cast, adding sparkle and significance to the main event: your union.