Wedding Jewellery - Ask the Expert Session 10/09/2010

On 10th September the latest ‘Ask the Expert’ session was held on The Wedding Community discussion forum, with The Wedding Community’s wedding jewellery expert Clare Yarwood-White of Yarwood-White.  Here are the questions and answers from the session.

 

 

Q I'm having a vintage themed wedding. I have not yet got my dress but I think it will probably be a Champagne colour with lots of lace and obviously vintage style.

 

What type of hair piece do you think I should go for as I do not want a tiara and I probably won't have a veil?

 

A The vintage style is so on-trend at the moment that you will find loads of gorgeous hair accessories. I would go for detail on the side of your hair, such as a diamante encrusted hair band, or a brooch which can be pinned into your hair.

 

If you want the boho-vintage look, headbands worn across the forehead look fabulous with long hair.

 

Also, do consider gold hair accessories, not just silver, as they will look beautiful with the warm tones of your dress.

 

I would decide on your hairpiece first, and then choose something for your girls that is smaller but in the same style, such as a hair clip or pin that could be worn at the back of their hair.

 

 

Q My dress has lots of detailing all over the front so I don't want to have any jewellery that detracts from the dress. Do you think it is still OK to wear a necklace (the dress is strapless) and earrings or do you think it should be one or the other?

 

A This is a case where size really matters! If you want to keep the look elegant and uncluttered, the rule is simple. The bigger the necklace, the smaller the earrings, and vice versa. Strapless dresses look great with all necklace styles.

 

If the detail on the dress is scattered all over, then you will be fine with a necklace and a delicate pair of drop earrings to set it off. However, if the detail on the dress is arranged in a "feature", for example there is a cluster in the middle which creates a brooch effect, then you may be better to forego the necklace, but add wow with a gorgeous pair of chandelier earrings.

 

 

Q I am getting married next year and I would like to wear my hair up as I always wear it down. My dress is ivory, strapless and quite plain so I would like to wear some really beautiful jewellery as a focal point as well as some kind of pins or the like in my hair. What do you suggest would work?

 

A Up-hair is definitely coming back in style for weddings next year, which is wonderful as it creates such a glamorous effect. You have lots of options with your dress, but as it is quite simple I would go for one large piece of statement jewellery to make a feature.

 

I would suggest you either choose a beautiful necklace (something in a collar style would look amazing) or alternatively an amazing brooch, which you could wear on the top of your dress (at the side or middle) or even on the hip. You could then finish the look with some decorative pins scattered at the front or side of your hair.

 

This is a classic look with amazing wow factor!

 

 

Q What alternatives are there to wearing a tiara? We are having a vintage tea party wedding theme and would like to wear something really unique but I’m not sure what I’m looking for. Sorry to be so vague but would appreciate if you would give me some ideas.

 

A What a lovely theme. There are loads of alternatives to a tiara such as pins, grips, headbands, combs... but, if you really want something unique, for a tea-party theme I think a hair vine or chain would look amazing.

 

Imagine a delicate chain with small crystal and pearl charms, which you could pin around your head in a halo effect, or wear across your forehead. With loose, waved hair this looks so pretty and very vintage.

 

 

Q Clare that sounds lovely. Do you think it would be best only wear a necklace and not earrings too if I am wearing something like this on my head. Don't want to overdo it.

 

A Yes, you could probably go without earrings, or just wear studs. You may find with you hair styled long and loose and a bit boho you won't really see your ears anyway.

 

A long delicate rope necklace or layers of ropes looks great with this look.

 

 

Q Do you think it is ok to wear coloured jewellery with my wedding dress? We are having a fun filled wedding with fairground type of theme and think I would like something bright to go with my white dress (not bought yet). Our colour scheme is ALL colours so I really could wear any colour.

 

A Absolutely you can wear colour! (In fact, if you can keep a secret, you might find some lovely coloured designs in our next YW collection, so you are bang on trend...!)

 

Your theme sounds such fun, and I think it sounds like a bespoke piece of jewellery would be a great idea for you. I would design an amazing necklace with an assortment of charms on it, with a mixture of coloured glass, stones, trinkets and gems to work with your vibrant fairground theme!

 

 

Q I was wondering if you could give me some advice on what type of necklace I should wear with a halter neck wedding dress. The neckline is sweetheart and comes down fairly low but it has quite wide straps.

 

A If the straps are wide, I would recommend keeping the necklace very delicate and not too short; you can see how well this works in our picture. If you feel that your neckline isn't quite right for a necklace, you are probably correct! In which case, go for an amazing pair of chandelier earrings instead for a real red-carpet look!

 

 

Q I was wondering what type of jewellery you would recommend for a mother of the bride to wear. I would like to buy my mum some jewellery as a thank you and something that she can wear for the wedding. She does not have an outfit yet but she has seen a lovely lemon shift dress which has a scoop neck.

 

A There are a number of different ways you could approach this. How about choosing something made with your birthstone to signify that although you are getting married you will always be her baby? Bound to raise some tears on the morning!

 

Alternatively, you could do something fabulous with colour. If she is considering a yellow dress she is obviously not a wallflower. Purple or amethyst jewellery would look incredible with yellow.

 

Pearls are always a winner as they are so classic and timeless, but if your mum is quite modern then do have a look at some of the natural coloured varieties such as pink or grey to give them a contemporary twist.

 

A brooch, bracelet, earrings or necklace would all be very appropriate and I'm sure you can choose something that your mum can wear again and again and always think of you.

 

Finally, look out for gorgeous packaging too!

 

 

Q I always wear my watch, even in bed, and I feel quite lost without it. It has quite a big chunky face with a silver strap. Do you think it is ok to wear it? If not, I have a big tan mark so would need something to cover this up. I’m a bridesmaid not a bride.

 

A Usually I would always recommend both brides and bridesmaids leave their watches at home, but I would hate for you to feel lost on the day!

 

If you really don't want to be parted from it, go ahead and wear it and feel happy, that's the most important thing!

 

If you think the bride would prefer you didn't wear it, there are a couple of options. You could cover the tan mark with a wide cuff style bracelet. There are loads of great designs which look amazing, are very fashionable and might make you feel less naked!

 

Alternatively, you could try covering it with a large corsage style flower that all the bridesmaids could wear - this might keep you and the bride happy!

 

Some brides could get very "wound up" about something like this (excuse the pun!) and others couldn't give two hoots, so it does depend on how laid back your friend is!

 

 

Q We are hoping to have a black and white wedding theme and I have decided that I would like a wedding dress with lots of black detail on.

 

What sort of jewellery so you think would complement our colour scheme?

 

Also do you think brides should have a handbag for their wedding? I have been to so many weddings where the bride does not have one so where do they put things like lippy and perfume?

 

A Your dress will be very dramatic, so diamante jewellery will finish it off perfectly. Or look for sparkling Swarovski crystals -you could even go for jet black crystals.

 

I would only recommend you have a bag if you wanted one as part of your style. Otherwise that's what bridesmaids are for! Or you can choose a special friend to keep your makeup and so on to hand - there will be no shortage of people who would love to be in charge of fussing around you!

 

 

Many thanks again to Clare for all her help and advice.  If you have any questions of just want to chat, don’t be shy, start or join in a discussion on The Wedding Community forum.

 

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