Choosing pearls for a wedding party is a loving task. Jewelry
that extra bit of frosting for each member of the wedding party
– an elegant finishing touch. You'll need to think about the
overall wedding style as well as the needs of the wedding party.
Factors such as pearl size, color and necklace lengths all come
into play.
Pearls are the timeless classics of every woman's jewelry
collection. A girl's first pearl is usually her first piece of
jewelry and becomes the foundation of her jewelry wardrobe as she
matures. They are often passed down from one generation to the
next.
From Mother to Daughter, Grandmothers to their granddaughters
and Aunts to their nieces, family are heirlooms dating back
generations and can symbolize a girl's past, present and future.
A woman's pearls then become a symbol of her growth into
adulthood as well as her new role with a family of her own.
This is why pearls are so appropriate for the bride and her
entire wedding party.
Following are a few tips to choose the prefect wedding pearls.
Wedding Style
First of all, consider the overall wedding style. Will it be
held in a cathedral or on a beach? Will the ceremony be very
traditional and formal or casual? The bride and her party's
jewelry are best when matched to the style of the wedding.
Formal Weddings
For more formal weddings, choose larger, rounder white pearls.
Traditional single, double and triple strands with matched
bracelets and stud earrings will be appropriate.
Casual Weddings and Non-Traditional Weddings
Jewelry for less formal weddings can incorporate more colors and
design elements. Look for colors to match the bridal party's
dresses and theme. For example, choose pink pearls for a spring
garden wedding or black pearls for an Avant Garde or ultra modern
ceremony.
You can also wear pearls for very non-traditional weddings as
well. Pearls in every color, size and shape are available in the
jewelry marketplace. Pick pearls to match your theme or color.
Pearls for the Wedding Party
Next, let's think about how the entire wedding party can be
perfectly adorned with pearls for the big day.
Mothers and Grandmothers
For Moms and Grandmas on both sides of the wedding party,
larger pearls, longer and multiple strands are very appropriate.
As a woman ages, she is best suited by larger pearls, so seven
millimeters is the starting point. Also, the starting length
range is 18 inches. Generally about a 22 inch strand is
recommended.
As for color, this will depend on Mom and Grandma's tastes. Most
often white is most preferred. However for Moms and Grandmas
with an extra flair for color, pinks, lavenders, blacks are also
available. It is their day to celebrate their child and
grandchild so, let them express themselves too.
Remember to give Mom and Grandma their pearls early so that
they will have time to coordinate their wedding day attire -
generally, two to three months in advance.
Bridesmaids
Pearls are also the perfect bridesmaids' gifts. These pearls
should be worn at the ceremony. Typically, smaller pearls at
shorter lengths are best. Pearls in the six to seven millimeter
range are most appropriate.
The bride does have a choice of color of pearls. She can choose
traditional white for her bridesmaids or match pearls in pale
pastel colors to their dresses. For spring and summer weddings,
think about fresh and lively colors, and for fall or winter
weddings, look for darker and jewel toned pearls.
Traditional lengths of 16 to 20 inches are most preferred.
However, the pearl strand or pendant should fall at least one
inch above or two inches below the neckline of the bridesmaids'
dresses.
As the dresses will be chosen by the bride well in advance,
she should have ample time to prepare matched necklaces as
bridesmaids' gifts. The rehearsal dinner will be the appropriate
occasion for these gifts. To distinguish the maid of honor, she
can wear a different color, slightly larger or longer pearls.
Real cultured pearls are a very nice "Thank You" gift for
bridesmaids. They are real gemstones and can be worn for special
occasions later on.
Flower girls
Flower girls' jewelry can be a smaller version of the
bridesmaids. Since most flower girls will sprout inches within
months, a longer necklace is very appropriate. Pearls in the
five to six millimeter range at about 14 inches will fit most
young flower girls.
They can match the bridesmaids or can be slightly different in
color and size. Flower girl jewelry can also be just a bit more
fanciful with more colors and variety. Think about drop shapes
or off round shapes.
The rehearsal dinner is also a great time to give flower girls
their wedding jewelry gifts.
Fathers, Groomsmen and the Groom
Today, pearls can also be worn by the men in the wedding as well.
Pearls can be worn incorporated into tie tacks, ascot pins,
cufflinks and shirt studs.
Small five to six millimeter can be set into shirt studs and
matched cuff links. Button shaped and half or blister pearls
with a flattened side will set nicely into these wedding
accessories.
The color of the pearls can be determined when the clothing and
accessories for the men are selected. To blend in to a white
shirt, white pearls can be used. For a nice contrast, black
pearls. Also, if there is a theme to the wedding, specific
colors are also available to match.
To distinguish the groom and his best man, they wear different
color pearls as well. Also, think about matching members of the
wedding party. The best man and maid of honor can be matched in
pearl color and size.
Men's wardrobe for a wedding is also selected well in advance so;
the pearl accessories will be an excellent gift for Dads and
Groomsmen at rehearsal dinner.
The Bride
The bride herself should have the largest and best pearls for her
wedding day. Her necklace should reflect her personal style as
well as her wedding.
The size of the pearls should be relative to her frame. The
starting pearl size is in the six to seven millimeter range for
an average sized bride – at approximately 5'5" tall and weighing
about 130 pounds. Then, size up or down depending on the wearer.
Also, take into account the bride's age. As a woman matures,
larger pearls are more appropriate.
The length of her necklace should fall at least one inch above or
two inches below the neckline of her dress. The average length
is about 16 to 18 inches for above the collar and 22+ inches for
below.
The bride has several choices for color. For traditional
weddings, white is most appropriate. However, if the bride so
chooses, she can wear any color she desires. Also, if there are
pearls on her dress, the color should match the jewelry as well.
|
