Alas, best friend has gotten married! She had a gorgeous ceremony at the Four Seasons Resort in Maui and yours truly had the privilege of being a bridesmaid and providing the wedding jewelry. The bride was radiant in an Elizabeth Fillmore dress (Eden) from Mark Ingram Atelier (the bridal atelier for discerning brides), tiara, veil and Jimmy Choo shoes and clutch. Of course bestie bride was perfectly accessorized and struck the right balance without falling over the gaudy ledge but how does one accessorize for one’s “big fat ___ wedding?”

I completely understand that on your wedding day all brides like to feel like the center of attention and indeed, they always are. However, there is always a risk of overdoing the frills and sparkles and turning into a caricature of the Bob Mackie Empress Bride Barbie (see horror show picture below).

Let me just stop you right there. NO. For the modern bride more is rarely more. If you’re going to do the tiara and the veil, then exercise restraint when it comes to your jewelry. No one needs to look like a rococo chandelier heaving under the sheer weight of the gilded crystals and lace. Bestie wore her engagement ring, a vintage diamond tennis bracelet on her right hand (something old), a smallish pair of flower cluster diamond earrings from J&A (“borrowed”) and a pair of J&A sapphire and diamond studs in her second piercing (“blue”).

A good rule-of-thumb is ONE statement piece within 2 feet of your face and only 2 pieces of jewelry total.  Yes, a tiara counts as a “statement piece”!  In general, if you forgo the tiara then perhaps a pair of statement earrings and bracelet would go nicely.  If you would rather a larger necklace, then keep the earrings demure but you may be able to sneak in a bracelet of some sort. Don’t try to rock a parure (a matching set of earrings, necklace, tiara, bracelet and/or brooch) unless you’re a pro. Strike that, just don’t. Parures were fashionable in the 17th century and unless you want to look like Bob Mackie Barbie over there, I wouldn’t even do a demi parure (matching earrings, necklace, brooch). One statement piece within 2 feet of your face, 2 pieces of jewelry total. Full. Stop.

I shall leave you with a couple of shots of the wedding band that I designed to complement her engagement ring. In case you missed my post about how to select the right wedding band, here it is again.

I will be covering the JCK jewelry convention in Vegas this week through next, expect the very best from the couture shows and get ready to SWOON!

BIg Kiss and BIgger Diamonds,

JZP