Jewelry can either make or break an outfit, and your wedding is one day you want to make sure your accessories are precisely on point. Jewelry expert Urvi Tejani believes radiant bling is within any bride’s reach. After working for several designer fashion houses and experiencing her own wedding shopping, she launched bridal jewelry brand TEJANI and jewelry rental service Red Carpet Rocks. We asked the jewelry maven for her top tips for finding the best wedding jewelry for your style and budget, so your rocks will be as flawless as Beyoncé’s.
What should you choose first: the jewelry or the dress?
Urvi Tejani: The dress plays such a major role in a wedding, so it’s generally best to choose your wedding dress first. Plus, it can be much easier to find jewelry that complements your dress than to look for a dress that works well with a specific piece or pieces of jewelry. That said, if you find jewelry you absolutely can’t live without before you’ve found the right dress—go for it! If you’re wearing something you truly love, your look will fall into place naturally.
What style of necklace looks best with each dress neckline?
Strapless and sweetheart necklines look amazing with a big, blingy statement necklace. Dresses with higher necklines or a lot of decoration near the neck (halter neck, long sleeves, ruffled straps) call for a simple necklace, like a delicate pendant or a classic strand of pearls, diamonds or high-quality crystals.
How do you wear jewelry with an embellished dress (beading, feathers, sequins) without going over the top?
Match the style of your jewelry to your dress. If your dress has a lot of crystal beading, stick with crystal jewelry. Doing so will help the look flow, rather than make your jewelry and dress compete for attention.
Do you have to decide between wearing a statement necklace or statement earrings, or can you wear both?
This depends largely on your dress. If your dress has a lot of decoration, stick with one piece of statement jewelry. Choose a pair of earrings or a necklace that really complement your dress, rather than compete with it. If your dress is understated, consider piling on the bling with a necklace and earrings.
How much of your budget should be put toward your jewelry?
It depends on how much jewelry you plan to wear. You want to put enough of your budget toward jewelry to ensure you’re wearing beautiful, high-quality pieces that add to your overall look. If you plan only to wear one piece of jewelry—earrings, for example—plan to spend no less than $100. If you’re wearing two pieces, aim for somewhere between $250 and $400. If you’re working with a tighter overall budget, remember fantastic jewelry can really dress up a less expensive, simple dress.
What are the best ways to save money—without sacrificing quality—on your wedding day jewelry?
Fine jewelry might last a lifetime, but one pair of diamond earrings can put a significant dent in your budget. Instead, look for high-end, high-quality costume jewelry that has the same look and feel as real pieces. To save even more money, consider renting a few pieces of your wedding day bling. This way, you might be able to afford earrings, a necklace and a bracelet—all for less than it would have cost you to buy all of the pieces.
What should you bring when shopping for jewelry?
Pictures of your dress from all different angles, and if your dress has any intricate details (like beading), bring a few close-up shots. It can also be helpful to wear something that’s a similar shade as your dress and, if possible, has a similar neckline. This way, you can try on jewelry and get a pretty realistic idea of how it would look with your dress.
What are your top places for buying wedding jewelry?
BHLDN and Perfect Details are both great places to find jewelry. Another great option is Adriana Orsini, the private label collection available at Saks Fifth Avenue. And for brides interested in renting jewelry for their day, check out the incredible collection we have available at Red Carpet Rocks.
What type of jewelry will look best in wedding pictures?
Statement jewelry will always stand out best in pictures. Smaller pieces—a simple pair of stud earrings, for example—can be hidden behind hair, the veil or other ways too easily. But whether you choose to wear statement or delicate jewelry, it’s important you communicate with your photographer. Tell them you want your jewelry to be visible in pictures, and work with them to position yourself in a way that lets your accessories be seen.
How can you show off your earrings if you’re wearing your hair down?
If you have long hair and are wearing it down, stud earrings will get hidden behind your hair. Look for a pair of larger drop earrings instead, which will hold their own even with your hair down. If you’d prefer to wear a small pair of earrings, consider putting your hair half-back.
Should wedding jewelry only be silver or gold, or can it be colorful?
Your jewelry can truly be whatever you want it to be. But if you want a timeless wedding day look, it’s probably best to stick with the classics—silver and gold—for your jewelry. Brightly colored or trendy styles might look outdated in your photos after just a few years.
Can you wear other rings, besides your wedding ring, at your wedding?
Absolutely. A ring can actually be a really wonderful “something borrowed” to wear—just stick to wearing any other rings on your right hand, so as to give your new, sparkly wedding band all the space it needs to shine.
What are the newest trends in wedding jewelry you are most excited about?
I absolutely love the way brides are stepping away from traditional wedding jewelry and are letting their unique personalities shine through in their bridal looks. Fashion-forward costume jewelry is really popular among brides these days, and it’s so much fun to see women wearing statement accessories on their wedding day. Traditional bridal jewelry will always be beautiful, but costume styles can let brides express themselves more fully and truly, which is amazing.
