What jewelry to wear to a wedding as a guest

Wedding Guest Jewelry

Weddings are some of the best events of the year. They allow you to celebrate the love of a family member, friend, coworker, or couple in your life. Yet, selecting an outfit for such an event can be stressful. There’s no perfect formula to ensure you look and feel your best. Each wedding has its dress code, and even that dress code can vary slightly depending on the theme of the wedding. If you’re a bridesmaid, the bride might want to have the jewelry to be coordinated or choose a gemstone that matches everyone’s dress. Wedding season is upon us, so it’s time to find out what jewelry to wear with that new wedding dress! If you’re working hard to find an appropriate outfit, keep reading for everything you should know about wedding guest jewelry.

Wedding Guest Jewelry Etiquette

Believe it or not, there’s an etiquette for wedding jewelry! As a guest, you never want to take away from the couple’s big day. Just as you wouldn’t wear white to the wedding, you shouldn’t commit some of this jewelry faux pas. Here’s what you should keep in mind.

Avoid statement pieces

Unless you’re the mother of the bride! For the mother of the bride, the bigger, the better - think chandelier earrings or large teardrop earrings. A wedding is all about the couple. So, size does matter when it comes to jewelry at a wedding. Any jewelry that stands out should be worn by the couple getting married. Leave the statement pieces at home and only accessorize with jewelry that doesn’t attract too much attention.

We recommend jewelry that complements your attire. You should select simple patterns and solid colors to make your outfit pop. It’s okay for your jewelry to have a bit of shimmer, but you never want to outdo the couple on their day. Here are some great go-to pieces if you’re unsure what’s included in “statement pieces.”

o Stud earrings

o Delicate dangle earrings

o Small pendant necklaces

o Single bracelets

o Sentimental brooches

o Subtle cuff links, tie clips, and tie tacks

Stick to smaller jewelry

Try to choose smaller, daintier pieces that highlight your outfit. Elegant and understated pieces are much preferred to larger, flashy pieces. The key is to look your best without drawing any unnecessary attention to yourself. Wedding guest jewelry should always be seen and not heard. In most cases, less is more!

Stay simple

Simple looks are much better at a wedding. For example, choose a more modest look instead of layering bracelets — which can be both noisy and flashy. You should also be conscious of the pieces you’re wearing together. You should consider a simpler necklace if you choose to wear statement earrings.

Pearls are always suitable

Pearls are a great option for weddings because they’re a classy and elegant stone. They’re suitable for any wedding (even those that are less traditional!). Mother of pearls is considered extremely bridal. We especially love a simple solitaire pearl necklace, pearl drop earrings, and a strand of pearl bracelets.

Diamonds are also elegant stones, but they attract a lot of attention. Be mindful of this when selecting jewelry. It can be okay to wear diamonds as a wedding guest, but you want to choose more understated diamond jewelry or colorful stones when possible. A diamond wedding or engagement ring is always acceptable.

Consider seasonality and location

Not all weddings are created equally — even if they have the same dress code on the invitation. In many cases, you need to consider the location and season of the wedding to choose your attire and accessories.

For example, if you’re invited to a beach summer wedding, you’re likely to dress differently than you would for a wedding in a church. You may consider a necklace with natural-looking accents (like shells) rather than a formal necklace (like pearls) for the church.

What Jewelry to Wear to a Wedding as a Guest

Your jewelry selection will be highly dependent on your style. Some people prefer a classic look, while others want to add a bit more glamor. Below, we’ll break down the different jewelry styles you can wear depending on your preferences.

Regardless of your choice, make sure you put a little bit of extra thought and effort into your selections. Weddings are a special event for the couple; you want to make the day expectational for them!

Wedding Guest Jewelry Ideas

Earrings for Wedding Guest 

Earrings are an essential accent for a female wedding guest who has poured hours into hair and makeup. Earrings subtly draw attention to the face, which is the perfect way to ensure others appreciate the time and effort you’ve poured into your appearance.

Earrings have a way of completely changing your image. Choosing the correct earrings emphasizes your outfit, skin town, face shape, and makeup. Earrings can also draw attention to your countenance and make you appear more expressive. They were one of the first forms of personal adornment. Stud diamond earrings are always a safe choice. Hoop earrings will look flattering on everyone.

Here are two different ideas for wedding guest earrings.

Diamond Wire Earrings

We love love love these earrings for special occasions! They offer an elegant design with 10 .72 carat diamonds on each earring. The looped design helps to elongate the face, and the 14k gold adds the perfect amount of sparkle. Whether you’re a wedding guest or heading out on town, you can wear these earrings.

Visit here to shop the Diamond Wire Earrings.

Dangle Earring Jackets for Diamond Studs

These earrings are part of the tennis-style trend. We recommend these for black-tie weddings because they’re on the more glamorous side. They have close to a carat of diamonds. These earrings are just “jackets,” which means you can attach them to any pair of your favorite studs. We love them with diamonds, pearls, sapphires, or emeralds. The pairing your select is entirely up to you and what accent you want to give your outfit. Just note that the earrings do not come with studs — you must pair them independently! Most clients match the metal type of their earring studs.

Visit here to shop the Dangle Earring Jackets for Diamond Studs.

1. Bracelets for Wedding Guests

Bracelets can be an incredible addition to your wedding style. Depending on your chosen outfit, it may not make sense to wear a necklace. For example, if you’ve selected a dress with a high neckline, wearing an elegant bracelet can add an eye-catching accent in a more appropriate spot. Nothing is more suitable for a wedding outfit than a tennis bracelet. Bangle and cuff bracelets also look great layered with a dress.

Gold Paperclip Bracelets with Diamonds

Paperclip bracelets have recently become a fashion trend. They are simple and elegant — working for practically any occasion. These bracelets date back to the 1940s, when the Nazis occupied Norway. Students at Oslo University began wearing the paperclip bracelet as a symbol of resistance, unity, and national pride.

Today, anyone can wear a 14K gold paperclip bracelet. It’s simple in appearance, which allows it to appeal to all tastes.

We love the Alexis Jae take on the gold paperclip bracelet because it adds a little flair with tiny .27 carat diamonds. This sparkle helps dress it up for special occasions like weddings, making it subtle, sleek, and stylish. The bracelet is available in 14K white, yellow, or rose gold.

Visit here to shop for the Gold Paperclip Bracelet with Diamonds.

14K Gold Plain Bangle Bracelet

A plain cuff or bangle elevates any outfit when it’s made of high-quality material. We had this in mind at Alexis Jae when designing our 14K Gold Plain Bangle Bracelet. It features a dainty silhouette that can be worn solo or stacked with other pieces. Because wedding guests should be seen and not heard, we recommend wearing this bracelet alone for a classic look at formal wedding events.

Visit here to shop for the 14K Gold Plain Bangle Bracelet.

1. Necklaces for Wedding Guests

Like earrings, necklaces have been worn for centuries, dating back to the Mayan and Aztec civilizations. Many societies saw necklaces as symbols of power, wealth, respect, strength, and success. In short, simply wearing a necklace gave you social status.

Today, most people wear necklaces to accent their body or their outfit. Donning a necklace can improve your sense of self as much as it can improve others’ perception of you. This makes the right necklace one of the most versatile pieces in any wardrobe and perfect to wear as a wedding guest. If you want to layer, we recommend a choker necklace paired with a 16” chain. We’d suggest up to 2 necklaces as a wedding guest. Here’s what we suggest if you’re getting ready to attend a celebration of love.

Pave Diamond Circle Necklace

This diamond circle chain necklace is a modern design that’s simple, understated, yet still eye-catching. You won’t upstage the bride on her wedding day with these .08 carat diamonds, but you’ll still have just enough sparkle to feel confident and beautiful. This piece is made to order and available in white, yellow, and rose gold, depending on your preference.

Visit here to shop for the Pave Diamond Circle Necklace.  

Bezel Set Diamond Tennis Necklace

You’re right on trend with this tennis necklace. This is a 16.5-inch-long necklace that’s dainty enough not to be overstated as a wedding guest but still comfortably holds its own. It sparkles with every move because of its round, brilliant cut diamonds.

Visit here to shop for the Bezel Set Tennis Necklace.

Final Thoughts

Which wedding guest look above is your favorite? Alexis Jae wants to make sure you can look and feel your best in custom jewelry at wholesale prices. Come shop with us!