Dressing for weddings can be a delicate dance. As a guest, your jewelry should feel personal, yet perfectly appropriate. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know as a wedding guest to nail your jewelry choices.
What Jewelry to Wear to a Wedding as a Guest
The first rule of dressing for weddings is to respect the event’s dress code. Whether you’re attending a black-tie affair or a casual beach ceremony, your jewelry should align with the level of formality.
Black Tie Wedding Guest Jewelry: For a black-tie affair, you should stick to high-quality materials like diamonds and precious metals to match the occasion’s formality. A classic diamond jewelry set is always a flawless choice.
Semi-Formal Wedding Guest Jewelry: At a semi-formal celebration, you can be a little more experimental. Play with color or lean into seasonal trends, but aim for pieces that still feel intentional and celebratory.
Beach Wedding Guest Jewelry: At an oceanside venue, lean into organic materials and the beachy motifs that define the ease of the sea. Your jewelry can channel natural textures—shells, pearls, turquoise etc.—to complement the relaxed setting.
Seasons shape style in their own way. These are the pairings we love for each time of the year. In spring and summer, reach for delicate pieces: think florals, colorful gemstones and soft pastels that echo the lightness of the season. As the seasons shift, fall and winter welcome jewelry with substance—heavier silhouettes and rich, moody tones.
Wedding guest jewelry etiquette means never upstaging the bride. It may go without saying, but skip anything that feels bridal like white pearls or anything so glittering it steals the spotlight. Wedding guest jewelry should feel celebratory, not competitive.
Weddings are often all-day (and all-evening) functions. Choose jewelry that’s beautiful, but also comfortable enough to carry you through champagne toasts, dinner and dancing. Studs or huggies may outlast a heavy chandelier earring once the reception gets going. And don’t forget to consider longevity: pick jewelry you’ll be excited to wear again long after the celebration ends.
Even the best outfit can go awry with the wrong accessories. Here are some pitfalls to avoid:
Over–Accessorizing: Wearing too many statement pieces can overwhelm your look. If you’re opting for oversized earrings, skip the chunky necklace and choose a dainty bracelet instead.
Wearing Casual Jewelry to a Formal Event: Save your silicone rings, boho pieces or festival-style accessories for less formal occasions. Think polished and refined for formal weddings.
Ignoring Comfort: No matter how gorgeous an accessory is, it’s not worth spending the evening fidgeting with heavy earrings or a tight bracelet. Always test your pieces beforehand for comfort and functionality.
Clashing Styles: Ensure your jewelry matches not only your outfit but also each other. Mixed metals might look chic, but colors or styles that don’t go together can create a disjointed look.
Love is the main event, and jewelry is the perfect plus one. Shop the best wedding guest jewelry for every kind of “I do” online at Borsheims.com today.
