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Selecting Matching Jewelry for Bridesmaids
Ever
since the days of Eve, women have been obsessed with the desire to look pretty
and beautiful. All over the world,
jewelry has always been an essential and integral part of a woman’s ensemble
towards this objective. A wedding,
of course, is a very special occasion.
Selection of dresses and jewelry of a bride and her maids is a very important
area of deliberate planning in a wedding.
The
bride, of course, is the protagonist. But, the dresses and the jewelry of the
bridesmaids are equally important for the overall appearance and effect for the
occasion. The bridesmaids have to support the bride morally and emotionally on
this psychologically sensitive juncture. However, care has to be taken to ensure that the bridesmaids are
dressed relatively simpler than the bride herself -- for a simple reason that
they are bridesmaids, and not the bride! The
bridesmaids’ jewelry has also to be a subdued version of what the bride adorns.
Yet, it should still catch the eyes of all present for the overall impact.
The
brides and their maids usually prefer to wear exotic ethnic or formal dresses
on the long cherished dream day of the wedding. The dresses and the accessories
vary with different cultures and races all over the world. Traditions play an
important role in this. However, universally the color, the texture, and the
design of the dresses are selected on considerations of individual height,
complexion, and weight.
Once
the dresses are finalized, it is easier to choose jewelry based on what suits
best and is compatible with the selected apparel. Of course, the budgetary
constraints apply. The kind of decoration and designs on the dress go a long
way in deciding the jewelry. With simple dresses, three point necklaces look good,
while a single and double pearl necklaces go well with heavily decorated
dresses. The jewelry commonly worn includes ornaments of gold, gold-plated
silver, silver, diamonds, and platinum. Lately, Bentex and artificial stone
jewelry has come in vogue.
Conventionally,
bridesmaids wear matching earrings and a necklace. These could be of colored
stones or crystals that either match the dress or set a contrast. Some brides
want their bridesmaids to set a somber tone by wearing a pearl necklace and
pearl earrings. Diamonds are a woman’s favorite. If the wedding is on a lavish
scale, the bridesmaids glow with the radiance of these stones.
Variety
is the spice of life. It is true for selecting necklaces for the bridesmaids. A
silver chain, sporting a stone or a gem of varied hue, has a lot of appeal.
Some necklaces have silver or gold-based pendants. They may be studded with
ornamental stones or precious gems like rubies, emeralds, and sapphires.
Amethyst, turquoise, and diamonds are also some of the favorites. Some pendants
are also made from colored glass and wire. These are beautiful to wear and to
look at. Crystals, pearls, or diamonds may be embedded to add that extra touch
of flourish. Another fascinating variation is the strung rhinestones. These
give an ethereal effect. The result is aesthetic and appealing.
No
bridal jewelry is complete without the delicate hair accessories. These could
be in the form of jeweled clasps or clips. In some cases, depending on the
hairstyle, bobby pins are used to hold the hair and the veil in place. Like
necklaces and earrings, these could be made from a variety of stones or
crystals. These pins encrusted with gems are often in tune with the dangling
earrings.
Bracelets
could be from a simple silver chain with rhinestones or petite gems to lend a
superb finishing touch to the bridesmaids’ ensemble. Glass bangles in different
colors could also be considered.
Emulating the oriental custom of adorning ornaments on waist and
below, there is an increasing trend to wear waist chains, ankle chains, and
toe-rings in the West as well. Nose-rings and belly-button-rings are also
catching up fast. These ornaments are usually of silver or gold. Gold is seldom
worn below the waist in the orient, because that as per their belief would
imply insult to the precious metal!
Whatever
the bridesmaids wear -- be it gold, silver, pearls, diamonds, rhinestones, or
precious gems, their jewelry should not over shadow that of the bride’s. Even
within this confine, there is such a lot to choose from that the sparkle and
the glitter is never absent.
The overall effect of the dress and the jewelry of the bride and
her maids should be to make them look beautiful, glamorous, and graceful -
commensurate with the festive occasion. They together, as a group, must gel
with each other, and evoke spontaneous attention on their first formal
appearance to the friends and the family. Their body language, facial
expressions, and the enchanting smiles certainly will add grace to their
dresses and the jewelry.
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