We’re just a few weeks away from summer and wedding season is here! Are you a bride-to-be, putting the finishing touches on your wedding plans? There’s so much to think about and so many things that go into making your dream wedding a reality.

I know it’s easy to focus on the ring, but you shouldn’t overlook the importance of the rest of your jewelry. A few simple pieces can really compliment a classic dress or traditional hairstyle. Or if your tastes trend towards the nontraditional, look for a necklace, bracelet or earrings with a little more zing.

Keep reading to learn more about the wedding jewelry that every bride needs to know about.

Simple Necklaces for Off-Shoulder Dresses

An off-the-shoulder dress can be a striking look for your wedding. But how can you accessorize, without taking away from the dramatic statement of the dress itself?

Photo: Brides on Instagram

Think about opting for a simple necklace, like this elegant hammered silver choker.

It’ll bring attention to your neckline without being so large that it overpowers and takes attention away from the star of the show: your beautiful dress.

Bright Necklaces for Beach Wedding

Destination weddings in tropical locations have played a major part in increasing the popularity of the beach wedding. But let’s get one myth out of the way first: a beach bride doesn’t have to wear a flowery, colorful sun dress. A simple white dress can look just as good on the beach as it does in any church hall.

A photo posted by Snapshots (@snapshots_app) on Jul 29, 2015 at 9:25am PDT

Look at that bride above. She knows that a beach wedding calls out for unique touches. She’s chosen a lei to really stand out. That’s great– if it’s your style. If you prefer jewelry to flowers, think about a necklace that compliments your skin tone and highlights the color of the beautiful ocean water.   This silver opal necklace in light blue is a great choice:   And it’ll wear just as well for years after your wedding. Each time you put it on, you’ll be reminded of the deep blue sea and your special day.

Earrings for Every Hairstyle

  Are you wearing your hair up or down? Believe it or not, you can find earrings that will go great with whatever look you’ve chosen. Let’s start by looking at a beautiful bride who’s wearing her hair up:  

A photo posted by BRIDES Magazine (@brides) on Apr 18, 2015 at 9:09am PDT

She’s chosen to accent the details on her dress with a hairpiece by Erickson Beamon. But what other pieces would add to her look? Many necklaces would simply overpower her dress, and there isn’t room for much more than a small choker around her neck. The right earrings, on the other hand, can really elevate this look. These sterling silver hoops could really work for her:   At only 1.5” in diameter, they’re small enough to be unobtrusive, but the highly polished silver will catch the light and add a hint of glimmer and shine to her understated look without becoming the stars of the show   Even brides who wear their hair down can make room for a beautiful pair of earrings. Take a look at this bride who chose a set of medium-sized studs that peek out from below her hair:  

A photo posted by Crissy Rose  (@thehouseofmakeup) on Jun 9, 2015 at 7:07am PDT

She made a great choice for her look! But there are other earrings that will work just as well with long flowing hair. If your hair covers your ears, consider a larger, more intricate set of earrings that will stand out a bit more.

And don’t be afraid to be a little playful. For example, if lilies are your wedding flower, try this pair of silver sculpted Calla Lily earrings:

The ears are a great place to add a splash of color on an otherwise traditional white wedding look. Looking for your something blue? Give these teardrop shaped silver and blue opal earrings a try:

If you’ve gone ultra-minimal with your dress and hairstyle, your earrings are a great place to add a bit of visual interest and color to an otherwise uncomplicated look.

If you’re looking for something even bolder to jazz up your look, check out these filigree hoops:

They’re a bit over 3” in total length and a bit unconventional, but they might be the perfect piece to round out a more bohemian or alternative wedding style.

Picture those earrings paired with a long flowing dress, for example.

What about the wrist?

So far, we’ve just talked about making necklaces and earrings work with your wedding look. They’re easy to match to a variety of hairstyles and dress types.

But when it comes to choosing a bracelet for your wrist, you want to do one thing: avoid taking attention away from your ring. That makes a simple sterling silver bangle bracelet a great choice:

It’s a design that’s a little flashy, but it can really work on a very simple, uncomplicated wedding look like this one:

A photo posted by Grace loves lace (@grace_loves_lace) on Apr 22, 2015 at 4:28am PDT

Normally, I recommend copper jewelry for warmer skin tones, but rules can be bent and I think sterling silver would be a great addition to her look.

But these hammered copper bangles would look great on her, too:

The Final Word

Remember: it’s your wedding. No matter what looks you see in magazines and no matter what the latest trends are, look for pieces that you love and that make you feel beautiful.

Jewelry’s a great way to express your personality, especially on your wedding day. For example, if you’re a bird lover, don’t be afraid to show it with a pair of earrings that have meaning to you.

If you love your jewelry, then you’ve made the right choice.

Check out all of our necklaces, earrings, and bracelets to find something you want to add to your wedding look.