With all the effort that
goes into choosing a wedding dress, we don't blame you for wanting to
find jewelry that flatters without stealing the..err...altar. Thankfully,
there are plenty of tasteful ways to make your earlobes feel loved
without giving them too much attention. Take a look at our list for five
styles we think you'll appreciate. And no matter what you pick, be sure
to select an earring finding that you know stays in your ear. You have
enough to worry about without having to search for your earring on the
dance floor mid-reception.
Short hoop earrings
are about one inch in diameter, hang just below the earlobe, and
generally stay in place when you move. There are many styles of this
earring that make it a perfect wedding accessory. Petite gemstones
sometimes hang in line along the base of the hoop, adding a little
bit of color and personality, as with these
Sapphire Clusters Hoop Earrings (something blue, anyone?). Or a
single, slightly larger gemstone can dangle from the base of a
circular or oval-shaped hoop for a kind of twist on the drop style.
Single drop
earrings are classified by a medium-sized gemstone hanging about
an inch off the earlobe. Select the stone by color and shine to
draw more or less attention to the earrings. Another variety on
this style is to add a second stone or cluster of stones to
create a bit more girth to the earring, as with these
Clear Crystal and Iolite Cluster earrings (pictured).
Cluster earrings
mix two different colored stones or pearls together for a fun
play on color and shine. Typically, a cluster of smaller, darker
colored stones flanks one larger, lighter one, or vice versa as
with these
Black Onyx & Pearl Cluster Earrings. A great bridal look is
to choose small gemstones that match the wedding color theme and
pair them with a larger freshwater pearl.
Cascade earrings
are classified by narrow, linear designs that fall straight down
from the earlobe. Petite gemstones cluster in even pairs down
the length of the chain, or they alternate sides like leaves on
a flower stem, like these
Aquamarine & Vermeil earrings. Chains can come in a variety
of lengths, from one inch to three or four. Another cascade
design hangs small, single pendants from two or three chains.
Either style is an elegant, flattering addition to any face.
Metallic earrings
make use of classic gold or sterling silver and either contrast
it with a complementary gemstone or let the metal stand alone,
as with these
Silver Metallic Thread Hoop Earrings. They come in any of
the above styles and are traditional, subtle additions to a
bridal ensemble. A great look is to combine gold and a white
stone - such as a pearl, raw diamond or quartz
- for a look that
is both timeless and flattering.