Deciding what to wear to an upcoming ceremony is fun—and also complicated. But there’s a shortcut to make the whole to-do easier: choosing the best wedding guest jewelry possible. Think of the simplest, most unassuming LBD hanging in your closet right now. Now picture it paired with a diamond necklace and a matching tennis bracelet. Suddenly, that simple dress feels like a major statement, right?
The same theory applies to pretty much every event’s (sometimes extremely specific) dress code—be it a beachy destination, a formal ballroom affair, or a casual reception after city hall I-dos. Find the ideal dainty earrings, special-occasion necklaces, cuff bracelets, and cocktail rings for whatever weddings you have on the docket this season below, where we’ve compiled shiny and sparkly options for every type of celebration—even for bridesmaids.
The Wedding Jewelry Edit
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Black-tie wedding guest jewelry
Clothing-wise, black tie requires formal evening gowns and often tends to skew slightly more conservative. In other words, it’s not the time to wear a sheer going-out dress with a pair of gold hoop earrings. You should, however, consider the occasion as a green light to go big and lean into glamorous stones such as lab-grown diamonds and pearls. This will also help you cheat your way around making the rest of your outfit feel opulent; megawatt jewelry has the power to make understated pieces seem extravagant.
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Cocktail wedding guest jewelry
Although cocktail attire is slightly less strict than black tie, it still signals a buttoned-up affair. This gives you leeway to be more playful with your choices, while still maintaining a certain level of polish. Aim for a mix of elevated materials, bold colors, and unexpected shapes and settings. This could be as subtle as a delicate gold bracelet with shimmering stone charms, or as bold as a gemstone necklace or a cocktail ring inlaid with a rainbow of gems.
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Semiformal wedding guest jewelry
Because semiformal essentially means dressed up with no strict rules, it offers a lot of freedom to get experimental with your jewelry. Play around with more casual designs—with the caveat that there’s a sophisticated air to whatever you ultimately go with. Trendy jewelry like thick, sculptural gold hoops or layered necklaces should certainly do the trick for a special occasion.
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Casual wedding guest jewelry
Casual or “come as you are” parties have no hard-and-fast guidance, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t step things up a bit for the occasion. It’s the ideal time to layer in your favorite everyday fine jewelry, like delicate charms, skinny hoops, and stud earrings—perhaps even all together for dramatic effect. It’s also an excuse to buy yourself a few new styles, as they will likely be things you can frequently wear on repeat in the future, including to the office.
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Beach wedding guest jewelry
Due to its breezy, oceanside location, a beach ceremony always seems a little laid back, even when the invite calls for formalwear. This translates to lightweight jewelry in soft, organic shapes and seaglass-like stones. And while you certainly can play into the theme with floral or seashell motifs, there are also subtler ways to tap into the vibe. A curved resin bangle or brightly beaded necklace will carry you into summer vacation, too.
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Outdoor wedding guest jewelry
Should the wedding be taking place in a field, forest, or barn, you’ll want to nod to the rustic venue without being too on-the-nose. This can be achieved with sleek, modern styles that incorporate rustic materials like leather cord and turquoise beads—or woodsy-cool shapes, a rope-like chain or sterling silver and mother-of-pearl lariat—wedding jewelry with a twist that you’ll easily wear casually, too.
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