Choose bridal earrings by your neckline and hairstyle first, then by colour. A high neckline or an updo suits a longer drop. A strapless or off-the-shoulder dress suits a pair that sits calmly beside bare skin. A veil suits earrings with nothing to catch.
RingDesire makes vintage-style bridal earrings with a carved glass intaglio and, on many pairs, pearl drops. Each pair is made by hand to order. This guide shows how to match them to the rest of the day. For the wider question of what to wear and why, read Something Blue: Choosing Intaglio Jewellery for Your Wedding.
Start with the neckline
| Neckline | What suits it |
|---|---|
| High neck or collar | Longer drops, because the earrings are the only jewellery on show |
| V-neck | A drop that follows the line of the V, with no necklace |
| Strapless or off the shoulder | A smaller pair that does not compete with bare skin |
| Square or scooped | A pair with a clear outline, such as a square or rectangular stone |
| Lace or heavy detail | A smooth carved stone in one colour, so the lace stays the centre |
Then the hair
- An updo shows the whole earring. This is the best moment for a long drop or a chandelier style.
- Hair down covers the top and sides. Choose a pair that hangs below the hair line.
- A veil or hair piece can catch on an earring with a loop or long fall. Choose a close pair or a short drop, and have someone check the fit before the day.
Earrings in the collection
These pieces carry the word bridal in their titles. They are all in the intaglio earrings collection.
- Pink intaglio earrings with bridal pearl drops for a soft colour with a drop.
- Blue glass intaglio dangle earrings with bridal pearl drops for a longer fall.
- Blue rectangular intaglio earrings, Something Blue bridal for a clean outline and a classic colour.
- Clear square intaglio earrings in a Vintage Bridal style for the quietest option, with the carving showing most clearly.
- Intaglio bridal drop earrings, a simple drop.
- Engraved intaglio glass earrings in an Edwardian Bridal style if you want a lighter, older look.
A set for the whole day
If you want your necklace and earrings to match without having to think about it, look at the blue intaglio necklace and earrings set in a Victorian bridal style. A set suits a lower neckline, where the pendant can sit inside the line of the dress. For a high neckline, wear the earrings alone and keep the pendant for another day.
Choosing the colour
Blue is the traditional choice for a wedding, because of the old rhyme about something blue. Clear glass is the quietest and shows the carving best against a white dress. Pink is soft. Green, red and purple suit a wedding with a strong colour scheme. The meaning of a colour differs from place to place, so choose the one you want to wear.
What pearl drops add
A drop gives an earring movement. It also brings a pearl accent that echoes a veil, buttons or a pearl necklace. If your dress has a lot of detail, a smaller drop leaves room for it. If the dress is plain, a longer drop can carry the whole look.
When to order
Every pair is made to order. It is dispatched within 2 to 5 business days and arrives 15 to 20 days after you place it, dispatch included. We suggest ordering at least six weeks before the wedding, so that there is time to wear the earrings with your dress before the day and to make a change if you need one. If you are choosing a ring as well, the ring size guide has a chart for every size from US 3 to 13.
Bridesmaids and family
Matching jewellery for the people around you can tie a wedding together. The simplest way is the same design in different colours, so that each person has a pair she will wear again. Each pair comes in its own gift box. Write to us through the contact page if you want to plan a larger order.
A short planning list
- Choose the dress and the neckline first.
- Decide how you will wear your hair, and whether there will be a veil.
- Pick the earring shape that suits the neckline and the hair.
- Choose the colour last, with the dress and the flowers in mind.
- Order at least six weeks ahead.
- Wear the earrings with the dress before the day, and keep the box for the morning.
Care on the day
Put the earrings on last, after hairspray and perfume have dried, and take them off first. Keep them in their box when you are not wearing them.
Frequently asked questions
Which neckline suits drop earrings best?
High necklines and V-necks. With a high neck the earrings are the only jewellery on show, and a V-neck gives a drop a line to follow.
Can I wear drop earrings with a veil?
Yes, but check the fit. A veil or a hair piece can catch on a loop or a long fall, so many brides choose a close pair or a short drop.
What colour should bridal earrings be?
Blue is the traditional choice, and clear is the quietest. Choose a colour that suits the dress and the day, since colour meanings differ from place to place.
How far ahead should I order?
At least six weeks before the wedding. Pieces are made to order and arrive 15 to 20 days after you place them, dispatch included.
Can I buy matching pieces for bridesmaids?
Yes. Choose one design in several colours, or matching pairs. Write to us through the contact page to plan a larger order.