Choosing the right jewelry for your wedding dress neckline

Picking a wedding dress can be emotional experience. Every bride wants to look perfect for her special day and feel like a princess. With so many options, it can be an overwhelming task until you slip on that one dress and it instantly feels right.

Wedding gowns come in a variety of styles with different necklines. When it comes time to choose jewelry to wear for the big day, there's not a one-style-fits-all option. Whether it's custom jewelry or pre-set, your accessories should be reflective of your personality and complement the necklace so everything looks seamless and in sync. Whether you opt for sleeves, strapless, one​-shouldered or a different neckline, you want the jewelry to make sense.

Sweetheart

Sweetheart necklines are popular choices, with a scalloped top resembling the top of a heart. This type of neckline accentuates a woman's curves and looks great with jewelry.

For the necklace, a pendent in any diamond cut shape works quite well, as does a chunkier necklace, like a string of pearls or a choker. Sweetheart necklines leave the decolletage open, so there's plenty of room for some sparkly.

Earrings can also be worn with this neckline and won't crowd a necklace. Any style of earrings will work so it will really is about your preference, whether you prefer studs, hoops or earrings that dangle.

V-neck/Plunging

This style of neckline looks like its namesake - the shape of the letter V. It can be a shallow cut, showing off just a little skin, or it can be more plunging.

If the V is smaller, opting for a shorter necklace like a strand diamonds or pearls works best. If the V plunges deeper, a long necklace, possibly with a pendant at the end, will look stunning. You don't want the necklace to resemble the neckline too closely, though. If you'd rather keep the dress the focus, you can opt for no necklace and instead wear special earrings and a bracelet or two.

As for earrings, it's best to keep them on the smaller side - diamond or gemstone studs won't detract from the necklace and dress.

Boat neck/off-the-shoulder

Boat neck and off-the​-shoulder necklines both fall past a woman's shoulders and collarbones, but a boat neck stays high on the shoulder line whereas off-the-shoulder necklines drop a little lower.

Staying in the simpler jewelry scheme, earrings shouldn't be too ostentatious. Wearing pearl studs or hoops decorated in gemstones will look fantastic.

Halter

A halter neckline, there's a V-shape made by two straps tying behind the neck. With this style, it's perfectly acceptable to skip the necklace and instead choose a stellar pair of statement earrings. Gorgeous drop earrings in hearts and arrows round diamonds or a colored gemstone will really complement the shape of the neck.

If necklaces are your favorite type of jewelry, go for a one that matches a set of earrings and is medium length. This won't over crowd your chest and make it feel too top heavy.

Bateau

Bateau necklines have more of a throwback feel, laying higher on the chest and stopping just below the neck.

Since the chest and most of the decolletage are covered, a shorter necklace or choker makes the most sense. Keep it simple and classic to stay within the tradition of the dress shape.

Earrings should feel traditional as well. You won't want anything too flashy, but studs will add just the right amount of flair.

Strapless

A strapless neckline is similar to a sweetheart but runs straight across the chest. With a strapless neckline, a statement collar necklace can look perfect. If you decide to make the necklace the focus, smaller, simpler earrings won't outshine it.

If you are more of an earrings person, chandelier earrings will really pop against the strapless neckline. Should you choose to wear a necklace too, keep it medium length.