Choosing a dress and accessories for my son’s upcoming wedding is as close as I’ll ever get to a Red Carpet shopping moment. The dress—a simple sheath in blush pink lace—was fairly easy. But pairing it with the right jewelry—not so! Drop earrings or studs? Pearls or sparkly gemstones? So I hit the internet looking for inspiration and found photos of some very famous mothers of the bride to see what they wore. Although a fun exercise, nothing clicked. Not too many MOB’s/MOGs can pull off a tiara, a la Beverly Hills Housewife Lisa Vanderpump, shown above! Lucky for me, I have friends in high places in the fashion world, who gave me such excellent pointers on wedding jewelry do’s and dont’s, I just had to share them.—Sue Perry

Do consider the dress code and the location of the wedding. “If it’s a black tie evening affair, you’re allowed to have more sparkle with more precious gems like diamonds, emeralds, rubies, or even a great diamond watch,” says Genevieve Yraola, a fashion contributor and stylist for numerous magazines including People Style Watch. “For more relaxed, daytime settings  like a garden or beach wedding, natural stones (lapis, citrine, amethyst, even turquoise), pearls and gold/rosegold pieces complement any attire.”
Stylist’s tip: A great way to up your black-tie sparkle: Wrap your wrist in a dazzling bracelet watch. Shown above, Chopard’s Garden of Kalahari Secret Watch.

Don’t outshine the bride. “Rule of thumb, keep it subtle, no more than one piece of statement jewelry.  The focus should be on the bride, and not your show stopper baubles,” says Genevieve. “If in doubt, run it by the bride. Ultimately, she has the last word.”
Stylist’s tip: To make a subtle statement, skip the necklace and just wear a great pair of earrings. The morganite and diamond dazzlers shown below are from Vianna Brasil and would look SO perfect with by blush-colored dress.

Do dress for the photos. “Remember that the photos of the wedding will last forever, so stay away from trendy pieces that can overwhelm the overall look,” says Karen Kleber a Manhattan-based fashion stylist with a celebrity clientele. Genevieve agrees: “You don’t want to wear something that will make you cringe five years later when you’re looking at them,” she says.
Stylist’s tip: Avoid jewelry silhouettes that run too long or are oversized, such as lariats, elongated pearl necklaces that can look dated, shoulder dusters, and wide cuffs, Genevieve advises. Aim for silhouettes that are face-framing, like 16 to 18-inch pendant necklaces or single stranded pearls. “Even the ” layered” look can be too cluttered or sloppy for this occasion,” she says. “They often clash with a wedding party’s attire and can draw too much attention away from the bride.” Shown: David Yurman’s Diamond and Pearl Solari Single Station Necklace  is just right!Do beware of bracelets. They can catch on your dress. They can also tear a bridal veil to pieces, says bridal jewelry designer Andrew Prince.
Stylist’s tip: If you want to wear a bracelet, a smooth, delicate one is best, like the bangle shown below from the Gumuchian Mini G Boutique.

Don’t overlook the importance of family heirlooms. “I love bringing family heirlooms or jewelry that has significant meaning to a look,” says Genevieve. “Perhaps it’s a brooch given by a close loved one that has passed on. That’s  something intimate that can be shared with the bride that can make the moment more touching and memorable.”
Stylist’s tip: If the piece itself doesn’t work on your outfit. Attach it to your clutch  shawl, or even on the ribbon of your corsage.