When done right, a spectacular necklace styled perfectly can take your bridal look to the next level. But there are a few factors to consider when styling your wedding dress with a collar, choker, pendant, lariat, and more: Your neckline, dress style, and gown details should dictate if a necklace is the right extra for the aisle.
Balance is key when it comes to pairing your neckline with a necklace. If you're showing off a killer frame with a simple silk sheath, a necklace can add that extra bit of sparkle to take the look from formal to black tie. If your look is a crystal-encrusted ballgown with tons of embellishment, a necklace could end up complicating the look and only serve to make it feel overdone.
Consider your body type. If you are bustier or donning a belt at the waist, a necklace could add more visual weight to your top half and take away from one of your ultimate goals: elongating your frame. Your wedding day jewelry should look intentional and deliberate; honoring your body type and proportions (as well as your overall personal style) is key. Remember that a piece of jewelry should not be worn for jewelry’s sake—each piece should elevate the look and feel effortless, no matter how big of a statement it may be.
Here, your go-to styling guide for styling a necklace with any bridal neckline—from strapless looks to sultry plunges, high-necked looks, and everything in-between.
Sweetheart
Christian Oth
Sweetheart looks should be paired with necklaces that lie close to the neck, like collars, and add a dose of sparkle or edge without over-crowding the delicate look of this sweet neckline. A larger bust in a sweetheart strapless gown is regal and sultry, so if you do want to don a necklace (and remember, it might be more chic without one), opt for something dainty. Should you have a smaller chest, a collar with substantial sparkle could amp up your bodice, and balance out the fullness of a ballgown.
Remember, it's all about balance: Necklaces that are too big will compete with the sweet, feminine style of this neckline, but petite pendants will look like an afterthought for the aisle unless they're layered, dainty, and sentimental. There's an inherent romance to a sweetheart neckline that begs for organic motifs like florals, celestial pieces, and dainty strands of sparkle—but be sure to look to the style of your gown to determine the style of your necklace.
J.Mendel gown, $12,990, jmendel.com
Buccellati necklace and earrings, price upon request, buccellati.com
Straight-Across Strapless
Jamie Beck
Start by asking yourself whether your gown needs a necklace before deciding what type of necklace you'll wear. With any strapless dress, less is more might be the answer.
A straight-across strapless gown has a more modern feel, lending itself to more graphic motifs when it comes to your jewels. A ballgown can easily go too Disney princess in feel; make sure the style of any necklace you sport adds edge, color, or an ethereal vibe to the look rather than taking it to a place that feels costume. A choker is too harsh with this look, and a traditional-length pendant creates imbalance, and will likely conflict with the straight-across line at your bust.
Like the sweetheart, a collar necklace that sits above the collar bone adds a twinkly sparkle that is not only chic, but adds edge. This time, try more graphic necklace silhouettes, or a dose of color. Remember, over-the-top statement necklaces work best when they complement your bodice and don't overwhelm your top half.
Buccellati necklace, price upon request, buccellati.com
For the Straight-Across Strapless Neckline
courtesyGallery Stock
Nak Armstrong "Pleated Rivère" necklace with rainbow moonstone and white diamond pave in 20K rose gold, $19,300, nakarmstrong.com.
Off-the-Shoulder
Christian Oth
When it comes to off-shoulder necklines, the same rules as a strapless gown apply—except chokers work well here, too, given that this neckline is inherently vintage in feel. Consider whether the gown has a sweetheart or straight-across neckline; then, assess your sleeves. Long-sleeved, straight-across necklines will require the most minimal of pieces, while barely-there sleeves and sweetheart necklines can be styled with detailed collars. Keep in mind that the sleeves of your gown will keep eyes towards your waistline—which means you can get away with a slightly bolder necklace here if the style of your gown, and your personal style, allow.
J.Mendel gown, price upon request, jmendel.com
Alessandra Rich
For the Off-the-Shoulder Neckline
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V-Neck
Christian Oth
The misconception with a V-neck gown is that the necklace must sit right in the open, V-shaped space on your chest—but that is not the case. Instead, the look is more balanced when a necklace intersects the V-neckline to complement it in some way, or contrast with it for a look that's more daring. Lariat style necklaces that come to an elongated line and that lie below the most southern point of these necklines tend to work best, given that they elongate the V-cut of the dress without crowding the open area. Should you want to take a fashion risk, try a collar—but make sure it's one with a motif that draws the eye downward, keeping your frame and your neck elongated.
Monique Lhuillier gown, price upon request, moniquelhuillier.com
Cartier necklace, price upon request, cartier.com.
Square
Richard Phibbs
A square neckline, which features a straight-across or sweetheart décolleté with sleeves or straps, a standard necklace, bold pendant, or a collar that brings the eye toward your bust (but not a lariat or pendant) works best. Round or u-shape necklaces keep the neckline open without creating another focal point that will take away from the overall look. The style of the dress will further dictate which style necklace suits it best—but keeping the shape open is the way to go. This is where you should be aiming for a piece of jewelry with a bit more movement. Stiff collars or chokers will make the neckline of a square-necked dress feel busy and stiff.
Dolce & Gabbana bridal gown, $15,605, farfetch.com
Jessica McCormack jewelry, price upon request, jessicamccormack.com
Plunge
courteyGallery Stock
A plunging neckline should only be enhanced with a necklace, and an extra-long pendant necklace will maintain the drama and sexy feel of the overall look. It can sit below the neckline, closer to the waist (or right above the neckline) but no higher than that—any necklace sitting at your chest in a neckline this deep creates an awkward focal point and takes away from the look's overall effortlessness.
Monique Lhuillier “Celine” dress, price upon request, moniquelhuillier.com
Open-Back
Lara Jade
An open back is the perfect canvas for a long, delicate necklace (or even a few). Think diamond strands (with very delicate diamond cut like rose cuts or briolettes) laying along the shoulder blades and bouncing light with every move. Wrap necklaces are also a great choice for framing with an open-back gown; they are simple in the front but have the same, twinkly effect in the back. Remember, this look is all in the styling, and might just be about wearing a necklace meant to be worn in the front backwards.
Danielle Frankel "Simone" gown, $4,600, lohobride.com
Crew Neck
Christian Oth
A crew neckline should be paired with a bold necklace that adds drama without adding volume to your bust. This is the perfect opportunity to wear that collection of heirloom tennis necklaces layered together, or a bold statement choker that overlays the sporty neckline of your look. This look is inherently daring; you'll want the necklace to feel a part of the dress' design, and avoid creating any unnecessary cut-off points on your silhouette. If the necklace doesn't look as though it came with the gown, it's best to skip it.
Reem Acra gown, reemacra.com
Tiffany & Co. jewelry, tiffany.com
High Neck
Christian Oth
A necklace is not always right with mock-necked dress (in fact, most of the time it is not). However, with a high, Victorian neckline, a necklace can add to the look's old warm charm, and add a fashion-forward bend to a layered, ruffled neck. A choker that lies along the seam of the of the neckline is flawless, because it doesn't take away from the silhouette, and adds a dose of sparkle. Keep the style of the necklace within the same realm as the gown. If you're looking to add to a high neck but can't seem to land on the perfect strand, try a brooch—they can be worn up by the neck for the same effect as a necklace.
Christos Costarellos gown, $3,333, costarellos.com
Forevermark Black Label Diamond earrings and Riviera necklace, forevermark.com
Halter
courtesyGallery Stock
Halter necklines have a more sporty, casual style and honoring that look when accessorizing is key. Necklaces that could easily transition from a t-shirt and jeans to a floor-length wedding gown complement this look best. If the halter style has a higher neckline (like the look pictured here), then keep the necklace close to the neck. Have fun with your necklace choice and get inspired by the materials of your setting. For example, if you are getting married on the beach, introduce baroque pearls; or, if you are getting married at an estate, honor the gilding of the home's old-world décor.
Vera Wang Bride "Rafaella" gown, verawang.com
Skip the Necklace
Tina Tyrell
If you opt for a boat-neck, one-shoulder, embellished, or voluminous neckline, it's best to skip the necklace. Instead, make an impact with other extras—like stunning earrings, co*cktail rings, cuffs, gloves, headpieces, and more. When styling, consider Coco Chanel's infamous styling creed of taking off one accessory before you leave the house—or in this case, walk down the aisle. Remember, sometimes less is more.
Giambattista Valli Haute Couture cape, dress, and shoes, giambattistavalli.com
Harry Winston earrings, harrywinston.com
Colleen BanksContributing Weddings WriterColleen Banks is a seasoned jewelry and weddings editor, having been a style editor at Martha Stewart Weddings for 8+ years.
Carrie GoldbergWeddings & Travel DirectorCarrie Goldberg is HarpersBAZAAR.com’s Weddings & Travel Director.
