While to the guests a wedding is mainly a social gathering, it is also a religious occasion, and to the bridal pair a sacred service. The bride therefore, especially at the formal evening wedding, will wear only jewelry in white, diamonds or pearls. As the symbolism of the marriage will be spread with the long veil and bound into the wedding ring, jewels should be modest and few.
Earclips should be small, and carefully chosen, of diamonds in simple design. If a bracelet is worn, it should be on the right arm. The left arm and hand should be bare of ornament, the engagement ring being transferred, before the service, to stay on the right hand until the groom has slipped the wedding band on his bride’s finger. No wrist watch should be worn; on this night the groom is guardian of the hours.
A small pin in appropriate design, with diamonds and pearls, may gleam on the bosom. A four-leaf clover pattern, flowerets, lilies of the valley, a small circle of diamonds symbolizing endless love, two hearts of diamonds: any of these may be wrought, in diamonds or pearls or various combinations of the two, for an added touch of appropriate beauty.
The corsage or flower arrangement of the bride should be planned with thought of the jewels she will be wearing.
A morning wedding is less formal than the evening wedding, and one in the afternoon more informal still. With the informal dress for a morning marriage, a gold clip and gold jewelry are in place. In the afternoon, or in the morning if it is planned to depart at once on the honeymoon, a hat or a cap-like covering may be worn. Precious stones other than diamonds are suitable with such a garb, but should preferably be of one color, selected to blend with the wedding ensemble. With a light suit or long-sleeve dress, no bracelet is desired. An evening marriage is more formal, more elaborate, but never more festive; at any practical hour there is joy at a wedding, and there should be jeweled beauty for the bride.
The Bridesmaids
The bridesmaids should recognize that they are present to provide a beautiful frame for a beautiful picture. When the bouquet and the garter have been tossed and the toasted couple has gone, the bridesmaids may have moments of their own; but at the wedding they are charming accessories. As such, they should blend into the pattern set by the bride. The bride-to-be, in fact, has selected the color scheme that the bridesmaids will carefully follow. If they do not all have gowns of the same design, these should be planned carefully so that no one outshines the others, or draws attention from the bride.
This balance should be maintained also, in the bridesmaids’ choice of jewels. It may be that a simple pin or pair of earclips will be a gift to each bridesmaid; such a jewel should of course be worn. If any necklace is worn, it should be small. Pearl or gold earclips, without pendants, should be chosen to blend with the person and the costume, not to stand out. A small gold clip, with perhaps one precious stone or a small pattern, will not be too conspicuous. There may be one gold bracelet, not wide. Such jewels will preserve the individual grace of the bridesmaid while softening her into the harmony of the whole, as a background of youth and loveliness for the bride.