Accessorising your crew can be confusing, from deciding what they'll wear to figuring out who's paying. Learn about all things bridesmaid jewellery right here.

Adding the finishing touches to bridesmaid outfits can be tricky. If you're the bride, you want to stay true to your vision while also making sure your crew is happy. Similarly, if you're a member of the wedding party charged with picking out your own bridesmaid jewellery, you've got the added pressure of pleasing your soonlywed bestie. But don't worry, we're here to make shopping for day-of accessories that much easier. We've answered all the biggest FAQs below, including what type of jewellery to choose and who should pay. 

What jewellery should bridesmaids wear?

Ultimately, it's up to the bride to decide exactly which accessories the bridal party should wear. Jewellery can be a nice finishing touch to bridesmaid outfits, but it's important to keep in mind that it's not a necessity. Your crew certainly doesn't have to wear jewellery, whether that's because it doesn't match your vision or they'd just prefer not to. However, if you do want your bridesmaids to add some shiny accessories to their ensembles, there's a lot to think about. 

Do you want them all to wear the same jewellery, or can they mix and match? Can they wear something they already own or are there specific accessories you've got your eye on? Before diving into these important questions, you'll need to decide which types of jewellery you want your squad to wear. To help you get started, we've listed the pros and cons of each right here.

• Bridesmaid earrings: Earrings will go with pretty much everything. Ultimately, it comes down to choosing the right style for each person's hairdo. According to Erlanger, a small and simple pair of studs will perfectly complement an updo. For those wearing their hair down, the stylist recommends something larger with a little bit of movement, such as drop earrings. One thing to keep in mind: Not everyone is used to wearing earrings. Make sure your bridesmaids are comfortable with the idea before adding anything to your shopping list. You might need to look into some clip-on options for anyone who doesn't have their ears pierced.
• Bridesmaid necklaces: We're big fans of finishing off a look with a stylish necklace, but it's not always easy. "A necklace might get lost or it might not show as well," warns Erlanger. She suggests starting with earrings or bracelets when it comes to picking out your bridesmaid jewellery. That said, if you're set on having necklaces for your bridal party, that's totally fine too. We recommend going with a longer chain for high necklines or a simple pendant for lower necklines such as sweethearts and V-necks. For more statement necklines (think: ruffled), it might be best to skip the necklace altogether and focus on other accessories.
• Bridesmaid bracelets: Bracelets are a symbol of friendship, making them a lovely way for your bridal party to feel connected on the big day. They'll be a sweet and subtle addition to your bridesmaid outfits that won't draw too much attention from the dresses you spent hours picking out. With that in mind, if your bridesmaids are wearing long sleeves, bracelets might go unnoticed by some guests.
• Bridesmaid hair accessories: Hair clips or hair combs are a beautiful way to accessorise your bridal party. It not only makes their hairstyles pop but it allows for some variety in their looks too. 

Does the bride wear the same jewellery as the bridesmaids?

Traditionally, the bride wears different jewellery from the bridesmaids. "You don't want to appear too uniform…it's nice to have a little variety," says Erlanger. Plus, it's easier to pick out accessories that go with the wedding dress, jumpsuit, or whatever if you're not worried about matching with your crew. Bridesmaid jewellery is usually less bridal and instead matches the wedding party's attire, for example, emerald earrings worn with dark green dresses.

Another thing to consider is having separate maid of honour jewellery, especially if the MOH is wearing something different from the other bridesmaids. At the end of the day, it's about picking what looks best with each attendant's outfit. That means that everyone in your wedding party can accessorise differently if that's the look you're going for. Allowing bridesmaids to wear their preferred pieces is a nice gesture that'll let each person show some of their unique personality.

Who pays for bridesmaid jewellery?

Not sure who pays fro what? Generally, bridesmaids buy their own wedding attire, jewellery included. That said, it's important to keep your crew's other expenses in mind when you're picking out accessories. If there's something you really want them to wear and it's on the pricey side, we suggest giving it as a bridesmaids gift.

In Erlanger's opinion, if you're asking your bridesmaids to buy a specific item of jewellery (or you're giving it to them as a gift), you should consider choosing something they can enjoy time and time again. Whether it's earrings, necklaces, or bracelets, whatever you choose should appeal to your squad's tastes too. 

How to Choose Bridesmaid Jewellery

Selecting the right bridesmaid jewellery for each outfit can be tricky, especially if everyone has a slightly different look. "Thinking about cohesion and curation is really important, and the easiest way to do that is to start with your colour palette," says Erlanger. When deciding on a type of metal (yellow, white, or rose gold), you want it to complement the colour of your bridesmaid dresses.

According to Erlanger, the best way to do this is to match cool tones with cool tones and warm tones with warm tones. The wedding stylist suggests pairing a pale pink outfit with rose or yellow gold jewellery. On the flipside, she shares that green and blue hues work well with white gold jewellery. "Of course there are some exceptions to that rule, but it's a really nice starting point."

Another thing to keep in mind with bridesmaid jewellery is subtlety. "At the end of the day, you never want jewellery to distract," says Erlanger. "You want jewellery to feel thoughtful, personal, and intentional." The bridal stylist warns against choosing anything too bold that could compete with the bridesmaids' hair, dresses, or worse: the happy couple.