Ask a Stylist: Brie Welch Answers Your Wedding Questions

So you're going to a wedding. You’ve got the invitation, you’ve got the dress, the suit, and you’re either the bride, the groom, the guest or the wedding party. What’s next? The jewelry of course. Whether it's your wedding or someone else's, dressing for the day-of can seem a bit complicated. Jewelry, though, can do a lot of the hard work, no matter how elusive those unwritten dress code rules might be.

Brie Welch, who's styled projects for Givenchy, The Row, Mansur Gavriel and our very own wedding campaign has everything you need to navigate fine jewelry for the day-of without sacrificing your personal style. Read on for her indispensable tips for adorning yourself for the big day, no matter what role you're playing.

IF YOU'RE THE BRIDE

Jessie wears Large Diamond Studs, Single Mini Hoop, Bar Studs and Micro-Pavé Diamond Rivière Choker

Pick Your Statement-Maker

Try choosing one major piece of jewelry, like the Large Diamond Studs or Micro-Pavé Diamond Rivière Choker, and compliment it with minimal, simple jewelry, like ear-hugging studs and hoops is the best way to keep the eye drawn to the statement focal point.

If you are the type to stack lots of rings everyday, keep that energy, but tone it down to more minimal rings that have less embellishment. Every piece you wear on on your wedding day is saying something. A simple stack of gold bands on the opposite hand as your engagement ring, that mixes texture or width, will still feel true to you without overdoing it.

"NECKLINES, LIKE JEWELRY, HAVE INFINITE VARIATIONS. WHILE THERE ARE GUIDES FOR PAIRING, I SAY GO WITH YOUR GUT."

Consider the Neckline of Your Dress

Necklines, like jewelry, have infinite variations. While there are guides for pairing, I say, go with your gut. If you're having a hard time, here are a few tips to guide you.

Strappy: Mix different weights of necklace strands to play off those at the shoulder.

Off-shoulder: A bold earring stacked with a few smaller hoops or, a choker—something with a tighter fit around the neck.

High-neck: a statement piece like a drop earring would be my go-to here. Something like Organic Pearl Large Hoops can be both elegant and modern.

Jessie wears Spheres Bracelet, Bold Bangle, Disco Chain Bracelet, Diamonds Cluster Ring and Signet Ring

"JEWELRY ISN'T SOLELY AN ADORNMENT, IT SHOULD LIVE WITH YOU."

Brie wears Thin Dôme Ring and Signet Ring; Jessie wears Marquise Aquamarine Earrings, Mini Lotus Studs, Sphere Studs, Curb Chain Necklace and Baby Box Chain Necklace

Don't be Afraid to Stack

I love the playfulness jewelry layering can add to a look while still feeling refined. Mixing a thin chain with one that is slightly bolder, like the curb gold chain necklace, and a third variation, like the diamond pendant necklace, keep the lengths all around the same, while looking fresh and refined.

For those with multiple piercings, try building off the earring in your first piercing. Take the more classic Marquise Aquamarine Earrings, and add something in the same family, like a smaller gemstone stud or a diamond. Even opposites can create something interesting and are appropriate for a bridal ear stack. Continue to climb the ear with varying, but smaller and smaller shapes. They don’t have to match exactly, but don’t distract either.

Essential Pearl Earrings

14k Yellow Gold, Pearl

$198

Bold Flexi Bangle

14k Yellow Gold

$548

Pavé Diamonds Long Bar Studs

14k Yellow Gold, Diamond

$248

Micro-Pavé Diamond Rivière Choker

14k Yellow Gold, Diamond

From $4700

IF YOU'RE A BRIDESMAID

Make it Personal

The best way to stand out as a bridesmaid is to make your jewelry choices personal. Focus on choosing one statement piece—be it a hoop earring or diamond bracelet—and build on that. Every piece should be something you can wear without showing off, while still being original.

When you’re wearing a larger gold hoop, you want everything else to stay light. Keep it balanced by adding a smaller textured hoop, pave studs and rings with different weights to bring some edge to the combination. Mixing at it’s finest!

Jessie wears Pavé Diamond Round Studs, Beaded Hoops, Oversized Thin Hoops, Chain Necklace, Marquise Quartz Necklace, Thin Dôme Ring, Double Curb Chain Bracelet and Boyfriend Bold Bracelet

"EVERY PIECE SHOULD BE SOMETHING YOU CAN WEAR WITHOUT SHOWING OFF, WHILE STILL BEING ORIGINAL."

Jessie wears Pavé Diamond Round Studs, Beaded Hoops, Oversized Thin Hoops, Chain Necklace and Marquise Quartz Necklace

Bold Huggie Hoops

14k Yellow Gold

$178

Bold Pearl Drop Earrings

Gold Vermeil, Pearl

$98

Boyfriend Bold Bracelet

14k Yellow Gold

$178

Dôme Cuff Bracelet

Gold Vermeil

$148

IF YOU'RE A GUEST

Mix and Match

Wearing jewelry with different textures and weights is a great way to make a statement. Mixing and matching shapes with rings, necklaces and earrings will create a beautiful juxtaposition. There are no real rules: I often pair a silver chunky necklace with a tiny gold chain. It’s about proportion, keep that in mind.

First, take off all your everyday pieces, and then put on the jewelry you have specifically picked for the wedding. From there, see what you gravitate towards, was it your signet pinky ring? Put it on. And maybe that’s it, but repeat the process and remember to keep it simple. If you hesitate, that piece can wait. Remember, just because an event is formal, doesn't mean your personal jewelry doesn't meet the dress code.

Jessie wears Charlotte Bold Hoops, Bold Hoops, Pavé Diamond Round Studs, Stacker Ring, Solo Diamond Ring, Thin Band, Slim Signet Ring, Bold Rope Chain Necklace and Boyfriend Bold Necklace

"JUST BECAUSE AN EVENT IS FORMAL, DOESN'T MEAN YOUR PERSONAL JEWELRY DOESN'T MEET THE DRESS CODE."

Jessie wears Charlotte Bold Hoops, Bold Hoops, Pavé Diamond Round Studs, Bold Rope Chain Necklace and Boyfriend Bold Necklace

Oversized Thin Hoops

14k Yellow Gold

$368

Curb Bracelet

14k Yellow Gold

$225

Charlotte Bold Ring

Gold Vermeil

$98

Layered Necklace

Gold Vermeil

$128

Maximalist or Minimalist? It's Up to You

If you're going to mix pearls with say, diamonds, that’s a more is more situation. Don’t hold back, layer it up so long as your outfit is on the uncomplicated and refined side. Otherwise, keep it modern, a delicate strand of pearls is just that—pair it with an equally delicate gold chain and match it with simple gold earrings.

Never try to force it, but if the sentimental aspect wins, don’t hide it—highlight it. Try pairing it with more streamlined jewelry, nothing too fussy, but an interesting shaped ring, or textured hoop.

Micro-Pavé Diamond Rivière Bracelet

14k Yellow Gold, Diamond

From $1700

Pavé Diamond Bold Huggie Hoops

14k Yellow Gold, Diamond

$548

What About Him?

For men, wearing an ID bracelet feels very classic and elegant, and I would let that piece hold its own. If he’s not into ties, I think a simple gold box chain with a personal pendant is great.