Why Pearls are a Classic but Brilliant Wedding Look

Pearls have long been worn by brides, and for good reason.  Get the low down on why they are so popular and some ideas on how to wear them on your special day.

Pearls are simply gorgeous and compliment the traditional bridal look wonderfully.  Pearls are elegant and simple, and not just confined to the wedding day, they should be included in any jewellery box.  But as to why they are so popular at weddings is most likely related to their history. 

Pearl History

Before the invention of pearl farming in the early 1900s, pearls where exceptionally rare, the only way to get pearls was to dive for oysters and hope you struck it lucky.  Most oysters never contained a pearl, only around 1 in 10,000 oysters did and chances are that if you did find a pearl it wouldn't be round.  As you can imagine it was hugely difficult to create a string of matching pearls for a pearl necklace and as such it was also incredibly expensive.  This made it very difficult for anyone apart from the super rich to be able to afford pearls. Even though pearls are now more available than ever, they are still special and have an incredible history and often only worn on special occasions. So it's easy to see why someone might say my pearls where perfect for their wedding.

In some cultures, pearls are a symbol of purity, you can easily draw similarities to the modern white wedding dress.  Pearls can also represent tears, a tradition that says pearls ensure your marriage is tear free, happy and long lasting.  Many brides may get their first taste of pearls at their wedding, being bought or given a pearl necklace by their mother or fiancés.

The Future

Having read the history of pearls you're now thinking about pearl jewellery for your own wedding, consider what kind of pearl jewellery will you wear and how will you wear them?  You may want to consider your wedding dress, its length, proportions and neckline will all impact what pearl jewellery will work well.  A dress that shows of allot of your neckline will be perfectly complimented with a pearl necklace.  This could be a pearl necklace choker or something a bit longer, there are allot of options available and it's worth exploring what will work to compliment your wedding look.  Pearls don't have to be pure white, there are allot of colour options available now, from pink and purple through to black and silver.  A different colour choice can be unexpected and refreshing. 

A perfect large pearl on a pendant can be a great look.  Take a look at baroque style of pearls for something that's a bit different and fun. The pendant can work well when a dress has a halter cut.  If the pendant doesn't take your fancy then consider a chain with graduated pearls.

Pearl stud earrings are of course a classic look and are also available in a host of styles and colours, perhaps a pearl surrounded by diamonds or other precious stones would compliment your look perfectly. 

One of the enduring appeals of pearls is the fact that they are timeless, no matter the design or style.  Whether you bought your pearls new or a inherited pearl necklace they are something to treasure for a long time.