The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Earrings

Make a statement without overwhelming your dress.

Jessica Booth is a journalist with over 10 years of experience and a freelance writer whose work has appeared on sites such as Bustle, Insider, and Refinery29.

Photo by Stetten Wilson

In This Article

While your gown may be the focal point of your entire look on your wedding day, it's not the only thing that matters. That's because the right accessories have the ability to enhance your overall style, make you look more put together, and give you a chance to show off your personality. Meaning, brides should put special thought and consideration into their bridal jewelry, especially when it comes to their earrings.

"With everything else you have going on to make your wedding day perfect, it's easy to purchase last-minute fashion jewelry in a rush," says Sarah Ortega of Sarah O. Jewelry. "However, taking time to find a piece you love, and investing in a piece of fine jewelry that will last a lifetime, means you'll have your special piece to remember the day by and to pass along as an heirloom later in life."

More specifically, your wedding earrings should complement your gown and add glitz and sparkle without feeling overwhelming or too bold. The ideal accessory will also go with the night's vibe, be comfortable enough to wear for several hours, and be able to work with your desired day-of hairstyle.

Ahead, we put together a guide on the different types of earrings all brides should consider for their wedding, from huggies to chandeliers and hoops. Read on for more, including tips on how to select the best style for your special day and night.

Meet the Expert

Sarah Ortega is the founder of Sarah O. Jewelry, a Denver-based jewelry shop selling bridal and fine jewelry.

Photo by Ivy Weddings

While there are dozens of earrings to choose from, some styles work better for weddings than others. Ahead, keep scrolling for the 10 most popular types of earrings for you to consider once it's time to say "I do."

Stud earrings will typically feature a gemstone (like a diamond) and will fit snuggly on your earlobe with no dangling. "They don't hang down, so they're comfortable for every occasion," Ortega says. If you want something minimalist, simple, and versatile, studs are it.

Drop earrings will hang past your earlobe a bit, but they're meant to be stationary when worn. They usually feature an embellishment like a gemstone, pearl, or charm, have an elegant look to them, and can come in many different styles.

Dangle earrings also hang down past the earlobe, although they are usually longer than drop earrings. What's more, since they're a bit more flashy, these styles are typically slender and sleek with some movement to them. They can also feature embellishments like gemstones.

Like dangle earrings, chandelier earrings hang down from your earlobe about an inch or two. But unlike dangle earrings, chandelier styles are wider and more elaborate. "They definitely elevate your look and have a more formal feel," Ortega says.

Classic and traditional, hoop earrings are shaped as an infinite loop and can come in a wide variety of styles: either small, medium, large, or extra-large. They can also be round or more angular, and some may feature small gemstones or pearls.

One of the most popular earrings of the moment, huggies are mini hoops that hug your earlobes. "You get the look of a hoop, but the wearability of a stud," Ortega says. Huggies can also feature small gemstones and come in a variety of shapes.

Think of cluster earrings as a stud but with more gemstones. While studs are just one stone, cluster earrings feature a few that sit flush to the earlobe. This can be mixed gemstones or the same, and they're a good mix of tradition and trends.

Sometimes known as crawlers, "These are a type of stud that curves along the shape of your ear," Ortega explains. "They're unique and not as popular as other styles, so you're sure to stand out."

Teardrop earrings are similar to drop earrings, but the gemstones featured on this accessory are shaped like a teardrop (hence the name). Their main characteristic is that have a romantic and classic feel.

This type of earring is a long, thin piece of metal that threads through your piercing and hangs on either side of your earlobe. They can feature gemstones and are typically slim and delicate.

Photo by Chris & Ruth Photography

In general, earrings for weddings are typically going to be on the fine jewelry side. And when it comes to selecting a metal, you can go one of two ways: you can mix metals or opt for a more cohesive look and match your earrings with your other jewelry (like a necklace or engagement ring). The most popular earring materials are explained below:

Gold is a really popular option for earrings because it is so versatile. You can opt for either yellow gold, rose gold, or white gold depending on what other types of metals you're wearing and the overall vibe of your dress.

Silver earrings are another popular option. Silver looks especially nice combined with gemstones such as diamonds, and is a versatile material that can go with almost anything.

Elegant and classic, diamond earrings make a statement regardless of their size. Many brides typically opt for this material, especially when buying stud earrings, drop earrings, and dangling earrings.

With a traditional and sometimes even vintage vibe, pearl earrings are a simple and beautiful choice. They're also a contemporary option, meaning you should be able to find them in a variety of styles (but are especially beautiful in drop earrings or studs).

If you want to add a pop of color to your wedding day look, opt for a colorful gemstone earring. This is a subtle way to infuse some brightness into your ensemble, especially if you choose sapphire or ruby stones.

Photo by Hana Gonzalez Photography

"There's no right answer when it comes to choosing jewelry because it all depends on personal style," Ortega points out. That being said, if you want a more cohesive look, you're going to want to consider the rest of the elements of your outfit, especially your wedding dress and day-of hairstyle. Thus, to find the best accessory for you, be sure to follow the below expert tips.

"Consider how you'll be styling your hair and if you'll be wearing a veil," Ortega says. "Will your hair be up and make room for a larger earring to be visible? Would a long and dangly earring snag on your veil?"

Generally speaking, if your hair is being worn up, larger earrings are a nice way to fill the space: think chandeliers, dangling earrings, drop earrings, or large hoops. If your hair is down, you don't want to worry about anything snagging on your earrings, so consider studs, small hoops, huggies, or small drop earrings.

"If one accessory piece is more of a statement, let it take center stage and wear simple jewelry to complement it," Ortega says. For example, if you're wearing a bold necklace, opt for a simple and classic pair of earrings. Alternatively, if your necklace is uncomplicated, or you aren't wearing a necklace at all, lean into bold styles and choose larger earrings.

"Try on pieces to see how they'll lay [on your ear], if the pendant will still show or hide under your clothes, and how it looks with the style of your dress," Ortega says. Specifically, for a high neckline, consider something simple like studs or huggies. Wearing a sweetheart neckline? You're in luck because this style works with any type of earring. Lastly, opt for hoops if wearing a V-neck dress, and chandelier or drop earrings with an off-the-shoulder or strapless gown.

There is definitely such a thing as uncomfortable earrings. If you choose to wear something large and heavy, you may start to feel some discomfort throughout the night, especially if you aren't used to wearing earrings. Thus, always buy wedding earrings that are lightweight, and be sure to try them on if possible before the big day to make sure they feel good.

You definitely don't have to opt for something trendy when it comes to your wedding jewelry, but if you want a modern and fun piece, leaning into the trends might work best for you. And one trend that's currently big when it comes to wedding accessories is "something blue." In the case of earrings, you could find a blue gemstone in a stud or drop earring style.

Pearls are also very trendy at the moment, so any pearl earring is going to feel fresh and stylish. Pearls look particularly beautiful and classic as studs, drop earrings, or dangling earrings, and you can even find hoops embellished with pearls as well.

Lastly, while mixing metals and colored gemstones typically isn't considered very bridal, both are on-trend and can be a great look for bold brides. If you're open to it, mix gold and silver or different colored metals throughout your look. Adding colored gemstones to your earrings is also a good way to add dimension to your ensemble without it feeling overwhelming.

That being said, "When it comes to wedding day jewelry, it's important to choose something timeless yet still capture your style and remain on trend," Ortega says. "As for earrings, nothing is more timeless than a diamond stud. If studs aren't your style, climber earrings are an alternative option that still maintains an elegant feel."

In all, it's important to select earrings that fit your personal style and feel right with the vibe of your look. Make sure to wear something you love, a piece that works well with your dress, and an accessory you'll feel comfortable wearing on the big day and beyond.