However quickly your wedding day might flash past, your memories of it (not to mention the photos) will last forever.

You will want to remember it as the perfect day, and you will want to look your very best. Preparations often seem to focus around the dress, but there are many other elements of your look to consider.

Most people build up a “look” or theme around one particular piece of their wedding day outfit. It might take a while to settle on a theme, and it may change several times before the big day, but at some point you will probably see a gorgeous pair of shoes, or an adorable bouquet of flowers that inspires the rest of your outfit, or even the whole wedding. Whatever your inspiration, it’s a good idea to try and get each piece of the outfit to sit harmoniously with everything else. Don’t feel that you have to colour match everything perfectly, but don’t buy things in isolation.

How to shop for Wedding Day Jewellery and Wedding Rings

Buying a wedding ring is not a purchase to be rushed. While wedding day jewellery is key to bringing together your look on the big day, you will wear your wedding ring forever. Many jewellers like H.Samuel ( )now have fantastic websites to complement their high street stores. This means that you can either research on the web and go into a store to buy your rings or vice versa. Websites are great for getting hold of unusually large or small sizes, and frequently offer delivery within a couple of days of your order. You can often find more information about jewellery around the site, and even view large photos of the pieces to be sure you are getting exactly what you want. The Blue Nile ( )website is also a good tool for investigating different styles of jewellery, especially engagement rings.

What jewellery should I wear on my wedding day?

What you wear on your wedding day will depend on the style of the occasion.

Classic Blushing Bride

If you are having a traditional, meringue-y wedding dress, then you can get away with big, eye-catching pieces. Try dazzling diamond earrings with a matching tennis bracelet and a delicate pendant. If you’re on a budget, you can get the same look for a fraction of the price with gorgeous cubic zirconia versions of classic jewellery pieces. To perfectly accessorize a strapless gown, try a loosely swept up-do to draw attention to your shoulders, along with some simple, elegant drop earrings that will move and twist and catch the light. Diamond earrings ( ) will frame and light up your face for all the photos to give you a radiant glow.

Cool, Contemporary Woman

It’s trickier to get the balance right when your dress is the sort of sleek, elegant creation that characterises the modern wedding. You might choose traditional jewellery to contrast with and soften the contemporary look of your dress. Pearls are a perennial favourite of blushing brides, even before they were worn by the stunning Grace Kelly at her wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956. Pearls have a timeless elegance and they are available in a huge variety of shapes, colours and sizes. Make a statement with iridescent, blue-grey Tahitian pearls, or add a feminine touch with perfectly round pretty pink ones. Cultured pearls are readily available on the high street and are much more affordable wedding jewellery than natural pearls. Teardrop-shaped pearls are perfect for ladylike drop earrings or pendants, while a string of gorgeous pink pearls is a reliably feminine accessory.

Indie Chick

Not everyone goes for a traditional white wedding; some opt for genuine individuality and self-expression. Whether your unconventional wedding is planned around a medieval banquet style or a funky urban brunch, pearls and diamonds are unlikely to hit the spot. Jewellery stores (and websites) are full of pieces set with coloured stones, and you have the choice between genuine gems and simulated stones. Coloured cubic zirconia looks fabulous, and you’re bound to find just the right shade somewhere. To really make an impact, why not try accessorizing with funky, gothic-y, vintage-y jewellery? Marcasite jewellery or big black beads will add a striking accent to your wedding dress, whether it’s vintage Edwardian, elegant cream column, or a scarlet tea gown.

Celebrity Weddings

Celebrities through the ages have made their wedding days an occasion to make a style statement. Gwen Stefani, one of People magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People of 2004, is famed for her unique but immensely successful style. When she married Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, she wore a stunning white and pink John Galliano creation. To accessorize her unusual, asymmetric gown, Gwen wore an elegantly simple white gold and diamond cross, which looked fabulous. The couple recreated their London wedding two weeks later in Los Angeles, where Gwen’s individual style shone out – she wore the same dress, but instead of the discreet cross, she chose a striking heart pendant of pink tourmalines, peridots and diamonds. Madonna is another big star who chose a simple cross as an accent to her Stella McCartney gown, although not many of us could afford to emulate that particular 37 carat Harry Winston piece.

With this ring, I thee wed.

Of course the most important pieces of jewellery on the big day are your engagement and wedding rings. Most couples opt for simple, timeless wedding bands that will look stylish forever (remember you’ll be wearing it every day for the rest of your life) and will perfectly complement the bride’s sparkling engagement ring. It is traditional to wear your engagement ring on the right hand throughout the ceremony, to leave the third finger of your left hand free for the most symbolic piece of jewellery you’ll ever own, your wedding ring.