Nothing completes a bridal look the way earrings do: they frame one’s face and can highlight features, they enhance the smaller details of one’s wedding outfit and draw attention to necklines, and they help tie the rest of the jewelry together to form a cohesive look. But, along with all of this, they can also stand their own ground, and statement earrings are on their way to taking centre stage. Daring and bold creations allow for self-expression, and oversized, heavy bridal earrings help to further celebrate the big day. If you are considering opting for statement earrings, you don’t need to simply look at dramatic sizes—you can consider various aspects like length, abstract shapes, details in the form of vivid coloured gemstones. All of these also add to the glam factor and can help bridge the gap for those who want to indulge in something that demands attention but is still rooted in a classic sensibility. Even for those who are simply attending the wedding, heavy earrings are a surefire way to amp up your outfit if you're keeping the look on the simpler side—there’s often no need to accessorise further if opting for heavy earrings.

In the journey of securing your perfect statement earrings, start by finding your comfort zone: if you haven’t worn heavier earrings before, wearing them for the first time on your wedding day could result in discomfort. Ease into wearing them before the wedding, or look for styles that are glamorous but lightweight. There are even some earrings that come with delicate chains to support the weight. These chains are designed to act as stunning jewelry pieces as well, so they have a functional allure.

If you’re looking to invest in some statement earrings, you can begin by deciding on what shape and style you want to go with. The immediate visual for heavy earrings is a dropdown or chandelier option, but oversized studs too can up the ante. Single gemstone pieces elevate the bridal look and exude timelessness. Pearls fit this theme well if you are looking to spotlight just one stone, but if you want to experiment, look at pieces that encircle dramatic colours with more subtle hues. Uncut stones when embedded into the base help bring a sense of traditionality to the ensemble, but can still be trendy in design. For those who want to capture the drama more overtly, chandelier earrings will add a sublime finishing touch. They are the perfect way to display an array of gemstones, and various types can be juxtaposed against each other in the same piece to create a dazzling look. When it comes to colours in these earrings, pastel hues are currently having their moment, but look for shades that work with your outfit. These earrings are often enhanced with other traditional forms of work and make for a worthy investment. Chandelier earrings take up their fair share of space, so it’s important to match your necklace and neckline accordingly. If you want to explore other dangling options, teardrop and regular drop earrings make more subtle statements and are sophisticated choices. There’s an opportunity to explore more motifs through these pieces and add movement to the overall ensemble. Floral motifs enhance the already romantic vibe of the day and can be recycled after the wedding too. Traditional bell-shaped earrings and hoops have also undergone contemporary makeovers and they can help showcase cabochon gemstones.

When exploring pieces that lean into maximalist sensibilities, it’s important to bear in mind your own personal style, whatever that might be. Search for designs that fit into your aesthetic, as, after all, your entire outfit is a reflection of you. If you’re concerned about the functionality of these earrings after the wedding—because these special pieces shouldn’t simply be stowed away after the wedding—you can at the get-go itself look for more versatile creations or have them repurposed afterwards into smaller studs and pendants. Along with these tips, remember to take your wedding outfit and jewelry into consideration when investing in your bridal earrings. The colours should work in tandem, and shoulder-grazing earrings in particular need to be styled in accordance with the neckline to avoid any clashing. When making any single jewelry item the hero piece of your wedding look, it’s a general guideline to keep the others more subtle and lowkey. The same applies to your statement earrings: if these are the stars of the night, along with you, then your other jewelry shouldn’t be direct competition. Finally, if you have multiple events back-to-back, it’s recommended to avoid wearing heavy earrings for all. Your ears will definitely need time to recover, so be sure to space out the styles.