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Written by Jason Kirk
The 3 AM Text Messages
It's 3:22 a.m. The notification light of your phone breaks through the darkness in your room. It is a message from the bride, saying, "Are hydrangeas TOO MUCH for the centerpieces? Am I making a huge mistake? Am I making a horrible mistake? Also, I think I hate my shoes."
If you’re a bridesmaid or have ever been one, this scenario probably sounds pretty familiar. This is less of just being a late-night casual text and more of an S.O.S. emergency signal from the trenches of wedding planning. It makes sense: culturally, there’s a deep myth around the bride and bridesmaids. Not only are you thick as thieves, but you’re also partners in crime. Wedding-planning, that is.
Keepers of the wedding secrets, givers of unsolicited advice, and emergency back-up contact in every vendor questionnaire you have ever reached out to while planning the wedding. Or, to put it more poetically, before the bride says “I do” to her spouse, she says “I can’t do this without you” to her bridal party. That’s on years of friendship, shared laughter, and perhaps this shouldn’t be ignored or glossed over, a joint Pinterest board that has begun to show signs of life.
While the bride, of course, deserves the spotlight, bridesmaids should also look glow-y and beautiful… and that includes their bridesmaid jewelry.
Flashback to the early days, potentially sweatpants-clad, hashtag coffee-dated brief, in which your bestie sifted through your every exhaustive detail about the guy. Then came the late-night rants, the milestones, and finally, the FaceTime where you cried tears of joy while flashing the ring.
Whether you bonded in college dormitories, summer camp bunks, a SoulCycle class, or over a late-night viewing of Bridesmaids (yes, the one with Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy), one thing’s for certain: she’s been there through it all.
She’s the Annie to your Lillian; she knows your weird food preferences, your Pinterest wedding board from 2012, and exactly how many different snacks you need on any given day of wedding dress fittings. Or she’s the Monica to your Rachel; she brings organization, optimism, and just enough sass to help wrangle all the wedding shenanigans like a boss.
And on the big day, she’ll be there again, holding your train, fluffing your veil, and making sure your mascara is still intact between happy tears throughout the ceremony. That’s not just a friend. That’s family, and family deserves to stand out.
Let’s be honest, being a bridesmaid is so much more than just wearing a matching dress and smiling for pictures. It’s a role that requires the skills of a therapist, an event planner, a financial advisor, and a world-class diplomat. Bridesmaid is really just shorthand for superhero in heels.
Here’s the real job description of a bridesmaid:
Your choices and opinions are needed everywhere, from invitations & decor to nailing down a few “not-so-cheesy” games. All while ensuring that the bride’s great-aunt doesn’t get front-row for the part where she opens up her true feelings about ‘The Day’ getting closer.
Let’s not forget picking the bride’s outfit for the big day. With many shopping trips, you are supposed to offer countless ‘constructive’ opinions and input all the while perfecting your response for the moment you absolutely have to say something that doesn’t crush the bride’s dreams, but at least steers her away from the all-tulle gown that is reminiscent of a fluffy meringue.
With endless Messenger threads with bridesmaids and family members planning out every last glittery detail or every last low-key spa treatment. You’ve to patiently arrange and help make reservations to ensure the party of the century is different than the party of the century everyone else is throwing.
You’ve got to be up-pinned the untwirling updos, tissued (it’s definitely not a word) the bride’s tears, and even wedged a bouquet or two in the mighty crevasse of a bridesmaid’s dress. You need to manage the timeline and race around with the same speed as the wedding DJ, throwing out glow-in-the-dark stunners on the dance floor. You hold out bright lipstick for bridal touch-ups and make sure she eats at least one bite of something before her groom dramatically smashes red velvet cake amongst her eager and parted lips.
Your greatest achievement would be that you’ve made sure that your best friend’s one and only job as a bride is to be happily her glorified self.
This role requires a true investment of time, energy, and dollars, an act of love, and selflessness. And while the bride is the centerpiece, one of the most important parts of making them feel amazing is ensuring that the women flanking her feel equally so. Bridesmaid jewelry happens to be one of the most thoughtful details for expressing gratitude.
While the attention will very much be on the bride, it doesn’t mean you can’t stand out too. The best bridesmaid jewelry achieves just that balance, coordinated with the bridal glow, yet completely your own.
Below, find some beautiful picks along with expert tips to make sure the whole squad looks good together:
If you're into the romantic and feminine look, this necklace may be the right fit for you. The Heart Bloom Lab Diamond Fashion Necklace, inspired by Helzberg, is made from a cluster of heart-shaped lab diamonds that form the shape of a flower with one round lab diamond in the middle. It is dainty and elegant, perfect for all the special occasions you have lined up in your journal. Plus, it will pair beautifully with soft pastel tones or a garden-themed wedding vibe.
SHOP Heart Bloom Fashion Necklace
Want to go vintage, but maybe a little contemporary? The Kyra Heart Fashion Bracelet is sure to make a statement. A lovely heart-shaped diamond glimmers in the bezel setting, while a snazzy clutch lets you slide the bracelet to achieve the optimal fit. At the intersection of timeless beauty combined with modern craftsmanship, this heart bracelet chain adds a touch of romantic finesse to your ensemble.
SHOP Kyra Heart Fashion Bracelet
Craving something distinctive yet harmonized? The Wisteria Flower Stud Earrings unite marquise and round lab diamonds in a blossoming silhouette that’s as confident as it is beautiful, so if you’re looking for earrings that say, “I’m part of the bride squad, but I’ve got a vibe of my own,” you’ve come to the right place.
SHOP Wisteria Flower Fashion Stud Earrings
Here are four tips for achieving the perfectly coordinated look:
Select pieces that reflect the tone of the wedding, floral for a garden wedding, minimal for a sleek affair, and so on, and feel true to you.
On the wedding day, make sure that your jewelry complements the bride’s attire and does not compete with it. This doesn’t mean that you’re not allowed to shine, just do it subtly.
Some of you may look better in white gold versus rose gold. And some of you may look better in silver versus rose gold. Mixing metals is just fine, so long as the styles themselves are consistent across the board.
If you’re not a necklace person, opt for a pair of earrings or an individual bracelet instead. Coordinated doesn’t mean uniform, after all.
When the champagne’s gone, the DJ packs up, and your feet are sore from all the dancing, what remains?
The memories. The friendship. And yes, that beautiful piece of bridesmaid jewelry has now made its way into your everyday collection.
Lab-grown diamond jewelry is what keeps your treasured moments alive. Lab diamonds are created to last a lifetime. Durable, sustainable, and ethically created, lab-grown diamond jewelry is the modern-day answer to timeless elegance. Every time you put your necklace back on or slip on your earrings or bracelet, you’ll relive the laughter, the tears, and the perfect chaos that made that day so magical.
And honestly? You earned it.
Do bridesmaids have to wear the same jewelry?
Matching bridesmaid jewelry always tends to look extra cohesive in photos, but it hardly qualifies as a wedding rule. If you want an element of consistency between your bridal party's accessories, consider jewelry with a similar theme or pieces made in the same metal tone, while still allowing your bridesmaids to wear jewelry that fits their styles.
What are some good bridesmaid jewelry gift ideas?
A keepsake item of bridesmaid jewelry to wear on the day and cherish for years to come is always a good gift. Classic, simple shapes and something that reflects the personality of the wearer are a fail-safe, meaningful option.
How do I choose jewelry that matches the bridesmaid dresses?
When picking out bridesmaid jewelry, keep in mind the color of the dresses, the styles of the necklines, and how you'd like your bridesmaids to look. For example, a strapless bridesmaid gown may complement well with a dainty necklace, whereas a higher or more intricate neckline might be better paired with statement earrings or a gorgeous bracelet instead.
Can bridesmaid jewelry be worn after the wedding?
Yes! The best bridesmaid jewelry should be versatile enough to wear on the daily, whether she’s headed to work, brunch, or yes, another wedding. Classic choices will ensure her jewelry is a keepsake she’ll treasure for years to come after the big day.
Is lab diamond jewelry bridesmaid-worthy?
Grown diamond jewelry is one of the best options for a more sustainable alternative to mined diamond jewelry. They offer the same sparkle and beauty, but can be easier on the price point. They're a popular and mindful choice for bridal parties these days.
Being a bridesmaid is not for the faint of heart. But it is the greatest of hearts that take on the important.
You showed up, you supported, you celebrated, and now it’s your time to be celebrated, too. A well-picked piece of bridesmaid jewelry isn’t only a gift; it’s an homage to your loyalty, love, and late-night group chats.
So flaunt your sparkle. Because on her wedding, you didn’t thrive behind the scenes; you thrived in the thick of it.
Discover our unique selection of lab diamond necklaces, bracelets, and earrings at Friendly Diamonds. Because your friendship isn't ordinary, and nor should your jewelry be.
Choose Friendly Diamonds for a Friendlier Tomorrow!