So, you’ve been assigned the all-important role of the maid of honour. While your main responsibilities include planning the hen do, offering emotional support and helping with preparations for the big day, it’s also worth choosing meaningful jewellery to wear at the wedding and beyond.
As the maid of honour, your jewellery is a chance to reflect your individual style while staying mindful of the bride’s vision for the day. Even if the bride has specific ideas for the bridesmaids’ jewellery, you can still choose pieces that are thoughtful, timeless and suited to both the wedding and your personal taste.
From sentimental touches to coordinating with the bridal party, here’s our guide on how to help you make the choice.
Why maid of honour jewellery matters
While the bride shines in her own pieces, choosing jewellery of your own is such a thoughtful way to embrace your role as maid of honour and create a lasting memory.
A symbol of friendship
Maid of honour jewellery can serve as a meaningful token of your friendship. Whether you’ve been friends since childhood or became closer in recent years, you’ve likely shared dreams and conversations about this special day - and now it’s finally here! Choosing the perfect piece is a thoughtful way to celebrate that shared journey.
A lasting keepsake
After the wedding, your jewellery will become a lasting keepsake of the all-important role you played. Selecting timeless pieces means they can be worn and enjoyed for years to come, always bringing back memories of the day.
Being maid of honour comes with plenty of lovely moments, and selecting your jewellery is definitely one of them. It’s helpful to agree early on how decisions will be made so everyone stays aligned, and there’s no confusion with the bride or bridesmaids. Here are three ways the choice can be made.
Following the bride’s lead: If the bride is taking the lead on the jewellery, her choices will usually complement her dress, the wedding theme and the bridal party as a whole. Supporting her vision helps create a cohesive look and ensures everything comes together on the day.
Your input: The bride may invite your input when choosing jewellery, perhaps by offering a few options or asking for your preferences, while still guiding the overall style. This allows you to express your personality while complementing the theme. It’s all about striking the perfect balance between your look and the bride’s vision.
When you choose your own: In some cases, the bride may give you free rein over your jewellery choices. This is your chance to pick pieces that feel entirely you. Whether you go for bold statement pieces or keep things simple and understated, it’s a fun way to express your style while still fitting in with the feel of the day.
In this guide, we’re focusing on the maid of honour choosing her own jewellery in line with the bride’s vision, including the wedding theme, colours and personal style.
The right pieces
Whether you're choosing individual pieces or a maid of honour jewellery set, here are the key things to consider to get it just right.
Consider your personal style
Your personality needn’t be lost in the midst of the wedding. It’s all about embracing your individual style while staying true to the overall theme - a tricky balance, yes, but that’s what we’re here for. The most important thing is to choose pieces that make you feel comfortable and confident, complementing the bridal look without overshadowing the bride.
Match the wedding theme & colours
The jewellery you choose should harmonise with the wedding’s theme and colour palette. Whether your matching the bridesmaid dresses or simply complementing the overall look, consider how your pieces will fit into the wider vision for the day. Working with the bride and bridesmaids will ensure everything feels cohesive, polished and intentional.
Longevity & wearability
The pieces you select should feel special on the day, but it’s even better if they can be worn for years to come. Timeless styles are the easiest to rewear, whether for special occasions or to elevate everyday outfits. That way, the jewellery you choose can remain part of your collection long after the day is over.
A note on gifting
Many brides choose to gift jewellery to their bridal party as a thank you for their support in the lead-up to the wedding. It’s best not to leave this too late, as bridesmaids may have already chosen their pieces.
When planning maid of honour jewellery gifts, it helps to share the metal type and style in advance so the bridal party can coordinate this with the rest of their jewellery. For more advice, take a look at our bridesmaid jewellery gifts guide.
As the maid of honour, if you’re unsure whether you’ll receive a maid of honour jewellery gift, it’s worth having an open conversation with the bride to avoid any confusion.
Coordinating with bridesmaids
As the maid of honour, your look should reflect the importance of your role, and jewellery plays a big part in that. Whether you’re fully coordinating with the bridesmaids or adding a more personal touch, it’s all about finding a balance that fits in with the bride’s vision.
Matching or complementary styles
If the bride prefers a more coordinated look, select jewellery that mirrors the bridesmaids’ style - whether that’s minimal studs, a delicate pendant necklace or matching bracelets. If the bride is happy for you to stand out a little, you can elevate your jewellery while still staying true to the theme. Think intricate designs or subtle statements, like a colourful gemstone necklace or bold cuff, that reflect your role without overpowering the look.
Colour & metal choices
When it comes to colour and metal choices, think about what the bride has in mind for the bridal party. If she’s aiming for a cohesive look, it’s usually best to stick to one metal and choose pieces that complement the bridesmaids. If there’s more flexibility, you can add a personal touch with subtle gemstones or by selecting a different metal. Read our complete metals guide to help you decide.
Styling your pieces
Balancing jewellery with your outfit and hairstyle makes all the difference. Here’s how to create the perfect harmony:
Necklaces: The neckline of your dress plays a big role in choosing the right necklace. Sweetheart and V-necklines beautifully frame a dainty pendant, while off-the-shoulder or scoop necklines work with shorter tennis or pearl styles. Halter or one-shoulder dresses often make the most impact without a necklace - instead, opt for elegant drop earrings to keep the look balanced and avoid overcrowding.
Earrings: As mentioned, diamond earrings are a beautiful way to complement your neckline. Consider the length - would you prefer them to be jaw-grazing to make a statement, or dainty drops for a subtler touch? For both options, pulling your hair up or back will help draw focus.
Bracelets: When it comes to bracelets, consider the sleeve type of the dress you are wearing. Fluttery sleeves complement delicate tennis styles, sleeveless dresses contrast nicely with stacked bands and billowy long sleeves or cape-effect overlays are best left without bracelets. In this case, dainty rings will add a hint of shine without shifting focus from the outfit.
Incorporating a personal touch to your maid of honour jewellery is a beautiful way to make it feel even more meaningful. Birthstones will add a dash of colour that reflects either your own story or your connection to the bride, while engravings can turn a simple piece into a lasting keepsake.
It’s often the small details that make jewellery feel special, something you’ll want to keep and wear long after the celebrations are over. From metal type to stone specifications and more, customise your Austen & Blake piece to make it feel entirely yours.
Bringing it all together
Selecting maid of honour jewellery can sometimes feel like a balancing act between deciding who chooses what, how much to coordinate and what feels right for the day.
But it doesn’t have to be complicated. By focusing on timeless pieces that complement the wedding and still feel like you, you’ll find something that works for both the day and beyond.
Whether you’re coordinating closely with the bride or adding a few personal touches, it’s all about choosing something that feels meaningful. Celebrate your all-important role with our custom-made diamond jewellery.
By Anna Aldridge
link copied
So, you’ve been assigned the all-important role of the maid of honour. While your main responsibilities include planning the hen do, offering emotional support and helping with preparations for the big day, it’s also worth choosing meaningful jewellery to wear at the wedding and beyond.
As the maid of honour, your jewellery is a chance to reflect your individual style while staying mindful of the bride’s vision for the day. Even if the bride has specific ideas for the bridesmaids’ jewellery, you can still choose pieces that are thoughtful, timeless and suited to both the wedding and your personal taste.
From sentimental touches to coordinating with the bridal party, here’s our guide on how to help you make the choice.
Why maid of honour jewellery matters
While the bride shines in her own pieces, choosing jewellery of your own is such a thoughtful way to embrace your role as maid of honour and create a lasting memory.
A symbol of friendship
Maid of honour jewellery can serve as a meaningful token of your friendship. Whether you’ve been friends since childhood or became closer in recent years, you’ve likely shared dreams and conversations about this special day - and now it’s finally here! Choosing the perfect piece is a thoughtful way to celebrate that shared journey.
A lasting keepsake
After the wedding, your jewellery will become a lasting keepsake of the all-important role you played. Selecting timeless pieces means they can be worn and enjoyed for years to come, always bringing back memories of the day.
Who makes the choice?
Being maid of honour comes with plenty of lovely moments, and selecting your jewellery is definitely one of them. It’s helpful to agree early on how decisions will be made so everyone stays aligned, and there’s no confusion with the bride or bridesmaids. Here are three ways the choice can be made.
In this guide, we’re focusing on the maid of honour choosing her own jewellery in line with the bride’s vision, including the wedding theme, colours and personal style.
The right pieces
Whether you're choosing individual pieces or a maid of honour jewellery set, here are the key things to consider to get it just right.
Consider your personal style
Your personality needn’t be lost in the midst of the wedding. It’s all about embracing your individual style while staying true to the overall theme - a tricky balance, yes, but that’s what we’re here for. The most important thing is to choose pieces that make you feel comfortable and confident, complementing the bridal look without overshadowing the bride.
Match the wedding theme & colours
The jewellery you choose should harmonise with the wedding’s theme and colour palette. Whether your matching the bridesmaid dresses or simply complementing the overall look, consider how your pieces will fit into the wider vision for the day. Working with the bride and bridesmaids will ensure everything feels cohesive, polished and intentional.
Longevity & wearability
The pieces you select should feel special on the day, but it’s even better if they can be worn for years to come. Timeless styles are the easiest to rewear, whether for special occasions or to elevate everyday outfits. That way, the jewellery you choose can remain part of your collection long after the day is over.
A note on gifting
Many brides choose to gift jewellery to their bridal party as a thank you for their support in the lead-up to the wedding. It’s best not to leave this too late, as bridesmaids may have already chosen their pieces.
When planning maid of honour jewellery gifts, it helps to share the metal type and style in advance so the bridal party can coordinate this with the rest of their jewellery. For more advice, take a look at our bridesmaid jewellery gifts guide.
As the maid of honour, if you’re unsure whether you’ll receive a maid of honour jewellery gift, it’s worth having an open conversation with the bride to avoid any confusion.
Coordinating with bridesmaids
As the maid of honour, your look should reflect the importance of your role, and jewellery plays a big part in that. Whether you’re fully coordinating with the bridesmaids or adding a more personal touch, it’s all about finding a balance that fits in with the bride’s vision.
Matching or complementary styles
If the bride prefers a more coordinated look, select jewellery that mirrors the bridesmaids’ style - whether that’s minimal studs, a delicate pendant necklace or matching bracelets. If the bride is happy for you to stand out a little, you can elevate your jewellery while still staying true to the theme. Think intricate designs or subtle statements, like a colourful gemstone necklace or bold cuff, that reflect your role without overpowering the look.
Colour & metal choices
When it comes to colour and metal choices, think about what the bride has in mind for the bridal party. If she’s aiming for a cohesive look, it’s usually best to stick to one metal and choose pieces that complement the bridesmaids. If there’s more flexibility, you can add a personal touch with subtle gemstones or by selecting a different metal. Read our complete metals guide to help you decide.
Styling your pieces
Balancing jewellery with your outfit and hairstyle makes all the difference. Here’s how to create the perfect harmony:
Details that matter
Incorporating a personal touch to your maid of honour jewellery is a beautiful way to make it feel even more meaningful. Birthstones will add a dash of colour that reflects either your own story or your connection to the bride, while engravings can turn a simple piece into a lasting keepsake.
It’s often the small details that make jewellery feel special, something you’ll want to keep and wear long after the celebrations are over. From metal type to stone specifications and more, customise your Austen & Blake piece to make it feel entirely yours.
Bringing it all together
Selecting maid of honour jewellery can sometimes feel like a balancing act between deciding who chooses what, how much to coordinate and what feels right for the day.
But it doesn’t have to be complicated. By focusing on timeless pieces that complement the wedding and still feel like you, you’ll find something that works for both the day and beyond.
Whether you’re coordinating closely with the bride or adding a few personal touches, it’s all about choosing something that feels meaningful. Celebrate your all-important role with our custom-made diamond jewellery.