Best affordable bridal jewellery inspired by Kate Middleton and Sofia Richie

28 June 2023 , 10:09
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Sophia Richie has been one of the go-to celebrities for 2023 bride inspo
Sophia Richie has been one of the go-to celebrities for 2023 bride inspo

Bridal jewellery is small but mighty, as it makes all the difference to the overall wedding look. It’s the finishing touch, plus it adds the all-important sparkle.

When thinking about your bridal jewellery, it’s important to consider the whole package, including the dress, the theme and of course personal style – it’s all about the look you want to achieve on the day, but you’ll also want something you will love for a lifetime.

When I got engaged in November, I immediately started wondering what kind of Pinterest aesthetic our wedding would be. And while it may be a long way off yet, there’s no harm in a bit of window shopping, right?

My engagement ring was utterly perfect, despite how fussy my personal taste is. An octagon-cut emerald set in a halo with a plain gold band - it’s somewhat vintage with a modern twist, but I do think it could be tricky to pair with a wedding band.

With wedding season approaching, Ernest Jones has pulled together its best bridal jewellery styling tips for every kind of bride - and may have just helped me discover the style of wedding band I’ll want when our date comes around.

'I'm spending £20k on a new bathroom - but won't help my brother out with cash' qhiqquiqquiqquinv'I'm spending £20k on a new bathroom - but won't help my brother out with cash'

There are several looks to explore when it comes to accessorising for the big day, which have been broken down by style so you can discover what bridal jewellery suits you best. From classic to glamorous, minimalist to vintage or boho, this handy guide will help you find out which bridal look is for you.

Whether your date is in the near future or not yet set, hell, you don’t even need to be engaged - send this article to your betrothed to drop those hints.

So, Which Bride Are You?

Classic - aka the Kate Middleton bride

Best affordable bridal jewellery inspired by Kate Middleton and Sofia RichieWilliam and Kate became Duke and Duchess of Cambridge when they married in 2011 (JASPER JUINEN/AFP/Getty Images)

Kate Middleton’s wedding to Prince William defined the bridal look of the decade, with a timeless and elegant look. The elegant and dainty drop earrings Kate opted for were given to her by her parents ahead of her wedding day, and while the earrings were simple and far from outlandish, they weren't exactly inexpensive, and cost £15,000.

Classic brides are all about simple, understated jewellery with traditional features like diamonds and pearls. These are the pieces that can be worn for a lifetime, making them the ultimate investment for a bride's jewellery collection.

A ring that works perfectly for the classic bride is the 14ct White Gold Diamond Four Claw Solitaire ring, available at £2,350.

Vintage-Inspired - aka the Priscilla Presley bride

Best affordable bridal jewellery inspired by Kate Middleton and Sofia RichieElvis Presley Smiling with Bride Priscilla (Bettmann Archive)

In 1967, Rock n Roll King Elvis Presley married his bride, Priscilla Ann Beaulieu, in an intimate Las Vegas ceremony. Her engagement ring had featured an impressive 3.5-carat diamond surrounded by a halo of 20 smaller, detachable diamonds

Vintage-inspired pieces take inspiration from history, think Art Deco or Victorian periods, and often feature more intricate designs and unique gemstones. Vintage-inspired jewellery can add a touch of nostalgia and charm to a bride's overall look. When I look at my engagement ring, it definitely fits more into the Art Deco vibe, so perhaps my ideal wedding piece is the Vera Wang 18ct White Gold Diamond ring, which will set you back £3,500.

Boho - aka the Kate Moss bride

Best affordable bridal jewellery inspired by Kate Middleton and Sofia RichieKate Moss' wedding dress

Think free-spirited and natural, with feathers, shells and gemstones in earthy tones. Mother nature is your best friend, this style is perfect for a beach or outdoor wedding.

When it comes to the boho bridal look, no-one did it better than Kate Moss in her wedding to Jamie Hince back in 2011. And while the two may no longer be together, she remains the bridal muse for anyone looking to achieve that effortless, bohemian look.

'My sister tried to wear a wedding dress to my engagement party - I got revenge''My sister tried to wear a wedding dress to my engagement party - I got revenge'

The boho bride’s top pick has to be this £2,599 Diamond Story 18ct Yellow Gold Diamond ring.

Glamorous - aka the Sofia Richie bride

Best affordable bridal jewellery inspired by Kate Middleton and Sofia RichieSofia Richie on her wedding day

For the glam bride, it’s all about being a bit extra. Think big, bold and beautiful. If your wedding is a formal, black-tie affair, then this style is perfect for that.

Sofia Richie’s star-studded wedding really epitomises the glam-bride vibe, with a guest list including the likes of Cameron Diaz, Benji Madden, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, and Joel Madden all flocking to the south of France.

For her reception, Sofia wore drop-diamond earrings by Kwiat, switching to aquamarine stone earrings by Fred Leighton for the party.

A ring made for the glamorous bride is the Vera Wang 18ct White Gold Diamond ring, available at £6,500.

Minimalist - aka the Mila Kunis bride

Best affordable bridal jewellery inspired by Kate Middleton and Sofia RichieMila Kunis bought her own £68 wedding band (TBS/Getty)

Simple, modern and understated. Think delicate designs, minimal embellishments and clean lines. This style is perfect for those who love a modern look plus its subtlety suits every theme.

Mila Kunis is the ultimate minimalist bride, having wed Ashton Kutcher in a private ceremony in Oak Glen, California. According to , her wedding band cost just £68 from Etsy.

The minimalist bride’s go-to should definitely be the Platinum Diamond Four Claw Solitaire ring, although costing a bit more than Mila’s at £1,650.

Statement - aka the J-Lo bride

Best affordable bridal jewellery inspired by Kate Middleton and Sofia RichieJennifer Lopez’s bridal album as she poses in all three stunning Ralph Lauren wedding gowns (Ralph Lauren / John Russo / OntheJLO)

If anyone knows how to make a statement, it's Jenny from the block. In her wedding to Ben Affleck, the couple had not one, but two ceremonies - not to mention J-Lo stunning in no fewer than three Ralph Lauren gowns.

Made to be bold and eye-catching, statement bridal jewellery is designed to grab attention - think chandelier earrings or chunky necklaces. This style adds drama to a bride's overall look, which is something J-Lo is all too good at.

A ring designed to make a statement for these bold brides is the 18ct White Gold 1ct Diamond Princess Eternity band, coming in at £3,000.

The Ernest Jones bridal experts recommend trying different metal colours and stones to find your perfect ring. It’s best to hold them up to the dress to make sure the jewellery complements the style of the gown and the bride’s skin tone.

Remember, there are a few metal colours to think about – not just gold and silver, some brides might like the warm hue of rose gold or cooler tones of platinum. When it comes to stones, always think about the chosen colour scheme. Pinks? Maybe peach morganite or rubies would work or if you’re going with a blue scheme, then it’s all about the matching topaz and complimenting amethysts. You could even incorporate birthstones into your look for a personal touch.

Most importantly, the style of bridal jewellery depends on your personal style, the theme of the wedding, and the overall look of the day. It’s all intertwined and each element should complement the next.

So I definitely think I’m a vintage-inspired bride - but which style suits your wedding vibe? Are you a statement bride like J-Lo, or a Mila Kunis minimalist? Let us know in the comments and discover your wedding jewellery wishlist on Ernest Jones.

Bethan Shufflebotham

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