So your big day is around the corner, and you’re not sure of what jewellery to buy? Wedding is an important time for every girl. As you enter into a new bond, this occasion is both auspicious and special. With an Indian wedding, there’s much more involved, given the various ceremonies and occasions. You need to look your resplendent best, and we’re here to help you shine. 

Buying Indian bridal jewellery is perhaps the most expensive element of bridal shopping. However, more often than not, many make the mistake of investing heavily in the wrong pieces. So, before you go and begin shopping, here are the 5 key things you need to keep in mind. 

1. The various events

Whether it be a Bengali wedding or a Tamilian one, each has its own set of many ceremonies. With the many events come many attires and jewellery sets to enhance your look. Brides often make the mistake of buying only one or two common pieces of jewellery. This goes with only one of two of the bridal attires, and one is often left repeating them, and at a loss on what to wear for other occasions. 

So if you want to be the cynosure of all eyes, without burning a hole in your pocket, here’s the smart thing to do. 

• Chalk out the various events that you need to dress up for. So you may be looking at events such as a Mehendi, Sangeet,  Shaadi and a Reception. A Telugu wedding may also have events like ‘eduru sannahalu’ and ‘satyanarayan katha’.  
• Once you’ve charted out the various events, mark out what you’re planning to wear for each, and then shop for jewellery.

2. Make smart jewellery choices

Once you’re earmarked the events and calculated the number of sets you need, begin shopping. You can purchase one or two expensive pieces for the big day, however, make sure that the pieces are flexible to use. 

Doing so in a smart manner would include, 

• Buying detachable jewellery: Such flexible jewellery ensures that you can detach a part and reuse it to give a fresh look. A detachable pendant set that also goes on a simple chain is a great option.
• Buying flexible pieces: You can also opt for pieces with multiple uses. A long necklace that doubles up as a waistband is a popular option.
• Choosing the right gemstones: While diamonds can often push up prices, you can invest in pieces that use other less expensive gemstones instead.
• Jewellery material:Finally not everything needs to be gold and diamonds. Buying designer jewellery that uses hypo allergic materials is a great option. This ensures that your style quotient is high without burning a hole in your pocket.

3. Jewellery vs clothes: What comes first

While it’s a popular doubt whether to buy your clothes first or your jewellery, Tarinika advises you to do a bit of both. So while you could invest in a statement jewellery piece and match clothes accordingly, you can also buy clothes and get them for your jewellery selection. 

To do so in the smart way you must, 

• Look at jewellery that complements your clothes. Do not go all out and buy huge blingy pieces that will take the sheen away from you. Instead, opt for the right amount of grandeur that adds to your look. 
• Keep re-usability in mind too. While you may be tempted to buy thatreally fancy jewellery for your wedding, do remember that it may end up in a safe after the wedding is over. Many women often tend to get carried away with the pieces they buy for their wedding and are unable to use them again. So ensure that you buy pieces that can be worn for other occasions and have the flexibility for use. 

4. Match it with your look

The jewellery for your big day should complement and enhance your look. To do so you must keep aspects such as your face shape, neckline, colours of the wedding attires, the amount of embroidering and work on the garment, and even your hairstyle in mind. 

To ensure that the jewellery you buy matches your look do consider, 

• Earrings: Check the hairdo you plan on your special day and whether the earrings would match the look. Ensure that your earrings are the right size to match the shape of your face. While an oval face is complemented by any kind of earrings, ensure length if your face is round. A heart-shaped face is better complemented by earrings that are wider at the bottom, such as a tear-drop shape
• Necklaces: While chokers look good on people with long slender necks, choose the length of your necklace to also enhance the look of your dress. A layered look may work well for most. If you intend to dress up in heavily embroidered garments, ensure that the jewellery is simple and vice versa. Choose the length of necklaces to complement your look.
• Other jewellery: While earrings and necklaces are most important, different wedding styles and cultures look for different jewellery. So while the maang tika is popular in some parts, others place emphasis on waistbands, armlets and naths. Ensure that whatever you buy complements your body type and your attire, making you look striking and beautiful.

5. Finally, work with a budget

Last but not least, work out a budget. A well-planned budget can help you plan better and not go overboard with your purchasing. Earmark an amount that you intend to spend on jewellery. You can then buy something grand for the wedding day, and add a few simple sets for occasions like sangeet, mehndi and the reception.  

If you are working on a tight budget you can also, 

• Look at rental options that allow you to rent jewellery for a day.
• Give a touch up to the heirloom pieces passed down to you. These will enhance your look beautifully.
• Compare prices and deals at online stores, to buy good looking jewellery at the lowest rates.