How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Earrings

Wedding earrings are the ultimate piece of bridal jewelry. They light up your face and show in every picture of your big day. However, bridal boutiques and department stores generally have a limited selection, so how do you find the perfect pair of earrings online? You’ll need to consider how to interpret website descriptions, know the length you want, and what style (shape) of earrings is best for your face shape. It is also a good idea to look through your jewelry box and select your favorite earrings that you love to wear. Use your favorites for ideas on shape and length when making your selection.

I previously wrote an article with useful tips to consider when purchasing your bridal earrings, or any earrings online. The blog post provides useful tips on interpreting website descriptions, to help you purchase the length and style earrings you want, and hopefully eliminate surprises when you receive your purchase. As the stylist at Perfect Details, I receive a lot of questions & concerns customers have with purchasing earrings online. The most common, how to deal with stretched-out & damaged ear lobes, and of course, will these earrings look good on me? Knowing which style and shape earrings is best for your face shape will not only help you find your wedding earrings but will also assure you are always purchasing earrings that are the most flattering on you.

BEST EARRINGS FOR STRETCHED OUT EAR LOBES AND PIERCINGS

I’m not referring to ear lobes that have been purposely stretched to accommodate plugs etc… Just ear lobes or hole piercings that have stretched from wearing heavy earrings, or were the unfortunate victim of an earring accident that tore the ear lobe or did other damage.

The most common solution is to wear lightweight earrings that won’t pull. For weddings or grand occasions when you want something spectacular, this presents more of a challenge. The most common solution is to wear clip-on earrings that cover the entire ear lobe or wear a large post that is lightweight and has a good supportive back. However, glam does call out for larger, dangling earrings & chandelier earrings. Fortunately, a lot of the bridal earrings we carry are handmade on filigree bases, versus a solid metal back. A filigree back makes the earring surprisingly lightweight. Combine these lightweight danglers with a large post that covers the ear lobe for another possible solution.

earrings with large posts for problem ears — Large Studs, Pearl Drops & Bridal Chandelier earrings with a large post. Many pierced styles can also be special ordered as clip earrings.

Large Studs, Pearl Drops or Bridal Chandelier earrings Perfect Details offers a variety of clip0n earring styles. Many pierced styles can also be special ordered as clip earrings. — Large Studs, Pearl Drops & Bridal Chandelier earrings with clip-on backs. Perfect Details offers a variety of clip-on earring styles.

large post earrings for weddings & special occasions — Large stud earrings are dramatic and offer a great solution to hide large, damaged, & stretched out ear lobes

Crystal drop bridal earrings and chandelier earrings from Erin Cole, Paris by Debra Moreland & Cheryl King couture offer large posts supporting intricate drops that cover oversized lobes or ear injuries and can be ordered pierced or with clips. — Crystal drop bridal earrings and chandelier earrings from Cheryl KIng Couture, Ben-Amun, and Erin Cole Bride offer large posts supporting intricate drops that cover oversized lobes or ear injuries and can be ordered pierced or with clips. The key is to make sure the pin in the post is located at the center of the post.

EARRING SHAPE: WHICH STYLE IS BEST FOR YOUR FACE SHAPE

You can always wear whatever earrings you like and that you feel fabulous wearing. However, there are certainly earring designs that work better with certain face shapes than others. If you have an oval-shaped face you can pretty much wear any earring style you want. For other shaped faces, I have put together some examples and quick tips for you to keep in mind when selecting earrings.

BEST BRIDAL EARRINGS FOR A ROUND-SHAPED FACE:

The goal is to lengthen the face. Long dangle and drop earring styles, especially narrower styles work best. Avoid hoop and round designs, especially round studs.

earring styles best for a round shaped face — Bridal earrings & evening earrings that compliment a round shape face. These styles range from 2″ to 3 1/2″ in length. Love them? Here are the links going left to right: Long drop crystal & pearl earrings, cascading crystals with pearls, pearl cluster chandelier earrings, Cassandra crystal chandelier earrings, Gatsby Glam drop earrings, and curly top earrings.

BEST BRIDAL EARRINGS FOR A SQUARE-SHAPED FACE:

Hoop earrings are always flattering for a square-shaped face. Top left are hoops by La Vie Parisienne, bottom right are pearl hoops by Erin Cole Bride. Long pearl drops are on-trend for 2021, the length and roundness work well, as do the softer round shapes with a bit of length. Shown left to right, Erin Cole Chandeliers, Delisch Pearl Drops, Erin Cole Pearl Drops, and Paris by Debra Moreland Sandpiper Crystal Bridal Earrings.

The goal is to lengthen and soften the angles of the face. Medium to long length earrings are best. Look for styles that are round or have soft angles. These shapes will soften the cheekbones and jawline.

BEST BRIDAL EARRINGS FOR A HEART-SHAPED FACE:

The goal is to balance the triangular shape of the face. Earrings that are wider at the bottom than the top, have a curved shape or triangular shape flatter the face the best.

Designer bridal earrings that are wider at the base. Row 1 Cheryl King Couture, Be-Je Designs, row 2 Cheryl King Couture, Ben-Amun, last row Erin Cole & Paris by Debra Moreland.

BEST BRIDAL EARRINGS FOR A LONG NARROW FACE:

The goal is to widen the face and add volume. Large posts, as shown above as well as short bulky drops.

Large studs, short drop earrings and those that add volume and width work best. From left to right: Bridal Glam Statement Earrings, Double Pearl Drop Earrings, Petite Crystal Chandelier Earrings with Tiny Pearl, Baroque Pearl Earrings with CZ Design, Pearl Chandelier Earrings, and Small Temptation Crystal & Pearl Earrings.

BEST BRIDAL EARRINGS FOR A DIAMOND SHAPE FACE:

The goal is to balance the angles of the face. Delicate drops, shorter earrings, designs with more width than length, and chandelier earrings that are wider at the base. Avoid earring shapes that duplicate the shape of the face and that are wider at the top or middle.

Shorter drops with more width than length work best. Earrings shown: Algiers Crystal Bridal Earrings, Baby Chandelier Earrings, Crystal Cluster and Pearl Drop Earrings, Small Temptation Earrings, and Vintage Baby Chandelier Earrings.

Also, two great articles that will definitely help you as well:

Shopping for Earrings Based on your Face Shape by Holly Yashi
The Right Earrings for Your Face Shape by Achel Painter

EARRING LENGTH: HOW DO I KNOW IT WILL LOOK GOOD ON ME?

Generally speaking, earring length is more about attitude than physical restrictions. However, that being said, not all of us are blessed with a long neck that can accommodate any earring length. A 2″ length earring, adds enough length and glamour and is a safe bet for most people. My previous article on determining and selecting earring length, it can be read here.

My most useful tips:

Select earrings from your jewelry box of different lengths, choosing ones that are similar in length to what you want in a bridal earring or any earring you are shopping for.
Measure the length and width of the earrings.
Line up the earrings by length so that you can reference the lengths while shopping.
Now when you read the website description you’ll have a physical earring next to you to reference for size.

This process should help eliminate surprises when you receive your package and save you a trip to UPS or the post office.

Hope you have found these tips useful.

And of course, I have to share my favorite earrings that I wear all the time from Perfect Details.