So you are going to the chapel and you are going to get married! That wonderful special day you have been dreaming about since you were a little girl is finally almost here.  Are you ready?  Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue?  As your special day approaches, stop worrying about every possible scenario that could possibly go wrong and concentrate only on being the most beautiful bride in the world.   I promise, not one of your guests will remember that the script on your invitation doesn’t match exactly the script on your seating cards.  Nor will they remember that the Beef Wellington was slightly overcooked.  What they will remember however is the beautiful dress the bride had on, and how perfect the pearl pendant she wore with it was.

Pearls have always been one of the most popular gemstones associated with bridal accessories. Historically, a diamond engagement ring and gold wedding band are the only types of jewelry worn more often than cultured pearls on a woman’s wedding day.  The innocence and beauty symbolized by the pearl is also symbolized by the bride donning a white gown, so the match is perfect. From a stunning South Sea pearl pendant and earrings to a lustrous pearl bracelet, cultured pearls are definitely still a favorite amongst the contemporary “bride to be”.  Even many bridal gowns, veils, and headpieces are adorned with pearls to create a stunningly elegant effect.

Additionally, bridal and marriage customs often emulate to many family and wedding guests of their own ancestor’s traditions.  Although with the passing of time, some of the wedding customs as traditions practiced today have often lost their original importance and symbolic meaning.   There are many schools of thought as to why most brides choose pearls as a wedding accessory, beside the fact that they are beautiful amazing gems!   To many, pearls are representative of tears.  Hence when a bride wears pearls on her wedding day they take the place of the bride's real tears, thus she'll have a happy, tear-free wedded life.   

For centuries, pearls have been considered to be the ideal wedding present because of their symbolic meanings of purity and innocence. They have also come to symbolize a happy marriage and are often the much preferred jewelry by girls during their engagement days or by brides as their essential jewelry items.  Pearl jewelry is often seen as an important family heirloom, passed on from a grandmother to mother and from a mother to her daughter. Pearl jewelry has long been considered to one of the most romantic items that can be gifted to a lady, as well as magical and immensely feminine. Today, the tradition of bestowing pearls upon the bride continues. Often the father of the bride or the father of the groom will give the gift of pearls to the bride marking the beginnings of a new family tradition.  Or as in old Irish custom, the groom will gift the bride a string of pearls on her wedding day as his special gift to assure a “tear free” wedding night.

Regardless of where they came from, who they will go to, and what they mean amongst different cultures and religions, a bride and her pearls are just one more wedding day union never to be interfered with!