Classic, elegant, traditional, pearls are a timeless finish to a bride’s wedding look. Beyond pairing wonderfully with bridal gowns, the mythology surrounding pearls, love, and weddings runs deep. The stories reach across cultures and their lingering impact continues to influence wedding style today.

One of the oldest stories to connect pearls and the wedding day goes back to Krishna. It is told Krishna brought pearls from deep in the sea to give to his daughter for her wedding. In ancient Greece pearls were also an important part of the wedding tradition. The Greeks referred to the pearl as the “wedding gem”. They believed pearls would prevent brides from crying and promote marital harmony.

Later during the Crusades, knights returning from the Middle East brought pearls as a gift to their lady for their wedding day. By the 14th and 15th century pearls were the height of wedding fashion. Everyone from the bride to the male wedding guests would be adorned in pearls.

By the turn of the 20th century pearls accounted for 75% of US jewelry sales. Choosing pearls on the wedding day was further solidified by the likes of Queen Elizabeth II to Jacqueline Kennedy. Today the tradition lives on, pearls continue to be a common choice for something old, or a gift to the bride from the groom or parents.

There are many ways to incorporate pearls into your wedding style. They can embellish the gown, adorn the veil, and there is always the classic choice of jewelry. Do you plan to incorporate pearls into your wedding day?

And just for fun, here are a few more gems about pearls:

Cleopatra was believed to seduce Marc Antony dissolving a pearl from her earring in vinegar and drinking it. A great display of her power and wealth.
Pearls are the traditional birthstone for June.
In Ancient Rome, wealthy women slept in beds inlaid with pearls for a peaceful night's sleep. (This does not seem comfy 🙂)

Pearls, love & marriage

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