You've found your dream wedding veil. Now comes a question that catches many brides off guard: which earrings will actually work with it?

It's a styling challenge that rarely gets discussed, yet it can make or break the balance of your bridal look. Too much sparkle competing with an embellished veil, and everything fights for attention. Too understated with a simple tulle veil, and your face gets lost. Getting this pairing right means understanding how these two pieces work together to frame your face on your wedding day.

At Britten, we're in a rather unique position to help. Sarah, our founder, designs both our handcrafted wedding veils and our bridal earrings collection. She thinks about how these pieces complement each other from the very first sketch. That perspective has taught us exactly what works—and what doesn't—when bringing these two elements together.

Why Your Veil Changes Everything About Earring Choice

Most bridal styling guides focus on matching earrings to your dress neckline or face shape. That advice isn't wrong—it's just incomplete. Your veil sits at the same eye level as your earrings. They occupy the same visual space around your face. Ignore one while choosing the other, and you risk a look that feels disconnected.

Think of it this way: your dress is the canvas, but your veil and earrings are the frame. A beautifully ornate frame works wonderfully—unless you've paired it with another equally ornate frame. Then neither shines. The same principle applies here. When your veil has intricate lace edging, scattered pearls, or crystal embellishments, your earrings need to step back slightly. When your veil is pure, simple tulle, your earrings have permission to be the star.

This isn't about rigid rules. It's about creating visual harmony so that when guests look at you, they see a beautifully composed whole—not individual accessories competing for attention.

Pairing Earrings with Embellished Veils

If your veil features lace edging, scattered crystals, pearl details, or any form of embellishment, you've already chosen your statement piece. Your earrings should complement without competing.

For pearl-edged veils, consider echoing that element with subtle pearl studs or a single pearl drop. This creates cohesion without doubling down on drama. The pearls in your earrings and veil will catch light similarly, creating a gentle continuity around your face.

Crystal-scattered veils work beautifully with simple metal studs—perhaps in gold or silver depending on your skin tone and other jewellery. You might also choose a tiny crystal stud that picks up the sparkle without amplifying it. The key is restraint: your veil is doing the sparkling; your earrings just need to harmonise.

Lace-edged veils have their own texture and visual interest. Opt for smooth, clean earring designs—a polished metal drop, a simple pearl, or a small hoop. Anything with too much texture or filigree detail will create visual noise alongside the lace.

Pairing Earrings with Plain Tulle Veils

This is where you have the most freedom. A plain tulle veil provides an ethereal frame without any competing elements. Your earrings can absolutely be the feature.

Statement drop earrings work wonderfully here—they draw the eye to your face and add the sparkle or interest that your veil intentionally lacks. Consider chandelier-style earrings, longer pearl drops, or earrings with multiple elements if your style leans that way.

That said, "plain veil" doesn't automatically mean "dramatic earrings required." If you prefer an understated, minimalist aesthetic throughout your look, a simple tulle veil with delicate studs creates a beautifully pared-back elegance. The freedom goes both ways.

The question to ask yourself: do I want my earrings to add sparkle and interest, or do I want an overall soft, ethereal effect? Both are lovely; they're just different approaches.

The Hairstyle Factor

Your hairstyle acts as the middleman between veil and earrings, and it significantly affects which earrings will actually be visible on your wedding day.

With a classic updo—bun, chignon, or elegant twist—your ears and earrings are fully exposed. This is when your earring choice has maximum impact. Drops and dangles will be seen from every angle, catching light as you move. If you're wearing an updo with an embellished veil, keep earrings especially simple. If your updo is paired with a plain veil, this is prime territory for statement earrings.

Hair worn down or in loose waves will partially cover your ears. Longer drop earrings can peek through beautifully, but smaller studs may get lost entirely. If you've chosen delicate studs, consider whether they'll even be visible—there's no point agonising over an earring choice nobody will see. Conversely, if you want your earrings hidden, hair down with small studs achieves that quietly elegant look.

Half-up styles offer flexibility. Your earrings will be visible from some angles but not others. Medium-length drops tend to work well here—substantial enough to be noticed, not so long that they tangle with your hair.

Metal Considerations: Gold, Silver, and Your Veil

If your veil has any metal elements—perhaps silver-toned wire in a crystal scatter, or gold thread in lace embroidery—ideally your earrings should echo that metal.

For gold wedding earrings, consider how the warmth of gold plays against your veil's colour. Ivory and champagne veils sing alongside gold tones. Stark white veils can work with gold too, though the contrast is more pronounced.

Silver earrings feel cooler and more contemporary. They're particularly lovely with pure white veils and work well if you're wearing white gold or platinum elsewhere (engagement ring, wedding band).

If your veil is pure tulle with no metal elements, you have free rein. Let your skin tone, dress colour, and other jewellery guide your metal choice rather than the veil itself.

Matching by Veil Length

Interestingly, veil length affects earring choice less than you might think—but it's worth considering.

With a dramatic cathedral-length veil, there's already significant visual impact from the veil itself. Many brides instinctively dial down their earrings to let the veil be the hero. This works well, particularly if your cathedral veil has any embellishment at all.

Fingertip and floor-length veils are wonderfully versatile. They're present but not overwhelming, leaving genuine room for earring choice to go either direction—statement or subtle.

Short veils, birdcage styles, and blusher veils focus attention squarely on the face and upper body. Your earrings will be highly visible and play a proportionally larger role in your overall look. Choose accordingly—if your short veil is netted or embellished, keep earrings simple. If it's plain, earrings can take more prominence.

Practical Styling Tips

Beyond the principles above, here are some practical suggestions for getting your pairing right:

Try them together. This sounds obvious, but many brides choose earrings without their veil on hand. If possible, do a trial run with both pieces together—ideally in natural daylight. Photograph yourself from multiple angles. What looks balanced in a mirror straight-on may feel different from the side (which is how guests will see you during the ceremony).

Consider movement. Both veils and drop earrings move. Watch how they interact when you turn your head or walk. Some combinations look lovely static but become distracting in motion.

Don't forget the back. If you're wearing a blusher that you'll flip back during the ceremony, think about what your look will be with the veil behind you versus in front. Your earrings should work for both scenarios.

Think about photographs. Close-up portraits often crop at the shoulders, meaning your veil may not appear in every shot but your earrings will. Choose earrings you'd be happy to wear even without the veil context.

When You Can Break the Rules

Everything above is guidance, not gospel. Some brides want maximum sparkle everywhere—embellished veil, statement earrings, the works. If that's authentically your style, embrace it. The point isn't to follow rules; it's to create intentional harmony or intentional drama. What doesn't work is accidental clash.

Similarly, if you're drawn to a specific pair of earrings that don't technically "match" your veil, consider whether you care. Perhaps those earrings were your grandmother's, or you fell in love with them at first sight. Sentimental value and personal joy matter more than perfect coordination.

Trust your instincts. If you put everything on and feel beautiful, the pairing works—regardless of what any guide says.

Creating Your Bridal Balance

Choosing wedding earrings when you're also wearing a veil comes down to one central question: what do you want people to notice? If your veil is the showpiece—cathedral length, beautiful lace, scattered with crystals—let it have the spotlight. Your earrings become the supporting act, adding polish without stealing scenes.

If your veil is soft and simple, your earrings can step forward. This is your opportunity for pearl drops, sparkling crystal, or whatever style makes your heart sing.

Either way, the goal is the same: a bridal look that feels considered, harmonious, and unmistakably you. When your veil and earrings work together rather than against each other, the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts—and you become the most beautiful version of yourself on your wedding day.

Explore our full collection of handcrafted wedding earrings and wedding veils to find your pairing.