The original pearl engagement happened in 1880, when a certain young man in Paris could not afford a diamond. He gave his future bride a string of matched pearls instead, and started a tradition that has never quite gone out of style. A hundred and forty-five years later, more brides than ever are asking: what kind of pearl should I wear?
The bridal pearl in three lengths
- Princess, 17 inches — sits at the collarbone, photographs beautifully with a V-neck gown. The most popular choice.
- Matinee, 21 inches — falls just below the collarbone. Elegant with a high-neck or bateau neckline.
- Opera, 30 inches — long enough to double-wrap or wear as a sautoir. Made for cathedral weddings and statement dresses.
Which pearl type for the bride
For most brides, AAA Akoya pearls in 7 to 8 millimeter are the right starting place. They photograph well under both natural and artificial light, the bright luster reads across an aisle, and they are durable enough to wear through the reception. If your wedding has a softer palette — blush, ivory, champagne — freshwater pearls in matching tones photograph with a warmer, more romantic feel.
If you are planning to wear your bridal pearls often after the wedding, skip the opera length. A princess-length strand becomes your forever piece — under cashmere, over a t-shirt, in a board meeting. The opera piece tends to live in a drawer.
What we make in the atelier
Every bridal piece we make starts with a conversation. We ask about the dress, the venue, the lighting, and the way the bride wears her hair. Then we hand-match the pearls in our Zhuji atelier and string them on silk thread with knots between every pearl — so if the strand ever breaks, you lose one pearl, not all of them. That is what you are paying for when you buy a hand-strung bridal piece rather than a machine-made one.
Considering pearls for your wedding? Write to us — we read every message, and we love this part of the job.
