Wedding jewellery - budget or splash out??

codemonkey

I've been thinking about wedding jewellery. I've managed to trim quite a lot of money off our initial budget and not sure if I should attempt the same and get some budget friendly costume jewellery or take the opposite view that this is the one time in my life I get to dress like a princess and splash out on a more expensive piece of jewellery, that I can, in time (and with luck), pass onto my daugher.

To be clear here, I'm not talking about spending thousands. Just a pretty necklace or something - apart from a necklace from H2B and my engagement ring, I don't own any real diamonds!

White_Sapphire

Codemonkey, if you can afford to splash out a bit and want to treat yourself to a potential family heirloom, then I say go for it!!

The only times it would be a problem would be if you spent money you can't afford or thought that buying posh jewellery was what you were 'supposed to do' for your wedding without considering it.

Me, I really fancy something deliciously vintage, and can't wait to start hunting

Happy shopping!

x

codemonkey

Sapphire, I'd love something vintage.

Maybe before thinking about this, I should raid my mum's jewellery box - I was considering borrowing her sapphire earrings or her pearls.

I think I'm just looking for "permission" tbh. We're not going into any debt for the wedding. The money we're spending is money we've saved. No loans, no credit card spends that aren't cleared at the end of the month, nothing. I've spent the last few years clearing up the debt from my student years, saving for a house deposit and now the wedding and I've got into the way of questioning every penny spent, so when it comes to wedding stuff, I've done the same - my shoes were ex display rainbow club ones bought off ebay for £14 (don't look like they've ever been tried on), my tiara was £5 and so on. :rotfl::rotfl:

I only want to do this once - so why shouldn't I spend some money on something special, just for me?

Barneysmom

Congratulations on your big day!

I never spent loads on my wedding jewellery, or the dress, I just got some sparkly stuff that wasn't expensive, then spent a whole lot more on the wedding ring itself (to me that was the important thing as I'll be wearing it for life).

White_Sapphire

I know exactly what you mean - when you're so used to searching high and low for the cheapest, it's difficult to let go of that mindset, especially when it's a) for yourself, and b) something that people won't necessarily notice the quality of straight away.

One question: what would you say to a friend in this exact same situation?

x

codemonkey

I would tell her to go for it and buy something ridiculously beautiful.

But it's so much easier to spend someone else's money. :rotfl::rotfl:

White_Sapphire

Barneysmom, you clearly did the right thing for your situation - the jewellery itself wasn't that important as long as it was pretty and went with the rest of your outfit. Codemonkey's circumstances and criteria, I'd say, are a little different in that she wants something lovely to wear on the day and also pass on to future generations. It has a greater meaning to her than for the one day, and as she can afford it and has been very frugal with her possessions and spending elsewhere, is completely within her rights to spend a little more.

Jinx

I think you should find the right jewellery then decide if its in the right price bracket or you need to find a cheaper 'substitute'. Would you hubby want to buy something for you as a wedding gift?

My wedding jewellery was large black crystals (quite gothy) to match my red dress and the necklace and earrings were only 60 quid. My bridesmaids jewellery was more expensive than mine!! But it was my daughter age 18 lol

kmmr

How much is splashing out? I went into Carat the other day, and they do amazing jewelery for a fraction of the price of diamonds, but could look pretty spectacular.

White_Sapphire

Jinx wrote: »

I think you should find the right jewellery then decide if its in the right price bracket or you need to find a cheaper 'substitute'. Would you hubby want to buy something for you as a wedding gift?

My wedding jewellery was large black crystals (quite gothy) to match my red dress and the necklace and earrings were only 60 quid. My bridesmaids jewellery was more expensive than mine!! But it was my daughter age 18 lol

Black jewellery with red dress :drool: That must have been gorgeous!

The only trouble with finding a substitute is that you'll always know it's a substitute, IYKWIM. I personally would decide on a price that I was willing to spend, and not look at anything above that price! Easier said than done sometimes, though!

Codemonkey, if you want us to google for you just say the word (can you tell I'm a complete magpie??? :rotfl:)

x

looktothefuture

Splash out! It's your day!