CIVIL WEDDING GUIDE
Civil wedding: what jewelry to wear? (hoops, medals, bangles)
Civil weddings have their own sartorial language: sober elegance, clear lines, a light that flatters without dazzling.
At Ylume, we love the look of three essentials—hoop earrings, medallion necklaces , and bangles—that are gilded
in 18k (3 μ) gold-plated, with a matte champagne finish, and nickel, lead, and cadmium-free.
Here is a very concrete guide to choosing your jewelry according to the outfit, the hairstyle, the season and your role (bride, witness, guest),
with sizes, layers, looks ready to copy and mistakes to avoid.
, balanced volumesand matte champagne gilding—more photographic than the strong brilliance, ideal for the town hall at lunch.
First of all: who wears what? (bride, witness, guest)
Married (civil)
- Hoops : 16–24 mm, smooth or finely hammered (soft presence).
- Medal: 45 cm (pivot) + 60 cm option (slenderness with a dress).
- Rushes : a fine + a medium, hand opposite the watch.
Witness / sister
- Hoops : 20–28 mm (visible in the photo, remain sober).
- Medallion : 45 cm alone (or 40 + 45 if round neck).
- Trims : fine duo (smooth + hammered), discreet at the signature.
Choose according to the outfit (dress, suit, jumpsuit)
Short straight / A-line dress
- Hoop earrings 18–22 mm smooth.
- 45 cm medal (round on round, “halo” effect).
- Thin bangle + medium bangle (wrist balance).
Flowing midi dress
- Hoops 22–26 mm, soft hammered.
- Medal 45 + chain 60 cm (light layering).
- A medium bangle alone, very chic.
Pantsuit
- Hoops 24–28 mm (structure the face).
- Medal 45 cm under open jacket.
- Duo of fine rods (smooth/hammered).
Jumpsuit (V-neck or wrap)
- Mini hoop earrings 14–16 mm or 20–22 mm depending on the hairstyle.
- Long chain 60 cm (stretches the bust line).
- Thin bangle so as not to hit the pockets/belt.
Colours, materials & matt champagne gilding
The matte champagne shade delicately warms whites (cream, ivory), balances black,
and goes wonderfully with sandy beiges, powdery blush, midnight blue or sage green. Natural materials
(linen, silk, crepe, fine knit) dialogue particularly well with a matte, very photogenic light.
| Color / Material | Recommended | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Cream White / Ivory (Dress/Set) | Hoop earrings 18–22 mm + medallion 45 cm | The round softens the light and emphasizes the purity of the cream tone. |
| Sand beige blazer (suit) | Hoops 24–26 mm + duo of fine | Structure the framing of the face, discreet metallic reminder at the wrists. |
| Silk / satin (top or dress) | Medal 45 + 60 cm | Very elegant matte/glossy contrast, elongates the silhouette. |
| Midnight | Hoops 22–28 mm + medallion 45 cm | The matte champagne warms the depth of the blue without overwhelming it. |
| Natural | Hammered 18–22 mm hoop earrings + medium | Organic texture & soft light: civil chic atmosphere. |
Hoop earrings: the right diameters (civil wedding)
The Creole gives the line of the face on the photo. For civil cases, aim for readability without excess.
Here’s a simple guideline:
| Diameter | Visual | Background | Hairdressing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14–16 mm | No light, very discreet | Very elaborate dress, high | Loose hair, short bob |
| 18–22 mm | Versatile, stylish | The safe bet “civil marriage” | All (bun, low tail, wavy) |
| 24–28 mm | More pronounced | Suit, minimalist | Hair tied back preferably |
Finish: a smooth profile is timeless and super photogenic; A light hammered
texture adds relief while remaining civil-friendly. Avoid profiles that are too wide if the outfit already has volumes.
To explore: all our Creoles.
Medallion necklaces: lengths & overlays
A medal placed in the right place immediately signs the outfit. For a civil marriage, two lengths cover 95% of cases:
45 cm and 60 cm.
- 45 cm : versatile pivot (round neck, V, shirt). Highlights the upper bust, very photographic.
- 60 cm : elongates the silhouette (straight dresses, open suits). Gorgeous on silk/satin.
Leave at least 5 cm apart to avoid tangling.
See the selection: medal necklaces.
Rushes: Balancing the framing of photos
Rushes often appear in signature and hand photos. They must complement, not compete, the alliance.
- A single medium bangle (smooth) on the side without a wedding ring: chic and clean.
- Duo of fine rushes (smooth + hammered) for the witness/guest: discreet rhythm.
- Avoid accumulating noisy bracelets during the ceremony.
Guide & sizes: bracelets & bangles.
Morphologies & proportions (face, bust, wrists)
Face
- Oval : everything works; 18–22 mm in hoop earrings is ideal.
- Round : prefer 20–24 mm, rather thin profiles; 60 cm medal for stretching.
- Square : soft textures (fine hammered), lengths 45 cm at the neck.
- Heart: volumes under the lobe (hoop earrings 18–22 mm), medal 45 cm.
Bust & Cuffs
- Short bust : 45 cm alone; Avoid 60 cm except on a suit/thin turtleneck.
- Large silhouette : dare 24–28 mm in hoop earrings + 45 + 60 cm in duo.
- Thin wrist : a thin bangle is enough; Add a way if the outfit is minimalist.
The typical day: adapting your jewelry to key moments
Before the town hall
- Hoops already attached, clasps tested (“click”).
- Medal applied, bar turning cleared (anti-tangling).
- Rushes last, just before leaving.
Ceremony
- No noisy bracelets.
- Hair tied back = hoop earrings more visible on photo.
- Soft handkerchief to pat if heat.
Lunch / evening
- Possible to add the 60 cm chain to stretch the line.
- An extra bangle if kept very sober.
- Gently wipe jewelry at the end of the day.
Photogenic on all lights
The superbly mastered matte champagne gilding limits harsh reflections. Some photo tips:
- Smooth hoop earrings = sharp contours; fine hammered = subtle relief.
- Medal 45 cm focuses the eye on the bust.
- Avoid chains that are too thin if the fabric is textured (risk of “disappearing”).
- A single medium bangle catches the light at the time of signing.
Budget & overall coherence
For a civil wedding, aim for a capsule that can be used for everyday use: versatile hoop earrings (18–22 mm), a 45 cm medallion,
and a fine/medium bangle. These three pieces cover the town hall, the meal, and the photos, and then integrate into your everyday wardrobe.
10 Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
- Hoops that are too wide that “crush” the outfit: stay ≤ 28 mm for civilians.
- Too many textures (smooth + hammered + twisted + large links): limit to 2 textures max.
- Tight layering (45/50/55) that gets tangled: prefer 45 + 60 cm.
- Loud bracelets during the ceremony.
- Uncontrolled Metal Mix : Save the matte champagne for visual unity.
- Loose hairstyle + 28–32 mm hoops : the line is lost; Tie or reduce the diameter.
- Medal too small on fabric : increase the diameter of the medal or increase it to 60 cm.
- Bangle + watch same wrist : separate to avoid shocks.
- Forget about maintenance (direct perfume, shower): the matte shine is maintained by small gestures.
- Statement jewelry everywhere : designate a “star” (ears or neck or wrist).
Express checklist (bride / best man / guest)
| Role | Hoops | Medal | Rushes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bride | 18–22 mm (smooth or fine hammered) | 45 cm (60 cm option) | 1 end + 1 medium | Matte champagne unit, max. comfort |
| Witness | 20–26 mm | 45 cm | 2 endings | Presence on photo, discretion at the signing. |
| Guest | 16–24 mm | 45 cm or 60 cm | 1 end | Adapt to the material (linen/silk/knit). |
FAQ — Jewelry & Civil Wedding
Can you wear hoop earrings at a civil wedding?
Yes, it’s even a great choice. Choose 18–24mm for an elegant presence, with a smooth or fine hammered finish.
What length of medallion necklace?
45 cm is the pivot length for most necklines. Add 60 cm if you want a more slender line (dress or suit).
How many bracelets?
A medium ring is sufficient on the opposite side of the wedding ring. Witnesses and guests can opt for two thin rods (smooth + hammered).
Metal mix: a good idea?
For civilians, visual unity is king. Stay in matte champagne gilding for elegant consistency in photos.
And in terms of comfort?
Our jewelry is nickel, lead and cadmium free. Choose light pieces (hollow hoops, thin pendants) and test the clasps before leaving.
Compose your “civil chic” set
Create your trio by picking from our essentials:
hoop earrings 18–24 mm,
medal 45/60 cm,
rushes.
18 k gold plated gilding (3 μ), matte champagne shade, nickel, lead and cadmium-free comfort.
