How to Choose a Necklace For a V-Neck Wedding Dress, Plus 18 Styles We Love

The necklace should make a statement of its own.
Two necklaces for V-neck wedding dresses
Photos, left to right: Anita Ko, D. Louise
Elle Cashin headshot
by
Elle Cashin
Elle Cashin headshot
Elle Cashin
The Knot Fashion Contributor
  • Elle writes for The Knot online with a focus on fashion, covering gown design trends and shoppable accessories.
  • Elle is a contributor to wedding publications across the country, including Brides, The New York Times Vows and Modern Luxury Weddings.
  • Prior to shifting to weddings, Elle covered lifestyle, culture and celebrity across Chicago as the editor of the Chicago Tribune’s SPLASH magazine, where she interviewed cele...
Updated Oct 16, 2024
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The best way to think about a necklace for a V-neck wedding dress—or any piece of jewelry, for any silhouette—is to give it its own moment to shine. "For decades—centuries even—the excitement around the bridal look has been rooted in the dress and the dress alone," says Chicago-based fashion stylist Lauren Sharkey. "While I agree the dress should be treated with the highest regard and serve as the focal point, the narrative of the look extends beyond the dress. Enter bridal jewels, a strategically sewn combination that might include a statement at the ear, the neck or the wrist." (Sharkey, in fact, prioritizes jewelry in all of her styling and provides capsules of necklace stacks regularly to her 25,000 followers.) So, approach your necklace selection with just as much importance as the dress selection, trying shapes, styles, metal tones and stone combinations that work best for you—until you find the one to go with "The One." Here, Sharkey shares some guidelines to steer your search for a bridal necklace for your V-neck wedding dress.

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What Are the Best Necklace Styles for a V-Neck Wedding Dress?

"I believe we must go bold or not go at all," Sharkey says. "The necklace must be statement enough to impactfully support the overall look and carry a presence for the camera." She advises against simple dainty chains in favor of statement necklaces. She also advises against long-line chains; collar necklaces offer a more fashion-forward visual impact with V-neck dresses. "A judiciously selected statement necklace, notably a collar or a taut or loose choker, will impact the look, actively contributing to the canvas alongside the dress, hair and makeup."

18 Necklaces for a V-Neck Wedding Dress

Of course, there is more than one style of V-neck wedding dress. With Sharkey's help, we've pegged a few necklaces for each specific style of V—from plunging to strapless to sleeves—and a few others we love for their affordability (or not), re-wearability or standout statements.

Best for Shallow V Necks: Swarovski Mesmera Necklace

Swarovski necklace for V-neck wedding dress
Photo: Swarovski

Not all V-neck dresses feature deep plunging Vs—some are much more subtle. For those, try a necklace that mimics the shape of the neckline to draw more attention to its shape. This Swarovski stunner has a slight point that mirrors the neck, but it sits high enough that it doesn't compete. The mixed-shape stones are visually interesting and on-trend—and with rhodium plating and Zirconia stones, the price is right, too.

Best for Strapless V-Neck Dresses: Dana Rebecca Designs Ava Bea Tennis Necklace

Dana Rebecca Designs tennis necklace for V-neck wedding dress
Photo: Dana Rebecca Designs

"A bare décolleté invites the opportunity for an elevated necklace," Sharkey says. "Opt for a classic tennis necklace to achieve a look that is refined and polished yet feminine." She loves this one by Chicago-based jeweler Dana Rebecca Designs, with just under a carat of diamonds set in white gold. "I recommend white gold or platinum, which accentuate the brilliance and clarity of the diamonds," Sharkey says. "Yellow gold presents the diamonds with a warmer appearance, so keep that in mind."

Best for Plunging V-Necks: Lele Sadoughi Jackie Pearl Triple Row Choker

Lele Sadoughi triple row pearl choker necklace for V-neck wedding dress
Photo: Revolve

"When a dress boasts a plunging V, an initial reaction might be to match the neckline, sending a bride looking for a lariat," Sharkey says. But in fact, the best necklace for a V-neck dress is just the opposite, she says. "A plunging neckline with a long line lariat screams day club! Instead, opt for a piece that sits just above the collarbone, likely 14 or 15 inches in length. The piece isn't competing with the plunge but rather creating a secondary moment within the look." And why not go bold? She suggests a pearl choker like this one or a silver collar necklace.

Best for a Deep V: Thatch Ora Choker Necklace

Thatch gold choker necklace for V-neck wedding dress
Photo: Thatch

Sharkey also loves a choker or short necklace with mid- and deep Vs, even if they aren't quite plunging. She suggests this necklace for a deep V-neck wedding dress; the hollow cuff is plated in 14K gold or rhodium—whichever matches your bridal vibe best—and has a little give that makes it easy to put on but secure enough to wear all night. Our favorite part? You can rewear this piece again and again postwedding, with everything from pretty wedding guest dresses to jeans and a T-shirt.

Best Lariat for a V-neck: Jacquie Aiche X Tropic of C Lyra Y Necklace

Jacquie Aiche X Tropic of C necklace for V-neck wedding dress
Photo: Jacquie Aiche

Though Sharkey advises using caution to avoid a "day club" look, lariats can draw further attention to the focal point—the neckline—of your gown. Keep the look understated and elevated by opting for a simple studded version. Jacquie Aiche makes lariats that fit the bill at a variety of price points, from this Tropic of C collab—which features lab-grown opals—to fine jewelry pieces.

Best Necklace to Mirror the V Neckline: James Allen Graduated V-Shape Bar Necklace

James Allen V-shape necklace for V-neck wedding dress
Photo: James Allen

This pretty piece from James Allen boasts a unique shape that seems made for V-neck wedding dresses. It has an ethical component, too, with lab-grown diamonds in gradually increasing sizes filling out the V-shape.

Best for V-Neck With Thin Straps: Ring Concierge Organic Pearl and Pave Choker

Ring Concierge pearl and pave choker for V-neck wedding dress
Photo: Ring Concierge

The best necklace for an overlapping V-neck wedding dress or a V-neck with thin spaghetti straps (these styles are often one and the same), Sharkey says, is actually a choker. "When chest and strap designs are minimalistic, we can explore and embrace a necklace that's more playful in design, such as a diamond station necklace, a choker with a diamond solitaire or a choker with a drop pendant, perhaps a pearl or a sapphire," she explains. "I'd recommend a 14- or 15-inch length—to establish the high-neck focal point while drawing the eye to the collarbone—and a pendant drop up to two inches."

Best Solitaire: Bella Madre Gold Section Choker with Diamond Solitaire

Bella Madre gold choker with diamond solitaire for V-neck wedding dress
Photo: Bella Madre

There's something so sweet about a solitaire diamond—and we're not just talking about the ring. This gold section style with an emerald-cut solitaire is a pretty necklace for a V-neck dress (especially one with sleeves or thin straps, Sharkey says) and gives major bridal vibes. We especially love it for to-be-weds wearing an emerald-cut ring; look for similar styles that mirror the shape of your engagement diamond.

Most Unique: Angara Blue Sapphire Teardrop Pendant with Diamond

Angara sapphire pendant necklace for V-neck wedding dress
Photo: Angara

It's not all about diamonds: Sharkey suggests trying a unique pendant necklace with a sapphire—the look is bridal in that something-blue way. This one by Angara can vary in price from $390 to more than $2,000 based on the size and quality of the gemstone chosen, so you can make it fit your bridal style budget.

Most Affordable: 8 Other Reasons Emerald Drop Necklace

8 Other Reasons emerald necklace for V-neck wedding dress
Photo: Revolve

While your wedding is an ideal time to invest in a few lifetime fine jewelry pieces, it's also a time to have fun with styling. (For example, if you're going big on the tennis bracelet or right-hand ring, opt for costume jewelry for the neck.) This silver-plated piece comes with a fun pop of color in the emeralds, but what we love most is its unique shape: The collar setting and pendant drop make it a fun and fresh necklace for a V-neck wedding dress.

Best for V-Necks with Illusion Panels: Dana Rebecca Designs Ava Bea Interval Trio Tennis Necklace

Dana Rebecca Designs tennis necklace for V-neck wedding dress
Photo: Dana Rebecca Designs

Many plunging V-neck wedding dresses are crafted with a nude mesh illusion panel in the deep V for invisible support. Brides can still wear a necklace with these styles, but they need to be strategic. "Opt for a thicker, shorter chain that draws the eye away from the panel, as opposed to a draping pendant that invites the eye to its details; I'd recommend a short strand of pearls or tennis necklace," Sharkey says. (This one by Dana Rebecca Designs will certainly draw the eye!) She also warns about snags: "If the panel begins at the neck or collarbone, opt for a statement earring instead of a necklace to draw the eye up and avoid any potential snags a necklace might cause in the delicate mesh."

Boldest Statement: BaubleBar Kew Crystal Collar Necklace

BaubleBar collar necklace for V-neck wedding dress
Photo: Nordstrom

The simpler and sleeker your gown, the bolder you can go with jewelry—just make sure the neckline is wide enough to accommodate such a statement. We love this BaubleBar collar with an off-the-shoulder or strapless V-neck wedding dress.

Most Rewearable: D. Louise Essentials Necklace

D. Louise gold necklace for V-neck wedding dress
Photo: D. Louise

Wedding day or not, who doesn't love rewearable pieces? For V-neck dresses, opt for a sleek and simple chain that lays flat on the chest, drawing the eye up without looking bulky. Pair this one with the dress on the big day—and then wear it forever after. (You can even leave this piece on full-time; though it isn't solid gold, the brand is renowned for its waterproof qualities.)

Trendiest V-Neck Necklace: Anthropology Mod Open Metal Collar

Anthropologie metal collar necklace for V-neck wedding dress
Photo: Anthropologie

While timelessness has its benefits, your wedding is a unique and special day that should capture that moment in time—including your style. So here's an of-the-moment accessory: This gold statement necklace for a V-neck dress would look chic and with a fashion-forward or even a boho style.

Best for V-Neck Dresses With Sleeves: NOA Jewelry The Princess Graduated 3-Prong Tennis Necklace

NOA Jewelry tennis necklace for V-neck wedding dress
Photo: NOA

"A V-neck dress adorned with sleeves naturally creates a center of symmetry at the midline," Sharkey explains. "Embrace this visual aid by adding a graduated tennis necklace, which also draws the eye to the midline." This bridal necklace for a V-neck wedding dress by NOA is a perfect example: Set in white or yellow gold, the diamonds very subtly increase in size toward the middle.

Best Themed V-Neck Necklace: APM Monaco Double Meteorites Necklace

APM Monaco celestial necklace for V-neck wedding dress
Photo: APM Monaco

The best necklace for a V-neck wedding dress varies based on silhouette and style but also on theme. We love a celestial wedding—your love was written in the stars, after all—and all the decor details and accessories that go with it. And yes, some necklaces for V-neck wedding dresses even fit the theme, like this one that is available in single-, double- or triple-star varieties, depending on the depth of your V.

Biggest Investment: Anita Ko 7-Stone Diamond Lariat

Anita Ko diamond necklace for V-neck wedding dress
Photo: Anita Ko

Why not use your wedding as an excuse to invest in a stellar piece of fine jewelry you can wear forever and pass on to future generations? Do the research and find jewelers who match your aesthetic; Anita Ko is a current fave in the bridal space. This lariat for V-neck wedding dresses combines timelessness with trendiness: It's a classic style, while the mixed-shape stones embedded within are of the moment.

Most Versatile: Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Open Heart Lariat Necklace

Tiffany & Co. heart necklace for V-neck wedding dress
Photo: Tiffany & Co.

An adjustable lariat offers the best of all worlds: It can be worn at multiple lengths and with varying styles. That's why we love this one, which also comes with a few other bonuses: The proven track record of Tiffany & Co. behind it, a heart-shaped closure that's an ode to your love, and an on-trend freshwater pearl.

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