How to Choose the Best Beach Wedding Dress
Your guests will be walking around in the sand and there may be some pleasantly mild breezes that will blow that sand and salt air around. So, nobody is going to expect anything remotely resembling the formality of a traditional church wedding.
And that goes for the clothes that you, your groom, your bridesmaids and his attendants need to think about wearing.
But let’s first talk about your needs. Unless your beach wedding is going to be truly lavish (think about a red carpet stretching from the point when you step out of the limo to where your groom awaits you) you’re going to walking on sand. So a long satin embroidered train wouldn’t really work out too well.
Think, instead, about a beach wedding dress that’s made from light, breathable ans wispy fabric — one that will hold its shape in the humidity around the water.
Beach wedding photos look fabulous when the bride’s dress is blowing in the breezes. And the fabric should be sand-friendly. Lace is a real no-no because sand will become trapped in the lace and it is nearly impossible to shake it out.
Even so, don’t feel restricted if you abandon the look of a traditional church wedding. Designers have recently come up with gowns that very much resemble the more traditional ones. But they have adapted their length and fabrics.
There’s a real bonus in opting for a bridal dress that’s been created from the get-go for use at a beach wedding: Almost always it will cost much less than a traditional gown.
Most brides purchase their bridal dress well in advance of their beach wedding. Because that beach may be some (or even a great) distance from their home, the fabric needs to be able to travel well. I mean, you don’t want to have to spend your last hours before the ceremony retrieving the dress from a local dry cleaners where it was taken for pressing.
Don’t forget about your feet. Heels will simply sink in the sand. So think about solid or flat heels. Also cute are jeweled flip flops and low-heeled sandals. They’ll make you feel so much more relaxed and comfortable. Plus, you can wear them after the wedding. Don’t forget the most obvious alternative: bare feet! With a gorgeous pedicure and a little foot jewelry, you’ll look appropriately elegant and sexy.
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Part of the fun of planning a beach wedding is that you have so many more options for length, color, cut, and fabrics than if you were focusing on a very traditional dress with train. Lengths
Fabrics
New beach styles
New ideas for colors
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High-end designers ($3,000 – $10,000+)
Moderately-priced designers ($1,000 – $3,000)
Budget designers ($100 – $1,000)
If your budget is really tight, ask your local bridal boutique if they rent wedding dresses. This is becoming very popular and some boutiques are now offering nationwide service. Also, quite a few charities (for example, Brides for Breast Cancer) have once-worn wedding dresses priced for a fraction of their original cost. It’s a win-win situation for the new bride and the charity. And don’t forget resale shops, eBay, and Craigslist!. |
What’s the most flattering style for me?
To help you choose a style that will work best with your body to make you look your best, I consulted with a number of bridal experts. Here is what they all agree on: Most physiques are flattered best by only one or two styles. Here’s how to start finding whatt may work best for you.
- Do you have a well-defined waist and hips and shoulders that are about equal?
Many would say that you have a figure to die for! By all means go for a form-fitting dress that really emphasizes your shape. Think about a wide sash or heavily jeweled belt on a casual or informal dress. - What if your hips are narrower than your shoulders and bust?
This figure calls out for styles that emphasize your narrow hips. Shorter dresses draw the eye downwards, as do fuller skirts and decorated bows, belts, or sashes worn around the hips. - How about the reverse?
That is, something like a pear shape? If this is you, then give serious thought to a halter neckline with a lot of busy things going on around the bodice that draw the eye upward. Off-the-shoulder tops also help to de-emphasize the hips. - When your bust, shoulders, and waist are all about the same, it’s time to create some sexy curvy visual tricks. Pleats can help make your waist appear smaller than it really is. So can empire styles.
- If you are petite, dresses with high necklines or halter necklines and a dropped waist can help trick eyes into “seeing” a few extra inches in your height.
- If you are quite tall, on the other hand, then A-lines and sheaths will elegantly emphasize your long legs.
The experts seem to agree that a careful use of these guidelines can help you look absolutely fabulous. And they work whether you’re ultra slim,average, or wear a plus-size!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READING
To help you through the sometimes mind-boggling decisions that you must make,
I discovered an inexpensive and highly readable book that spells everything out for you.
I mean everything! Click here and check it out for yourself!– Your host, Sarah Forrester
