Your wedding may be the most breathtaking, romantic moment of your life and few settings are able to equal the romance of a wedding beach. Picture yourself exchanging your vows on a pristine sandy beach with a gentle ocean breeze playing through your hair and your loved ones and closest friends around you.
That\’s the enchantment of a beach wedding. Beach gowns for this blissful occasion are available in an almost limitless range of choices. Need a little guidance to help narrow the field? Read on.
A beach wedding is usually more casual than an indoor wedding. Beach gowns for a destination wedding should be understated yet elegant. You will also want to consider the season. Will you have a Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter wedding? Beach temperatures can fluctuate widely from season to season. Pick lighter fabrics for warmer climates, for evening weddings or cooler climates, choose a slightly heavier fabric and include an appropriate wrap.
You can start with these basics, but some additional tips can help you sort through the options and find a stylish and sophisticated dress to complete your look impeccably:
Design
Your best bet is usually a shorter dress. Longer gowns, especially those with trains, can be damaged or become soiled or wet by sand, water, stones or sea shells on the wedding beach. Ankle length or shorter is best. If you want understated elegance, try a simple tea-length A-line dress. If your ceremony will occur on a boardwalk, concrete or other hard surface you can wear a longer sheath dress, but you\’ll still want to avoid a train.
Shape
Here are a few ways you can match your dress to the shape of your body. If you wear a plus size, look for dresses that feature a lightly belted style. This will help define your waist and minimize the boxy look. A low-cut neckline will also help.
If you\’re petite, try a sash waist to give the illusion of additional height.
Add elegance to a fuller figure with a curve-hugging tailored shape.
If your body is pear-shaped, opt for a halter-style or strapless dress. It will draw the eye upward and provide a look with a better balance. If you choose to wear a skirt, make sure you avoid those that cling.
Big-busted women look best in a high scoop-neck style that uses supportive straps, but a one-shoulder design works well too. Fabrics with smaller prints are another option because they make a busty bride\’s breasts look smaller.
Fabric
Choose a fabric that\’s breathable. It will help prevent the heat from becoming stifling and make you much more comfortable during the ceremony and your reception. Avoid heavy fabrics such as brocades, and stay away from embroidered or heavily sequined fabrics. Choose a crepe, chiffon, batiste, charmeuse, duchesse satin, illusion net or damask fabric instead. They all work admirably.
Choice of color
Brides typically favor white and ivory, but you have many more colors to choose from with an outdoor wedding. Beach gowns in darker colors can become unbearable on a hot, humid day in the summer, but they also provide a slimming effect for brides with plus size figures. Opt for vivid, primary colors if you want to be more casual. Choose a tropical print to perfectly complement the beach theme of your reception and wedding. Beach gowns let you take a few risks.
A wedding dress should match the bride\’s signature style. When narrowing down your choices, don\’t be afraid to take a few risks. If you prefer to keep things more formal, fine. Otherwise, let your personality shine through. Go a little wild and crazy.
Beach Wedding Magic is devoted to helping couples create their own magical on beach wedding. Visit BeachWeddingMagic.com for suggestions and advice on wedding beach gowns, cakes, flowers, clothing and much more.