Your wedding ceremony may be the most romantic, breath-taking and picture-perfect event of your life. Few things equal the magic of exchanging your vows on a pristine white-sand beach, accompanied by your closest friends and relatives, with an ocean breeze tugging gently at your hair.

You can create an absolutely enchanting experience with a seaside wedding. Beach gowns come in a range of choices that can boggle the mind of a bride-to-be. Read on if you need a little guidance to narrow down your options.

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.

Beyond these basics, here are some additional tips to help you choose a gown or dress that’s chic and captivating:

Length and style

Usually a shorter dress will be best. Sand, water, stones and seashells along the beach can damage, soak or soil longer dresses, especially dresses with trains. Stick with ankle length or shorter. You’ll achieve an understated elegance if you wear a simple tea-length, A-line dress. You can wear a longer sheath-type dress if your wedding ceremony will take place on a hard surface like concrete or a boardwalk. No matter what the surface, you should still avoid using a train.

Match your 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 have a petite figure, a sash waist will give you the appearance of added height.

Curve-hugging, tailored designs add elegance to a fuller figure.

For pear shapes, choose a strapless or halter style to draw the eye upward and give a more balanced look. If you decide on a skirt, go with one that doesn’t 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

Perennial favorites for indoor weddings are white and ivory, but with beach wedding gowns your color choices are more flexible. Dark colors can be flattering to plus size figures, but they can also hold heat and become unbearable on a hot and humid summer day. If you’d like to be cooler and more casual, choose bright, primary colors.

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 helps soon-to-be-married couples create their own magical on beach wedding. Visit BeachWeddingMagic.com for suggestions and advice on wedding beach gowns, flowers, flowers, clothing and much more.

Tagged with: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Filed under: Marriage

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!