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Skip the Ball Gown: Wedding Dresses for the Beach

by Jaime Case
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Getting married at the beach can create a beautiful, romantic moment that you and your guests remember for a lifetime. Wedding dresses for the beach are a part of creating this moment and can become serious burdens if they are not designed for the environmental factors that come with getting married in the sand.

Wedding Dresses for the Beach Fit the Time of Day


When selecting your wedding dress for the beach, be sure to consider the time of day: beaches might be extra hot in the afternoon, but cool in the morning or evening. Consequently, a thin romantic dress may work well for a two in the afternoon ceremony but leave you shivering at a sunset. If you're not sure of the wedding time or the prevailing weather, consider a dress that is paired with a shawl or other optional shoulder covering. Odds are you'll want one for festivities later in the day even if your vows are smoking hot.

Wedding Dresses for the Beach Aren't Formal


A typical wedding dress for the beach is less formal than an outfit that would be expected at a church wedding or many other indoor venues. As a result, styles that would be frowned upon in a cathedral due to their revealing nature or bright colors are fair game for a beach wedding.

If you've always dreamed of getting married in a princess dress, the beach is not your location. Dresses with large trains and full skirts tend to become more of a distraction at the beach, not to mention that they look incredibly out of place. Stick with informal styles that are sleek and offer minimal to no flare. Besides a traditional look that's modified for the beach, also consider a Hawaiian or similar tropical look.

Wedding Dresses for the Beach Will Encounter Weather


No matter what your wedding planner tries to tell you, never forget that beaches are often windy. Skip a headpiece that can blow away and princess dresses that might be hijacked by the wind. Avoid gauzy fabrics that can quickly become sand traps should a gust of wind pass through.

Beyond the style and material, consider the modified accessories that are often paired with a beach wedding dress, which may affect your overall look. You'll want to avoid hats or loosely placed veils, which may end up in the ocean before you even have the chance to say "I do." Consider floral headpieces or even leis are popular alternatives.

Wedding Dresses for the Beach Pair With Simple Footwear


Once you've selected your dress, pair it with simple footwear, keeping in mind that heels don't work well in the sand. Consider flip-flops, sandals, or even going barefoot. Make sure that your dress is fitted and styled to work well with your likely option. This means that you should have your shoes picked out before your first dress fitting.

Ultimately, if you are stuck think about your motivation for a beach wedding ? is it to emphasize a relaxed vibe? To have a beautiful setting? Or do you just want to throw off everything and escape into the water once everything is finally done? Once you pinpoint your inspiration for the location, pick a beach wedding dress that matches your mood.

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