A significant percentage of Australians hold their weddings during the warm summer months. If you are planning to hold your big day between the months of December to February, choosing the right dress that is comfortable, gorgeous, and elegant can be a daunting task.
Morning and afternoon affairs are ideal for summer weddings, with an outdoor reception under the stars. Now that you have picked out the best season for your wedding, it is time to choose the perfect summer wedding dress. Here are some top tips for choosing the best summer wedding dress and some style ideas that you can use as you plan your big day.
Top Tips for Choosing a Summer Wedding Dress
- Keep it versatile.
Weather can be unpredictable even in the summer months, so look for a dress that is versatile – with the option of a lightweight shrug or a bolero to cover the shoulders. This can be useful to keep the sun from burning your shoulders or to cover up when it gets chilly in the evening.
- Use natural, light fabrics.
It is best to use natural, breathable fabrics such as silk. This way, you will remain comfortable should the weather become sticky. Silk organza or chiffon creates a soft and billowing look, which is ideal for a beautiful summer day. Other natural, light fabrics to choose from are crepe, organza, cotton, and satins. Avoid damask or duchess satin at all costs.
- Choose the right kind of lace.
Even if lace is full of holes and looks light and airy, some types can get heavy and warm once you’re wearing them. A good lace option is Chantilly lace, which is lighter and exudes a cool, soft, romantic look.
- Go for a looser, softer silhouette.
During the summer months, it is best to go for a softer, looser silhouette versus a shape that is too red-carpet looking. For instance, a fitted mermaid style or trumpet silhouette is not ideal for an outdoor summer wedding. You can opt for a sheath silhouette with slim shoulder straps and a V-neckline.
Wedding Dress Ideas
If you’re the type of bride who wants to be comfortable but still maintain elegance and style on your big day, then you have many wedding dress ideas to choose from.
- Opt for a sheer skirt. There are wedding gowns that cover the most important parts but go sheer from the mid-thigh down to the legs, then drapes nicely into a short train. A tastefully-made wedding gown with a sheer skirt and embroidered with organza flowers look breezy and elegant. Most of all, your dancing legs will be able to breathe.
- If you want to look like a princess with a layered gown, it can be tough to pull it off in the summer. The solution? Forego the weighty layers of fabric and layer with tulle instead. Tulle is sheer, lightweight and helps maintain airflow but it achieves the princess drama that you are looking for.
- If you don’t want to show your arms, you can still wear a long-sleeved wedding dress that won’t make you feel hot and heavy. Choose dresses with sheer or lace sleeves.
- If you’re not sold on the idea of a short wedding dress, then play around with styles that don’t cut the length of the dress but keep you cool in the summer such as a high leg slit or an asymmetrical style.
- This is the best time to rock a backless wedding dress. There are several backless styles to choose from: low cut, illusion, open back, or backless.
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