Dressing for a destination wedding
Dressing for a wedding in a warm climate is very different to a traditional white wedding at home. Brides planning a ceremony abroad need to take into account that it could be 90 degrees plus and however beautiful the location, if you don’t get the dress code right everyone will be miserable. That is unless you are holding your wedding in an air conditioned venue – so my advice is don’t even think about black tie which is especially cruel on the men.
Instead opt for a more relaxed dress code for guests, after all that is what a wedding in a hot climate is all about. Everyone wants to enjoy the sunshine and have fun… I would go for Island Cocktail Attire – no ties or jackets but also no shorts or jeans for the men. And sun dresses in colourful silks or cotton for the ladies, long and floaty look good with sandals. Palazzo pants also work and a floppy sun hat will look stylish and prevent heat stroke.
As the bride, you will be spoilt for choice as there are a lot of lovely wedding dresses available in silks and soft cottons but avoid boning and corsetry. A silk or cotton wedding dress will help you keep cool – but this will all be for nothing if it has a man-made lining. The fact that there are so many of this type of dress has been fuelled by the growing popularity of brides choosing to marry overseas for the guarantee of good weather. Even taking flights into consideration, it is also a cost-effective option for the couple but not necessarily for your guests!
I have made many wedding dresses for brides who are getting married in a hot climate. When Rio came to see me to have her dress made, she had lots of ideas but was not sure how to put them all together. She wanted a dramatic skirt with a train and covered shoulders. But then as we worked together to bring her dream dress to life, she decided she wanted a gown that would transform into a slinky evening dress.
The solution was a three-piece – a tulle T-style top to cover the top of her arms and décolletage worn under a strapless, boned silk chiffon gown and a structured silk taffeta overskirt. Once the formal ceremony was over she removed the overskirt and tulle top transforming her whole look. It was a huge success and Rio had the glamorous celebrity look she wanted but without sacrificing comfort.
Sarah was having her wedding in the Italian countryside, but this was different to most destination weddings as she was marrying an Italian in his hometown where all his family stilled lived.
The strong Italian influence ensured her wedding was very relaxed with the focus on family and good food. I made her a silk satin Grecian style gown with a low cowl back, which suited her slim figure really well.
I embellished her dress with Deco style hand beading on the shoulders and on the handmade matching belt.
Sarah gave me an old pearl necklace that belonged to her grandmother so that I could incorporate the pearls into the beading – her something old but also a token of her much loved grandmother who couldn’t be at the wedding.
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