Very few moments in a woman’s life can compare to the one when she first puts on her wedding dress and realizes “WOW! This is THE ONE!” But before you say “Yes” to the dress, especially when you plan to say “I Do” in a destination beach wedding, make sure you have given careful consideration to the following—
Ceremony Location
Start your hunt for the perfect beach wedding dress by first identifying your vision for the ceremony. What kind of vibe are you going for? Respect the tone you want to create when you consider the cut and length of your gown. You should find yourself shopping for very different wedding dresses if you are getting married in a casual barefoot ceremony on the sand, versus an elegant poolside sunset ceremony under a candlelit gazebo.
We see brides here in the Riviera Maya, Mexico make this mistake all the time. A beach wedding on the sand is NOT the spot for a voluminous wedding dress with a long train or veil. Hauling your petticoats through hot sand while they pick up tons of debris is NOT fun, and the warm ocean breezes will have you battling with an unruly veil in your face. So consider where you are getting married before you commit to what kind of beach wedding dresses you are hunting for.
Ceremony Time
Next, think about the time of day and season you will be getting married. If you are getting married on summer’s afternoon in the tropical Riviera Maya, Mexico, let me be the first to warn you that it gets crazy HOT, HOT, HOT here! Nothing can spoil the memory of your wedding day more than feeling totally uncomfortable and suffering as you overheat in your wedding dress. Choose lightweight, natural fibers that will let your skin breathe. Alternatively, if you’re getting married at sunset during the winter months on the coast of Los Cabos, Mexico, where the temperature drops very quickly, a sleeveless sheath wedding gown will leave you trembling less from wedding day jitters and more from the freezing cold.
The time of day for your ceremony is also important when considering the color and material of your wedding dress. It may look very different in the bright Mexican sunshine than it does in the bridal shop, so be sure to take it outside in the daylight before you buy.
Fabric
There are many factors to consider when choosing the right fabric for a beach wedding dress. As previously mentioned, natural fibers will breathe best in the heat. However, many natural fibers also do not travel well, and the last thing a bride wants to be worrying about before her wedding is a wrinkled wedding dress that spent hours packed into a garment bag on the airplane.
If you want to add a touch of vintage elegance to your wedding dress with lace, you should know that that delicate lace is like a magnet for sand and outdoor debris.
Also, if you want to do a Trash The Dress photography session after your wedding, be warned that many natural fibers will shrink when they get wet, and those delicate details like lace and beads can tear or pop off, leaving you with a wedding dress that truly is Trashed. Make sure to discuss all your plans with an experienced bridal consultant so that you can pick the right fabrics and materials for your wedding dress that meets your expectations.
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Our Top Tips
We have seen A LOT of beach weddings here in Mexico, so I will leave you with a few suggestions about what to wear.
1. If you are having a casual affair, then a tea length dress is very appropriate, will keep you cool in the sun, and does not pick up debris from being dragged through the sand. Just don’t go too short, otherwise the ocean breezes may have you leaving a whole different kind of impression!
2. If you MUST wear a big, voluminous wedding dress for your ceremony, consider changing into a cocktail dress for your reception so that you can cool down and enjoy the dancing!
3. There is no more appropriate setting than a beach wedding to add a splash of color to your wedding look. A brightly colored sash at your waist, or forgoing the traditional white wedding dress for one that is pale blue or mint green can look fabulous!
No matter what you choose for your beach wedding dress, it is most important to choose a cut that flatters your figure and plays up your assets. You will be a more confident and beautiful bride, and that will radiate to your groom, your wedding guests in your wedding photos.
And if you are looking for a professional wedding photographer here in the beautiful Riviera Maya, Mexico, contact us here today!
We are Fun in the Sun Weddings your number #1 choice for wedding photography in the Riviera Maya.
