How to Choose Beach Wedding Dresses

Beach wedding dresses follow a different set of rules than do traditional wedding dresses.

A beach wedding dressed is stereotyped as more casual and flowing. Due to its informal nature, there is a huge amount of flexibility in choosing a beach wedding dress. Use this article to help you choose the perfect beach wedding dress for you and your wedding.

Enjoy!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
   Dream Beach Wedding

   IMAGINE YOUR DREAM BEACH WEDDING DRESS - When you think of the perfect beach wedding dress, what do you imagine? Get a scrap piece of paper or a word document and write down some descriptive words. Liberating, romantic, otherworldly, relaxed, slinky, trendy? Try to imagine a breeze running through your hair, the ocean scent.
   
   Think of other beach wedding dresses you have seen and liked. Write them down, sketch them out. Brainstorm what your ideal beach wedding dress would be. Types include: Glamorous, romantic, classic, modern, bohemian,
   
   *Although there are other steps, which will play a huge role in which beach wedding dress you choose, spending some time thinking about what you want will be extremely helpful in the process.

2. 
   Casual Beach Dress

   CHOOSE YOUR FORMALITY LEVEL - Having a beach wedding is incredibly freeing in that any formality you wish can fit in. Whether it is slightly more than a sun dress or a bejeweled Maggie Sottero, it is your choice.
   
   *If you are choosing an informal dress, try looking at Bridesmaids dresses in white. You will be surprised at what beauties you can find and for a fraction of the price.

3. 
   Flattering cut

   CHOOSE A FLATTERING FIT - You want to feel like the most beautiful you in your Wedding dress. You will want to choose a beach wedding dress that makes you feel like a princess.
   
   To get you started though, you will probably want to look up cuts that are flattering for your body type (because these will probably be the dresses you end up loving and looking best in).
   
   See the resources section below for a link to general tips for beach wedding dresses that match your body type.

4. 
   Flowy Material

   CHOOSE A GREAT MATERIAL - Great beach wedding dress materials include materials which are light, flowing and don't wrinkle. If possible, stay away from thick, heavy materials such as velvet or brocade.
   
   Amazing beach wedding dresses come in crepe (thin, delicate and crinkly), charmeuse (soft and light with a slight sheen) and chiffon.
   
   Also consider fabric such as damaske, duchesse satin, batiste and illusion nets.
   
   *These materials are light and will do well in the beach wind. They also capture the essence of a beach wedding in many ways.

5. 
   Practicality.

   CONSIDER THE PRACTICALITY OF THE DRESS - The last thing to consider when purchasing your beach wedding dress is practicality.
   
   The beach has many setting events that other environments do not. This includes wind, walking in sand, and posing near the water.
   
   Dresses with a large train may get caught up in the sand and a long veil may become out of control with the wind. Some women opt for a shorter gown for a beach wedding dress so they can pose near the water, and walk freely.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider going barefoot for a beach wedding or getting beautiful ornate sandals or flats.
• Accessories for a beach wedding can range from flowers in the hair, to long white beads. Choose something which fits your style.
• Be prepared for beautiful weather or stormy weather. Consider getting a parasol ready for the sun and an alternate location ready in case of rain.

Resources

• Tips for Matching Dresses to your Body Type
• Fun Quiz to Find out Your Wedding Dress Style

[makaksa]

on 6/20/2009 Great tips for choosing a dress for a beach wedding.

[fen527]

on 6/19/2009 I think listing the fabric types was very helpful.