In today's world, a lot of brides are opting for exotic beach locations for their weddings instead of a church wedding; however, it can depend on the location, season and and local practices or customs in order to pick the right bridal attire for a particular beach wedding.
Location of the Beach for a Wedding
The exact location of the beach chosen for the wedding may dictate, to some extent, what to wear to a beach wedding; for example:
- Is the beach windy? If so, long, floaty dresses for the ladies (or loose hairstyles) may prove troublesome and a shorter, close fitting dress may be more practical.
- Is there shade on the beach where the wedding is taking place? If not, ladies might want to consider a wide brimmed hat as part of their wedding outfit to protect them from the sun.
- Will the wedding take place on the sand or in a wedding gazebo? Sandals or flip flops (which can be very stylish) may be more appropriate than high heels or closed shoes if walking through sand is likely.
- Is the wedding local or in an exotic location? If the wedding is local, the area may be known to the bride, wedding party and wedding guests and may be easier to plan for than if the beach is in a foreign country.
Season of the Beach Wedding
If the wedding is taking place in the summer season in one part of the world, it may be the reverse season on the other side of the world, and the weather may differ accordingly. It is worth noting that in many tropical countries, there is usually a 'rainy' or 'monsoon' season too; it is advisable to check on both the season and the weather in a particular country.
Religious Practices and Local Customs of a Beach Wedding
Many countries may have local customs and/or religious practices; to avoid causing offense, it is wise to check on any local traditions or religious beliefs practiced at weddings or in a particular region. This is common in places such as India, the Far East or South America; however, some European countries have local traditions too.
Popular Wedding Locations for Beach Weddings
Beach weddings may take place in a windswept location or an exotic country; although a matter of personal taste, some popular beach wedding locations include (in no particular order):
- The Caribbean
- Hawaii
- Tahiti
- Fiji
- The Bahamas
- Florida
- California
- Mexico
- Costa Rica
- Australia
- South of France.
What Not to Wear to a Beach Wedding
Although beach weddings are more casual affairs, there are a few common points to note:
- It is usual not to wear white in order not to upstage the bride.
- Try to avoid wearing black for a daytime beach wedding.
- 'Formal' dress is not usual, unless the bride specifically requests it.
- For ladies, local flowers may be co-ordinated with a dress, or with the bride's wedding theme.
- Gentlemen can usually wear a less formal suit in a light color.
- Avoid wearing jeans, really 'short' shorts (or dresses) or ripped clothes.
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