Scheduling your marriage ceremony during summer is one of the best moments to bid singlehood farewell. With the full glare of the sun in the sky and the great weather, the bliss and joy of such a wedding date are all yours for the taking.
Many women have come to prefer summertime weddings due to the versatility that comes with the season. And, rightfully so. For starters, you are not limited to indoor wedding venue options the way you would if you wedded in winter or fall. Plus, you are free to hold your marriage anywhere—on land and seas (even tropical islands or remote heavens). Also, a wedding during summer gives you a greater leeway to choose from various light wedding dresses that fit your preferences and style without fear of chilling weather or storms.
So, choosing a suitable gown for such an occasion becomes a critical process that requires your utmost attention to the details and your willingness to select the dress tactfully. Having said that, the choice you are called to make here does not require superior expertise. We have asked for some expert advice from the best in their field so you can find the best bridal dress for your joyous day, be it on a heart-fulfilling summer month or with a lovely winter background . Here is what they have shared with us!
Give Nature a Chance
When choosing a wedding dress for summer, pay attention to its material. The heat of this season will require you to dress in a breathable bridal dress to remain comfortable and cool. Therefore, choose natural materials, such as silk or cotton, to remain both gorgeous and cool.
Be Versatile
Be willing to open your mind to various options. When approaching your big day, go for a dress that has versatile functions that will protect you from the scorching of the sun during the day and the chill of the night long after your wedding and throughout the wedding reception unless you are having the ceremony in a climate that does not require to put something on your shoulders, such as a bolero or shrug, after sunset.
Don’t Buy it Based on Your Size
The fitting of the dress plays a vital role; mush more than the size it mentions on the label. Know that wedding gowns are usually smaller than the standard sizes most women wear. For instance, if you usually put on a size 9, you will need to buy a size 13 bridal dress. So, it is necessary to insist on what fits you irrespective of the size because it is easier to wear a wedding gown but it can be quite challenging to remove it.
Work With a Budget
Before settling for that gown, pay attention to the finer details of cost. If you are not receiving a gift from a millionaire friend or family member, and you are not a millionaire yourself, then a budget is mandatory.
Before fitting yourself in any gown, it is necessary to tell the floor salesperson how much you would like to spend so that they bring you options that fall within your price range. If you had budgeted to spend $1,500, and the shop attendant brings you tantalizing models that exceed your limit, then you will get either discouraged or tempted to exceed your budget. So, always make sure you fit yourself in something you know you can afford and walk away with.
Additionally, do factor in other accessories. Do not just look at the cost of the dress alone and overlook other items such as a veil and undergarments. In addition, do not forget to include other professional services such as pressing and steaming.
Let Research Guide Your Search
Another factor that should guide your search for a suitable wedding gown for your summer celebration is research. It is not enough to search for a gown. You should research all the natty gritties of the kind of gown you are looking for. Else, you may end up with a low quality dress you will regret having bought in the first place. Also, researching before you settle for a particular supplier will allow you to get the best value for your money since you are dealing with a free market.
Put Everything to Paper
Before making a down payment for your summer wedding gown, get a few critical facts correct and back them with a legally binding agreement. You should also take time to read the agreement carefully to clarify the following details:
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Any extra cost they will charge you in case the gown needs further modifications.
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When you are expected to collect the gown upon completion.
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The supplier’s cancellation policy and its financial implications such as a deduction of a certain amount.
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Provision for shipping it out of the state or country of origin.
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Your rights in case they fail to include your requested adjustments.
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Their responsibility if they ship you the wrong dress or the costume arrives with damages.
Your Wedding Venue Matters
Since you have already established your wedding season and date, you now need to look into matters regarding its venue. Are you planning to wed in a church facility? By the seashores? In a mountainous area? Depending on what is your idea of the perfect wedding, you will need an appropriate bridal gown (you will nee a warmer dress for the beach compared to the dress you may have needed for a cathedral ceremony).
Bring a Few Confidants
Before settling for a particular gown, you need to come to the wedding dress boutique with a few trusted friends who can offer you sound counsel and wisdom while you are trying different dresses. However, don’t invite too many confidants especially those who are highly opinionated. Choose objective and open-minded friends who can give you objective opinions without creating a stalemate. Also, make sure that all your girlfriends are familiar with and appreciate your dressing taste and style.
Start your Shopping Only When You Are Ready
Even though it is prudent to start shopping early, it is also discreet to start at the ideal timing. For example, starting your shopping more than one year before your wedding day is premature. Imagine the scene if you go ahead and buy a gown before finalizing your venue. It is possible to end up with a dress that is not suitable for your final venue. Therefore, it is important to decide other critical factors such as the venue before settling for a particular gown. Also, once you begin trying several gowns, you are most likely to “fall in love” with one of them and end up buying it only to discover six months later, there is something more suitable in town.
Start on Time
Even though we said that you don’t need to buy a gown too early, starting the preparations late is equally disastrous. We suggest you begin the process, at least, some eight to five months before your wedding date. If you start late, you may end up with a last-minute rush that will blur your judgment. Also, doing your gown in a hurry can cause you to settle for convenience instead of what you really need or want from the onset. Remember, starting early will allow you enough time to get all your facts right and be in a better position to make sound decisions.
Don’t Try Out too Many Dresses
One of the things you need to avoid when choosing your wedding dress is trying too many dresses because you might end up erasing the original taste and criteria you had in the beginning. By the time you have fitted 20 dresses and more, all of them will have one common feature—they will all look “nice and great” on you. When you find yourself in this position, you end up confused and the difference between the gowns remains the “same” hence complicating your decision-making process.
Know the Terms
Even though you do not need to cram an entire bridal gown dictionary, you need to familiarize yourself with some of the terms used in the wedding dressing industry. This way, you will be in a better position to engage the dress seller or maker since you will be reading from the same script and page. In addition, it will help you make wiser decisions.
Parting Shot
Choosing a wedding costume for your summer ceremony is both a challenging and fascinating experience at the same time. Even though you may not need to be a bridal dress expert to choose the right gown, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the fine details of what is involved in choosing the right one. Hopefully, with the insightful tips we have shared in this post your selection instinct will sharpen and you will find the dream wedding dress that is both budget friendly and speaks of your style and taste. Have a blissful and blessed wedding!
Did you enjoy your summer wedding? How did you choose the right dress? Do you regret having done (or not having done) something that could have made your experience even more comfortable, less stress free, and happier when it comes to selecting your bridal gown? We, as well, many brides-to-be, are all ears!
