Yes … You can wear white after Labor Day (especially at your beach wedding)

When planning wedding attire for a tropical beach wedding in the islands, there are some things that you should keep in mind in order to keep yourself, your hubby and your wedding party comfortable and happy during your big day.

Beachy Brides:  Even if you are having a casual beach wedding, you don’t have to give up on that formal dress you’ve always dreamed of – just be sure that the dress suits the environment.  Most weddings on St Croix happen about an hour before sunset, and though its breezy, its still quite warm on the beach.

Dos:

• Choose strapless, spaghetti straps, halter or wide straps – show some sun-kissed skin!
• Choose natural fabrics like silk or light and flowing fabrics that breathe like chiffons.
• Think about sophisticated, classic and sleek lines.
• Pay attention to the back of your dress – ornate backs, beadwork, open-backs show a little skin and look beautiful in pictures. 
• Check out Dessy.com’s Destination Wedding Dress Trend Report http://www.dessy.com/wedding-planner/dress-trends/  or check out their  Destination Wedding collection http://www.dessy.com/wedding-dresses/
• Have a bridesmaid or family member practice bustling your dress in advance.  Every dress bustles differently, and those darn little eyehooks can be hard to find.  Have someone practice bustling your dress a few times and be sure to have them on hand before the first dance to hook you up.
• Kick off your heels.  Heels just don’t work on the beach (they don’t work well on lawns either).  There are so many options today when it comes to flip flops – from beaded and bejeweled to flips that leave a “just married” imprint in the sand.  You can even accessorize your feet with some foot jewelry.  Be sure to keep your foot attire in mind when fitting your wedding dress – you’ll want it to not drag on the ground when you are barefoot.  Fun idea:  Have a beachy spa day with your bridesmaids and treat yourselves to pedicures.  The day before your wedding, have them help you paint an exotic Henna stain on your feet.  You can get kits and ideas (be sure to practice in advance) here:  http://hennatattoo.blogspot.com/search/label/henna%20kit
• Have a second dress. This is a growing trend that we really love.  Have a second white, less formal, lighter and more comfortable dress for after the formalities (usually once photos are done following cake cutting).  You’ll be cooler and so much more comfortable when you change and it will signal to your guests that the party has really kicked in.  True Celebrity-style!
• Make sure your bathing suit matches the line of your dress!  There is nothing worse than big bright tan lines on your wedding day!  Be sure that the bathing suit you wear on the beach matches the line of your dress.  And give that same direction to your bridesmaids!!
• Wear TONS of sunscreen.  The sun in the tropics is strong.  Tank tops and other shirts can also create those dreaded tan lines, so before your wedding day, be sure to be kind to your skin.  Drink lots of water, wear at least a 30spf and reapply, reapply, reapply, reapply.  This goes for your groom and wedding party too!  Photoshop can fix your photos if there is a mishap, but try to avoid it in the first place!
• Accessorize!  A simple and elegant piece of jewelry can really set off your wedding dress.  Consider a local piece of jewelry – St Croix is known for its amazing jewelry artisans. 
  

  ib design "Circle of Life" collection

  You can incorporate larimar (the azure blue Caribbean stone) for your “something blue”, pearls or other beachy elements.  We’ve even had couples exchange “Crucian Bracelets” as part of their wedding ceremony!  For apres ceremony, paper parasols will keep the sun off add a little flare to your pics.

• Some of our favorite jewelers on St  Croix are
  ib design (Kenny Chesney wears one of Whealon’s St John bracelets!)   , Sonya’s (creator of the original St Croix Hook)  and Crucian Gold
• Looking for some real bling?  Consider renting jewelry for you and your bridal party from Adorn Brides
  

 Don’ts:

• Wear a long train – dragging your train down the beach is sure to pick up “hitchhikers” (pieces of seaweed, stones, etc) as you walk down the sandy aisle.  Choose a chapel length or short train if you really can’t go without.
• Get burned!!!  I can’t stress this enough.  Sunscreen and the shade are your friend.  Burns not only look bad in your pictures, but they are uncomfortable and unhealthy.  Don’t ruin your wedding day by being over enthusiastic with tanning and neglecting good skincare!

A cool Groom is a happy Groom (groomsmen too):  I can’t stress enough that you should not only think about the look and feel you want for your wedding, but also how your wedding party will feel wearing it.  Consider the heat and humidity at a beach wedding and also consider whether your reception will be al fresco, dining outside under the stars, or will it be in an air-conditioned venue. 

Dos:

• Again, choose natural fabrics and avoid synthetics.  100% Cotton and linen breathe keeping your guys cooler, more comfortable and preventing excessive sweat stains.
• If you really want your guys in suits or tuxes, keep them in linen or cotton light summer-weight suits.  Consider having them wear short sleeve linen shirts underneath so that after portraits, they too can get comfortable.
• Consider cotton shirts with ties.  They still have a smart, clean look but are cooler than jackets.
• Guayaberras.  Guy-a-whos?!  Guayaberras!!  Traditional Latin American linen wedding shirts.  These shirts are usually embroidered down the front and were traditional wedding attire in hot, steamy climates.  The look beautiful on the beach and are the perfect touch for a casually, elegant beach wedding.  Try matching the embroidery thread to your wedding colors for an extra pop of color.
  

  white linen Guayabera

• For a fun, casual style wedding, have your groomsmen wear tropical-style shirts in the same pattern or for a little extra fun, have them pick out their own. 
• Have your guys go barefoot or wear nice leather sandals.  These can still look smart with a formal suit.  (just be sure to leave out the socks!)

Don’ts:

• Expect your groom and/or groomsmen to keep jackets on for the reception.
• Don’t forget about the heat!  Choose synthetic fabrics like rayon.
• Don’t leave your groomsmen standing on the beach for half an hour waiting for you.  Plan your hair & makeup preparations carefully, giving yourself plenty of time to avoid running late.   Sweats stains will creep into your wedding photos.
• Resources:
  http://www.theguayaberashirtstore.com/ 
  We LOVE Tommy Bahama:  http://www.tommybahama.com/TBG/Men/Wedding.jsp  
   

photo (c) Kelly Greer Photographer

For the Bridesmaids:

  Again, light weight, no more than 2-layers and natural fabrics are ideal.  Think bright colors or jewel tones inspired by the natural surroundings.    Also think about the type of flowers you would like them to carry.  I think that flowers that contrast with the dresses pop and look stunning in pictures – think bright orange & reds with a turquoise or deep blue dress.  Or lime-green cymbidium orchids against a navy dress.  If you’re getting married in the tropics, there’s no need to be afraid of color!

 

Dos:

• Give your bridesmaids direction with color, but allow them to choose a style  and neckline that flatters their figure.
• Choose colors that pop and compliment your theme.
• Remind your bridesmaids to wear a bathing suit that matches the neckline of their dress!
• Give your bridesmaids the gift of sunscreen!
• For more casual beach weddings, consider giving your girls some color direction, but letting them go and pick out their own sundresses.
• For a more dramatic look, consider long, flowing, chiffon gowns in your theme colors.
• Accessorize your gals with simple pendants that compliment the neckline of their dresses.

Don’ts

• Go too formal.  There’s a reason you are having a beach wedding!
• Forget to have fun! Don’t let the stress of “the perfect wedding” take the fun out of planning.  Keep your inner bridezilla at bay.
• Resources:
  We love the fun, colorful patterns of Lily Pulitzer http://www.lillypulitzer.com/
  J.  Crew’s style and fabrics are great for tropical weddings  http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Navigation/Wedding.jsp

 For your guests:  Be sure to give your guests at your Destination Wedding a little direction too so that they pack just what they need.  For island elegant, semi-formal weddings specify that gentleman should wear jackets and ties, ladies in gowns or cocktail dresses.  For more casual weddings suggest button down shirts for men and sundresses for the ladies.  To incorporate your guests into your theme – recommend a color for guests or request that all gentlemen wear tropical shirts.  We’ve even done weddings where the bride & groom requested that everyone wear flip flops and the invitation included a note that there would be a “best flip flop” parade and contest at the reception.  Guests had a blast coming up with some really unique footwear.  How fun is that?!

Remember, if you’ve already chosen to have a destination wedding, you’re already “thinking outside the box”.  Have fun with it and keep the comfort of your wedding party and guests in mind when planning.  They’ll thank you for it and you’ll all enjoy yourselves that much more!

 Sun & Smiles,
Cindy

all photos courtesy Kelly Greer Photographer and Quiana L Duncan Photography

Special thanks to Kelly Greer Photographer and Quiana L Duncan for their amazing photos!  All weddings above are from our previous SunCelebrities (TM)!