Beach wedding dresses are not just reserved for the destination wedding and are growing in popularity every year. One dilemma faced by brides though is in choosing a suitable beach wedding dress for their location and body type.

There are several problems facing you with a beach wedding. Firstly there is all that sand which can be difficult to walk on in your beach wedding dress and then there is the climate. On a hot sunny day a large skirted wedding dress made from heavy fabric will not be the best choice, whilst on a day when the sea breeze is blowing hard in your direction an ultra lightweight gown and veil combination could prove difficult to live with!

So when choosing your beach wedding dress it is wise to do a little research first. You need to visit your location on different days, at different times and in different conditions. Unfortunately you will have no way of knowing for certain what the weather will be on your wedding day so you will need to do a little research to find out what the conditions are like in general. You should also take this opportunity to decide where exactly you want to hold your ceremony and reception, if this hasn’t already been decided upon.

Typically a beach wedding dress will be made from lightweight fabrics for ease of movement and because of high temperatures. Long trains are not advised as there is a considerable drag factor when walking on sand which could slow your progress to the altar considerably! Large skirts are also avoided for this same reason, although tight fitting mermaid skirts are also not advised.

Typically a beach wedding will be an informal affair so your wedding dress should reflect this style. That doesn’t mean that you cannot choose a stunning and beautiful gown, but that you can also consider other alternatives such as evening dresses, occasion wear and even summer dresses. Tea or knee length dresses are also an option and could prove to be more practical than their floor length counterparts.

You should also give consideration to your accessories. As mentioned earlier a veil on a breezy day could be more of a hindrance than a stylish accessory and a similar problem could arise should you choose to wear your hair loose and flowing. A part up/part down hairdo could give you a happy medium.

Consider your choice of footwear carefully too. Whilst bridal shoes are very beautiful they are often totally impractical for walking on a beach! Choose flats or shoes with very low heels instead. Some designers also produce bridal flip-flops which could be the perfect choice.