Summer Wedding Dress Ideas that Keep You Cool
The best summer wedding dress styles are the kind that keep you cool in the hottest weather. This is especially true if you’re planning an outdoor or tropical destination wedding. When it comes to brainstorming summer wedding dress ideas for your ceremony and reception, Avery Austin has got you covered! From exploring styles guaranteed to keep you cool, like beach wedding dresses or casual short summer wedding dresses (with or without sleeves), to sharing tips for keeping cool in your chosen gown, this blog has got everything you need to know about looking your best when the temperature keeps rising.
Best Summer Wedding Dress Styles for Keeping Cool
If keeping cool is one of your bridal goals this summer, then you’ll want to consider some super stylish summer wedding dress styles that fit right in at a variety of seasonal venues. Whether you’ll be getting married in your own backyard, at a destination beach, or a formal outdoor locale, consider the summer wedding dress styles below when shopping for a gorgeous gown that’s still comfortable during the hottest part of the year. In order to keep cool, you can…
- Keep it Casual: From backyard celebrations to garden ceremonies, casual summer wedding dresses make it easy to be cool, comfortable, and laidback for your big day!
- Keep it Short: Equally stylish for casual and semi-formal events, short summer wedding dresses nix all the extra fabric and layers that can cause a bride to overheat, especially during outdoor celebrations.
- Keep it Beachy: Beach wedding dresses are designed to hold up well in breezy, sandy, and hot (maybe even tropical) conditions thanks to the lightweight fabrics and short trains (if any). Short summer wedding dresses work well at the beach too, and they’re easily packed for destination weddings! Be sure to check out Avery Austin’s beach wedding dresses if this is the type of summer style for you.
- Keep it Boho: Just imagine how those flowy, delicate skirts on boho wedding dresses would feel on a summer day! The airy, ethereal effect of this style is perfect for conveying that taste of summer freedom. Explore Avery Austin’s rustic wedding dress collection to find bohemian-worthy designs that are sure to inspire you!
- Keep it Sheer: If you’re looking for a summer wedding dress with sleeves, this is the way to do it! Illusion wedding dresses are trending, and they’re especially perfect for keeping cool in the summer. The sheer fabric can cover the back, neckline, or arms, creating a decorative, yet breathable covering that is a combination of allure and elegance. Take a peek at Avery Austin’s long-sleeve wedding dresses to find some styles with beautifully designed sheer sleeves.
- Keep it Bare: Some of the best summer wedding dress styles leave portions of the arms, shoulders, neckline, or back bare, which is both sexy and comfortable when we’re dealing with the hottest months of the year. Including strapless and off-the-shoulder styles, as well as low back or backless designs, these summer wedding dresses can be as bold or sophisticated as you wish to suit your style (but still keep you cool). Check out Avery Austin’s collections of strapless wedding gowns and low-back or backless bridal gowns.
With many of the best summer wedding dress styles in mind, you may be ready to choose your favorite! Before you do, be sure to explore the tips below for the best ways to stay cool in your bridal gown.
10 Tips for Keeping Cool in Your Summer Wedding Dress
Whether you’ve got your dream summer wedding dress in mind or you’re still shopping around, it doesn’t hurt to start brainstorming ways to keep yourself cool during your summer nuptials. Read on for Avery Austin’s top ten tips for staying cool in your summer wedding dress.
Tip #1: Pick the Right Fabric
You’ll want the fabric for your summer wedding dress to be lightweight and breathable to minimize trapped body heat and sweat—and this goes for the lining too! Even a sweet, airy outer layer will be meaningless if the inner layer is heavy or a synthetic fabric blend that traps heat. A few popular options to consider are chiffon, crepe, stretch lace, organza, and tulle. For more details on these summer-friendly bridal fabrics, check out Avery Austin’s wedding dress fabric guide.
Tip #2: Keep Lightweight in Mind
While this is definitely true of fabric (as mentioned in the previous tip), there are other ways a summer wedding dress can be lightweight and comfortable. Summer wedding dresses typically have fewer layers, so the skirts won’t weigh you down! Yes, that does mean it might be a good idea to skip the ball gown style unless you’ll be in a comfortably air-conditioned location all day long. Short summer wedding dresses, as well as no-train wedding dresses, are also a great way to avoid carrying a lot of extra fabric around when it’s hot. You can shop Avery Austin’s wedding dresses without trains here.
Tip #3: Choose Comfortable, Breathable Shoes
Yes, uncomfortably hot and sweaty feet are a real possibility in the summer, so finding a pair of bridal shoes that keep your feet cool is essential. Your best bet is to go for open-toe styles or bridal sandals. Beach-bound brides love personalized flip-flops for themselves and the whole bridal party! If you’ll be out in the grass during a garden ceremony or similar outdoor event, you might want to skip the stilettos entirely to avoid sinking into the ground with every step. Swap them out for open-toe block heels or cute sandal wedges instead to get both air and height.
Tip #4: Prep Your Makeup for the Summer Heat
Consulting an expert is your best bet here, but there are definitely some DIY ways to approach keeping your makeup set and smear-free on a hot summer day. Well before your wedding, explore different setting sprays and powders to find something that works well for you (and does not cause any kind of allergic reaction). Of course, you should still plan for a touch-up session or two on your wedding day just to make sure you can keep your flawless look fresh for pictures from beginning to end.
Tip #5: Go for the Updo
If you’re a bride with long locks, consider a bridal hairstyle that sweeps it up off your neck and shoulders. Keeping your neckline and shoulders clear can go a long way to helping you keep cool. Worried about the humidity? Consider an anti-frizz spray or similar product to help you manage in such conditions.
Tip #6: Choose Undergarments with Care
Keeping tip #2 in mind here too, you’ll want any undergarments that you have to wear to be lightweight and breathable. If your summer wedding dress makes it possible to skip the bra, then go for it! Then that’s one less clothing item trapping in heat. For general advice on choosing your wedding undergarments, go to Avery Austin’s blog on what to wear under your wedding dress.
Tip #7: Consider a Second Look
Whether you want a more ornate look for your ceremony or just need to change into a fresh, comfortable style by the reception, having a second summer wedding dress can go a long way to keeping you looking and feeling your best. If you know the temps will still be high come the reception, consider a short bridal dress, a slip style, or another lightweight and airy design. On the other hand, if you know temperatures will be dropping, you can look into accessorizing your second wedding dress with layers or look into styles with medium-weight fabrics, sleeves, and more. For bridal reception dress inspiration, check out Avery Austin’s collection of reception wedding dresses.
Tip #8: Choose a Deodorant that Lasts
If the deodorant you use on a daily basis already works perfectly on the hottest of days, then you’re set! But, if you have doubts about how well your deodorant will hold up on your wedding day, now’s the time to explore other options and test them out (not the day of your wedding). Some brides find that men’s deodorant works longer and harder, so finding one with a scent you like or one that’s unscented might be just the trick you need if you’re not having much luck.
Tip #9: Add Cooling and Comfort Items to Your Bridal Kit
When you’re prepping your bridal emergency kit, be sure to include some items that will keep you cool and comfortable for your summer wedding. First and foremost, you might want to pack stick-on cooling patches. Test them out before your wedding day to make sure they won’t leave a visible mark on your skin when removed, but generally, the best places to apply cooling patches for the best results are pulse points (neck, underarms, wrists, and groin) and the forehead. Other items to consider packing include a battery-powered fan, a water bottle to keep yourself hydrated, and a spritzing spray bottle (but be careful about anything that could be damaged by a splash or spritz of water, like certain wedding dress fabrics, your makeup, or hair frizz). If you’re worried about thigh chafing, consider packing some anti-chafing balm that you can apply as needed or a pair of lightweight, neutral-tone slip shorts if they can fit seamlessly under your wedding dress. Wondering what a bridal emergency kit is? Learn more about how to prepare one in Avery Austin’s blog about packing a wedding dress emergency kit.
Tip #10: Be Indoors or in Shaded Areas Whenever Possible
This might seem like common sense, but many brides put themselves on the backburner when they feel pressured to be available for guests, photos, etc. Your health is important and you are absolutely 100% allowed to say you are stepping aside for a few minutes to cool off when that summer heat is hitting you hard. Step back into an air-conditioned location or situate yourself in the shade whenever you need it. A skilled photographer can take stunning photos of you in those areas too!
Inspired for your summer wedding? We hope so! When shopping for your summer wedding dress, check out all of the available styles for every season in this extensive bridal dress collection at Avery Austin, or shop by some of the most popular summer wedding dress styles, like beach wedding dresses, no-train bridal dresses, strapless wedding gowns, and low-back or backless bridal gowns. Whatever your preferred fashion, you’ll be ready to dive into the warm weather and tie the knot in comfort and style when you choose a gorgeous summer wedding dress from Avery Austin.
