From Dream Dress to Dress Distress
Navigating Wedding Fashion for Destination Brides
As my wedding month is here, yes, I was a June destination bride, I can’t help but reminisce on my wedding and the best week ever! I’m feeling super nostalgic and want to spill some tea on wedding dress shopping if you haven’t started on that adventure yet. And even if you have, here is valuable info I wish I had back when I was married in 2018.
Let’s take it back to 2017 when I stumbled upon my “dream dress”. I mean it was like a scene from a romcom, tears, gasps, the whole shebang. It was the one. But here’s the kicker - it was only the second dress I tried on. When it came time for ordering they gave me my measurements, and told me the size I should order. Pfft! Absolutely not, I threw caution to the wind, and went a few sizes smaller, cause you know, I was feeling a bit fluffy at the time. IYKYK. It was the best impulsive decision I made because it put my butt in gear to get back into shape. That’s a story for another day, and I’ll spill the weight loss tea for your destination wedding, later! Fast forward 10 months, the dress came in, and it was already my wedding month!
At my first fitting, the dress gave me life! The smaller dress was hugging me in all the right places, only needing minor tweaks, but there was one major problem - I felt like I was carrying a ton of bricks! How did I not notice the weight before? The dress was too heavy for a beach wedding under the scorching sun. Layers upon layers of fabric and a corset that felt like a sauna had me sweating in an air conditioned room. Imagine me in 85-degree humidity!
Cue in the panic mode. How in the world was I going to survive? Did I mess up big time? And how would I get a new dress with the wedding 3 weeks away?! I was on the edge, but thank heavens for my bride squad who talked me off that ledge. And boy, am I glad they did ‘cause I decided to tough it out in that dress for all of the major moments and then switch into something more comfortable for party time.
Now, before you give me side-eye for wearing a pricey dress for just a few hours, hear me out! Trust me, when you’re sweating bullets and feeling like a stuffed sausage, the last thing on your mind is the price tag. Been there, done that!
I rocked that dress from 2 pm ‘til 9:30 pm. It was a non-negotiable from ceremony, photos, first dance, you name it! But let me tell y’all that by the end of that first dance, I was outta there. The heat, the weight, I couldn’t deal. And at that moment, I was thankful I had a back up plan with a second dress.
The second dress was a breath of fresh air - lighter, comfier, but still floor-length and only $80. I lasted in it for about 1.5 hours before my legs were screaming for freedom. So, what did I do? I slipped into the white romper I would be going home in.
Looking back, if I could rewrite that chapter, a few things would’ve gone down differently. Lucky for you, you’re getting the 411 now! I adored my dress, no doubt about it, and it was everything I envisioned for my big day. The low back was non-negotiable, and I was dead set on finding a dress that flaunted it. But looking back, I should’ve explored other options and checked out different fabrics. Live and learn, right? I’d totally go for a similar style but lighter, with no corset torture chamber.
And when it comes to that second dress, shorter would have definitely been sweeter. Don’t get me wrong, it was definitely comfier, but my legs were begging for some air circulation. Lesson learned: comfort is key, especially when you’re dancing the night away in a tropical paradise.
In conclusion, you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort, even if you’re saying “I do” on a beach. We can still wear whatever we want but just remember, outdoor weddings, humidity, dancing, and a few drinks can be a wild combo.
Here are my top 3 tips for you so that you not only nail that dream dress and stay comfy all day long- ‘cause let’s be real, comfort is the ultimate flex.
Explore your options! Give yourself enough time to dress shop, don’t settle for the first dress that gives you heart eyes. If you love a specific style, look for lighter fabrics that scream “destination wedding vibes.” And if your dream dress is a bit on the heavy side, no worries- just plan for a back up! You’ll thank yourself later.
Plan for Comfort! If you’re going for a statement dress, make sure you have a backup that’s light and comfy! You’ll want nothing more than to enjoy your day to the fullest, and being uncomfortable will put a damper on your night.
Consider Length! I highly recommend going short for the second dress. Show off them legs, honey! While a longer, lighter fabric dress may be more comfortable you’ll still end up wanting something that’ll allow your legs to breathe. A destination wedding would be the place to rock a short dress. There are so many cute styles these days that I drool over. 10 year vow renewal? You already know what your girl is wearing!
