A Winter Wedding Calls for the Right Designer Wedding Dress
Choosing the right designer wedding dress can be a daunting task for anyone. There are so many factors you have to consider from the style to the sleeves and so much more. Even the most prepared brides need hours to find the right dress. If your wedding is scheduled for the winter, then you’ll need a dress that really fits the occasion. This will give you some tips on finding the right dress for your wedding.
Venue
You need to consider the venue before even thinking about the dress. Unlike weddings in the warmer seasons when outdoor weddings are comfortable, a wedding during the winter requires certain preparations. The majority of winter weddings are held indoors because it’s more comfortable. If that’s true, then you’ll want warmer clothes, but it would be good to focus on pieces that can be removed if you get too hot.
If you’re attempting an outdoor winter wedding, then you need a dress that provides warmth without sacrificing style. While layers can definitely help, you’ll need a dress that is suitably thick to match the occasion.
Designer Wedding Dress Sleeves
If you’ve checked out the best designer wedding dresses for the spring or summer, then you may have noticed that they usually have short sleeves or no sleeves at all. That’s because this keeps you cool even while you’re in the blaring sun. The opposite is true for winter wedding dresses.
You’ll want to focus on dresses that have longer sleeves. While you might be able to get away with elbow-length sleeves, full sleeves are often better. Not only that, but this allows intricate designs and lace to appear on your arms, which can look even more beautiful.
If you choose the wrong sleeves, then you might find yourself really chilly while saying your vows.
Dress Length and Style
You should next consider the length and style of the skirt. Nearly all designer wedding dresses, regardless of season, are floor-length. What you may have noticed though is that some wedding dresses have slits or cutouts around the legs. This can be stylish and beautiful, but it also allows cold areas to get in. It’s best to choose a closed skirt for better warmth.
You should also consider the skirt style. It’s often best to be closer to your body rather than flowing to keep you warm. The material should also be thick enough to keep you comfortable, but not so thick that you begin sweating.
It’s a delicate balance, but professional bridal boutiques can help point you in the right direction with this and all other aspects of your dress.
Wrap
Some of the best wedding dress designers pair their dresses with wraps and other accessories. From a purely aesthetic point of view, this allows you to wear more beautiful clothing and it can give you an ethereal look. Spring and summer weddings might have wraps made from thin material that looks great and even blocks some sun exposure.
Once again, the opposite is needed for winter wedding dresses. Thicker wraps help keep you warm, but they look just as beautiful as their thinner counterparts. Think of these as upgraded scarves. They serve the same purpose but are designed to fit a beautiful wedding.
Best of all, wraps can be removed if needed. As stated above, most winter weddings are held indoors. You might be cold at first, but you’ll soon warm up. You can keep the wrap tight until you’re warm and comfortable.
Wedding Dress Material
What is the best material for a winter wedding dress? While you’ll want to focus on warmth, the right material depends on the style. For example, lace tends to be cool, but it can be a great addition as it adds some weight and insulation to other cool materials. This can make your dress ready for winter.
Satin is a great choice as it looks fantastic and provides a good amount of warmth. Another choice that looks beautiful but isn’t used as often is velvet. Velvet is gorgeous and has a fantastic feeling to it. While this is more commonly used for bridesmaids, there are still many wedding dresses available in velvet.
In general, though, focus on materials that can keep you warm without trapping in too much heat. You don’t want to sweat and be uncomfortable during your wedding. If the material itself isn’t warm, then pair it with other materials for layering, such as lace.
Wedding Cape or Coat
Much like the wrap section, this section will focus on accessories that can be removed as needed. Wedding capes are powerful style icons, and wedding coats look stunning while keeping you warm. While both of these definitely add to your overall look, they also prevent you from freezing during the occasion.
Unlike wraps that come in warm and cold versions, caps and coats are almost exclusively made for colder weddings. They tend to be fairly thick but are made so that they look very flexible and flowing. You may want to add these just for their aesthetic appeal alone as they look very beautiful.
These commonly use fur, faux fur and other similar materials. This gives them a lovely style that really stands out compared to other accessories.
Get a Second Dress
Many brides wear their wedding dress during both the wedding itself and the reception. This can be a good idea as you only need to get one dress, but the change in venue might leave you feeling too warm. This is especially true if you plan on dancing, eating and drinking all night.
If you want to be as comfortable as possible, then consider getting a second dress. One for the wedding and one for the reception. This reception dress can be thinner and easier to move in, and you have more color and style options that you might prefer. Another benefit is that you can show yourself off twice, and who doesn’t want the extra attention?
While this is more expensive, you are paying for comfort and peace of mind. Another benefit, too, is that reception dresses tend to cost less, so it shouldn’t add too much to your budget. Keep it in mind when choosing dresses. You might find that one dress isn’t perfect, but two are.