by Pam | Apr 28, 2021 | All Florida Beach Weddings, beach wedding dress
The Clearwater St. Pete Beach area is a top pick for beach weddings among our brides. For us, as beach wedding planners, part of the thrill is seeing each bridal gown as the ceremony begins. Each bride has different taste so it’s a real treat for us to participate and photograph the wedding dresses. You might think we’d see mostly short wedding dresses, but most of the time our Florida beach brides choose full length gowns and they look incredible! The secret is in the material and style they choose to keep them comfortable on these Gulf beaches. And shoes…who needs them? If you begin your beach ceremony with shoes, we are almost certain they will be off by the time we get to the photography session! That warm Gulf of Mexico water is too hard to resist, and with a St. Pete Beach wedding the sunsets will leave you both breathless.
Because the internet is so crowded with wedding dresses, we thought we’d share with you some ACTUAL dresses that our brides chose. Don’t become a slave to social media dresses either; you are an individual and what you love matters most. Just keep in mind a few tips we can give you as experienced Gulf Beach wedding planners. In over 13 years in business we’ve seen it all and know what works in this unique Florida wedding environment an you might be surprised. Here we go…
Spaghetti Strap Gowns
Katy wore a lace bodice gown with spaghetti straps for her Gulf Beach wedding. You can see how gorgeous it is from the back too as it flows in the sea breeze. This type of wedding dress is perfect for humid or very warm weather that Florida experiences on the west coast. Classic and cool is the name of the game in Clearwater St. Pete, and this bride made it look so easy. Even her hair was beachy with just a small beaded accessory to show off her sun kissed face.
Lace Wedding Dress
An outdoor wedding is a beautiful thing, especially on a Florida beach. With heat, humidity and breezy conditions on St. Pete Beach, a shorter dress can be a really smart choice. This bride chose a tea length gown with a vintage feel in lace which was perfect for her simple beach wedding. The strapless, sweetheart neckline however, gives it a modern update as well as the little jacket. Let’s give this bride props for wearing heels on the beach!
Mermaid Wedding Dress
Who can deny a mermaid gown isn’t beachy and seaside ready? By its very nature, the mermaid wedding dress is sweet and very romantic. Without a long train, it makes an impression while being easy to wear at one of our beach wedding places in Florida. Add lace to the mix and how can a beach bride go wrong!
Wedding Gown Trains and Veils
We are often delighted to see our brides wearing formal wedding gowns and it is always beautiful! In Clearwater St. Pete Beach, the sea breeze is often just right so a train will move in the breeze which is perfect for wedding pictures. Veils are a little more tricky, but still popular on the Gulf beaches. There is less wind on the west coast of Florida so brides can choose a veil. It is all a personal choice and just about anything goes when you have a Florida beach wedding. Even if you have a very small beach wedding or beach elopement, you can still arrive and get tie the knot in style. Even for vow renewals, we have seen couples decked out in full wedding.
So find out how you can get married in style with a Florida destination wedding package all-inclusive. Check out our Clearwater elopement packages and learn how to have a beach wedding in Florida to remember. We even help with your Florida marriage license and permits too. Contact our wedding planners today.
by Pam | Nov 5, 2020 | All Florida Beach Weddings, beach wedding dress
What does a bride wear to a beach wedding? Whether you want to feel like a Mermaid Princess or walk the aisle in a vintage BoHo dress, here are 5 tips for choosing a beach wedding dress. Our very own Florida Beach Weddings brides are showcased below in a variety of styles so that you can see what they chose for their ceremonies. We start with our bride from her Miami Beach wedding whose colorful gown in lavender is just heavenly with her groom’s formal, white suit.
Fabric
What is the best material for a beach wedding dress? Choose your fabric wisely. What feels and looks amazing in the air conditioned dress boutique may have you sweating and feeling 50 pounds heavier on the sunny, sandy Florida beach. Even in October and November it can be 80 degrees. Go for breathable fabrics. And if you prefer an intricate design, look for lace overlays in place of beading which can weigh the dress down. Simple beach wedding dresses include shorter lengths and casual styles….keep summer in mind while you shop. Our Wilbur-By-The-Sea wedding bride on the east coast of Florida looks stunning in a form fitting gown with lace detail.
This bride in Palm Coast was made to be a mermaid! The background for this wedding photo was filled with coquina rocks, golden sand and emerald sea. Chiffon trails behind her as she embraces her new husband.
And this short wedding dress in Siesta Key hits the mark for being cute and classy all at the same time. This simple beach wedding dress sure doesn’t look cheap and her groom’s attire ensures this couple’s entire look is nothing short of unforgettable.
Undergarments
Now you see me, now you don’t. When it comes to undergarments on your wedding day, you want the “now you don’t.” The outdoor sun and wind can reveal to your guests what only your future spouse should get to see. Make sure your light, flowing dress is not too thin or short to prevent a wardrobe disaster. The Daytona Beach bride below shows how it’s done when choosing a sheer, white wedding gown.
Accessories
Again, just remember you’re on the oceanfront when choosing a beach wedding dress. A long veil may end up blowing and tangling up like a bad fish net. Consider headbands, clips, wraps, or a birdcage veil instead. And the same advice for your dress is true for your jewelry. Stick with your preferred style, but opt for lighter pieces that won’t be heavy and sweaty on your skin like our Clearwater Beach bride below. You can match your wedding style to your beach wedding package decor. Read more about wedding jewelry here.
Shoes
A beach wedding is not the place to show off your new Jimmy Choos. Barefoot sandals are a perfect alternative to traditional wedding shoes. Flip flops will leave you flicking up sand and any heel will just leave you wobbly and stuck. It is a good idea to have a pair of flips flops for the walk to and from the beachfront. Why not go without any shoes? A barefoot wedding can be a wonderful experience for both the bride and her partner. It’s Florida…kick up your heels and enjoy that white sand like our couple married on Butler Beach, St. Augustine.
Sun Protection
Don’t forget to lather up before walking down the aisle. Check your make up to see if it contains SPF. You could also look for a moisturizer with SPF. Make sure you cover the areas that your dress leaves bare such as shoulders, neckline and even your ears if your hair is up! You will be glowing without burning on your wedding day like our Destin Beach wedding couple pictured below.
Plus Size
What wedding dress looks best on plus size brides? Just about anything! Like any other figure, it may take some time to find your dream dress. The experts at Brides (Jessica Olah) made a handy graphic of silhouettes to fit a variety of body types. However, it really comes down to what you love, what is comfortable, and what makes you feel beautiful! So go out there and have fun trying on beach wedding gowns…this is your special day.
We found a wonderful A-Line dress that we think would be perfect for a Florida wedding ceremony, courtesy of Dorriswedding.com: you can shop for it by clicking here. With a V-neck, cap sleeves and lace it will be beautiful for an ocean wedding.
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This bride got married on the beach at Wilbur-By-The Sea south of Daytona Beach and makes a stunning entry down to the oceanfront in a gorgeous white flowing dress with low-cut bodice. Even her sandals are beachy! If you are ready to get your beach wedding dress and get married on a Florida beach soon, then contact us now to book your date.
by Pam | Oct 5, 2020 | All Florida Beach Weddings, beach wedding dress
Trash the dress refers to part of our photography session in which you can choose to “trash” your beach wedding dress in the sea or sand. Sounds a bit scary but many of our beach brides love it! Popular trash the dress sessions include going in the water, either kissing or jumping waves, or frolicking beach side in the sand and sea with your new spouse. The bride may “trash” her dress by getting it wet in the ocean, all of her dress or only part of it. Most of the time the dress is not ruined and can be cleaned, depending on the fabric (synthetic fibers are usually okay).
This can be a symbolic transformation from a bride to a wife. This part of the photo session can be very romantic as it usually is sealed with a passionate embrace or kiss and makes an incredible picture. While anyone can have a “trash the dress” photo shoot at their wedding at home, it is really popular for destination weddings because you get to take advantage of the stunning sea available on the Florida Gulf coast or Atlantic ocean. So if you decide to “trash the dress” as part of your wedding photography package on the beach, take a look at some of our favorite moments with Florida Beach Weddings company just married couples.
Here is a recent vow renewal couple that wasn’t afraid to get a little wet and have fun at Jacksonville Beach. Five years of marriage deserves a celebration! Crystal and Brandon have incredible passion and their love shines through in this amazing photo take by our beach wedding photographer. We consider this one of our best trash the dress ocean photographs.
Trashing the Dress in the surf at Jacksonville Beach
The layers with lace over the fabric of her dress look amazing as the waves in the ocean crash around this couple. Wouldn’t you love our beach wedding photographer to get one of the two of you? You can! You will look back and be amazed at your special day and how wonderful it was. Perhaps you will come back to your favorite Florida beach in the future to celebrate a few years of marriage like this couple did.
Although much calmer, this Clearwater Beach wedding couple is clearly thrilled with their experience tying the knot in Florida! Her simple dress is lightly touched by the rolling waves on this Gulf beach. The water is so warm I’m sure they wanted to go right in, but this sunset wedding is picture perfect. Yes, sunsets are really special if you choose a Gulf beach wedding in Clearwater or St. Pete.
Clearwater Beach bride and groom in the Gulf waters at sunset
Aaaah the “golden hour” in Daytona Beach: pink and peach hues fill the sky as the sun sets over the Atlantic ocean. What a beautiful trash the dress beach picture for this couple’s wedding photo album. The soft pink of the sand matches the sky framing them in soft light, not to mention the blue ocean that gently surrounds them.
Trash the Dress on Daytona Beach at sunset
When to do trash the dress photos? After the ceremony in the evening can be just right. It’s hard to beat Siesta Key for romance in the Gulf waters as the sun sets in the evening sky. This bride’s wedding dress is suspended in the water, floating behind her giving added drama to this incredible photograph by our experienced beach wedding photographer. For many years this couple will look back at this day and sigh with pleasure remembering their wedding in Siesta Key. And yes, the water really is that color: the beautiful blue, green Gulf of Mexico needs no photoshop!
Trash the dress in Siesta Key
Even a long veil can work for your trash the wedding dress session, and a long gown definitely makes a statement. If a trash the dress photo session is on your wedding wish list, then there is no better place than a Florida beach. Even at a cheap wedding on a budget, you can likely afford the extra photography time our beach wedding company offers so that you too can experience the joy of trashing your dress! Don’t be overwhelmed by the stress of planning a beach wedding, if you just got engaged we can help you design the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank. Pam, Kayla and Karen have a reputation for top service and beautiful wedding package designs. There is surely one waiting for you and your beloved.
Our beach wedding company photographer captures your emotions and love for each other as a wedding couple. The warm ocean, your love for each other, and your wedding dress will be captured for now and forever.
Remember, be sure to look at the care label in your wedding gown before you make the decision to go into the ocean. 100% polyester is easy to clean and using a cleaner should make your wedding dress look almost as good as new. However, maybe you don’t care…you just want an incredibly romantic photo like the one taken below. It reminds of a timeless love story in the movies!
Why not be bold and make a statement! You can trash the dress alone like this Daytona Beach bride and her beautiful reflection in the sand. Just the hem of her dress trailing in the water is stunning. Perhaps she is looking at her former self as she embraces her new life on her wedding day. Our photographer from Forever In Love Photos is now part of the Florida Beach Weddings team and available to all our couples when tying the knot. It is important to use a highly experienced photographer that can shoot in outdoor lighting during the night and daytime. Intense sun, salt and sunsets can be challenging. Don’t take any chances!
If you still don’t want to trash your precious wedding dress in the sea, we have plenty of other poses that make perfect memories of your special day. Why not get down in the sand for some playful couple time? Your dress might get a bit dirty but probably not wet. A few props like buckets or rose petals can set the stage for romantic and unique photographs like this couple who married on Clearwater Beach.
You can also involve your wedding party in a trash the dress session. Even without getting the dress wet, this wedding day was clearly full of fun and joy – what great memories for all of them at Jacksonville Beach! Having a barefoot wedding is the way to really enjoy a Florida beach ceremony. The faces of newlyweds and their friends have a special place in our hearts as we remember their smiles.
Now that you’ve done the hard part and picked your wedding date, why not pick your package, wedding location and get ready for your own “trash the dress” photography session! The Florida weather is warm and the water is waiting for both of you to join us. We are standing by so contact the Florida Beach Weddings team today.
by Pam | Aug 16, 2020 | All Florida Beach Weddings, Beach Wedding Attire, beach wedding dress
Simply serene. Your casual beach wedding dress should be the perfect compliment to your beach wedding atmosphere and location: sunning in Siesta Key, drifting in Daytona Beach, coasting in Clearwater, site-seeing in St. Augustine. However, just because you’ve got a laid back feel doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. Check out some of the hottest trends in casual wedding dress options and find the perfect fit for your wedding day. At the very bottom of this post you will find some of our very own Florida Beach Weddings brides with their interesting dress choices.
Latest Styles in Casual Beach Wedding Dress
Practical Romance: This classic feminine lace paired with a breathable chiffon bottom is the perfect combination for a beachfront wedding. This mix of fabrics is perfect for the beach bride looking for a romantic gown with complete sun and sand functionality. It will move beautifully in the sea breeze too!
Boho Beach Bride: If dream catchers, flower headbands, and wavy beach hair are your love language this is the look for you. Thin straps or unique cuts are fun way to show off your feminine style. Bare feet, sun-kissed hair, and a simple earthy floral touch bring this whole look together perfectly to say, “I do”. Just be aware of floor length fabrics (avoid heavy lace bottoms and silk may drag through the sand).
The Tradition Continues: If a beach wedding is your dream but you hate to give up the idea of a traditional bridal look, fear not. You can still achieve the classic white wedding bride look with smart style choices. The main thing is to be aware of the heat and sand. Breathable fabrics like chiffon maintain the traditional look without leaving you sweaty and weighed down. You can also start with ball gown in mind but go for a short version like the one below.
Think Outside the Box: Lastly, we look at the bride who wants to bend the rules when it comes to bridal fashion. Two piece dress, asymmetrical cuts, or a flashback vintage look. Don’t be afraid to bring your unique look to tie the knot!
Our Own Florida Beach Weddings Brides
Many of our couples chose their wedding attire to match their beach wedding package theme and customized their colors. For example, Dorothy and Daniel, married at Indian Rocks Beach, chose these ocean fresh and tropical colors for their Nautical Knot wedding. Dorothy’s wedding dress was simple, strapless and breezy.
Emily and Eric in St. Augustine went fun and easy with a bit of color in the bride’s more casual wedding dress:
Lanesha, in an all lace dress, and Anthony went all out tropical with our distinctive design package in St. Pete Beach:
In Daytona Beach, this couple went with a sunny, elegant floral look. The bride had a simple, spaghetti strap, form-fitting gown. The groom matched the distinctive design decor.
Finally, this cool, spaghetti strap ivory dress was perfect on our bride Lillian and her groom Ryan as they posed among the sea oats at their Siesta Key Beach wedding.
Ready to tie the knot on a perfect Florida beach in the perfect wedding dress? Browse more of our wedding dress posts and contact our Florida Beach Weddings company today to reserve your ceremony date.
by Pam | Jun 30, 2020 | All Florida Beach Weddings, beach wedding dress
Summer beach weddings just have something relaxing, intimate, and beautiful about them. And your beach wedding dress should be no exception to the relaxation, intimacy, and beauty of the day! So let’s talk dresses! Now consider a wedding dress store. And imagine, for a minute, all the dresses are applicants, vying for your purchase. You announce, “Now accepting wedding dresses to wear on the beach resumes!” And just like a job search, you can quickly eliminate those which aren’t even in the same field. Royally heavy-weighted thick gowns- goodbye! Hello light, breathable fabrics. But just how do you narrow down the choices and find a stunning, yet practical beach wedding dress? Read on summer bride, read on!
Choosing the Perfect Summer Beach Wedding Dress
1.Your Style
Whether the thermometer reads 56 or 86, you don’t have to sacrifice your own personal style when choosing a dress. So even though breezy, flowing, bohemian wedding vibes may be the beach’s love language, you can still rock your girly girl sparkle, rhinestone, or otherwise lavish style. Think about if you gravitate towards a boho driftwood beach wedding, or mermaid, or classic and elegant…or maybe you just don’t really have a “style,” you just want to look good! At least have an idea of what you like. Browse photos to eliminate some definite no-go’s. Then when you walk into a bridal gown store, you have a great starting point. You can also check out our Facebook page to view photos from previous seaside weddings to get some style inspiration!
2. Fabrics
Choosing the right fabric is absolutely key to finding the perfect beach wedding dress. Remember when you are in the store, it’s nice and air conditioned. The beach, even if there is a breeze it may not so cool! The best fabric options for a breathable summer wedding are chiffon (shown below from Amazon for $105), cotton blends, tulle, or organza. Silk and satin are very heavy and hot. Charmeuse looks lovely in the magazine, but be aware that every flaw will be revealed. Remember the sea breeze we mentioned? Remember this to avoid a wardrobe malfunction with your dress blowing up and revealing too much, so choose your fabric carefully.
3. Budget
Check out local wedding stores and don’t be afraid to buy off the rack. You can save hundreds buying a sale dress and even if the size isn’t a perfect match, a professional seamstress can fix that seamlessly! Other money saving tips include checking out local swip swap Facebook groups, Craigslist, and there’s a great selection of non-traditional type wedding dresses at Rent the Runway. If you’ve saved some money on a cheap beach wedding package then you can decide to spend more on your wedding dress, or for bridal jewelry to complete your look like Kenya, below, who had her wedding on the beach in St. Augustine.
4. Trial
Sometime between purchasing your dress and walking the aisle, try your dress on and go outside. The natural sunlight may EXPOSE some otherwise unseen features when inside. Don’t skimp on skivvies! Invest in some nice no show, nude, seamless undergarments and make sure you can move about freely without anything shifting, sliding, or falling! You may have decided to go for a long dress, and end up with a shorter one…or vice versa. Does the dress enhance your skin tone or do you want something with color in it? Your dress does NOT have to be white: see our bride Liliana below. You have chosen an outdoor wedding in the sand and sea, so it is critical to see your look outside the artificial store lighting.
5. I Do!
You’ve said yes to the proposal, yes to the dress, now it’s time to say “I do!” Make sure you have packed your wedding dress for travel with a steam iron for your special day. Click here to check out our affordable package and location options. Maybe you’ve got your dress and you’re ready to pack your bags and elope! Read our post to see if a beach elopement is right for you! It was perfect for Deborah and Richard in St. Augustine below.
Find out more about our beach wedding packages. We travel to your chosen location.
by Pam | May 4, 2020 | beach wedding dress, Beach Wedding Planner
Bride Guide: Choosing a Beach Wedding Dress
You know the tune, “Here comes the bride all dressed in….see through!?!” Wait, what? Your beach wedding dress should have guests dropping their jaws at your beauty and elegance. However, jaw drops should NOT be due to the fact you look like you’re auditioning for a Victoria Secret lingerie photo shoot or because of the amount of sweat pouring down your body. After many years of operating a wedding store, we want to help guide you in choosing the perfect dress whether it’s magical mermaid, classic beauty, or boho chic style. So here are a few pointers for choosing the perfect beach wedding dress.
How to Choose the Perfect Beach Wedding Dress
- Material, girl: We’re not talking Madonna here, we’re talking fabric. Choose a breathable wedding dress made from fabrics like chiffon, cotton blends, or organza. And if you want one of those crazy sweat inducing wraps to shed those last few pre-wedding pounds, go for it. However, sweating off pounds in a satin suction cup dress while walking down the aisle is just a bad idea. Keep it cool and comfortable.
- Length: You may be thinking, warm, sunny weather hence a shorter dress. Well, that MAY be an option, but the sun isn’t the only factor to consider. While that sea breeze will keep you cool and relaxed, a swift breeze in a short dress could have your guests getting to know you in ways you didn’t expect. Beach brides may be afraid of “dirtying up” a floor length dress, but a little saltwater and sand is nothing a professional cleaning can’t take care of. In fact, many brides love to wade into the sea for a few stunning photos! If you’re set on avoiding a full length dress, above the knee and tea length are great options also.
- Stylin’: Choose a style that magnifies your natural beauty and is comfortable for you. You may choose to stick with your already non-traditional wedding theme and go with a flowing and mystical gown or opt for a classic, timeless look. Check out our Beach Wedding photo gallery below to get an idea of some beach wedding dresses.
- Trial: Lighting in a retail store provides a totally different effect from natural sunlight. Think you’ve found the perfect dress? Take a step outside in your dress to make sure it’s not see through. It’s also a good idea to take a couple of pictures in that natural light. Often the camera has some sort of tricky x-ray vision and without testing out the lighting and visibility, you could end up with some very revealing wedding photos.
- Underneath it all: Make sure to wear no show/seamless undergarments. Again, do a trial run. Get your whole ensemble together and step outside. Have a friend check front and back to make sure there are no see through surprises or funky strap lines. You can also add a personal touch with a fun garter.
- Coordinate with your decor: Don’t forget you can style your beach wedding package decor to match your bride and groom vibe! Tropical island mermaid or elegant, simple and neutral? We have the bamboo, flowers and draping for that. Floral or seashells? At Florida Beach Weddings company it’s your choice.
Beach Wedding Dress Gallery
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