Need to Know: Beach Wedding Bridesmaids

Having your friends stand by you on your wedding day is more than just a tradition. It’s a friend’s way of saying, “I love you, I support you in your marriage, and I’ve got your back.” And choosing your beach wedding bridesmaids is just as important as choosing where you will get married…in this case, it’s a beach in Florida! Which one? Why not choose one of the Gulf beach venues such as Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, Siesta Key for you and the gals to stand together by the emerald water on your special day.Will You Be My Bridesmaid written in beach sand And once you’ve established your bridal party, the next step is to choose the right beach wedding bridesmaid style. You will probably want to include some color and design themes from your all-inclusive beach wedding package. The Destiny is the package that has the most color options for customization. With up to 24 chairs, it is a great choice for a larger wedding. Another popular package our brides love is the Rustic Romance (shown below) which can accommodate up to 100 guests! Whichever complete wedding package you decide upon, you and your bridal party will want to arrive in style.

Bride Guide: Beach Wedding Bridesmaid Style

Wedding couple kissing on white chairs in St. Augustine

Bridesmaid Dress Color:

Beach wedding pastel colors

This is probably the biggest statement when it comes to the overall aesthetic look of your wedding. Are you into bright and bold or are you looking to go natural and blend in with the beach scene? Remember to think about the BIG picture. Envision you and your bridal party in front of your beach wedding package set up and decide what look you want to achieve. And remember, you can totally go for matching dress and decor (bold or neutral), complimentary but not quite “matching” colors, or a neutral for set up and bold dresses (or vice versa).

Nude color bridesmaid dresses in front of beach dunes

Three Bridesmaids smile in St. Augustine Beach in peach dresses
Beach bridesmaids in royal blue dresses with yellow flowers

Yellow dresses on the beach with laughing bridesmaidsFlower girl and bridesmaids pose in pink dresses on Siesta Key beach

Gold dresses on bridesmaids with bride in Siesta Key

Beach bridesmaids wear lavender gowns posing with bride

Bridesmaid Dress Style:

Do your ladies have a variety of body types? It’s likely that there is a variety of shapes and sizes standing up in your wedding. Before you are able to make the final call, get advice from your bridesmaids so they feel comfortable in what they’re wearing. There’s lots of resources for body types and flattering styles just like this one. And remember you can choose one style for all or do a little mixing and matching within the same color family.

Budget Friendly:

You probably have a good idea of where your friends stand financially (ballpark figure anyways). So consider this when choosing dresses. If you’re friend is scraping the bank just to travel and attend your wedding, don’t send her into debt over a dress. There are lots of affordable bridesmaid dresses. Some tips for saving money include:

  • Shopping last year’s dress styles
  • Looking in nontraditional dress stores (think Macy’s, Dillard’s formal clearance section)
  • Shop local: Support local business and do yourself a favor by checking out your local bridal shop’s sale rack. Often they need to clear previous season’s dresses to make room for the next batch.
  • Resale- Check sites like Ebay or a local Facebook resale site. This is especially convenient if you are mixing and matching styles or colors.

Hopefully this guide has you started on the path to planning your dream beach wedding. And if you need some more help with designing and planning, contact us here!

Tips for Choosing a 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.

Coulple Kisses after Miami Beach Wedding

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.

Simple white wedding gown with straps on bride in Siesta Key

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.

Bride and groom hug at Palm Coast Beach wedding by the sea

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.
Couple embraces after wedding on Daytona Beach at sundown

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.

Wedding couple married on Butler Beach, FL

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.

Destin Bride and Groom pose by the Gulf water

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.

Wedding dress style chart

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.

Plus size wedding dress in lace floor length
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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.

Plus size A line wedding gown on Daytona Beach Bride

Beach Wedding Hair Styles Every Bride Will Love

sunSHINE. ocean WAVES. GORGEOUS sunsets. Words to describe a perfect beach wedding. Aaaand perfect beach wedding hair. :)  Any outdoor wedding ceremony requires a few adjustments from traditional indoor wedding environments…especially if it’s in Florida. Add in salty air and ocean breeze, and your hair could go from terrific to terrifying within minutes. Check out this style guide for choosing the best beach wedding hair style!

African American bride with flower in hair

It doesn’t matter what type of hair you have, or the texture. You can find a beautiful style that is perfect for an outdoor wedding by the sea.
blonde hair with braids

           Accessories in your hair can make a difference when you use them to accent your bouquet or the lines of your beach wedding dress.                                 Brunette bride with flowers

Tips for Choosing the Best Beach Wedding Hair Style

Ocean Air Sign

  • Ocean Breeze: So this is perhaps one of the greatest factors to consider when choosing a beach hairstyle. Whether you want an up-do, completely down, 1/2 up 1/2 down, don’t forget about the sea breeze. Choose a style that keeps your hair off your face. You’ll want to look into your hubby’s eyes and savor the moments of your wedding day. So while it’s flirtatious and whimsical for a model ad shoot, no one wants to be pushing hair off their face for an entire wedding ceremony. An up-do is an easy solution. But if keeping your hair down in non-negotiable, consider pinning back just the hair in the front. Also, wrap around braids and headbands provide extra help for keeping hair in place.

        Bridal hair blond updo                 Four flowered hair dos for brides                   

  • Sea Salt: The whole trending “Salty Hair, Don’t Care.” Yeah, that’s great for a good ole’ beach day, but not your wedding day. The salty air can do wild things to your luscious locks, so get ready to add an extra dose of shine drops, hairspray, or other serum to keep things looking fresh and in place.
  • Hire Help: It may be worth splurging on a professional stylist for your wedding day. Even if you just want a simple look, the touch of a expert will have your hair soft, shiny, and camera ready for your wedding day. If you’re looking for someone in the St. Augustine area, check out Panache or Small Indulgences.

Here are some of our recent brides and their chosen hairstyles:

Siesta Key bride and groom

Decided on your perfect hair style for your special day and ready to book your dream beach wedding? Click here!

Beach Wedding Dress DOs and DON’Ts

Choosing the perfect beach wedding dress should be exciting and fun, so don’t allow the pressure of finding the perfect dress take away from enjoying this cherished wedding planning time. With over a decade working with wedding dress experts, we’ve compiled a checklist of DO’s and DON’Ts for finding your dream dress.summer florida beach wedding dress

DO’s and DON’Ts for finding the perfect Beach Wedding Dress

  • DO- Decide your style choice ahead of time. Avoid sticking with only the hottest trends and consider styles that flatter your figure and personal fashion sense. Also consider your beach wedding package decor and the style it brings to your wedding day.
  • DON’T- Get stuck in Pinterest mode. Keep in mind these (likely) photo-shopped models may or may not have your same body type, skin tone, bust, hair…. Find your inspiration, but be open to variations that suit you and your style. Check out our photo page for more inspiration!

  • DO- Consider the weather. Florida beach weddings are likely warm weathered events with a variety of weather on the east coast beaches and the west coast or Gulf beaches. So with the exception of December-February, choose a dress with a breathable fabric. Traditional long gowns are popular but it’s probably best to avoid long sleeves, which may leave you melting in the heat!
  • DON’T- Forget about your skivvies! It’s a good idea to have both a strapless bra and regular bra on hand. This will give you the best idea of what you’ll actually look like on your big day! No-show underwear are a good idea too so you’ll know exactly what’s going on underneath! *The same is true for any fittings.
  • DO- Bring your camera when dress shopping. Make sure to have a friend or sales associate take your picture outside in the gown before purchasing. Sometimes the natural sunlight can bring “new light” to your undergarments that would otherwise go unnoticed inside.

Beach bride style with natural flowers and an ivory lace dress from one of our Palm Coast, Florida beach weddings

The last “DO tip” before you say “I DO” is to enjoy your dress shopping experience. Whether it’s with your mom, sister, best friend, or peacefully by yourself, cherish this traditional bridal right of passage. Find the dress that makes you feel confident, beautiful, and aisle ready!

A bride poses for her Daytona Beach Weddings Photography.

Anastasia State Park Weddings are the ideal spot for photos by the dunes.