Summer is a delightful time of year for a wedding and many brides take advantage of the gorgeous weather to hold their weddings and receptions in the great outdoors. Beach and island weddings, backyard weddings and wedding in exotic locales are all the rage. The most popular summer wedding dress styles reflect a more casual style than heavier, more ornate winter and autumn styles. Take a look at some of the top fashion accents and styles for summer wedding gowns to help you choose the perfect dress for your summer wedding.
Dare to Bare
Summer weather invites you to bare some skin and show off that stunning tan. Many of the most popular summer wedding dress styles are designed to bare your shoulders. The bridal show runways for the summer season often feature dresses that are strapless or backless, but if that is too bare for your tastes, there are plenty of beautiful wedding gowns with skinny spaghetti straps, criss-crossed back treatments and halter-tops.
Even full-figured brides can look spectacular in styles that allow for good foundation support. If you choose a backless or strapless style, or one with very thing spaghetti straps, choose a bra that offers the convenience of convertible straps. You can even find bra styles with transparent straps so the inevitable slipped strap won't peek where it should not. Make sure that you bring your undergarments with you to the final fitting so that your seamstress can make adjustments to the dress if needed. Some may even be willing to tailor the bra so that it is guaranteed not to show.
Light and Breezy Please!
Yards and yards of lace, heavy beading and mile-long trains are definitely out for summer. Instead, the summer's most popular wedding gown styles feature a more casual chic, with even the most formal wedding gowns relying on cut and fabric to evoke regal beauty.
Avoid heavy satins and crepes for summer wear, and if possible choose natural fabrics that breathe. Bridal dresses for summer should be lightweight and comfortable so that you can stand up to the heat and feel as beautiful as you look all day long. Among the most popular fabrics this summer are polished cotton and cotton eyelet, organdy and voile. Sheath, slip and sundress styles are all popular for summer weddings. If you really must have an elegant train and formal gown for your wedding, look for a dress that has a removable train so that you can slip out of it after the ceremony and photos.
A Touch of Color
Summer weddings are a great time to add a touch of color to the traditional white wedding gown. Brides who are planning casual beach and island style weddings often opt for Hawaiian wedding dresses, with spectacular embroidered flowers down one side, or embroidered eyelet dresses with satin ribbon sashes to bring in some bright summer color.
Short and Sweet
Summer wedding dress styles this year also tend toward the short and sweet. From chic sheathes to sweet ruffles, the most popular summer styles include shorter hemlines and scalloped or tulip styles hems to show off your legs. If you are planning a beach or outdoor wedding, a shorter length is necessary, and no wedding dress looks its best if it is dragging in the sand or over the grass. Some of the loveliest summer wedding gowns have unusual hem treatments and asymmetrical hems that are shorter at the front of the knee and scoop to hit the ankle in back.
For garden weddings, flirty sundress styles are very popular. Add style with a shirred or sweetheart bodice that allows you to bare your tan without showing too much.
