Dressing For A Hawaii Beach Wedding

Staying cool, staying warm, staying dry, and sunburn prevention top the list of things to consider when you're planning a beach wedding in Hawaii.

In the warmth and romance of the tropics, a lot of brides favor off-the-shoulder, sleeveless, or strapless wedding gowns, so, if your Hawaiian wedding is during the day, you'll need a sunburn prevention strategy as part of your beauty regimen. If you have a few weeks before your Hawaiian wedding date, you can gradually tan in a tanning salon. There's also a spray-on tan that, in the hands of an expert, is a reasonable facsimile of the real thing, but remember that, unlike the real thing, it offers no protection from sunburn.

If you prefer the 'no tan' look, try out a few brands of high SPF sun block ahead of time, just to make sure you're not allergic to any of them and that you AND your groom can tolerate the scent. Remember that sunscreen protection does wear off over time, so, if sun block is applied too soon before your Hawaiian wedding ceremony, during your ceremony you might not have the protection from the sun that you think you do. Have the Hawaii wedding coordinator find out approximately how long the ceremony will last so that you can plan sunscreen application time for maximum effect.

If the day has been unusually hot and you're prone to perspire, it would be wise for you or your Hawaii wedding planner to carry a small clean towel to pat yourself dry just before the ceremony.

And, even though you are getting married in Hawaii, it has been known to get downright cool, even at the beach, depending on the season and the weather. Be sure and include an elegant cloak, shawl, sweater, or jacket amongst your wedding regalia. Rain is another factor to plan for, even though our Hawaii wedding planners bring umbrellas to the beach. Consider the fabric in your wedding dress if you're planning a Hawaii beach wedding - if the fabric is prone to spot when water drops on it, a different dress would be preferable.

Bare feet and formal gowns are de rigeur for Hawaii beach weddings, so get a pedicure instead of new shoes for the special day. Tell the pedicurist that you're getting married, as there are various enhancements, including applying sequins and glass gems, they can offer you. Or you could just have fun decorating a pair of flip-flops to complement your wedding attire, but, if you're not used to wearing sandals, make sure you've broken them in ahead of time. Otherwise, you may find that, where the straps rub against your skin, you're getting blisters. An open cut or wound, beach sand, and seawater are not the best of combinations, so have a friend or relative stick an antibacterial ointment in their pocket, just in case. The best Hawaii wedding planners will bring towels and a jug of water for washing the sand off the bride's and groom's feet afterwards.

Your wedding photos should be as perfect as possible, so, if you prefer a natural hairstyle and are planning an outdoor wedding, have hairspray or bobby pins and a hand mirror available, as the breezes across the Pacific can pick up unexpectedly. Or indulge yourself and invest in a pre-ceremony session with a hair-and-makeup artist, someone who can not only help you look your most beautiful, but is also familiar with hairstyles that are compatible with Hawaiian weather.