Beach Bride Beauty: Finding Your Ideal Casual Wedding Dress
Finding your perfect dress is a big step in your wedding planning process. Consider a few more factors when you’re getting married on the beach.
Opt for a short wedding dress that won’t get dragged through the sand, like this romantic lace gown with a high front slit and fitted bodice. Add an airy tulle overskirt to keep your look flowing from ceremony to reception.
Keep It Simple
When it comes to wedding dresses, not every bride wants an ornate ball gown or a classic sheath. For brides seeking a relaxed style, casual bridal gowns offer plenty of stylish options that still feel entirely bridal and will fit any theme.
To find the right casual beach wedding dresses, look for simple silhouettes with feminine elements. If you love the idea of a flowy, light white dress, try a cotton midi with ruching or a smocked linen style with pretty puff sleeves. Alternatively, opt for a high-low lace dress that will skew dressier while still feeling breezy.
Then, pair your dreamy dress with a romantic hairstyle that will keep you cool and comfortable throughout the day. For a chic yet effortless look, pull back your locks into a low bun, or create a loose updo and add flowers to the crown for a beautiful boho touch.
Choose a lightweight foundation that matches your natural skin tone to ensure your makeup doesn’t melt or slide off during the heat. A soft pink blush and a sheer liquid lipstick that offers long-lasting wear will give your bridal look just the right amount of shine.
Don’t Overdo It
The beach isn’t exactly the place for a heavy face full of makeup, but many brides still want to look their best on their wedding day. Opt for a bronzer or blush in soft pinks and peaches to get the most natural look. You can also use shimmery white lipstick to add some sparkle to your look. For eyes, blues and greens look beautiful on a sun-kissed skin tone, while dark reds and plums can be worn if you prefer a more dramatic style.
Don’t forget to wear sunscreen and keep a small bottle of blotting paper nearby to absorb any excess moisture throughout the day. For a dramatic glow, fake tan is an option, but it’s important to avoid spray-on tanning products as they can leave streaks and orange color patches behind, which no bride wants on her big day. Instead, invest in gradual bronzing products to help you achieve the perfect faux glow in light layers.
If you want a casual wedding dress with a fashion-forward touch, consider a sheath silhouette with an elegant floral pattern or lace fabric.
Keep Your Makeup Simple
Every bride has a vision of how they want to look on their wedding day. And while finding the right dress is one of the most important decisions, other details can make or break your entire look.
Your makeup should also be simple and lightweight for a gorgeous beach bridal look. Bright sunshine can make heavy makeup look unflattering, so it’s best to keep things to a minimum and use buildable products that can be easily adjusted to suit your needs.
Opt for soft pinks or nudes instead of dark lipsticks to complement your natural glow if you want a little color. If you decide to go for a more dramatic lip shade, consider using a liner that matches the color of your lips to prevent the color from bleeding or flaking throughout the day.
For eyes, a light dusting of shimmer in a neutral tone will complement your skin’s natural shine while keeping you looking stunning all day and night. If you want to switch it up, smudged smokey eyeliner can look stunning at night.
If you have the time and ability to do it, a natural-looking airbrush or spray tan is a great way to avoid having tan lines that show through your dress on your big day. If not, try a quick, light-to-medium coverage foundation that doubles as sunscreen.
Wear SPF Makeup
SPF is a must-have for your bridal beauty routine, whether you’re getting married outdoors, at the beach, or even in a covered area (like a ceremony space). Many brides are worried that wearing makeup with SPF will look too white in photos, but if you’re using an SPF that photographs well with indirect (bounced) flash, it shouldn’t be a problem. If you’re concerned, ask your makeup artist to test it in a photoshoot during the week leading up to your wedding.
It is also a good idea to wear your SPF on the areas of your face that will be visible in photos, including your nose and lips. SPF on these areas will protect them from sunburn and ensure your lipstick won’t fade or smudge throughout the day.
Choose a shade that compliments your skin tone and lips’ natural pigment for a natural-looking lip color. Avoid any brighter shades unless they are part of your signature style. If you want a little extra shimmer, try the new balm-like textures that look and feel gorgeous but are still light enough not to budge or melt.
A beautiful painting needs a gorgeous canvas; the same goes for your complexion. Prepping your skin with research-powered skincare products will minimize dehydration, allowing your makeup to last longer and look better.
