What to wear to a summer wedding

In keeping with all the best fairy tale scenarios, every mother of the bride or groom is expecting the wedding day celebrations of the happy couple to be a once in a lifetime moment. It is a landmark in time for family and friends, joining two families together in marriage and also marking the fresh beginning for an entirely new family.

The summer of 2022 is set to be one of the busiest ever for wedding celebrations, as couples finally feel that full freedom to book their dates with confidence after the disruption of the global pandemic. Estimates suggest that 2.6 million couples will get married this year, with approximately 80% of weddings taking place between May and October.

Partner this with the growing trend for non-traditional venues and the rise of the ‘festival wedding’ and there are two significant considerations for anyone planning what to wear to a summer wedding. Firstly, plan well in advance to make sure you avoid the disappointment of your dream outfit being unavailable. And secondly, keep in mind how your outfit might work with the location and theme of the wedding – there is a big difference between what to wear for a function suite in a hotel compared to a yurt in a wildflower meadow.
Naturally, the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom will each be a focal point of attention at the wedding. From those proud moments of sharing the good news of an engagement with far-flung members of the family through to those emotional farewells as the couple leave for their first night of wedded bliss, both the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom will be at the heart of all the key activities and preparations. And on the day of the wedding itself, all eyes will be on these doting parents, with special attention given to their outfit choice.

When deciding what to wear to the wedding, etiquette dictates that consideration is given to the themes and designs of the key members of the wedding party, such as the bridesmaids and closest family members, while it’s usually prudent to get an indication of the bride’s preferences too. But none of this should daunt you. This is your chance to be bold, be proud and be yourself. Don’t be afraid to find an outfit you fall in love with and that shows the real you on this most special of days.

There are some practical aspects to determine to ensure you feel relaxed and comfortable in what you wear throughout the day of the wedding. Will you have to move around a lot through the duration of the wedding day? How warm is it likely to be, in terms of weather on the day and when you are inside the venue for the ceremony and celebrations? Are you expecting to dance the night away in the same outfit as you arrived at the ceremony or is there a stylish wardrobe change planned?

For a summer wedding, look out for lightweight and breathable fabrics which will be forgiving should you find yourself out of the shade on a hot and humid day. If you are planning for a more formal look, blended suit fabrics are another good option. Wool-linen provides a lighter weight while a wool-silk blend affords an extra softness.

In terms of colour, wedding attire is traditionally the home of bright hues, but there has been an uprising in shiny metallics like gold and silver. Florals are another popular choice for summer weddings and can work in harness with earth tones, such as beiges and light greys.

Whatever you choose for this celebration of love – love what you wear.