Summer in the UK keeps getting longer and warmer as the number of heatwaves and warm spells continue to rise. It’s important that you consider this when planning what to wear on your big day.

From wedding dresses to details, hairstyles to handbag accessories, and everything in between, here’s what you should do to prepare ahead for your big day if you’re expecting it to be a warm one!

Choose the right dress

It’s your wedding day, so of course you want to look and feel incredible with a beautiful dress that’s as unique as you are. But what if we told you that you could do all that and still not have to compromise on comfort?

A wedding dress doesn’t have to be big and embellished to look beautiful - you can look equally as stunning in something sleek and sophisticated like a loose-flowing chiffon or silk dress with spaghetti straps. Or why not lose the straps all together and let the neckline do the talking? A plunging neckline or sweetheart shaped bustier will open up the chest area and allow for more airflow and less chance of stuffiness.

If you’re not a fan of a low neckline and prefer to be more covered up, then consider other lightweight materials such as linen and crepe. You can even get away with lace detailing as long as it’s on the lighter side.

Most of all, you’ll want a material that is soft and free-flowing - anything that can easily move with a gentle breeze should help you to stay cool and comfortable.

It’s important to think about how much you’ll be moving around too, as certain weddings will involve a lot more activity than others. For example, will you be having a small wedding with just a few close friends and family at a local venue? Or will you be having a large outdoor wedding with hundreds of guests to greet, live music and dancing? If your wedding sounds like the latter, it might be a good idea to test-run your wedding dress to see if it’s restrictive or not. The more energy you’re having to use to get around your venue in your dress, the more likely you will become hot and flustered easily.

Prepare for a change of weather

It might sound obvious, but think about the location of your wedding. Is your big day going to be spent mainly indoors or outdoors? If you’re planning on being outside for most of the day, even if it’s forecast to be a heatwave, make sure you have all bases covered…just in case!

Though the day may start off warm, as we know by now, weather in the UK can change at the drop of a hat. If you’re not prepared, you may be left feeling cold and uncomfortable - nobody wants that on their wedding day!

Ask your bridal boutique about complementing accessories such as boleros, lace inserts and cardigans that can be used to keep you that bit warmer if the weather takes a turn for the worst. Most dress-fitters will have suggestions for this and will be on hand to help you pick something practical that still suits the style you have chosen.

Likewise, if the weather begins to get even hotter, picking a dress that can be easily customised with the help of your dress fitter is always a clever option. Some dress designs can be quickly altered to release some of the fabric, such as the train, to give you more space to move and leave you with an elegant, lightweight dress for the reception that’s perfect for dancing the night away in!

Explain to your bridal boutique that you want to be able to move freely after your wedding ceremony. If you can afford it, why not go for a second wedding dress for your reception? It’ll wow your guests and leave you feeling much fresher than if you were to wear a heavy dress all day in the hot sunshine.

Think about the details

There’s nothing worse than feeling hot and uncomfortable during your big day - you’ll want to try and stay as cool and calm as possible, as there will be many emotions already wreaking havoc on your body’s temperature. It’s only natural to get a bit clammy when you’re nervous!

Wear breathable cotton underwear to help minimise sweating. You can even ditch the bra if you’re feeling confident enough and your dress is supportive - the less layers the better when it comes to hot-weather weddings!

Have a trial run of your wedding makeup and try to wear it all day - preferably on a hot day if you can. This will give you an idea of how the products may react to the elements. You’ll want a lightweight foundation that doesn’t make your face feel heavy or cakey, as this will only make you feel hotter. Trial a range of foundations with your makeup artist and let them know which one feels best on your skin, they should be able to provide you with a finishing powder that will help to keep any shine at bay and leave your makeup looking flawless from start to finish.

Consider wearing your hair in an updo to help prevent your neck from sweating. If you have your heart set on having your hair down for your wedding day, be sure to bring along some cooling wet wipes and a handheld fan to keep your hair from sticking to your neck. Take regular bathroom breaks to cool down and have your bridesmaids check the back of your hair to make sure it’s still looking fabulous.

Quick tips

Here are some additional tips for staying cool at your wedding:

Stay hydrated - assign one of your bridesmaids to keep a bottle/glass of water on hand for you. This will help regulate your body temperature.
Remember to wear sunscreen - you don’t want to spend your honeymoon with heat stroke and sunburn! Ask a family member to help apply it to the back of your neck, shoulders and anywhere that is hard to reach. This is particularly important for anyone wearing a backless dress.
Make a ‘keep cool’ bag and have your bridesmaids look after it for you. We recommend a deodorant or body spray, some wet wipes and tissues, hair bobbles, cooling strips, sunglasses and a fan.
Worried about chafing? Nude-coloured cycle shorts will mean that your thighs won’t rub together and you’ll be able to move much more freely without having to pay for it in the morning!
Why not consider having a lightweight evening outfit to change into, such as shorts and a t- shirt or a floaty summer dress? You can have fun with this by embellishing the back with your new surname or the date of your wedding. You could even coordinate with your bridesmaids to keep the theme going!

However you decide to style your hot-weather wedding, make sure you do it with your and your partner’s personality in mind. It’s your big day, after all.

Stuck for ideas? Why not check out our list of suppliers for some inspiration. You can find more helpful blog posts here.