Caribbean Wedding Wear
If you are wondering what to wear to a Caribbean wedding, whether as a Bride, Groom or guest, be assured that tropical wedding fashion runs the gamut from the comfort and simplicity of bare feet with sand between your toes, to the lavish elegance of Top Hats and Tails!
Top Caribbean wedding destinations shout ‘beach’, inspiring images of sparkling waters, golden sands, and brilliant sunshine, making it hard to imagine a more romantic setting when considering potential Barbados wedding venues – nothing could be further from the hassle of the five hundred guests that your parents want to invite to your wedding at home!
Beach weddings in Barbados tend to be causal but stylish with couples pulling out all the stops to use tropical themes and colours to accentuate dresses suitable for a Caribbean wedding. After all, every bride wants to look spectacular on her special day, and ‘wow’ as all eyes are on her! A Beach can be a formal or casual place to wed, add a rich red carpet, or run barefoot in the sand… the choice is yours, simply couple this with appropriate attire. The twenty first century beach wedding is a far cry from the assembly-line approach of the 1990’s and destination weddings in Barbados have come a long way, as have bridal dresses for Caribbean weddings, taking more inspiration from ready-to-wear catwalk trends. Softer looks with Grecian draping, and ‘boudoir’ fabrics such as chiffon are very much ‘in’ 2011, and are also more suited to the tropical climate, apart from being wrinkle-resistant and easier to pack than a huge ‘multi-bowed, puff-sleeved dress’.
Caribbean wedding dresses range from ‘barely there’ white swimming costumes paired with a Sarong or Pareo, and fresh island flowers tucked into your hair, to vintage gowns with veils and tiaras that rival the movie Pirates of the Caribbean wedding dress! Even Pamela Anderson whipped off her ceremonial dress to reveal a white Melissa Odabash bikini underneath! So stay true to your vision of the wedding dress of your dreams, while finding a style that suits your body shape and our tropical climate! Romantic Caribbean weddings can carry your cutting edge mini, or Granny’s dress customized to your own dream of a tropical bridal gown!
We suggest dressing with comfort in mind as the island of Barbados enjoys tropical sunshine and warmth all year round, so cotton or linen are definitely the better choice for the Groom’s Caribbean wedding suit. Alternatively, the groom, with his best man and groomsmen, also has the opportunity to look dapper while dressed more casually, with the rise in popularity of Hawaiian and colorful print shirts. Against the back drop of turquoise waters, white sand and abundant natural light, colourful Caribbean wedding shirts are amazing accents to compliment your tropical wedding theme. However, traditional white, accessorized with tasteful pops of colour, be it from jewelry, shoes or exotic island flowers, remains the popular favourite!
A slightly less formal look is often selected for the maid of honor and bridesmaids, often in vibrant colours synonymous with the tropics, in varying patterns and styles. As colours are never seasonal in the tropics, you have an infinite palate to work with, so be sure to explore all combinations when considering bridal party attire. Every member of your wedding party can look stunning and chic, a testimony to your personal taste and style.
Wedge heels, and strappy or sexy barefoot sandals pair perfectly with these pretty dresses on the sand, as well as decorative, summery jewelry which adds a stunning touch to any Caribbean wedding wear. Beach jewelry, including Anklets or gorgeous ankle to toe jewels and a pedicure complement and enhance the beauty of exposed feet at Barbados destination weddings! Bright, colorful shoes can also add a fun pop of color when revealed by gentle, island breezes, while looking great in your photos. The groom typically follows suit with a lightweight sandal or bare feet.
Guest attire for Barbados wedding holidays could not be easier, especially considering ‘irie island stylee’. Anything goes when it comes to length, from shorts to slacks for the gents, and soft minis to flowing maxi dresses, so don’t be afraid to show a little skin – even if it’s just a bare shoulder or a low back. As tropical fashion is known for its fun and tasteful, multicolor clothing, featuring featherweight fabrics and flowing silhouettes, feel free to be creative with your own garb. All in all, what to wear to a Caribbean wedding boils down to the venue selected, be it garden, church or beach, plus your personal comfort and individual style.
Please remember the sun when shopping for your Caribbean weddings and honeymoons, especially if you are planning to tan up for the big day! Swimwear will be the order of the day, so consider the style of your swim suit in relation to your event attire, as it is an easy detail to miss, with the consequence being the dreaded tan lines which will result.
So whether you are saying ‘I do’ on the red carpet at the cathedral or barefoot on the beach, everyone can be sure to look gorgeous, relaxed and radiant as they savor every moment while celebrating your love for each other, on your big day in paradise!