Summer wedding dresses

Selection

In heat, three things decide: the weight of the dress, the number of skirt layers and whether the lining breathes. Chiffon, organza and soft tulle weigh little and let air through; heavy satin at thirty-five degrees becomes an ordeal, however beautiful it is.

The second factor is the venue. For a ceremony on grass or sand the hem matters as much as the fabric: a long train outdoors collects whatever lies beneath it. A short dress, or a floor-length one without a train, spares you that worry.

A practical note: bring the underwear you will actually wear and look at the dress in daylight by the window. Light fabrics behave differently in sunlight than under salon lamps — better to see that in advance.