Hawaiian Beach Wedding Dress

What is a Hawaiian Beach Wedding Dress?

A Hawaiian beach wedding dress is simply any dress or ensemble that works with an outdoor, beach or Hawaii-themed wedding. It is typically an informal dress. The fabric choices are generally light and flowing rather than the heavier materials sometimes used for more traditional wedding dresses.

Some examples of when a Hawaii beach wedding dress might be appropriate include

• A beach wedding
• A destination wedding
• An island wedding
• A backyard luau
• An outdoor wedding
• A summer wedding
• An informal seaside wedding

Style

Although the traditional Hawaiian wedding dress, known at a holoku, was a fitted, yoked gown, today's Hawaiian wedding gowns offer dozens of style choices. You can choose whatever style suits you and you feel comfortable and beautiful in. Some aspects to consider when thinking of style include:

• Sleeve Length: Sleeveless, spaghetti-strap, off the shoulder, cap, strapless, cap sleeves, halter style, or short puff sleeves are all good choices for a Hawaiian beach wedding dress.
• Length: If you have always wanted a long wedding dress and feel comfortable with that, go for it. Typically beach wedding dresses are shorter, however, either short, knee-length, or tea length. An ankle length is also a good compromise if you'd like a longer, more elegant style without the being inhibited on the beach by a very long dress and train.
• Form and Fit: Huge ballroom dresses with petticoats are probably not the best choice for a Hawaiian beach wedding dress. Tight, very form fitting dresses may also inhibit movement. Instead, go for body-skimming styles that accentuate your curves without restricting movement.

Color

When people initially think of a Hawaiian beach wedding dress, bright, bold color may come to mind. Although it's perfectly acceptable to go with a colored wedding dress if you prefer, there are also many casual and beach styles that are available in white, ivory, and pastel shades as well.

Price

Costs vary widely depending on where you purchase your dress and whether it's a true wedding gown, department store, or designer dress. Typically, however, because these types of dresses are less formal, they are less expensive than their more traditional counterparts.

Shoes

Although white shoes are often considered a fashion faux-pas when worn with other types of attire, the wedding dress is where white shoes are an exception. If your beach dress is white or includes a white pattern, white shoes will look beautiful. Some other ideas for attiring your feet include:

• Rhinestone slip-on heeled sandals
• Satin thong heeled sandals
• Strappy white satin, silver, or gold sandals
• Low-heeled beaded sandals
• Sequined platform sandals
• Ankle tie sandal
• Ribbon tie wedge shoes

Flip-flops are another hot-trend in wedding shoes for beach weddings. The abundance of glitzy, dressy, ultra-feminine flip flops makes it easy to find a pair that is far from your casual everyday beach footwear.

Accessories

Your accessories with a Hawaiian beach wedding dress should be on the simple side since your attire will be casual. Delicate necklaces, pretty earrings, and dangling bracelets and anklets are all good choices.

Flowers are also another popular accessory. Place flowers in your hair, behind the ear, or attach pretty flower clips to your shoes or sandals.

A wrap is also another good accessory to consider with your dress. A simple wrap that complements your dress can help shield you from wind, a chill in the air, or sea spray.

Shopping Resources

• Hawaiian Wedding Shop offers dozens of Hawaiian beach wedding dress styles.
• A Traveler's Blessing sells beach and cruise wear, including pretty silk sarongs and sarong skirts.
• Aloha Fun Wear carries the Lindsay Hayes line of pretty Hawaiian dresses.