Are there wedding bells ringing in your future? Statistics show that more than 2.3
million couples tie the knot every year in the United States. While there are countless wedding venues where you and your soon-to-be spouse can exchange "I do's," none are more romantic than the beach. Getting married on the beach offers several benefits that you simply won't find elsewhere. For starters, the scenery is truly breathtaking, allowing you to capture these special moments on camera (and video). Secondly, you don't have to travel far to your honeymoon, as most couples who have a beach wedding also have their honeymoon on the beach. Finally, beach weddings are actually relatively inexpensive when compared to other, more traditional wedding venues. But regardless of your reason for getting married on the beach, you'll need to choose the right attire. For grooms, this means choosing a suit that's both appropriate and comfortable for the beach. Not all suits should be worn on the beach; some are too heavy, while others don't match the setting. So, follow the tips outlined below to find the perfect suit for your beach wedding.
Light Colors
While there's no rule stating that you cannot wear a black suit to a beach wedding, this is one occasion in which lighter colors work best. As you may already know, black and other dark colors have a tendency to absorb sunlight and subsequently hold heat. Being that the average wedding in the United States lasts for approximately four hours, according to TheKnot, wearing a black suit could make uncomfortably hot, especially if you're on the beach. To ensure you are cool and comfortable during this memorable event, stick with a light-colored suit. White is an all-around great choice that's perfect for beach weddings. In addition to reflecting sunlight and keeping you cool, a white suit will match the natural color of the sandy-white beach. Of course, you can choose other light colors for your suit as well. Pale blue, for instance, is a popular alternative for beach wedding suits. Like white, it also reflects sunlight -- though to a lesser degree -- while also reflecting the color of the sky and ocean. When choosing a suit color, consider three basic things: whether it reflects or absorbs heat; how it matches with the natural beach landscape; and whether it matches the bride's dress and other wedding attire. Only choose a suit if it passes this test. While there are other things to consider when choosing a suit (we'll get to that soon), color is arguably one of the most important.
Choose a Lightweight, Breathable Fabric
It's also important to choose a suit made of a lightweight, breathable fabric. It's not uncommon for temperatures on southern U.S. beaches to reach 95 degrees, sometimes even higher. Wearing a wool suit is a serious mistake that will can make you miserable on your big day, as it's too warm and thick for these hot and humid environments. Cotton is a little better, but it's still not the best choice for a beach wedding. So, what type of suit fabric should you choose for a beach wedding? Hands down, the best fabric for a beach wedding and other hot environments is linen. Made from woven fibers of the flax plant, linen is the perfect choice of fabric for a beach wedding. With its exceptional lightweight and breathable characteristics, it's guaranteed to keep you cool and comfortable on your wedding day. Best of all, linen is regarded as one of the highest quality textiles on the planet. The natural characteristics of this plant-based fabric trump those of other natural and even man-made fabrics. This is why you should choose a
linen suit for your beach wedding.
Custom Size
Don't make the mistake of wearing a suit that's either too big or too small to your beach wedding. If your suit is too small, you'll feel even hotter -- and that's exactly what you should try to avoid on the beach. And if your suit is too big, it will look awkward and funny when you're standing in front of dozens (or hundreds) of guests waiting to get married. You can find the perfect size for your body shape and size, however, by ordering it here at
StudioSuits. We offer custom sizing on all suits at no additional charge. When ordering, can specify your measurements, which we'll use to customize your suit so it fits just right. This takes the burden of trying to find the right size off your shoulders, and it also eliminates the need for taking your suit to get professionally tailored.
Beach Shoes
Finally, choose the right shoes for your beach wedding. Traditional leather oxfords are usually great -- but not for a beach wedding. You'll end up getting sand stuck between your socks and shoes, creating a not-so-pleasant feeling when you walk. Besides, traditional footwear and socks isn't exactly cool when you're on a blistering-hot beach. Thankfully, there are other footwear options to consider. A more appropriate choice of shoes for a beach wedding is slip-on canvas shoes (without socks) or boat shoes, either of which are great for the beach. Alternatively, you can wear sandals or flip-flops as long as they match the rest of your attire. Once you've selected your footwear, be sure to include this information in your wedding invitations so that guests will also know what's appropriate to wear.
The Bottom Line on Beach Weddings and Suits...
Hopefully, this gives you a better idea of how to choose the right suit for a beach wedding. Just remember to stick with a light color, lightweight and breathable fabric, a custom size, and beach-appropriate shoes. Following these otherwise simple tips will ensure that you look and feel like a million bucks on your wedding day.
