How to Change Seasons Without Changing Your Wedding Dress

I’ve been so impressed this past month or so with how many of my brides have been so pragmatic and understanding about the prospect of postponing their wedding day. While it’s not the end of the world, it can definitely feel that way at times, and the disappointment isn’t to be underestimated when there’s been so much build-up to the big day. You are all wonderful.

We’ve had some brides who have had to push back their wedding from summer to winter, and the changing of the seasons can be a worry, especially when it comes to the wedding outfit.

I would always bear in mind that while you’ll sometimes consider the season when picking a wedding dress (especially if it’s abroad), I strongly believe that when you find the one it’s not really about the potential warmth or coolness of the dress. You can’t help what you love!

Unless you’ve ordered a bikini or velvet-and-fur coat for the wrong season, you can definitely make it work, and here’s how.

 

Winter to Summer: Altering Your Wedding Dress for Warmer Weather

If you’re switching your wedding date from winter to summer, consider shortening any heavier sleeves on your dress or reducing a layer in the skirt if you’re seriously worried about the heat. 

Seamstresses usually come from a creative background, so they’ll know what will and won’t work. Just ask if you’re not sure – they’re the experts after all.

 

Summer to Winter: Layering Your Wedding Day Outfit

If your wedding day is moving from summer to winter, you have the best excuse to add to your outfit. 

As with normal clothes, you’ll want to layer up for any time spent outdoors. Your dress is still perfect for you – just maybe grab another layer, and use it as a chance to add your own personality to your overall look. (Check out some of Our Brides for winter wedding inspiration.)

Bear in mind your extra layer will usually be something you can get more wears out of later, and it will be a wonderful reminder of your big day.

As always, feel free to contact us with any questions, but here are a few of my personal favourite outfit additions for winter weddings.

 

Classic winter wedding additions

Barcelona designer Jesus Peiro are my go-to for classic wedding-day warmth. Their beautiful knitwear comes in classic shapes and a few soft colours:

 

Or if you’ve gone for clean lines in your wedding dress, you can also add a little bit of lace – classic with a 3D twist maybe?

 

Minimal winter wedding additions

Charlie Brear is the queen of bridalwear separates, so there are plenty of options when it comes to cover-ups. If you want to keep your look clean and elegant, here is a pick of my favourites:

 

Dramatic winter wedding additions

Eliza Jane Howell has some exquisite cape options if you want to go for beading. While they won’t add much warmth, they’ll look incredible in candlelight or low winter sunshine.

 

Also check out Love Story Bride’s Olive Cape, or the Phoenix Bolero B219 Jacket by Jesus Peiro.

 

Relaxed winter wedding additions

Rembo Styling’s knitwear is a favourite here. Their Luna cardi is something you’d wear again and again after your wedding, and their Elvis shrug could even be reinvented as a stylish throw post-wedding.

I’m also waiting on a new addition to Rembo’s cool cover-ups in the form of an eco-friendly cotton jacket embroidered with the words ‘Forever Yours’. I mean, what’s not to love?

 

P.S. My own style

Finally, some ideas from personal experience… I ‘did the legal bit’ myself in Sheffield back in February. I’d always known I’d wear a bridal jumpsuit on my wedding day, but having never really planned to get hitched in winter I took the opportunity to add to my outfit. 

The amazing Charlie Brear gifted me a black tux jacket, so I went with this as a theme, along with a bit of added warmth from the yummiest mohair wrap by Jesus Peiro, worn as a scarf. Oh and the jumpsuit itself is the Carson by Charlie Brear. Love.

You could even just steal his jacket, but why not treat yourself on the bridal budget?!