Photo credit: Aloha Weddings

by Renae Virata

Imagine yourself, witnessing a loved one’s big day, in the warmth of the sun, by the rolling waves and in the midst of a tantalizing breeze.  How romantic!  But those very pleasures can also make you uncomfortable if you’re not prepared!  Here are some tips to make sure you look your best and survive the sun and sand.

Now most beach weddings might not take place in the sand, but just in case (and who knows where you’ll end up as a group by night’s end!) it’s a good idea to wear wedges if you go the heels route.  The even footing will help you traverse grass, sand dunes, and even wooden-planked bridges with a little more grace.  ‘Course, you can always take your shoes off.

Click on each piece to learn more.

TIBI Sao Paolo Jersey Maxi Dress $381

CYNTHIA STEFFE Leslie Dress $325

Isabella Oliver $315

ISABELLA OLIVER $175

Crocs $ 89.99

Crocs $89.99

Zappos $98

Zappos $98

Lodis $235

La Regale $32

Amici $32

Helen Kaminski $245

Because it can get breezy and sunny, pull of a totally chic look with a wide-brimmed straw hat and a light scarf.  You can use that same scarf as an accessory for brunch the next day (and on the plane ride home).

As far as dresses go, most beach weddings are on the casual side.  Bright colors (wrinkle-free, cool, and somewhat stain-resistant) allow you to finally break out that fabulous hot pink mini-dress you’ve been waiting to wear.  If you go for a traditional special occasion fabric like taffeta, short is best to avoid dragging your hem on the ground (no doubt you WILL have your shoes off by day’s end!).  Opt for simple shapes that won’t get uncomfortable as the day in the sun wears on – uncomplicated halters, spaghetti-strapped dresses and strapless sheaths are perfect.  Avoid flouncy, multi-layered pieces to beat the heat. Simpler fabrics like light jerseys are fin short or maxi styles.

When you go simple with your dress, ladies, accessories always punctuate the outfit!  Statement jewelry will glam up even the simplest dresses.  Try a giant cocktail ring or a multi-jeweled bib necklace.

Hey, Travelistas! Wanna know what to wear for the weather? Just click on My Stylist and type in your location, date, and an occasion and let My Stylist do the rest. Join us on Facebook and Twitter for everything fashion and travel from WeareverTheWeather.com!

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2009; via Style.com

by Laura Milligan

In most parts of the country, June is wedding month. In Texas and the South, our Octobers pile up with wedding invitations because the worst of the heat is finally over, but for some couples it just makes sense to get hitched in the middle of the winter.

If you’re of a certain age, you’ve probably accumulated a sensible collection of summery cocktail dresses, and a solid stash of belts, shoes, and purses to mix between them during particularly busy — and traditionally timed — wedding seasons. But what are the rules for dressing up when it’s cold and blustery outside? Keep reading for our tips on what to wear to a winter wedding.

• Tuxedo pants for girls has resurfaced as an acceptable cocktail or even black-tie trend in recent years, and if you’re going to wear pants to a wedding, this is pretty much the only option you’ve got, unless the dress code is jeans. But when you wear tuxedo pants, everything else you wear needs to be impeccably sophisticated and feminine: think jeweled peep-toes and satin halter tops.
• Coat dresses provide enough structure and warmth to be dressy without looking out of season or like you’re going to the office (which tweed shifts can often do). Remember that a sleeveless or short sleeve edition will allow you more room and comfort on the dance floor and can be layered over sheer cashmere tees and long-sleeve shirts.
• High-heeled boots are practical but stylish alternatives to sandals or even pumps. Pick boots with a delicate heel to amp up the dressy factor.
• A good winter coat will protect you from the elements outside and drafty churches inside. Fur and fake fur make everything dressier, so accessorize with a coat or wrap that’s either all fur or fur-trimmed. And when we wrote about what to wear in Chicago during the winter, Cascade Communications president Jennifer Fortney pointed out that nothing’s better than a good down coat when it’s really freezing. Wear a cardigan underneath, and you’ll be ready to show off your party dress during the ceremony and reception.

And make sure that if you wear black, balance the heavy, moody color with a dress or accessory in a pretty, fresh pattern or hue. You are going to a wedding, after all.

Hey, Travelistas! Wanna know what to wear for the weather? Just click on My Stylist and type in your location, date, and an occasion and let My Stylist do the rest. Join us on Facebook and Twitter for everything fashion and travel from WeareverTheWeather.com!

Erdem Celyn dress coat

Nanette Lepore Sirena double-breasted coat dress

White House Black Market Tuxedo Pant

Erin Fetherston Tuxedo Jumpsuit

Anyone who’s ever been a bridesmaid in a wedding knows full well what happens to that poofy, sad dress after its moment has passed.  It ends up in the back of the closet in its original dryclean plastic never to be seen by human eyes again (until you clean out your closet or move).  But it doesn’t have to be a total waste!  Here are some ideas on how to find a wearable place in your wardrobe for your old bridesmaid dresses.

Turn a poofy dress into a cool skirt.

Turn that poofy dress into a cool cocktail skirt

Dresses that have that indescribable “scratchy” taffeta material can find new life as a fun cocktail skirt.  Just get your seamstress to chop off the top portion and to shorten the skirt portion to a length that hits just at or above the knee (depending on the skirt’s structure and length).  If the dress has an attached sash, keep it as a built-in belt or remove it as a separate piece that you can wear with other outfits.  Wear your new skirt with a turtleneck in the winter or a simple, solid-colored cotton tank in the spring and accent with an awesome strand of pearls, layers of chains, or a long pendant necklace.

Take it off

Chop off the sleeves, shorten it, or make it strapless.  With the help of your seamstress or a crafty friend, you can find a number of simple ways to make the dress work just by reducing it to its best parts.

Break out the paintbrush and go to town!

Get REALLY crafty

Remember that adorable Kenley from season 5 of Project Runway?  She got really creative with paint and won rave reviews from the judges.  You can do the same and have a ton of grade-school art-class fun with fabric paints.  This will especially work well on those dresses with that aforementioned “scratchy” taffeta material.  Just be sure to plan out your pattern on paper first and sketch it on the dress or use stencils to create cool designs on the front, to the side, or on the bottom.

You can also add different materials to create completely new looks.  Take the top from a strapless dress and add straps or have a separate knit or woven material sewn for the bodice, keeping the bandeau part in tact.  Shorten a dress and add a cool contrasting but complementary material as a border on the bottom.

Bare essentials

Strip the dress to its bare minimum by removing all those extras (floral attachments, sashes, lace, etc.).  Add a crinoline skirt underneath a stiff and shortened cocktail-like dress.  Top off with a cool sash belt in the same color in a whimsical pattern like polka dots or stripes for a retro look.  How about shortening those gloves and wearing them out for a night on the town?  Or you can slim down a dress to create a simple sheath.

Get creative, work with your friends, look through magazines, and consult with your seamstress to get some great ideas on what to do with that dress.  It’s fun, it’s green, and it’s the best way to get more bang for your buck from that $200 dress!