Danielle Vanier: What to wear to a summer wedding

Ding Dong, Ding Dong... Wedding season is upon us, the invitations are rolling in, and if you have one coming up in the next few weeks; this post might be just the thing you need. Dressing for a special occasion is tricky in itself, but add the pressure of the fact it's during a potentially hot summer, you might be struggling to get the perfect look.

This is where I come in, always on hand to help you out...how nice am I? Ahaha but seriously, I understand how tricky it is to dress for a summer wedding, especially if it's a destination wedding.

There are a few things to take into account when dressing for a summer wedding. The heat, being the number one factor. Now, if you're anything like me, you might struggle with wearing overly synthetic fabrics when it's hot. I hate how hot and sweaty they can make you feel - gross!

Fabric type is key!

My number one tip would be to make sure you find a dress where the fabric is something light, airy and where possible, natural (such as linen or silk). This can be tricky as a lot of the more budget occasion wear options tend to be made out of synthetic fabrics, so my tip is to go for a dress that is either floaty or made from a lightweight material.

Recycle your dress

If you're heading to a few weddings this summer, you might want to think about recycling one dress. Weddings are expensive, right? A few summers ago, I had three weddings during the summer and boy can the costs add up! A printed maxi dress is the perfect option if you want to recycle your look. You can wear it with heels, glam earrings and a box clutch for a more formal wedding and then if you have a more relaxed one coming up, swap the heels for an embellished pair of sandals and you're good to go!

Comfy footwear is a must!

You've found the dress, but now it's time to get the footwear sorted. The key thing here is the comfort. No one likes a hot, swollen pair of feet, so make sure you pick the correct fitting footwear for your feet. Try a wider fit if you struggle with standard sizing, think about opting for real leather instead of synthetic (helps with the rubbing) and think about investing in a slightly more expensive pair that you can re-wear. Opting for a lower, chunky heel is always a good idea, and I love wearing a closed, pointy toe heel - saves you from having to spend money on a pedicure!

Suits You, Sir.

Gone are the days when all you could wear to a wedding was a dress and a fascinator - thank god! Mix things up a bit and try out a suit! Suits are perfect for a more casual wedding, and jumpsuits are also a great option. I love wearing jumpsuits for special occasions, and I love the fact it's always a great conversation starter. Stand out from the sea of dresses and opt for something a little different.
My top tip is to dress your summer suit up with a silky strappy top underneath and a classy clutch bag.

Summer Accessories

Box clutches are perfect for a wedding. I especially love an embellished clutch bag, when you have opted for a more minimal look. Go for a statement bag if you want to jazz up your look! Changing your accessories is the easiest way to switch up a look if you are recycling your dress. Changing your shoes or your handbag is often cheaper than buying an entirely new dress.

You can't go wrong with a statement earring, and they are the easiest way to accessorise your summer wedding look. My top tip is to pick a colour out of your dress and try to a find an earring that matches.