Summer Wedding Dresses- Styles, Fabrics, and Tips for Beating the Heat

Close your eyes and picture this: you’re walking down the aisle, the midsummer sun beats down on every step you take, creating a glow behind your veil, butterflies fly through the air around your perfect summer wedding dress, and you don’t feel one bead of sweat. Summer weddings are definitely dreamy, but they tend to come with the challenge of staying comfortable in the hot summer heat.

Today, we’ll talk about how to find summer wedding dresses that will not only make you feel like you’re the epitome of bridal elegance but will keep you as cool as possible. We’ll go over which types of styles and fabrics summer wedding dresses are designed with and give you practical tips to help you enjoy your big day without overheating.

Best Styles for Summer Wedding Dresses

1. Strapless and Spaghetti Strap Gowns

Spaghetti strap or strapless wedding dresses are great options for breathability and will no doubt be cooler than a long satin sleeve. They are perfect for many outdoor venues such as beach, garden or destination weddings.

April 124230 from Calla Blanche

2. Flowy A-Line Silhouettes

Another great style for keeping cool in the dead of summer are A-line wedding dresses. This silhouette is particularly ideal for summer wedding dresses as they have a loose skirt, which allows for airflow and movement. They also have an added bonus of being super romantic and flattering for all body types.

3. Short Dresses and High-Low Hemlines

There’s so much to love about short wedding dresses. Not only are they perfect for casual or semi-formal summer weddings, but they are also easy to dance in on those hot, muggy nights. If a short wedding dress isn’t quite for you, you may want to consider a wedding dress with a high-low hemline instead, like our Celeste style.

4. Open-Back and Dresses with Illusions

One design feature that you may not think of at first when shopping for summer wedding dresses is an open back or wedding dresses with illusions. Both a backless wedding dress and a wedding dress with illusions accomplish the same thing: drama while still offering ventilation. These design features are great for brides who want a statement-making detail without sacrificing themselves to the summer heat.

Payton LA25107 from L’Amour by Calla Blanche

Best Fabrics for Summer Wedding Dresses

1. Chiffon: One of the most lightweight, breathable and flowy fabric options, chiffon wedding dresses are perfect for beach weddings or a breezy outdoor ceremony.

2. Tulle: Another lightweight fabric that is perfect for a summer wedding is tulle. With its airy and soft qualities, it’s perfect for creating volume without being too heavy. If you’re planning a romantic or fairytale-inspired bridal look, a tulle wedding dress is going to be perfect for you.

3. Lightweight Lace: While not all lace is going to be lightweight enough if you’re hoping to stay cool on a hot day (looking at you, beaded lace), it is another great fabric for summer wedding dresses. Lace can feel both breathable and elegant, especially when used in sheer overlays or on top of tulle. Additionally, you can opt for an unlined bodice for further breathability.

4. Stretch Crepe: Smooth and form-fitting, crepe is a breathable fabric that is flexible and comfortable to wear in warmer temperatures. This fabric is ideal for modern, minimalist designs with sleek silhouettes. So if you’re in love with the crisp look of satin, but are concerned about how it will act in the heat, crepe is a great option.

5. Avoid: While it’s important to go over the fabrics that are great for summer wedding dresses, it’s equally important to go over which fabrics to try to avoid. These “to avoid” fabrics would be satin, brocade, or densely embellished fabrics like beaded lace. While there are some exceptions, these fabric types are typically heavy and may retain heat, especially under the sun on a hot day.

Some of Our Favorite Summer Wedding Dresses

Need some more inspiration? Here are some of our favorite summer wedding dresses from our collections.

Dalia 125101 from Calla Blanche

Dalia would be a perfect summer wedding dress with her flowing A-line silhouette, tulle fabric, and strapless neckline. Her illusion bodice and floral lace are adorned with sequins, keeping her lightweight and ready to sparkle under the summer sun as you say your I Do’s.

Rio LA23230 from L’Amour by Calla Blanche

Rio’s vintage lace and tulle design is another perfect option for a summer wedding dress. With no beading in sight and a strapless illusion bodice, she’s lightweight and breathable. She would be perfect for those getting married outdoors at an estate in the middle of July.

Charisma LP2431 from La Perle by Calla Blanche

While she may not have a flowing A-line silhouette, Charisma’s strapless mermaid silhouette is still a great choice as far as summer wedding dresses go. Her strapless bodice is designed with lightweight boho lace and a backless illusion to allow for additional breathability. Her mermaid silhouette, while fitted, flares out to allow for air flow and movement making her ideal for a summer wedding.

Starling AA2505 from Angela and Alison

Perfect for a second look or more casual summer weddings, Starling is a short wedding dress that will keep you cool on the hottest of days. Even though she’s beaded with sparkling pearls, her short length and tank straps will counteract any weight caused by her beading. If you’re not willing to sacrifice a classic satin ball gown for the ceremony, Starling will be the perfect solution for your reception and/or afterparty!

Other Tips for Staying Cool on Your Wedding Day

• Choose a breathable lining: Even if the outer layer is light, the lining matters. Many of our gowns are designed without bodice lining to help keep you cool.

• Consider a second look: Change into a short wedding gown, wedding dress jumpsuit or lighter dress for the reception. This may save your sanity while mingling during a humid summer night.

• Updo hairstyles help: Not only will an updo help you stay cooler, but it will also show off your dress’s neckline or back details.

• Wear breathable undergarments: Opt for lightweight shapewear or skip it entirely if your gown allows you to do so.

• Use a handheld fan or parasol: These stylish and functional accessories for outdoor weddings will keep you cool while offering one-of-a-kind wedding photo opportunities!

Perfect summer wedding dresses are those that balance beauty, comfort and practicality. They have light fabrics, flowy silhouettes and minimal sleeves. When trying to find a wedding dress for your summer wedding, consider your venue, personal style and how hot you expect it to be during that time of year. By doing this, you’ll never have buyer’s remorse when twirling away on the dance floor!

If you’d like to see more of our wedding dress designs that could be perfect for your summer wedding, feel free to visit our dress search page, where you can filter through all of our wedding dress designs based on your preferences. And if you’re ready to find a bridal salon near you, don’t hesitate to make an appointment at one of our authorized retailers to find amazing summer wedding dresses by Calla Blanche.