With the cost of your perfect wedding day and honeymoon continuing to rise, many couples are choosing to combine the two by marrying abroad. Couples may choose to marry away from home for a number of reasons not least that it is impossible to guarantee the weather in the UK regardless of what month you choose to marry. Many couples opt for a more intimate ceremony or to marry alone with just their witnesses and have a party when they return home. This can save a lot of money and is often the easier option in families with a complicated dynamic and takes much of the complication away from table plans and who will sit next to who! A foreign beach wedding also takes much of the stress from the planning aspect as most beach wedding packages will include a wedding co-ordinator who will take care of most of the finer details for you leaving you free to concentrate on the more important aspects including what bridal fabrics to choose for your ideal wedding gown. [caption id="attachment_6367" align="alignleft" width="300"]hwedding Paddle in the sea in a shorter length wedding gown at your beachside wedding.[/caption] When choosing your dress and deciding on your ideal bridal fabrics the options are a lot broader than when opting for a traditional church ceremony for example, you are not tied to wearing shades of white and ivory. A beach wedding can be romantic and elegant or a more relaxed, casual seaside affair inspired by sea, sand and surf so your options really are endless when selecting bridal fabrics. The main thing to consider when constructing your beach wedding gown is the weather. If you are marrying under the hot sun of Cyprus or Mauritius you will want to avoid a heavy, structured gown with lots of layers and boning and instead choose a softer, more romantic design of gown constructed from lighter, floatier bridal fabrics such as chiffon and tulle which will move gently in the breeze. An empire line gown or a column shaped dress with a scoop neck is ideal for a romantic, fairytale princess effect or if you are going for a more relaxed vibe at your beach wedding you could even opt for a cocktail length or 50's style prom dress and bare feet to feel the sand between your toes; this length of gown will allow you to go for a little paddle in the water for some contemporary photographs. When selecting your bridal fabrics you should bear in mind that some are not ideal to be worn on the beach as the salt and water may damage some materials. Bridal fabrics such as lace can look wonderful on the beach but avoid long, flowing gowns constructed from this material as you may find that it will pick up debris from the sand, most brides will want to wear their dress again for a party on their return home it is important to select bridal fabrics that will stay looking like new. Consider that your bridal gown will need to be packed away and taken with you on the aeroplane so you should choose a bridal fabric which will travel well and will not crease. Here are some recommendations to consider: Satin - this lustrous material is a popular choice of bridal fabric for any kind of ceremony. With it's excellent weight many ranges of satin may be too heavy for beach gowns however,  if satin is your favourite choice of bridal fabric we would recommend the range of Super Soft Duchess Satin. This gorgeous bridal fabric is of the same luxurious quality as traditional satins but with a much softer handle and a beautiful drape and is known for it's soft, flowing feel. Organza - this thin, plain weave bridal fabric is similar in appearance to real silk and with it's delicate, ethereal qualities, tulle is ideal for a flowing, romantic and truly unique style of wedding dress. Chiffon - floaty chiffon is always a popular choice of bridal fabric and is often the first choice for brides marrying in a beach ceremony. This plain woven, sheer fabric is glamorous and elegant and will give a floaty, feminine appearance to any gown. We stock a wide range of gorgeous chiffon fabrics including Cationic Chiffon which is a stunning, sleek fabric of a two-tone iridescent appearance which will add a stunning finish to your bridal gown. Cationic Chiffon Crinkled Yoryu is a lightly crinkled bridal fabric with a flowing drape which feels lovely and cool against the skin. All of our bridal fabrics are available in a range of stunning colour options including traditional pastel shades however, many beach brides will choose stronger and more vibrant colours to contrast the sand and sea such as corals, pinks and greens particularly for their bridesmaid gowns. Brides who are marrying on the beach will rarely be seen in a veil and may instead opt for fresh flowers, a fascinator or a diamante headpiece. To add extra glamour to a bridal fascinator, our range of Dress Net is ideal and is stocked in a wide variety of colours designed to compliment our bridal fabrics range. Many brides who have chosen a beach ceremony will choose romantic beach waves and a fascinator or headpiece on a comb will help to keep your hair from blowing in your face, an up do is also a great way of keeping your hair neat. For centrepieces consider using the natural elements such as palm leaves and fresh flowers rather than elaborate vases and candles that may tip over with the slightest gust of wind. [caption id="attachment_6368" align="aligncenter" width="300"]hwedding Choose lighter fabrics for a cool beach wedding.[/caption] Are you marrying on the beach this year? What is your top tip? Please head over to our Facebook page for more ideas and as always we love to see pictures of your own creations. Until next time! Calico Laine